Come join us for some fun and informative exhibitions by the Pinelands Retriever Club and the Seashore Dog Training Club on Sunday July 27th from 10AM - 2PM in the lower village.

This is a free event ( there is an entrance fee to the park between Memorial Day and Labor Day of $5.00 / car ).    

Take a tour of the mansion and visit the post office and take a walk through the Visitor Center Museum and gift shop.  

And while you are there, take a horse drawn wagon ride!

Colonial Regiment Brings History Alive!

The rattle of musketry and thunder of cannon will mix with the sounds of fife and drum as The Second Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line opens a window to the past and presents a vivid and exciting look at the soldier of the American Revolution in Batsto Village on Saturday, July 19 from 11AM - 4PM.

The Second Pennsylvania Regiment is a colorful and authentic recreation of an actual patriot military unit that fought in the War for Independence.  Founded in 1966, the organization is made up of history buffs from six states who have dedicated themselves to show the true appearance and tactics of the 18th Century soldier.

This respected living history group will provide a lively and accurate look at the typical infantry company of the period as the men perform the drill taught by Baron Von Steuben to Washington's troops at Valley Forge as they stand and fire smoky volleys from their flintlock muskets. The unit is supported by blasts from one of the finest reproduction colonial field guns in existence. At the end of the demonstration, which includes an enthusiastic bayonet charge, the audience will be invited onto the field to talk with the members and see their uniforms and gear firsthand. Several firing demonstrations are scheduled throughout the day

Each man has dressed and equipped himself as a soldier of the original Second Pennsylvania appeared when it fought the British more than two centuries ago as part of Gen. "Mad Anthony" Wayne's division. All the items worn and carried by the individuals are painstakingly hand-crafted from existing specimens in museums and private collections--from the black cocked hats down to the buttons on the blue and red wool regimental coats.

The men are joined by a number of camp followers dressed in 18th Century garb who will demonstrate various camp skills used by the many women who accompanied their husbands on the long campaigns.

At other times the versatile unit portrays an actual British battalion: the 43rd Regiment of Foot. Renowned for its authenticity, the organization has appeared in films, television programs and major commemorations at historic sites in both North America and Europe. Information about becoming a member of the organization will also be available at the event.

Note: This is a free event, but there is a vehicle charge to enter the park from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Start the summer off by visiting Wharton State Forest! Take a hike on National Trails Day, attend the Batsto Mansion “open house” on Father’s Day or stop by the museum shop to purchase the new Batsto Soda!  

June 7: National Trails Day Hike - "How To Hike" the 1808 Trail

Have you hiked the 1808 Trail yet? Celebrate National Trails Day with a hike out to the wildly popular 1808 Trail! The 1808 Trail is a 1.7-mile-long trail (one way) that travels through towering Atlantic White Cedar Swamp and follows the path of road dating back to the year 1808.

Join Wharton State Forest’s naturalist for a moderately paced hike out to the 1808 Trail. The naturalist will lead a group out onto the trail and then give participants the option to either continue on the 1808 trail themselves or return back to Batsto Village with her. She’ll provide trail maps at the stopping point and show participants various routes you can take to complete a hike on the 1808 Trail. We will hike at a moderate pace with minimal to no interpretive stops. Participants should be prepared to travel at least two miles but the other routes participants can take back could be longer. There is very little elevation change on this hike, but participants should be prepared to walk across multiple, uneven wood bridges, step over shallow roots and some fallen trees.

The hike will begin in front of the Batsto Visitor Center at 10 AM. Please wear appropriate clothes and shoes and bring plenty of water and bug spray. This hike is not ADA accessible and will be canceled if there are thunderstorms or heavy rain in the area.

The hike is free and for all ages! Please note that we will be walking at a moderate pace and we do not recommend bringing strollers. Registration is required and will close once we reach capacity. For more information, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024.

June 13: Hidden History Tours of Batsto Village and Mansion

Spend your Friday the 13th exploring the “secret” spaces and little-known corners of Batsto Village Historic Site! Guided through the mansion and village by

one of Wharton State Forest’s interpretive staff, visitors will have access to “behind-the-scenes” areas in places including the Workers’ Cottages, General

Store, and Mansion. Guests will see spaces not ordinarily open to the public, view odd and interesting objects from Batsto’s archival collection, and separate

fact from fiction in Pine Barrens history. Tours are approximately 90-120 minutes and begin in the Batsto Visitor Center promptly at 10 AM and 2 PM. Tickets

are $10 per person and can be purchased in the Visitor Center or over the phone. Space is limited and interested visitors are highly encouraged to purchase

their tickets in advance to secure a spot!  Visitors attending the Hidden History Tours are strongly encouraged to wear comfortable shoes for walking and

climbing multiple staircases. Guests are advised that portions of this tour will take place in tight spaces or with low clearance.  For more information, please

call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024. 

June 15: Father's Day Open House at Batsto Mansion

Enjoy free “open house” access to Batsto Mansion on Fathers’ Day, Sunday, June 15th! Wharton State Forest’s historic interpreters will be on-hand to answer

questions as visitors explore the first and second floors of the nineteenth-century home. Batsto Mansion will be open from 10 AM to 3 PM and reservations/tickets

are not required for entry. For more information, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024.

June 28: Public Star Watch & Batsto Village Evening Walking Tours 

Star Watch 

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 PM. the day of the event to confirm it is still happening should there be cloudy skies. 

The Star Watch Begins at 8:00 PM. At 8:30 PM in the Batsto Visitor Center Auditorium there will be a Comet Demonstration and at 9:30 PM there will be a Laser-Guided Constellation Tour in the telescope observation field. 

During this month’s star watch, enjoy the 15% illuminated waxing crescent Moon in the western portion of the sky. Moving eastward from the Moon one can find the bright star Rigel at the bottom of the Sickle asterism in the constellation Leo. Also, in Leo’s Sickle one can find the double star Algieba (Gamma Leonis). A little farther eastward find the rust-colored planet Mars.  

Batsto Village Evening Walking Tours 

Historic Interpreters will also be on hand to lead evening walking tours through the village. 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 and are offered at 7 PM and 8 PM. 

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

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

Happening Throughout June

Batsto Post Office Open Wednesdays in June

Did you know that the Batsto Post Office can still send mail? First opened by Jesse Richards in 1852, the Batsto Post Office is one of the four oldest post offices

currently operating in the United States! The Batsto Post Office will be open each Wednesday afternoon (12 to 3 PM) in June. Bring your pre-stamped postcards and

letters to the village to receive a unique Batsto postal cancellation. Stamped postcards are also available for purchase. While you are in the Post Office, be sure to

spend some time in the attached Glass Museum! Containing examples of nineteenth and twentieth-century glass, as well as historic artifacts found throughout

Batsto, the Glass Museum is the perfect complement to a mansion tour and stroll through the village.

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

Atsion Mansion Tours

Have you ever wanted to see inside the Atsion Mansion? Guided tours are available each weekend in June! 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 of Atsion Mansion are offered on Saturdays and Sundays, beginning at 1 and 2 PM. Each tour is approximately 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

Enjoy the summer breeze this June on Batsto Mansion’s porch and then step inside for a guided tour! 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 of Batsto Mansion are offered at the following times throughout June:

• Wednesday through Friday: 11 AM, 1 and 2 PM

• Saturday and Sunday: 10 and 11 AM; 1, 2 and 3 PM

Tours are approximately 45-55 minutes long and begin on the mansion porch. Scheduled events and public programming may impact Batsto Mansion’s tour

schedule, so visitors are encouraged to call ahead on the day of their visit to confirm tour times and availability.

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

Shopping at Wharton State Forest

Celebrate Father's Day with the gift of artwork by David Williams. Mr. Williams, a local woodworker, has carved a special selection of the fish that live in Batsto

Lake.  These unique pieces can be displayed on the wall or tabletop. Before cellphones, and even before photography, fish models were used to

commemorate and celebrate a great catch.  David Williams has captured that spirit, but added a modern look to his carvings. The pieces are artistically

rendered with layered paint, carved with anatomical realism, and available for purchase in the Batsto Museum Shop.

The Batsto Museum Shop is pleased to announce that Batsto Village now has their own soda! The Jersey Shore Soda Company has produced, for Batsto Village, a Black Cherry Souvenir Soda. The soda comes in a bottle with some important village buildings on the label. The Atsion Mansion is included on the label too! This is a truly unique addition to the Batsto Museum shop and a great take home souvenir of your trip to Batsto. The flavor is similar to cola, but with a cherry flavor this satisfies your taste for both sweet and fruity. The new Batsto Soda is a great addition and goes well with the other unique and unusual local sodas in the shop. Stop in after your tour of the village and grab a Batsto Soda or any of the other 18 varieties of local landmark sodas. Batsto Museum Shop is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037 in Historic Batsto Village. The Atsion General Store is located at 744 US 206, Shamong, NJ 08088. For more information or to confirm inventory availability, please call the Atsion General Store at 609-268-0444 or the Batsto Museum Shop at 609-561-0024.

Camping & Cabins

Camping in Wharton State Forest is available year-round!  

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 are open! It’s time to plan a 2025 trip and reserve your cabin! Availability is limited.  

Introducing "Trails & Tales of Wharton", a new monthly publication of nature and history related articles written by Wharton State Forest's nature and history interpretive staff! 

A Nature Note: "You Lookin' At Me?"

Fiercely territorial, if the blue-gray gnatcatcher could talk he might say something close to a Robert De Niro line. These small, constantly fluttering blue/gray

birds are common in Wharton State Forest in the spring, summer and fall. Breeding males are easy to identify by their eyebrows! No they’re not true eyebrows... but

a black “V” that goes over both of their eyes. You might see them in the low/outer branches of our trees and shrubs, flicking their tails back and forth to stir up bugs to

eat. They seem to be calling constantly and moving quickly from branch to branch so snatching this photo was not easy! 

Gil Mika

If you’ve visited the Annie Carter Nature Center, you’ve probably had the pleasure of talking to Gilbert (Gil) Mika. It’s with great sadness that we share that Gil

passed away last month. Gil served as the naturalist at the Annie Carter Nature Center in Batsto Village from the mid-1990s until his retirement in 2020. Through

his passion for the outdoors and dedication to interpretation, Gil inspired countless school children and hundreds of thousands of visitors to develop a greater

appreciation for Batsto and the New Jersey Pinelands. His impact continues to be felt today—through the wayside exhibits he created, the trails he developed

and maintained, and the brochures that are still in production.

Registration is open for the Sand and Water Trail Nature Hike!

Join Wharton State Forest’s Naturalist for a hike on the Sand and Water Trail. Participants will walk about 1.7 miles, at a moderate pace, through sandy uplands and

some mixed Atlantic White cedar swamp habitat, stopping periodically to talk about different habitats in the Pine Barrens and some of the species that live there. Very little

elevation change and sandy soil makes this an easy hike, but participants should be prepared to walk across multiple, uneven wood bridges, step over shallow roots and

some fallen trees.  The hike will begin behind the Batsto Visitor Center at 10 AM. Please wear appropriate clothes and shoes and bring plenty of water. This hike is not

ADA accessible and will be canceled if there are thunderstorms or heavy rain in the area.  This hike is free and open to the public, but it is recommended for adults and

children over the age of 12. Registration is required. Registration will close once we reach

capacity. 

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

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

A History Highlight: Batsto Glass

Batsto Village’s diverse history spans from its founding as an eighteenth-century iron furnace, to its revival as a nineteenth-century gentleman’s farm, to

its preservation as an open-air museum in the twentieth century. While it stands today as a beloved

slice of South Jersey culture, Batsto was at serious risk of becoming a ghost town in the mid

nineteenth century—a fate that befell many other Pine Barrens industrial towns.  In the 1840s, as

inexpensive, high-quality iron from Pennsylvania threatened to put many New Jersey furnaces out of

blast, Batsto’s owners wisely chose to transition the village’s material output from iron to glass. The

region’s sandy soil was perfect for glass making, and Batsto quickly joined a booming industry. In fact,

according to the National Park Service, almost one-third of the glass produced in the United States

from 1840 to 1860 was manufactured in New Jersey!  Jesse Richards, along with his son Thomas H. Richards, established Batsto Glass Works in 1846.

Just a few hundred feet from the site of Batsto’s declining iron furnace, the Glass Works remained open until 1867. Here, panes of glass were primarily produced for

windows and gaslight streetlamps. For example, Batsto Glass Works was part of a massive project in 1852, supplying glass panes for thousands of streetlights used to illuminate the city of Camden.  Workers

at Batsto produced glass using the “cylinder method.” Molten glass was gathered at the end of a long blowpipe and swung back and forth in huge swing-pits dug into the ground.  

Budd Wilson

From the Archives: One of Batsto’s Villagers 

 If you have spent time at Batsto, you have probably seen the Miller family name throughout the village! Pictured in the photo above is Augustus “Gus” Miller, who once

called Batsto Village his home. The caption on the back of the photo reads: “Batsto Mansion / Taken March 1907 / Augustus Miller son of John Wesley Miller + Ellen

Downs Ford Miller. Born at Batsto May 2, 1872 / Died Dec 1, 1949 at his sister’s in Penbryn. Buried Batsto-Pleasant Mills Cemetery. Never Married. Great uncle to Theda

Ashton” The United States Census provides historians key insights. On the 1910 US Census, recorded just three years after the photograph was taken, Gus was listed as

living with his widowed mother in Batsto Village. He was employed as a “teamster,” in charge of driving the team of horses pictured with him. Gus continued to live in

Batsto (recorded as Washington Township) through the 1940 US Census and, according to his obituary, was a lifelong resident of the village “except for three years at his

sister’s home.”  The Miller family’s roots run deep in Batsto history. Gus’s father, John Wesley Miller, appeared on the 1850 US Census as a nine-year-old, living in

Washington Township with his parents and eight siblings. Although the census does not individually specify Batsto as his place of residence, one can suspect that the

Millers were in fact living in the village, as Jesse Richards and his family are listed just three pages later, residing within Batsto Mansion! 

The Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc. is pleased to once again present its annual Spring Antique Glass and Bottle Show on Sunday May 18^th.

The popular Antique Glass and Bottle Show; held both in the spring and fall, will welcome shoppers beginning at 9AM and continue on until 3 PM. Bottles, glass items, antiques and collectibles will be available from a variety of vendor

Food and beverages will be available throughout day.

Glass was an important part of Batsto history.

For more than thirty-five years, people from far and wide have brought their old glass and bottles to display and sell at the place where glass was once made in the  mid 19^th century.

There is no admission charge to enter the park for this event, and they are brought to you by the Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc.; the Officially Recognized Friends Organization that provides support for historic Batsto Village

The historic thirty-six room Batsto mansion will be open from 10AM until 3PM for guided tours. There is a $3.00 / person charge to tour the mansion.

Wagon rides (for a small fee) will also be available from noon until 3PM.

Bring the little ones

May is an exciting month in Wharton State Forest! You can attend the Spring Antique, Glass and Bottle Show, take an extended tour of the Batsto mansion, join a nature hike or stop by the Batsto Store for some exciting new merchandise!

May 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30: Mansion Mysteries in May – Extended Tours of Batsto Mansion 

Even if you’ve already taken a tour of Batsto Mansion, there is still more to discover! Each Friday in May, join Wharton State Forest’s interpretive staff on an extended guided tour of the impressive South Jersey home. Explore more of Batsto Mansion, including rarely seen “behind-the-scenes” areas! Once inside, visitors will dig into the hidden histories of the house and learn how historians piece together the clues that help us understand how people lived and worked in the past.

Tours are approximately 90 minutes and are available each Friday in May. Tours begin promptly at 2 PM on the mansion porch and are $5 per person. Tickets can be purchased in the Visitor Center or over the phone. Space is limited and interested visitors are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance to secure a spot!

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

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

May 17: The Sand and Water Trail Nature Hike 

Join Wharton State Forest’s Naturalist for a hike on the Sand and Water Trail. Participants will walk about 1.7 miles, at a moderate pace, through sandy uplands and some mixed Atlantic White cedar swamp habitat, stopping periodically to talk about different habitats in the Pine Barrens and some of the species that live there. Very little elevation change and sandy soil makes this an easy hike, but participants should be prepared to walk across multiple, uneven wood bridges, step over shallow roots and some fallen trees.

The hike will begin behind the Batsto Visitor Center at 10 AM. Please wear appropriate clothes and shoes and bring plenty of water. This hike is not ADA accessible and will be canceled if there are thunderstorms or heavy rain in the area.

This hike is free and open to the public, but it is recommended for adults and children over the age of 12. Registration is required and opens at 10 AM on May 7. Registration will close once we reach capacity.

Microsoft Forms

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

Batsto Village Historic Site is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037

May 17: Public Star Watch & Batsto Village Evening Walking Tours 

Star Watch 

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 PM the day of the event to confirm it is still happening should there be cloudy skies. 

The Star Watch Begins at 8:00 PM. At 8:30 PM in the Batsto Visitor Center Auditorium there will be a Comet Demonstration and at 9:30 PM there will be a Laser-Guided Constellation Tour in the telescope observation field. 

For this month’s star watch, Mars shinning in the constellation Cancer will be the planet to see. Take a look at the asteroid Vesta currently in the constellation Virgo through one of the telescopes. The Big Dipper asterism of Ursa Major (the Big Bear) can be found upside down above Polaris the North Star as well! 

Batsto Village Evening Walking Tours 

Historic Interpreters will also be on hand to lead evening walking tours through the village. 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 and are offered at 7 PM and 8 PM.

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

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

May 18: Spring Antique, Glass and Bottle Show at Batsto 

Visit Batsto Village Historic Site on May 18 and join us for our annual Spring Antique, Glass and Bottle Show presented by the Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc. View Pine Barrens treasures, search for that rare find to add to your own collection, or simply take a stroll through historic Batsto Village!

The Spring Antique, Glass and Bottle Show takes place from 9 AM to 3:30 PM, rain or shine.

While in the village, be sure to stop by Batsto Mansion for “open house” entry to the home. The first and second floors will be open to the public from 10 AM to 3 PM. Wharton State Forest staff will be on hand to answer questions and guide visitors through the history of the house. The Batsto Post Office will also be open from 10 AM to 3 PM to send post cards and letters, hand canceled in the historic building!

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

Batsto Village Historic Site is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037

May 24, 25 & 26: 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 AM and 2 PM

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

Batsto Village Historic Site is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037

Happening Throughout May

Atsion Mansion Tours

Have you ever wanted to see inside the Atsion Mansion? Guided tours are available each weekend in 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 of Atsion Mansion are offered on Saturdays and Sundays, beginning at 1 and 2 PM. Each tour is approximately 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

Enjoy the cool spring breeze this May on Batsto Mansion’s porch and then step inside for a guided tour! 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 of Batsto Mansion are offered at the following times throughout May:

• Wednesday through Friday: 11 AM, 1 and 2 PM

• Saturday and Sunday: 10 and 11 AM; 1, 2 and 3 PM

Tours are approximately 45-55 minutes long and begin on the mansion porch. Scheduled events and public programming may impact Batsto Mansion’s tour schedule, so visitors are encouraged to call ahead on the day of their visit to confirm tour times and availability.

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

Shopping at Wharton State Forest

This month, we’re thrilled to introduce a stunning new collection by local artist Lisa Dealy, whose handmade creations beautifully capture the spirit of the Pine Barrens. Born and raised in Indian Mills, New Jersey, Lisa’s deep connection to the natural world shines through in every piece. Lisa’s work tells a story—one of heritage, nature, and artistic devotion. A multiple time Best in Show winner at the Burlington County Farm Fair, her art speaks to the soul of South Jersey.  

Featured in Lisa Dealy’s Collection: 

Handmade Baskets crafted from locally sourced materials, each adorned with laser-cut nature scenes of the Pine Barrens and its wildlife. 

Pottery Trinket Trays that echo the same woodland elegance. Perfect for holding your favorite keepsakes. 

Wood and Pottery Charm Necklaces, handmade with natural elements like driftwood and antique findings, blending rustic beauty with whimsical charm. 

Our shelves are now filled with cuddly and educational stuffed animals from Wild Republic, representing some creatures native to the Pine Barrens! Stop by and check out our black bears, foxes, raccoons, coyotes, owls, turtles, snakes, chipmunks and more!

Plus, a special Audubon Society bird collection that look and sound like real bird species! These plush birds sing true-to-life songs and come with informative tags for curious minds. Come support local art, celebrate Pine Barrens wildlife, and enjoy the beauty of this season at the Batsto Museum Store!

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

The Atsion General Store is located at 744 US 206, Shamong, NJ 08088.

For more information or to confirm inventory availability, please call the Atsion General Store at 609-268-0444 or the Batsto Museum Shop at 609-561-0024.

Save the Date! The Batsto Snack Stand Reopens for Special Events 

On May 18, during the Spring Antique Glass & Bottle Show, stop by the Batsto Snack Stand at the General Store! Grab snacks, sodas, water, and

 merchandise inspired by Batsto and Wharton State Forest.

 You can purchase t-shirts, books, mugs, and more! The Batsto Snack Stand will be opened during special events throughout summer and fall.  

Camping & Cabins

Camping in Wharton State Forest is available year-round, but spring camping in the New Jersey Pine Barrens is filled will fascinating evening sounds.  

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 will reopen May 1, 2025! It’s time to plan a 2025 trip and reserve your cabin! Availability is limited. 

The Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc. is pleased to once again present its annual Spring Antique Glass and Bottle Show on Sunday May 18^th.

The popular Antique Glass and Bottle Show; held both in the spring and fall, will welcome shoppers beginning at 9AM and continue on until 3 PM. Bottles, glass items, antiques and collectibles will be available from a variety of vendor

Food and beverages will be available throughout day.

Glass was an important part of Batsto history.

For more than thirty-five years, people from far and wide have brought their old glass and bottles to display and sell at the place where glass was once made in the  mid 19^th century.

There is no admission charge to enter the park for this event, and they are brought to you by the Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc.; the Officially Recognized Friends Organization that provides support for historic Batsto Village

The historic thirty-six room Batsto mansion will be open from 10AM until 3PM for guided tours. There is a $3.00 / person charge to tour the mansion.

Wagon rides (for a small fee) will also be available from noon until 3PM.

Bring the little ones

It’s starting to feel like spring! Consider visiting Wharton State Forest to learn about American eels, see what’s in bloom on our trails or spend an evening exploring the Atsion Mansion!  

April 5: The Mysterious American Eel Talk

Join Wharton State Forest’s naturalist for a 20-minute talk about American eels! We’ll begin behind the Batsto Visitor Center before taking a short, easy walk to the fish ladder in Batsto Village. We’ll talk about the natural history of the American eel, its life cycle and the journey the eels took before crossing the Batsto Dam.

Talks will be held at 10 AM and 12 PM. This event is free and registration is not required. The event is canceled if there are storms nearby or it’s raining.

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

Batsto Village Historic Site is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037

April 5, 12, 19 & 26: "April at Atsion" Evening Mansion Tours

Spend an evening exploring Atsion Mansion this April!  

Atsion Mansion will be open each Saturday evening in April for guided tours. Led by one of Wharton State Forest’s historic interpreters, visitors are invited to experience the 1826 home as it stood nearly two centuries ago. Guests are encouraged to bring their own flashlights and jackets are recommended.   

Tours are approximately 75-90 minutes and promptly begin outside the Atsion Mansion at 6 PM. Tickets can be purchased over the phone or at the Atsion Office and are $5 per person. Space is limited and visitors are encouraged to call ahead to reserve their spot.  

For more information about evening tours of Atsion Mansion, please call the Atsion Office at 609-268-0444.  

Atsion Mansion and Office are located at 744 US 206, Shamong, NJ 08088. 

April 6, 13, 20 & 27: Spring Inside/Outside Tours of Batsto Village

Start your spring at Wharton State Forest with a tour of Batsto Village and its impressive 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. They then move

inside the mansion, where visitors are invited to explore the nineteenth century home. Both first-time visitors to Batsto and returning guests will find plenty to

enjoy and learn about Pine Barrens history! 

Tours are approximately two hours and are available each Sunday in April. Tours begin at 10 AM and 2 PM inside the Batsto Visitor Center and are $5 per

person. Visitors are strongly encouraged to dress in layers and with comfortable footwear for the outside portion of the tour. Tours may be cancelled due to inclement weather.  

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

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

April 26: Public Star Watch at Atsion

You’re invited to a Free Public Star Watch at Atsion, 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 PM the day of the event to confirm it is still happening should there be cloudy skies.

The Star Watch begins in the Atsion Field at 8:00 PM.  

For this month’s star watch, the Zodiacal constellations found along the ecliptic from east to west are Libra, Virgo, Leo, Cancer, Gemini and Taurus. Mars can

be found in Cancer and Jupiter in Taurus. You can also enjoy a view of the Beehive Cluster just east of Mars. Also known as M44, this Open Cluster of stars

can be seen as a fuzzy patch of light with the unaided eye in dark sky locations such as the Atsion Field in Wharton State Forest. 

For more information about the Public Star Watch, please call the Atsion Office at 609-268-0444.   

Atsion Mansion and Office are located at 744 US 206, Shamong, NJ 08088. 

Atsion Mansion Tours

Have you ever wanted to see inside the Atsion Mansion? Guided tours are available each weekend in April! 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 in1826. 

Tours of Atsion Mansion are offered on Saturdays and Sundays, beginning at 1 and 2 PM. Each tour is approximately 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

Enjoy the cool spring breeze this April on Batsto’s Mansion’s porch and then step inside for a guided tour! 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 of Batsto Mansion are offered at the following times throughout April:

• Wednesday through Friday: 11 AM, 1 and 2 PM

• Saturday and Sunday: 10 and 11 AM; 1, 2 and 3 PM

Tours are approximately 45-55 minutes long and begin on the mansion porch. Scheduled events and public programming may impact Batsto Mansion’s tour schedule, so visitors are encouraged to call ahead on the day of their visit to confirm tour times and availability.

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

Shopping at Wharton State Forest

April Feature: Pollinator Plant Seed Packets

April Feature: Pollinator Plant Seed Packets The Batsto Museum Gift Shop is excited to feature Pollinator Plant Seed Packets! Spring is in the air and it’s the perfect time to help nurture the buzzing, fluttering creatures that keep our world blooming! These carefully selected seeds are perfect for attracting bees, butterflies, and other important pollinators to your garden or outdoor space. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting to grow, these seed packets offer a wonderful way to support the local ecosystem while enjoying the beauty of nature. What’s inside? Each packet contains a mix of flowers that are not only beautiful but also beneficial to our pollinators. Planting them is an easy way to contribute to environmental sustainability right in your own backyard. Why Pollinators Matter: Pollinators help plants reproduce by transferring pollen. Without pollinators, many of the fruits, vegetables, and flowers we love would not thrive. By planting these seeds, you’ll be giving back to nature in a meaningful way.

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

The Atsion General Store is located at 744 US 206, Shamong, NJ 08088.

For more information or to confirm inventory availability, please call the Atsion General Store at 609-268-0444 or the Batsto Museum Shop at 609-561-0024.

Camping & Cabins

Camping in Wharton State Forest is available year-round. Spring camping in the New Jersey Pine Barrens is filled with fascinating evening sounds.

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 are now closed for the season and will reopen in May 2025. It’s now time to plan a 2025 trip and reserve your cabin! Availability is limited.

Make your camping or cabin reservations here.

A Nature Note: Signs of Spring

It’s April in Wharton State Forest and the signs of spring are all around you. In Batsto Village, you might see our eastern blue birds starting to nest in one of the 13 blue

bird boxes throughout the village. They’re not the only ones doing some house hunting! Tree swallows often try to nest in our blue bird boxes, so you might see their

blue-green bodies and white bellies diving and catching insects, their food of choice, over Batsto lake. Another one of our swallow species, the purple martins, will also

start nesting in the gourd rack houses across from Batsto Mansion. Their streamlined dark purple, almost black bodies are not hard to miss! Look for them diving for

insects in the fields around Batsto Village. If you’re hiking on a trail and pass through some wetlands, look for the white, bell shaped flowers of leatherleaf (Cassandra)

hanging in a long row. Leatherleaf typically takes over the habitat it’s growing in, so if you see one, look around for more! Leatherleaf is a tough shrub that grows about

one to two feet tall. Their leaves are covered in small, round, rusty scales. Can you see the rusty scales in the photo above?

A History Highlight: A Pocket Door on the Mansion Porch? 

Before it opened to the public as a house museum, Batsto Mansion was once a vacation home for one of the most powerful families in the

United States. Much like visitors to Wharton State Forest today, the Wharton Family came to South Jersey in the spring and fall to enjoy

fresh air, clean water, and the peaceful tranquility of a former Pine Barrens industrial town. Many of Batsto Mansion’s most notable features

served multiple functions when they were added to the home: providing comfort to the Wharton family, fulfilling the practical needs of

nineteenth- century architecture and acting as impressive displays of wealth for guests and visitors. Today, it is common to find guests

enjoying cool, spring breezes on the mansion porch, just as the Whartons did over a century ago.  

Did you know, though, that the porch is also home to a “hidden” entrance to the mansion? Made to look like an ordinary window, the dining

room and porch are connected by a pocket door that slides up into the ceiling above! This pocket door and section of the porch do not

appear in Sloan and Balderston’s 1878 drawings of the home’s first floor instead, it seems to be a custom request made by the Wharton

family during renovations. When opened, the dining room pocket door allows the Whartons to quickly step outside after meals to enjoy the fresh Pine Barrens air helps to cool the room

and serves to remind Victorian guests that they are visiting a cutting-edge home! 

March means the start of spring in Wharton State Forest!

March 1: Maple Sugaring Day at Batsto Village

It’s still maple syrup season at Batsto Village Historic Site! Start your March enjoying the warm fire, views of picturesque maple trees, and the delicious scent of fresh maple syrup.

Join us as Wharton State Forest partners with Stockton University to produce genuine Pine Barrens maple syrup right here at Batsto! Watch as the sap collected throughout the village gets turned into maple syrup, with samples available throughout the day and bottles available for purchase in the Visitor Center.

Maple Sugaring Day is open to all ages, and registration is not required. The event is held rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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

March 15: Spring Open Tower Day at Apple Pie Hill

The Apple Pie Hill Fire Tower will be open 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. for visitors to climb and take a spectacular view of New Jersey’s Pine Barrens!

• Fire tower maximum capacity by order of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service is six (6) persons. If you are coming in a group of more than six people, only six will be allowed on the fire tower at a time.
• To access the top of the Apple Pie Hill Fire Tower, you will need to independently ascend and descend 9 flights of steps (60 vertical feet each way) with see-through metal grate landings and stair treads and see through waist-high metal railings and banisters (see picture above).
• The tower climb is subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather, safety concerns, or other determinations made by Wharton State Forest staff. The climb will be cancelled if there are thunderstorms in the area or if rain/snow is falling.

When planning for your visit for the Tower Climb, please allow an hour or more for your time at Apple Pie Hill.

Apple Pie Hill is located within Wharton State Forest at the following coordinates: 39.807222, -74.589444

For more information, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024, or the Atsion Office at 609-268-0444. 

March 22: Star Watch & Batsto Village Evening Walking Tours

Star Watch

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 7:30 p.m. At 7:45 p.m. in the Batsto Visitor Center Auditorium there will be a Comet Demonstration and at 8:45 p.m. there will be a Laser-Guided Constellation Tour in the telescope observation field.

For this month’s star watch, Jupiter, Mars and Uranus will be visible. Even though the vernal equinox was March 20 the Winter Hexagon asterism connected by the stars Procyon, Pollux, Castor, Capella, Aldebaran, Rigel and Sirius can be seen in the southwest portion of the sky. The related constellations include Canis Major, Gemini, Auriga, Taurus, Orion, and Canis Major. The Orion Nebula also known as M42 is a jewel of the sky that can be observed tonight. Galaxies abound in Virgo and Leo.

Batsto Village Evening Walking Tours

Historic Interpreters will also be on hand to lead evening walking tours through the village. 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 and are offered at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.

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

Batsto Village Historic Site is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037

Batsto Post Office Open Each Wednesday

Did you know that the Batsto Post Office can send mail? First opened by Jesse Richards in 1852, the Batsto Post Office is one of the four oldest post offices currently operating in the United States!

The Batsto Post Office will be open each Wednesday afternoon (12 to 3 p.m.) in March. Bring your pre-stamped postcards and letters to the village to receive a unique Batsto postal cancellation. Stamped postcards are also available for purchase. While you are in the Post Office, be sure to stop in the recently opened Glass Museum! Containing examples of nineteenth and twentieth-century glass, as well as historic artifacts found throughout Batsto, the Glass Museum is the perfect complement to a mansion tour and stroll through the village.

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

Batsto Village Historic Site is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037

Batsto Mansion Tours

Whether it’s your first visit or you are a frequent guest, March is the perfect time to step inside the 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 approximately 45-60 minutes and are available throughout March, Wednesday through Friday at 1 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 and 2 p.m.

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.

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

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

Shopping at Wharton State Forest

Stop by the Batsto Museum Shop during the month of March and vote for your favorite Jersey Devil shirt design! If you think you know what the Jersey Devil looks like, you can also submit your own design for voting. When the month is over, we will pick the most popular design and use it on a new Jersey Devil shirt to sell this summer in the Batsto Museum Shop!

In addition to new merchandise, we have restocked our State Shirts and our recently added Saw Mill shirts. These are popular designs that go fast. If you can not get into the shop right away, give us a call (609) 561-0024 and we can put your size on hold. We just ask that you pick your shirt up within two weeks.

We will continue to develop new merchandise that reflects the history of Batsto Village and natural history of Wharton State Forest. In the meantime, we have plenty of your regular favorites including shirts, hats, stickers, patches, and many locally sourced products!

The Atsion General Store is located at 744 US 206, Shamong, NJ 08088.

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

For more information or to confirm inventory availability, please call the Atsion General Store at 609-268-0444 or the Batsto Museum Shop at 609-561-0024.

Camping & Cabins

Camping in Wharton State Forest is available year-round. Winter in the New Jersey Pine Barrens offers a unique experience for new and seasoned campers alike!

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 are now closed for the season and will reopen in May 2025. It’s now time to plan a 2025 trip and reserve your cabin! Availability is limited.

Make your camping or cabin reservations here.