SC History Weekend Southern Tour

Northern Central Southern

Southern Tour - The D&R Canal

The Southern Tour consists of five historic sites connected by some of Somerset County's most scenic roads. The route parallels both sides of the Millstone River and D&R canal - from Millstone Borough to Rocky Hill. You can enter the tour at any of the five sites and follow it in either direction. Maps and guides will be available at each of the sites. The total diving distance is approximately 23 miles.

There are numerous picturesque spots along the route where you can stop and take short hikes along the D&R tow path. The D&R Canal is very popular with hikers, recreational boaters, bicyclists, and photographers. Because the roads are narrow, please watch out for cyclists and pedestrians.


Start		The Forge is located just off Amwell Road in Millstone, one mile West of the intersection of Route 206 and Amwell Road. From 206, turn east on Amwell road and drive until you see a Getty station on the right-hand side of the road at a stoplight. Turn left one block and park in the lot at Millstone Borough Hall just north of the site. Walk south to North River Stree and then down the hill to the forge. From South Bound Brook, take Weston Canal Road and cross the Manville Causway. Turn left on Millstone Road Road (Rt. 533) and drive to Borough Hall. Google Map

	11.	Old Millstone Forge, Blacksmith Shop & Museum 9 North River Street Millstone, NJ 08844 > Demonstrations of early iron working techniques > Display of the museum's tool collection > Presentations on the history of early American forges Millstone was the scene of several important events during the Revolutionary War including the burning of the County Court House, jail, Dutch Reformed church and two homes in 1779 by the Queens Rangers commanded by Lt. Colonel
		John Simcoe. The village was the site of a number of historic encampments. Washington's army camped in the town while on route to Morristown following the victory at Princeton in January 1777. French troops, commanded by Rochambeau, camped there in 1781 on the way to final victory at Yorktown, VA.

		From the Old Millstone Forge, take Amwell Road (Rt. 533) east to the historic village of Middlebush and South Middlebush Road. Turn right (south) on South Middlebush Road approximately one mile and look for the Wyckoff-Garretson House driveway on the right in a dip in the road. Google Map

	26.	Wyckoff-Garretson House 215 South Middlebush Road Somerset, NJ 08873 > The Colonial Living History Alliance will demonstrate daily chores of 18th Century life such as open-hearth cooking > Costumed interpreters in period clothes > Lambs Artillery & Daniel Morgan Rifle Co. demonstrating 18th century military encampment > Live period music on harpsichord and violin throughout the day

		From the Wyckoff-Garretson House, continue driving south on South Middlebush Road (1/4 mile) to Blackwells Mills Road. Turn right (west) on Blackwells Mills Road and continue (1 mile) to Canal Road. Turn left on Canal Road follow the canal to the historic village of Griggstown (4 miles). Look for the Griggstown Reformed Church on the left. The schoolhouse is located behind the Church. Google Map

	7.	Griggstown Schoolhouse 1065 Canal Road Griggstown, NJ 08540 > Local history exhibits with interpretative text > Continuous showings of 4 videos: Griggstown: Then and Now, winner of a Telly Award; The Griggstown Schoolhouse Story; The D&R Canal; and Restoration & Rededication of the Griggstown Schoolhouse > Self-guided walking tours of the scenic canal, with complimentary guide provided, taking visitors past the Bridge - Tenders Station and Mule Tenders Barracks, as one walks along the canal to the canal lock.

		From Griggstown, continue south on Canal Road to Washington Street (Rt. 518) and turn right to Rocky Hill. The First Reformed Church will be just on your left. Street parking is available on Reeve Road on the side of the church. Google Map

	5.	First Reformed Church 91 Washington Street Rocky Hill, NJ 08553 > Self-guided tours of sanctuary - literature available > Special display of documents from church's history > Continuous video featuring history of the church and the surrounding Rocky Hill community The village of Rocky Hill dates from the 18th century and was the site of grist mill, fulling mill, and copper shop. The village
		particularly prospered after the building of the D&R canal. The historic district offers a number of interesting shops and places to walk.


		From the First Reformed Church, continue west on Washington Street across Rt.206 to Burnt Hill Road (1 1/2 miles). Turn right on Burnt Hill and look for the Bedensville One-Room Schoolhouse behind the new school building on the right (1 mile). Google Map

	1.	Bedensville One-Room Schoolhouse 244 Orchard Road Skillman, NJ 08558 > Try your hand at using a quill pen > Play with reproduction period wooden toys > Children can dress up in nineteenth century clothing > Spend recess rolling hoops or playing the game of graces

		From the Bedensvill Schoolhouse, take Orchard Road back to Rt.206. Turn north on Rt. 206 and return to Somerville.