Feb 5, 12, 19, 26: Batsto Post Office Open

Did you know that the Batsto Post Office can still send mail? First opened by Jesse Richards in 1852, the Batsto Post Office is one of the four oldest post offices currently operating in the United States!

The Batsto Post Office will be open each Wednesday afternoon (12 to 3 p.m.) in February. Bring your pre-stamped postcards and letters to the village to receive a unique Batsto postal cancellation. Stamped postcards are also available for purchase. While you are in the Post Office, be sure to stop in the recently opened Glass Museum! Containing examples of nineteenth and twentieth-century glass, as well as historic artifacts found throughout Batsto, the Glass Museum is the perfect complement to a mansion tour and stroll through the village.

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

Feb. 7, 14, 21 & 28: Combined Tours of Batsto Village and Mansion

Enjoy all that winter has to offer at Wharton State Forest with a tour of Batsto Village and its Italianate mansion! Tours meet in the Batsto Visitor Center and begin with a walk through the village, stopping at notable buildings and locations along the way. Tours then move inside the mansion, where visitors are invited to explore the nineteenth century home (with twenty-first century heating!).

Tours are approximately two hours and are available each Friday in February. Tours begin at 2 p.m. inside the Batsto Visitor Center and are $5 per person. Visitors are strongly encouraged to dress warmly and with comfortable footwear for the outside portion of the tour. Tours may be cancelled due to inclement weather.

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

For more information or to confirm Inside/Outside tour availability, please call the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024.

Feb. 15: Maple Sugaring Day at Batsto Village

It’s maple syrup season again at Batsto Village Historic Site! Spend your Valentine’s Day weekend enjoying the warm fire, views of picturesque red maples, and the delicious scent of fresh maple syrup.

Join us as Wharton State Forest partners with Stockton University to produce genuine Pine Barrens maple syrup right here at Batsto! Watch as the sap collected throughout the village gets turned into maple syrup, with samples available throughout the day and bottles available for purchase in the Visitor Center.

Maple Sugaring Day is open to all ages, and registration is not required. The event is held rain or shine.

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

Wharton State Forest Visiting Vehicle Use Map

In case you missed it, Wharton State Forest has a newly released Visiting Vehicle Use Map (PDF) that clearly delineates legal roads for driving vehicles in New Jersey’s largest state forest.

This map enhances the visitor experience and serves to ensure the protection of wildlife habitat and rare plant species found within the forest. It’s a must-see for all who drive in and around Wharton State Forest.

Digital copies of the Wharton Visiting Vehicle Use Map, FAQ, and more are available here: https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/wharton/. Print copies are available at Atsion and Batsto Offices.

As always, ATVs, side-by-sides, and other non-street-legal motorized vehicles are illegal to operate on all state-owned lands. Park visitors who encounter ATVs or other non-street-legal vehicles on or off established park roads or see suspicious or illegal activities on DEP-managed public lands may call 1-877-WARNDEP (1-877-927-6337).

Batsto Mansion Tours in February

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 approximately 45-60 minutes and are available throughout February, Wednesday through Friday at 1 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 & 2 p.m.

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 in Historic Batsto Village.

Wharton State Forest Career Opportunities

Looking for a part-time or summer job?

Wharton State Forest is now 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.

Celebrate History with Our Batsto Sawmill T-Shirts!

Sold out and now back in stock!

The Batsto Museum Shop, is thrilled to announce the arrival of our brand-new t-shirts! These dark green Gildan heavy cotton shirts feature a striking mustard yellow design that celebrates the historic Batsto Sawmill—a true treasure of our community.

2025 marks a special milestone: the historic sawmill has been repaired and is fully functional once again! Watch for announcements of when you can come see it in full operation. To commemorate this achievement, we’ve designed these unique t-shirts as a tribute to the sawmill’s rich history and its vital role in Batsto Village.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a fan of Batsto Village, or simply looking for a high-quality and meaningful keepsake, these t-shirts are a perfect way to show your support and pride.

Available now at the Batsto Museum Shop. Don’t miss out—grab yours while supplies last and wear a piece of Batsto’s history!

Batsto Museum Shop is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037 in Historic Batsto Village.

For more information or to confirm inventory availability, please call the Batsto Museum Shop at 609-561-0024.

Batsto’s Very Own Maple Syrup!

Stop in the Batsto Museum Shop after the sugaring event on February 15 to pick-up a bottle of Wharton State Forest’s own maple syrup made with sap collected from trees in Batsto Village! Quantities are limited so be sure to stop in early.

While in the shop, checkout the selection of maple cutting boards made from locally sourced and sustainably harvested wood. There are many styles and sizes to choose from. We also have a variety of merchandise available to support the maple sugaring project.

Atsion General Store is located at 744 US 206, Shamong, NJ 08088. For more information or to confirm inventory, please call the Atsion General Store at 609-268-0444. The store is open Wednesday through Sunday all winter from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Batsto Museum Shop is located at 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037 in Historic Batsto Village. For more information or to confirm inventory availability, please call the Batsto Museum Shop at 609-561-0024. The shop is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.