May 4: Volunteer Recruitment Day

Would you like to learn more about how you can help us care for the natural and historic resources of Wharton State Forest? Join us on May 4th from 12 – 3 p.m. for our Volunteer Recruitment Day at Batsto Village Historic Site!

Meet our staff and volunteers, explore the various jobs and duties that both perform, and find out how you can be part of our team! Demonstrations and information sessions include historic woodworking and blacksmithing, leading tours of the mansion and village, trail maintenance, and more.

Wagon rides through the historic village will also be available 12 – 3 p.m. for a small fee.

Batsto is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037.

For more information, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024.

 

May 11: Public Star Watch at Atsion Office Field

You’re invited to a Free Public Star Watch, organized by the West Jersey Astronomical Society (WAS). Members of the Society will have telescopes available for the public to view objects in the night sky.  The event is weather permitting, and visitors are encouraged to check the WAS website (https://www.wasociety.us) after 1 p.m. the day of the event to confirm it is still happening should there be cloudy skies. The Star Watch Begins at 8 p.m.

Atsion Office Field is located at 744 US 206, Shamong, NJ 08088.

For more information please call the Atsion Office at 609-268-0444.

 

May 10, 11 & 12: Mother’s Day Weekend Tours of Batsto Mansion

This Mother’s Day weekend, enjoy spring at Wharton State Forest with a tour of Batsto Village and its Italianate mansion! Tours meet in the Batsto Visitor Center and begin with a walk through the village, stopping at notable buildings and locations along the way. Tours then move inside the mansion, where visitors are invited to explore the nineteenth century home.

Tours are approximately 90-120 minutes long and begin at 2 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes for the outdoor portion of the tour. Tour tickets can be purchased at the Batsto Visitor Center and are $5 per person.

Batsto Mansion is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037 in Historic Batsto Village.                                                     

For more information or to confirm Mother’s Day Tour availability, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024.                                    

 

 

 

May 19: Spring Antique, Glass and Bottle Show at Batsto

 

Join us for our annual Spring Antique, Glass and Bottle Show, presented by the Batsto Citizen’s Committee, Inc. Come to Batsto Village on May 19th from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. to view Pine Barrens treasures, search for that rare find to add to your antique collection, or to take a scenic stroll through the historic iron town.

While in the village, stop by the Batsto Mansion for a special Antique, Glass and Bottle Show tour! Tours will cover the first and second floors of the house and will be available throughout the day. Special artifacts will also be on view. Tickets can be purchased at the Batsto Visitor Center (cash and credit) or on the Batsto Mansion Porch (cash only) and are $3 for visitors over the age of 12, $1 for visitors ages 5-11 and free for visitors under 5-years-old.

As a special addition to our Spring Antique, Glass and Bottle Show, local author Barbara Solem will be in the Batsto Visitor Center signing books! Copies of her Ghost Towns and Other Quirky Places in the New Jersey Pine Barrens and Batsto Village: Jewel of the Pines will be available for purchase.

Batsto is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037.

For more information, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024.

 

May 25, 26 & 27: Memorial Day Weekend Walking Tours

Historic Interpreters will be on hand to lead walking tours through the Batsto Village this Memorial Day Weekend (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday). Tours are open to all ages and are free of charge. Visitors interested in walking the village should meet behind the Visitor Center (near the Ore Boat). Tours are 45-55 minutes long and are offered at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Batsto Village is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037.

For more information or to confirm Memorial Day Weekend Walking Tour availability, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024.

 

Atsion Mansion Tours

The Atsion Mansion is open for tours this May! Come see one of the most significant examples of Greek Revival architecture in South Jersey! Never

“modernized” with plumbing or electricity, the house stands largely as it did when it was constructed in 1826.

Tours are Saturdays and Sundays at 1 and 2 p.m., 45-55 minutes long and begin outside between the mansion and office. 

Tour tickets can be purchased at the Atsion Office and are $3 for visitors over the age of 12, $1 for visitors ages 5-11 and free for visitors under 5-years-old.

Atsion Mansion is located at 744 US 206, Shamong, NJ 08088.

For more information or to confirm Atsion Mansion tour availability, please call the Atsion Office at 609-268-0444.

 

Batsto Mansion Tours

Mansion tours continue this spring at Batsto Village! Originally built in the eighteenth century as a small ironmaster’s house, the mansion now stands as it appeared after Joseph Wharton renovated the home in 1878. Serving as a vacation home for his family, the Batsto Mansion is an excellent example of the Italianate and Eastlake styles, both popular with the Victorian upper class.

Tours are Wednesdays through Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 and 2 p.m., 45-55 minutes long and begin on the mansion porch. 

Tickets can be purchased at the Batsto Visitor Center and are $3 for visitors over the age of 12, $1 for visitors ages 5-11 and free for visitors under 5-years-old.

Batsto Mansion is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037 in Historic Batsto Village.

For more information or to confirm Batsto Mansion tour availability, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024.

Batsto Visitor Center Store

May 12th is Mother’s Day, and the Batsto Visitor Center Store is having a Plant Sale to celebrate! Featuring native Pine Barrens plants in decorative containers, they are a great gift for anyone who loves the forest.

There are only a few bottles of maple syrup left from this year’s harvest. Stop in and get some now before they are sold out! For all the Smokey Bear fans visiting Batsto, the Visitor Center Store has new patches in stock—drop by to see what’s new! The store also features healthy snacks to keep you energized as you hike through the Pine Barrens. Additional Batsto Mansion and Jersey Devil shirts are available for purchase as well. No matter how you enjoy Wharton State Forest, there is something for you at the Batsto Visitor Center Store!

 

About Wharton State Forest 

Located in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, Wharton State Forest is New Jersey’s largest state forest. It encompasses approximately 125,000 acres covering parts of Atlantic, Burlington and Camden counties providing a variety of recreational activities including hiking, biking, swimming and horseback riding. It is home to historic Batsto Village, Batsto and Atsion Mansions, and the Atsion Recreation Area. You can find more information about Wharton State Forest and other New Jersey state parks on our website at https://www.njparksandforests.org.

 

Wharton State Forest Office Locations

Atsion Office and Store
744 US 206, Shamong, NJ 08088
609-268-0444

Batsto Office, Museum and Store
31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ  08037
609-561-0024

Both offices are open 7 days a week (except major holidays) 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.