Author Archives: Wes Hughes

Keep an eye on me.

I even change colors.

Could it be Sunday?

March 2: Star Watch at Atsion

The first Star Watch of 2024 is almost here! Join us for a free evening of night sky observation in Atsion Office Field on Saturday, March 2 at 6:30 p.m.
No telescope? No problem! Members of West Jersey Astronomical Society will have their telescopes set up for all to view.

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

For more information, please call the Atsion Office at 609-298-0444.

March 3: Joseph Wharton's Birthday

Help us celebrate the birthday of the namesake of Wharton State Forest, Joseph Wharton! Born on March 3, 1826, Wharton would become one of the country’s wealthiest citizens, and owner of Batsto from 1876 to 1909. Stop
by the mansion for a special tour of the house and grounds focusing on the personal life of Joseph Wharton or mail a post card from the Batsto Post Office while you explore the village!

Tours are 75-90 minutes and begin on the mansion porch. Tickets include a brief walking tour of the village and a guided tour of the Batsto Mansion.

• 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m.

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 Batsto Mansion tour availability, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024.

March 9 & 10: Pinelands Short Course and Lines on the Pines

Wharton State Forest staff will be present at the Pinelands Short Course and Lines on the Pines, both on the campus of Stockton University. On Saturday, Wharton’s historian will be delivering a program titled “The Richards Era at Batsto.”

This program will focus on the story of the Richards Family’s period of ownership at Batsto (1784-1876). Detailing the nearly century-long transition from ironworks to glass factory to potential Pine Barrens ghost town, the presenter will highlight the challenges and changes to Batsto during the line-eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Topics include the height and decline of New Jersey’s iron industry, the use of South Jersey’s abundant natural resources, and the continuing legacy of Batsto’s past as a company town.

Then, on Sunday, you can find the Wharton State Forest table at Lines on the Pines. A gathering of Pine Barrens authors, craftspeople, scholars and enthusiasts, there is something there for everyone to enjoy!

March 1, 8, 15 & 22: Batsto Mansion Sunset Tours

Sunset tours of the Batsto Mansion return this March! See the historic house after hours with a guided tour of the impressive Italianate home. Get a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived, worked, and vacationed at Batsto more than a century ago.

Tours are 75-90 minutes and begin on the mansion porch.

Tickets include a brief walking tour of the village and a guided tour of the Batsto Mansion at 10 a.m., 12 p.m.& 2 p.m.

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 Batsto Mansion tour availability, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024.

March 9 & 10: Pinelands Short Course and Lines on the Pines

Wharton State Forest staff will be present at the Pinelands Short Course and Lines on the Pines, both on the campus of Stockton University. On Saturday, Wharton’s historian will be delivering a program titled “The Richards Era at Batsto.”

This program will focus on the story of the Richards Family’s period of ownership at Batsto (1784-1876). Detailing the nearly century-long transition from ironworks to glass factory to potential Pine Barrens ghost town, the presenter will highlight the challenges and changes to Batsto during the line-eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Topics include the height and decline of New Jersey’s iron industry, the use of South Jersey’s abundant natural resources, and the continuing legacy of Batsto’s past as a company town.

Then, on Sunday, you can find the Wharton State Forest table at Lines on the Pines. A gathering of Pine Barrens authors, craftspeople, scholars and enthusiasts, there is something there for everyone to enjoy!

Lines on the Pines!

BCCI will be at Lines on the Pines at Stockton University Campus Center...

Sunday March 10th from 11AM - 4PM.

Stop by and visit!

February 10th -  Maple Sugaring Day at Batsto Village

Saturday, February 10th is maple sugaring day at Batsto Village Historic Site!

Join us, along with partners from Stockton University, in boiling this year’s batch of Wharton State Forest maple syrup.

The festivities begin at Batsto at 10 a.m., and boiling will continue until 2 p.m.

No registration is required, and the maple sugaring event is open to all ages. Free and open to the public.

Batsto's Historic Post Office is Open February 10th 

Visitors are invited to send a Wharton State Forest post card from Batsto’s post office! Opened in 1852, mail is still hand-canceled in the same historic building that once served Batsto’s villagers over a century ago.

Stamped post cards can be purchased from the Batsto Visitor Center. Visitors may also bring other pre-stamped post cards and letters to mail from Batsto's historic post office.

The Batsto Post Office will be open Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Feb. 17-19

Presidents' Day Weekend at Batsto Village

There’s plenty to do at Batsto this Presidents’ Day Weekend! Explore the village, take a tour, or send mail from our 1852 historic post office. Weekend events include guided tours of the Batsto Mansion, walking tours of the village, and more!

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

Stay warm this February 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 45-55 minutes and begin on the mansion porch:

• Wednesdays through Sundays
  11 a.m., 1 p.m., 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.

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.

Camping & Cabins

Winter camping is available at Wharton State Forest! There is nothing like waking up on a winter’s morning, looking out of your tent and seeing a fresh coat of snow on the ground.  Or before turning in for the night, star gazing in Wharton State Forest’s dark skies with the sound of an owl calling off in the distance.

All our campgrounds are open year around.  

Atsion Cabins are closed for the season and will reopen again in late winter, but you can still make a reservation now.

Make your camping or cabin reservations here

Free Gifts with Purchases at Batsto and Atsion Stores

Discover the history of Atsion and its Vernacular Greek Revival mansion! Visitors will receive a free copy of Atsion: A Town of Four Faces with the purchase of an Atsion magnet.

Take the story of Batsto home with you after exploring the historic village! Visitors will receive a free copy of Of Batsto and Bog Iron with the purchase of a Batsto trivet.

Wharton State Forest Career Opportunities

Want to join the Wharton State Forest team?

Now through February 19, 2024 we’re accepting applications for a full-time year-round Maintenance Worker 1 position in Wharton State Forest! Find the job details and application instructions here: https://www.nj.gov/dep/jobs/spfhs-2024-3mw1.pdf

Looking for a part-time or summer job? Wharton State Forest will soon be hiring seasonal lifeguards, maintenance, office, and visitor service assistant positions. Apply here https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/jobs.html and check the drop-down box for Wharton State Forest or Atsion Recreation Area

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.

No clouds today!

Great day for a walk at Batsto!

It’s getting colder outside, but there is still plenty to do at Wharton State Forest, including special events at Batsto Village Historic Site!

Stars in the night sky

Dec. 13: Geminid Meteor Shower Watch

Join us on Wednesday, December 13 at 9:30 p.m. to view the Geminid meteor shower in the dark skies above the Batsto Visitor Center.

Yes, we know this is happening on a “work night,” but nature does not conform to our manmade schedules.  Throw caution to the wind and come on out!  You might be a little groggy at work the next day, but it will be worth it.  

Peak for the Geminids this year will be between 10 p.m. and dawn on December 14 where it will be possible to see up to 150 "shooting stars” per hour. Dress warmly, bring a chair, something warm to drink and sit back and watch.  The Geminids often produce “shooting stars” that are white, yellow and green.  This is the only annual meteor shower caused by an asteroid rather than a comet.  The Geminids run from November 19 through December 24 this year.  Clouds will cancel.  

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

For more information or to confirm the event is still on, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at (609) 561-0024 before 4 p.m. on December 13.

Batsto Mansion

Dec 20-24: Evening Holiday Tours of the Batsto Mansion

The Batsto Mansion will be open for evening tours this December! See the historic house decorated for nineteenth-century Christmas and learn about holiday traditions of the past. The tour includes a guided walk through the home, a few peeks into rarely seen areas, and stories from the Richards and Wharton eras.  

Tours are approximately 60-75 minutes and promptly begin on the Batsto Mansion porch at 6:30 PM and 8 PM, Wednesday, December 20th through Sunday, December 24th. Tickets can be purchased at the Batsto Visitor Center and are $10 per visitor. Space is limited, and visitors are encouraged to call ahead to reserve their spot. 

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

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

HAPPENING THROUGHOUT DECEMBER

Tours of the Batsto Mansion

Mansion tours continue this winter 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 45-55 minutes and begin on the mansion porch:

• Wednesdays and Thursdays
  11 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM
• Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
  10 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM

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.

Camping at Mullica River WIlderness Campground

Camping

Winter camping is available at Wharton State Forest! There is nothing like waking up on a winter’s morning, looking out of your tent and seeing a fresh coat of snow on the ground.  Or before turning in for the night, star gazing in Wharton State Forest’s dark skies with the sound of an owl calling off in the distance. 

All our campgrounds are open year around.    

Atsion Cabins have closed for the season and will reopen again in 2024, but you can still make a reservation for next year now.  Thank you to everyone who stayed with us in 2023!

Make your camping or cabin reservations here:  

https://www.njportal.com/DEP/NJOutdoors/Park/Details?locationId=19 

Wharton State Forest Mini-Mug

Shopping for the Holidays?

New T-Shirts, Hats and Other Cool Stuff Available Now! 

During your next visit, stop in the Batsto Visitor Center or Atsion Office to get your Wharton State Forest gear! Our newest designs include the Batsto Mansion, Atsion Mansion, and the Jersey Devil.

UPCOMING IN JANUARY - SAVE THE DATE!

Jan. 1: First Day Hikes and other very special events you won't want to miss!

Saturdays in January: Lantern Tours of Atsion Mansion

Watch your e-mail in late December for all the details.

Wharton State Forest in Winter

Wharton State Forest Office Locations & Hours

Atsion Office
744 US 206, Shamong, NJ 08088, (609) 268-0444

Batsto Office, Museum and Visitor Center
31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ  08037, (609) 561-0024

Both offices are open 7 days a week (except major holidays) 9 AM - 4 PM.

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.

Get in the holiday spirit at Batsto Village!

Sunday, December 3rd

12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Come join us for…

• Hot cider and cookies in the Post Office Museum!
• Meeting Santa!
• Mansion tours!
• Having your holiday mail hand cancelled at the Post Office (with no zip code!)
• Taking holiday pictures (in a carriage) or just about anywhere!

• Listening to the St. Nicholas Aurora Carolers
• A wagon ride! *

* There is a charge of $10 / rider for adults and $5.00 for children the 20-minute ride to help us offset the cost of providing this activity

Join us for a fun day at Batsto Village Sunday ...November 5 ...from 12 noon until 3 PM.

Wagon rides will be available for a trip through the village. This is a fun ride with a little history lesson thrown in!

The children really enjoy this experience.

The folks....and horses...from South Jersey Horse Rescue will be on site to share with you the good work they are doing.

And if you are in the mood for some music, the Libby Prison Minstrels will be on the porch of the Batsto General Store to provide their special brand of music.

Bring a chair or blanket and hang out for a while!

You can also take a tour of the Batsto Mansion and stroll through the museum at the Visitor Center (and maybe pick up a holiday gift while you are there) 

The weather is predicted to be grand!

Come join us.