Author Archives: Wes Hughes
Send Your Holiday Mail From Batsto This December!
The Batsto Post Office will be open from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM on the following dates:
December at Wharton State Forest…and Beyond!
It’s getting colder outside, but there is still plenty to do at Wharton State Forest, including special events at Batsto Village Historic Site!
Dec. 3: Winter in the Pines - 12 Noon to 3 PMGet in the holiday spirit at Batsto Village!Join us on Sunday, December 3, 2023 for an all-ages afternoon of winter fun! Activities include a meeting with Santa, tours of the Batsto Mansion, and wagon rides through the village. Hot cider and cookies will be available in the Post Office Museum. While there, you are also invited to send your holiday mail from the historic Batsto Post Office. Bring in your stamped postcards and letters to be hand-cancelled with the unique Batsto cancellation (no ZIP code!) in the 1852 post office. The St. Nicholas Aurora Carolers will be performing music throughout the village, and visitors are welcome to take their holiday photos at Batsto! Commercial photographers will need to obtain a permit before taking pictures. Horse-drawn wagon rides through the village are approximately 20 minutes; $10 per adult, $5 per child. We look forward to seeing you in the village this December! Batsto Village Historic Site is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037. For more information please call the Batsto Visitor Center at (609) 561-0024.
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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.
Winter In The Pines
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
Horses and more!
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.
Busy Weekend at Batsto!
Saturday starts the weekend off with the 8th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry Civil War Living History Encampment.
The 8th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry (8thnj.org)
Beginning at 12 Noon on Saturday (10/28) Uptown Pleasure Carriages of Southampton will offer wagon rides (for a small fee) through the Upper and Lower Village.
At Noon on Sunday (10/29), join us for the ever popular "Haunting" children's event. This is a fun...and free... event for children 12 years old and younger and
accompanied by an adult /parent.
Trick or treating in the Village, pony rides, games and free hot dog and drink.
Live music by the Libby Prison Minstrels.
Wool & Wagon
Be sure to come to Batsto Village on Saturday October 28th to see a living history presentation by the 8th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry.
From 9AM - 3:30PM, the 8th will set up a camp, do some drilling (the marching kind) and answer all your questions about life during the American Civil War. 
Uptown Pleasure Carriages will be on site from Noon until 3PM
with a horse drawn wagon providing rides through the upper and lower village.
Bring the little ones out, have some fun, learn something new and even take a tour of the Batsto Mansion!
Country Living Fair 2023
Although the weather forecast does not look overly accommodating for the Sunday (October 15) Country Living Fair, the event is still ON.
This is a rain or shine event and will be held if at all possible.
CANCELLED Fall Antique,Glass & Bottle Show CANCELLED
Regrettably,the prediction of inclement weather for the weekend has caused us to cancel Sunday's ( 9/24 ) Fall Antique, Glass and Bottle Show and wagon rides.
If you are a vendor, you will receive an email message from the event chair regarding refunding of space rental funds.
Be sure to visit us on our Facebook page...Friends of Batsto.
https://www.facebook.com/people/Friends-of-Batsto/100091926544904/
Summer Is Over… But Still Plenty to Come!
| Summer might be "over," but Wharton State Forest is open for business all year! Fall is the perfect time for hiking, camping and visiting Wharton State Forest's historic sites.
Atsion Mansion Tours
The Atsion Mansion will be open for tours through November. 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 in 1826. Tours are 45-55 minutes and begin outside, between the mansion and office:
Tickets for tours 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 summer and fall 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:
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
Fall is a perfect time to go camping: cool nights, warm days, and the sights, smells and sounds of autumn. All our campgrounds are open for business! Make your reservations here: https://www.njportal.com/DEP/NJOutdoors/Park/Details?locationId=19 Atsion Family Camp will be open year-round. Atsion Cabins will close for the season on October 31 and will reopen again in 2024.
Fall Antique, Glass & Bottle Show
Sunday, September 24, 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Rain or Shine Join us for our annual Fall Antique, Glass & Bottle Show, presented by the Batsto Citizen’s Committee, Inc. Come to Batsto Village on September 24th to view Pine Barrens treasures, search for that rare find to add to your antique collection, or to take a fall stroll through the historic iron town and from 11AM - 2PM... Take a wagon ride!
While in the village, stop by the Batsto Mansion for a special Antique, Glass & Bottle Show tour! Tours will cover the first floor 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 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, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at (609) 561-0024.
Seasonal historian and office worker Nick Muscella modeling some of our newest WSF gear! New T-Shirts and Hats 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. Tee-shirts are $18 each.
SAVE THE DATE: October EventsOct. 20-22 – Atsion Mansion Flashlight Tours Oct. 25-29 – Batsto Village Lantern Tours Oct. 28 – 8th New Jersey VI Civil War Living History Encampment Oct. 29 – Haunting in the Pines
About Wharton State ForestLocated 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.
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Sunset Tours of the Atsion Mansion
Join us in the evening on Saturday, September 2nd and Sunday, September 3rd for guided sunset tours of the Atsion Mansion. Built in 1826 by Samuel Richards, the Atsion Mansion is one of the most notable examples of Greek Revival architecture in South Jersey.
Tours are 45-55 minutes and promptly begin outside the mansion at 5 PM, 6 PM, and 7 PM. Tickets can be purchased at the Atsion Office and are $5 per visitor. Space is limited, and visitors are encouraged to call ahead to reserve their spot.
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.
Daytime Tours of the Atsion Mansion
The Atsion Mansion will also be open for daytime tours through November: Saturdays and Sundays at 1 PM and 2 PM. Tickets for daytime tours 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.
Daily Tours of the Batsto Mansion
Mansion tours continue this summer and fall 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.
