Oct. 5: Atsion Day Flea Market & Mansion Open House

Start out fall antique season at the Atsion Day Flea Market, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Atsion Recreation Area. While you’re there take a hike, bring your kayak for a paddle in Atsion Lake, or play with your family on our accessible playground.

Afterwards, drive across the street for an open house experience in Atsion Mansion from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The lively Libby Prison Minstrels will perform an acoustic selection of historical music from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Never modernized with plumbing, electricity, or heating; evening hours in the Atsion Mansion will be lit by lantern light.

Atsion Recreation Area is located at 715 US 206, Shamong, NJ 08088.

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

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

 

Oct. 20: Country Living Fair at Batsto Village

You’ll find something for everyone at this year’s Country Living Fair at Batsto! Spend the day exploring the historic village, take a fall hike through the Pine Barrens, and browse the vendor booths and exhibitions throughout the site. Featuring locally-made crafts, historical exhibits, live music, old-time engines and cars, food, antiques, pony rides, farm equipment, and more; the Country Living Fair is a celebration of all things South Jersey!

The Country Living Fair takes place, rain or shine, on October 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Traffic Note: The Country Living Fair is Wharton State Forest’s biggest event of the year. Expect traffic delays as you approach Batsto. Please consider car-pooling!

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

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

 

Oct. 25, 26, 27, 30 & 31: Folklore Lantern Tours at Batsto

Lantern Tours of Batsto Village are back this spooky season! Join Wharton State Forest’s historic interpreters on an evening walk through the village by lantern light. The tour includes stops at points of interest throughout the village, accompanied by stories about Batsto’s unique history, as well as the legends and folklore of the Pine Barrens. Warm clothes and comfortable walking shoes are recommended! Lanterns will be provided.

Tours are approximately 60-75 minutes and promptly begin on the Batsto Mansion porch at 6:30 and 8 p.m. Lantern Tour tickets can be purchased over the phone or at the Batsto Visitor Center and are $10 per person. Space is limited and fills quickly! Visitors are highly encouraged to call ahead to reserve their spot.

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

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

 

Oct. 25, 26, 30 & 31: Evening Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides at Batsto

Evening Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides will coincide with Folklore Lantern Tours. If you’re planning on attending both, be sure to schedule your wagon ride before or after your Lantern Tour. Wagon Rides are weather-permitting and tickets are non-refundable.

Wagon Rides are approximately 20 minutes and promptly begin behind the Visitor Center each half-hour, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wagon Ride tickets can be purchased over the phone or at the Batsto Visitor Center and are $25 per person. Space is limited and fills quickly! Visitors are highly encouraged to call ahead to reserve their spot.

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

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

 

 

Oct. 26: Public Star Watch at Batsto

You’re invited to a Free Public Star Watch at Batsto, 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 6:30 p.m.

We’ll have a couple of special happenings at October’s Star Watch that you won’t want to miss:

• 6:45 p.m. in the Batsto Visitor Center Auditorium there will be a demonstration of how a comet works complete with dry ice and a comet tail.
• 7:45 p.m. in the star watch field there will a laser guided constellation tour. You’ll learn how to find the Big and Little Dippers, Polaris the North Star and where to find the planets in the night sky — among many other objects — when we’re through.

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

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

Oct. 27: Haunting in the Pines

The Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc. invites you to this year’s Haunting in the Pines at Batsto Village on Sunday, October 27 from 12 to 3 p.m.! There will be plenty for the whole family to enjoy including Halloween treats, games, and pony rides. This event is free and intended for families and children under 12. Guests are encouraged to wear their costumes while attending!

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

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

 

 

 

Batsto General Store Snack Shop Open Again

Over forty-four years ago, the Batsto General Store Snack Shop closed its doors, but we’re thrilled to announce its grand reopening!

Stop by to grab a cold drink or a souvenir T-shirt and take a step back in time. Our knowledgeable Historical Staff will be on hand to answer any questions about the General Store and the fascinating history of Batsto Village. Join us and experience the charm of the Snack Stand as it was in 1982!

The General Store Snack Shop will be open throughout October on Saturdays and Sundays from 12-3 p.m., weather permitting, and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. during the Country Living Fair on October 20.

 

 

 

Batsto Mansion Tours

Experience autumn in the village from inside historic Batsto Mansion! 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. Additional tours at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. may be added each Saturday and Sunday.

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.

 

Atsion Mansion Tours

Mansion tours continue into the fall at Atsion! 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.

 

 

Shopping at Wharton State Forest

We’re excited to share that new merchandise is arriving weekly in the Museum Shop! Bring the kids to check out our new line of children’s books and adorable stuffed forest animals. This year, we’ve also added a collection of stickers reflecting the nature of the forest and surrounding area.

Join us during the Country Living Fair for a special tasting of Batsto Village Specialty Coffee, sourced from a local roaster. We’ll also be sampling Jim’s Jam of New Gretna, so come see what everyone is talking about!

We can’t wait to see you there!

 

Both the Snack Shop and Store are located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037.

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

 

 

Camping and Cabins

Camping is available at Wharton State Forest year around. Spend your fall camping in the unique environment of the New Jersey Pine Barrens!

Camping is permitted in developed campgrounds with a permit at Atsion Family, Batona, Bodine Field, Buttonwood Hill, Godfreys Bridge, Goshen Pond, Hawkins Bridge, Lower Forge and Mullica River.

Atsion Cabins Atsion Cabins close for the 2024 season on October 31. It’s now time to plan a 2025 trip and reserve your cabin today! Availability is limited.

Make your camping or cabin reservations here.