Author Archives: Wes Hughes

Come join us for a relaxing day at historic Batsto Village on Sunday December 5th to kick off your holiday season!

Carriage rides ( for a charge ) will be provided by South Jersey Carriage Company from 11AM - 3PM. This is a great ride and a fantastic photo opportunity.( Rides commence at the barn next to the Blacksmith's shop.Tickets must be purchased on site that day ).

Mansion tours will be available from 11AM - 3PM as well ( there is a $3.00 charge / person and children are free ). The mansion will be period decorated for the holiday.

( Tickets can be purchased on site that day ).

The very famous Batsto Post Office will be open from Noon until 3 PM to hand cancel....without a zip code... mail. ( pre-stamped ). One of only four places in the entire United States where this can be done!

While in the Post Office, stop in at the display area next door and have some cider & cookies to really get in the spirit. Gabe Coia will be in there from 1 - 3 PM singing and playing a variety of stringed instruments.

We will have a small, simple children's craft activity on the porch of the General store.

There may even be some activity in the Blacksmiths and Carpenters shop!

This is a day to walk the grounds of Batsto and get into the holiday spirit.

Autographed by the author

The story of Batsto, an early iron town and glassworks at the heart of southern New Jersey's Pine Barrens, is unique in American history. From its modest beginnings as a sawmill in the 1760s, Batsto grew into a thriving industrial community through the Revolutionary War years and beyond, its fortunes rising and falling for two centuries as a succession of owners and speculators brought their visions and schemes to bear. Located along the Mullica and Batsto Rivers, Batsto's ironworks became a vital supplier of arms to Washington's army and nurtured a "nest of rebel pirates" that would confound British forces and help turn the tide for Independence.

Come spend an afternoon at Batsto on Sunday December 5th.

Jaxon and Tyler say.....stay tuned for details!

Could it be Maleficent has BCCI member Jim Hammell under her spell?

Both seem to be enjoying the moment at The haunting at Batsto last Sunday.

Thanks to all the volunteers that helped out and parents and children that made this a special time.

Thank you Audrey Geddes for the great picture!

Don't forget...

The Country Living Fair is back and will be held Sunday; October 17th, from 10 AM - 4PM.

Crafts,exhibits,music,chain saw art, farm stuff, food....all kinds of interesting things to see.

No charge to enter the park or the event.

Come enjoy a day at Batsto!

Here are confirmed dates that South Jersey Carriage Company will be providing carriage rides at Batsto:

November 21st

December 5th   - Winter at Batsto event 

December 19th

With two carriages on site,rides will start from the Horse Barn near the Blacksmiths Shop,travel around the Mansion,proceed down the road and over the bridge through the lower village and back to the Horse Barn.

There is a charge of $10.00/ person.

There are no advance ticket sales.

Rides are from 11AM - 3PM.

Rides are purchased the day of the rides at the Horse Barn.

These are fun rides reminiscent of days gone by at Batsto Village!

Come and enjoy!

The Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc. once again is pleased to present its annual fall Antique, Glass, and Bottle Show

This year’s annual event will be held on Sunday, September 19th at historic Batsto Village.

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 vendors. Food and beverages will be available throughout day. Parking close
to vendor displays will be plentiful.

There is no admission charge to enter the park for the day’s event brought to you by the Batsto Citizens
Committee, Inc.; the officially recognized friends organization of Batsto Village.

“We are happy to be to bring this show back for 2021. It is always a popular event. I imagine this year people may be even more eager to get out and enjoy some time at Batsto and we can’t wait to see everyone,” said event Chairperson Jim Hammell.

The historic Batsto mansion; home to the Richards family for nearly 100 years and later owned by
Philadelphia Industrialist Joseph Wharton will be open from 11AM until 3PM for guided tours. There is a
$3.00 / person charge to tour the mansion.

The famous Batsto Post Office (one of only four in entire United States authorized to cancel mail without
a zip code) will also be open to visitors.

South Jersey Carriage Company will be at Batsto this Sunday, September 12th from 11AM until 3PM.

With two carriages on site,rides will start from the Horse Barn near the Blacksmiths Shop,travel around the Mansion,proceed down the road and over the bridge through the lower village and back to the Horse Barn.

There is a charge of $10.00/ person. Children six and under ride for no charge.

There are no advance ticket sales. Rides are purchased the day of the rides at the Horse Barn.

The weather is predicted to be nice,the horses,carriages and drivers are the best…and the scenery is pure Batsto.

Come and enjoy.

For your listening pleasure, singer,songwriter and multi-instrumentalist

Gabe Coia will be on the porch of the Batsto General Store on Sunday August 15th

from 11AM - 2PM.

With deep roots in Southern New Jersey, Gabe's songs about the Pines are informed not only by his study of local history and folklore, but also by his passion for exploring the region he writes about.

Gabe's 2016 album, " The Pines of my Past" is both a tribute to the New Jersey Pine Barrens and a sentimental reflection on what the area means to him.

Come listen for awhile!

The Atsion Mansion is open for tours every Saturday at 1 & 2 PM.

The home of iron master Samuel Richards, the building has never been plumbed or electrified.

It looks as it did when constructed in 1826!

The house if full of interesting stories...some even a little "quirky"...told by volunteers eager to share them with you.

Across from the Atsion Lake on Route 206, it is easily accessible and has plenty of free parking.

You won't be disappointed!

Call the park office at (609) 268-0444 for additional information.