1-908-876-9696 info@wthsnj.org

Spend an Evening in 1776

Experience a unique, lively evening of music, food, wine, beer and 1776 storytelling!

250th Anniversary Walking Tour

Self-Guided walking tour of historic buildings of Washington Township

Test Your America250 Knowledge

Join the America250 Jeopardy Trivia Challenge August 29th!

The Washington Township Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and promoting public interest in the history of Washington Township, New Jersey and surrounding areas

Our Story

The Washington Township Historical Society was founded in 1960 and incorporated in 1961 by a group of concerned citizens who were committed to saving the historic 1774 Union Church ruins from demolition. Many of those first members were descendants of Washington Township's founding families. Since that time, the Society has contributed to preserving historic township structures at risk. By 1974, The Society had raised sufficient funds for the first stabilization of the church's stone walls, followed in 2010, with help from the Morris County Historic Trust Fund, for a second stabilization. In 1995, the Society lent donated funds to the Washington Township Land Trust for the purchase of the historic Obadiah LaTourette Mill. In 2018 and 2022, again with help from the Morris County Historic Trust Fund, the Society funded structural restorations to the historic 1830 Union Schoolhouse.

Read More Below.

250th Anniversary Local Events

Blog

Museum

Cemetery

Events

Did You Know?

Our Washington Township was the first so named in 1798 (George was still alive then!). In 1983, there was a referendum to change the township name to Long Valley Township. The vote failed 1450 to 1113.

The Schooley’s Mountain General Store is one of the oldest continuously run general stores in America and was started by Joseph Heath.

The Lenni Lenape referred to this area as Long Valley. It has been known through its history as Budd Valley, Dutch Valley and German Valley. During WWI the residents chose to change the name to Long Valley.

The Rockport Train Wreck, one of the worst train disasters in U.S. history, occurred on June 16, 1925, in Mansfield Township.

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