Author Archives: vlm

We at Batsto Village are thrilled to report that our recent hosting of the Country Living Fair was a smashing success! People from all over came to enjoy the wonderful fair, which featured a wide variety of vendors offering unique products and services, live music, food trucks, and an antique car show.

Vendors offered everything from woodworking products and real maple syrup to wicker baskets, glassworks, arrowheads, and bags. There was something for everyone at the fair!

Visitors enjoyed live music from James Commander, as well as delicious food from a variety of food trucks. The antique car show was a huge hit, with cars dating back to the 1910s on display.

We are so grateful to everyone who came out to support the Country Living Fair, and the local businesses that came out to feature their unique wondrous products & services. It was a wonderful day, and we can't wait to do it again next year!

Gallery of The Country Living Fair 2023

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Come hear local artist Paul Pedersen,Jr. perform on the porch of the Batsto Village General Store Saturday July 17th between 11AM & 2PM.

Paul will be singing songs about the Pine Barrens and other original / cover songs. He may even break into a few stories about the legends and folk lore of the Pines.

Bring something to sit on and stay awhile !  Paul will keep you spellbound.!

Here is a some background on Paul.

South Jersey native and grandfather of ten Paul Evans Pedersen, Jr. is a singer/songwriter, screenwriter, author, and glass jewelry artisan who lives in Malaga (Franklin Twp., Gloucester County) with his wife, Cookie. Nominated for 4 Grammys in 2008, and seven more in 2009, Pedersen's recent CD's include "Endlessly", "Agua Noir", "Manhattan Grits", and, most recently (2014), "Lines On The Pines", a cd of 13 songs that is entirely about the Pine Barrens of South Jersey. Many of the over 1200 songs composed by Pedersen have charted nationally and internationally, and have been featured in two films; "Breathless", and "The Demented", and on FXX's TV series "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia". Paul and his song "The Pine Barrens Blues" was featured on the hit CNN series, "Anthony Bourdain-Parts Unknown" in May, 2015. Paul has been writing songs since the age of 3, and continues to do so. Also, he has been playing the drums since age 12, the guitar since age 14, and continues to do so as well. He played drums for "The Hall Of fame Show" out of Nashville for 5 years in the 90's, and does drum and guitar studio work as well.

He is the author of two published books. "Required Restroom Readings", a self-published collection of short stories and Haiku, was published in 2009. His most recent book, "The Legendary Pine Barrens-New Tales From Old Haunts", was published in 2013 by Plexus Publishing of Medford, NJ. Pedersen is currently continuing his regional book tour and signings for "The Legendary Pine Barrens", which includes the performance of four original Pine Barrens songs and a hour-long storytelling session.

Pedersen was a reporter/photographer for The Weekly Retrospect, The Hammonton Gazette, and the Vineland Daily Journal. He has written several screenplays, and does voice-overs for a production company in Florida. Paul is the "official voice" of Maines Truck Driving School in NY. Pedersen's line of jewelry, know as "Pine Barrens Diamonds", is available at some 15 retail shops throughout south and central Jersey, including all three Noyes Museum outlets, Wheaton Glass, Batsto Village, Historic Smithville, and other locations in and around the Jersey Shore, as far north as Pt. Pleasant Beach. The jewelry is fashioned from discarded glass chunks Pedersen unearths at the ruins of several old glassworks (circa 18th & 19th century) sites in the Pine Barrens. The exploration of, and digging for the glass by Paul was featured in a segment of the soon to be released David Kessler film, "The Pine Barrens".

Paul is currently working on his third book, a new collection of South Jersey stories "that'll scare the bejeesus outta ya!"

In a continuing effort to improve the visitor experience at Batsto Village, Atsion Mansion and Wharton State Forest, the Batsto Citizens Committee Inc. (BCCI) is proud to announce the launch an exciting new website that will replace one that has served the public for nearly two decades. The new site is expected to go live on September 23, 2019. Wes Hughes, chairman of BCCI’s marketing and public relations sub- committee, and three other BCCI sub-committee members worked with Vision Line Media, to design and implement the new, interactive site.

“Our previous website served us well for many years, but it was time to update and upgrade the site to enhance the experience of our visitors, potential visitors and donors,” said Hughes. “The new website makes it easier for people to plan their visit to Batsto and understand all that the park has to offer.”

The updated website features photographs and videos from a variety photographers who have captured stunning views of both historic sites and the ecologically significant Pinelands of Wharton State Forest. A live webcam on the new site even allows visitors a birds-eye-view from the iconic tower atop the Batsto Mansion. 

Besides the visuals afforded on the new site, the historical significance of Batsto and its environs has also been fully developed on the website, as well as information about upcoming events, and opportunities for donors to get involved in a number of annual fundraising efforts. The easy to navigate site also features a shopping cart where visitors may pay for advance tickets to events and purchase Batsto merchandise and books online. Donors may also make secure donations to Batsto, via credit card. Those interested, can also learn about becoming a “Friend of Batsto” and volunteer opportunities on the new site.

The new website is fully responsive for mobile devices and secured behind 256 Bit SSL encryption. It is being maintained by the Batsto Citizens Committee Inc., which is a non-profit corporation dedicated to advising and assisting the state of New Jersey in preserving Batsto Village and educating the public about its significance in interpreting the unique history of southern New Jersey.

“ We are very excited to be able to work with the Batsto Citizens Committee to give the historical treasure that Batsto is the professional Web presence it deserves,” commented Vision Line Media Senior Partner Bryan Klugh.

In addition to managing projects like the new website, BCCI also sponsors several major on-site events annually, including the Country Living Fair, on the third Sunday of October. The committee also contributes funds it has raised through its “Friends of Batsto” mission to assist in the preservation of the historic site.

Batsto is a nationally recognized historic village which dates back to 1766 and provides through guided tours a glimpse of what life was like in the region during the American Revolution in the 18th century through the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century via a Visitor’s Center Museum, and more than a dozen original historic structures, including the venerable Batsto Mansion. Further information may be obtained by calling the Batsto Visitor Center at (609) 561-0024.

About Historic Batsto Village

Located eight miles east of Hammonton on New Jersey Route 542, Batsto Village is a New Jersey historic site located in the south-central Pinelands. Administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Parks & Forestry, this site is nationally recognized for its historical significance and beauty. The roots of Batsto Village can be traced back to 1766. Two centuries of American history are available to visitors, with the Pinelands environment as a scenic backdrop.

About Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc.

The Batsto Citizens Committee was founded in 1956 to aid the State of New Jersey in the development of Batsto Village as an historic site. Its purpose was to advise, assist and promote the restoration and interpretation of the historic and natural aspects of Batsto Village. In 1997, the committee reorganized and became incorporated as the Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc. (BCCI), and continues to follow the above objectives. For more information about BCCI visit www.batstovillage.org

About VisionLine Media

VisionLine Media is a South Jersey web design company based in Haddon Heights, New Jersey. The company has been a regional industry leader for over 18 years. VisionLine services clients ranging from sole-proprietors to Fortune 500 Companies and has an extensive portfolio of work that extends to many different industries. From its Haddon Heights, NJ location, VisionLine services Web Design clients in South Jersey, Philadelphia, Northern New Jersey and New York. For more information about VisionLine Media, visit them at www.visionlinemedia.com