Author Archives: Wes Hughes
Earth Day at Batsto
Saturday April 22nd ..
Come join us for some
Earth Day fun!
(meet at the pavilion in the rear of the parking lot at the Visitor Center)
- 8:30-9:00 Meet for a Guided Bird Hike. Dress appropriately, bring binoculars and water.
- 12:45-1:00 Meet for a Guided Bird Hike. Dress appropriately, bring binoculars and water.
- 11:00 - 3:00 Family Activities
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- Kite Flying: bring your own or purchase one for $2.
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- Scavenger Hunt
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- Story Book Hike
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- Hike the Trails
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- Children Crafts
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The Batsto Stagecoach
Travel by horse drawn “coach” has been around since the 17th Century. More a form of 
entertainment for the wealthy, it wasn’t until the later part of the 1600’s that travel by horse drawn coach became an affordable, convenient …and dry… form of getting to where you were going.
Although travel by coach was a step up from traveling totally exposed to the elements on horse back, it could still be very slow.
Long distance travel by coach in “stages” was necessary to allow for changing the horses and providing passengers an opportunity to refresh themselves. Stages were typically not more than ten miles as roads weren’t much more than rutted, muddied paths in the beginning.
The Batsto stagecoach began operating in the summer 1962 and is believed to have been built around 1850. It was “discovered” by two members of the Batsto Citizens Committee in Atlantic City ( NJ ).
Where and when it was built is unknown.
It is believed the Batsto Stagecoach operated on a run between Camden (Cooper’s Folly) and Leed’s Point near Smithville.
John Lapp of Intercourse, Pennsylvania; a specialist in the restoration of ancient vehicles, did extensive work on the Batsto Stage Coach in the spring of 1966. In that same year the State of New Jersey secured a new team of horses that were housed at Batsto. Horses were shod at the Blacksmith Shop… still used today.
The State’s Maintenance shop at Green Bank also did extensive work on the coach in early 1967 before it was transported to New York City. The coach was displayed in the International Philatelic Exposition at the Hotel Americana.
Speaking of Green Bank, Morris Mick Green Bank was one of the early drivers of the Batsto Coach in the sixties. Back then the ride was thirty five cents for the thirty minute ride through the lower village.
About penny a minute. A good deal indeed!
George Washington and Batsto Bog Iron
Firebacks served the practical (and valuable) purpose of protecting the bricks lining a fireplace from heat damage. The firebacks at Mount Vernon, emblazoned with George Washington's crest and monogram, additionally served as a tangible reminder that he was master of this mansion and the profitable estate on which it stood. Washington custom ordered the "4 Chimney Backs & 8 side Plates or Jambs" in June and August of 1787 through Batsto Furnace's Philadelphia agent, Charles Pettit (1736-1806). The finished products arrived at Mount Vernon in late November. Two of the four sets still remain in place - in the West Parlor and the Washington Bedchamber.
Text and photos courtesy of "George Washington's Mount Vernon" and Janice Dispoto
Mansion Web Cameras
The views from the Batsto mansion tower web cameras are especially interesting early in the morning and late afternoon.
These two are from about 5:30AM.
Check them out...just click on the camera icon on the home
page.
Enjoy!
Wagon Rides Are Back!
Planned dates for Wagon Rides being on site so far are:
May 21st
June 4th
September 24th
October 28th
November 5th
December 3rd
It's a fun time. Bring the little ones.
Rides operate from 11AM - 2PM.
Come join us!
They look happy!
Day End at Batsto
This afternoon may be a rainy one, but just keep this image in your mind as you plan your next visit to Batsto!
You can get this view whenever you wish "remotely" by clicking on the camera on the home page of the website.
The “Un” crew!
These good looking and hard working folks are Batsto Citizens Committee members and Wharton State Forest staff who " un-decorated" the Batsto Mansion recently, taking down the holiday trimmings.
We thank them and those who also gave of their time to decorate this beautiful building prior to the start of the holiday season.
This is fun work and we could always use more help.
Want to Volunteer at Batsto and Wharton State Forest?
Click on "Volunteer Opportunities" in the "About" menu selection on the "Home" page.
Mansion Geothermal
If you have been viewing the East looking web camera recently, you see a variety of construction equipment just yards from the mansion.
Upgrades are being made to the mansions geothermal HVAC system by converting it from an Open to Closed system.
There is even some evening work going on!
Check it out!
Winter In The Pines
Get in the holiday spirit at Batsto Village!
Sunday, December 11th
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Come join us for…
- Hot cider and cookies in the Post Office Museum!
- A fun children’s craft activity on the porch of the General Store!
- Mansion tours!
- Having your holiday mail hand cancelled at the Post Office (with no zip code!)
- Taking holiday pictures! (with a sleigh?)
- Listening to the St. Nicholas Aurora Carolers as they stroll through the village!
- A visit to the Nature Center!
- Taking a wagon ride!
*There is a charge of $10 / rider for the 20 -minute ride to help us offset the cost of providing this activity
The Haunting!
