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26th Annual Historic House Tour in Long Valley - Saturday, Dec 12 from 11am to 4pm The 26th annual Historic House Tour in Long Valley will be held on Saturday, December 12th, from 11am to 4pm. The tour, sponsored by the Washington Township Historical Society, is self guided; a program book with a map, photographs, and history of each house is provided. This year’s tour spans the Naughright, Flocktown, and Drakestown areas of Washington Township. Details on the houses are below the line. Complimentary refreshments will be served in the Historical Society's Museum on the day of the tour and beautiful crafts made by the Society's Crafts Group will be available for sale. House Tour Tickets are $20 each with proceeds benefiting the Historical Society and Museum. Tickets can be purchased in advance by mail. Please make checks payable and mail to the Washington Township Historical Society, P.O. Box 189, Long Valley, NJ 07853. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Washington Township Historical Society Museum located at 6 Fairview Avenue in the center of Long Valley on the following days: Dec. 6 from 10am to 5:30pm; Dec. 11 from 10am to 6pm; and Dec. 12, the day of the tour, beginning at 10am. An optional luncheon will be held at the Drakestown United Methodist Church from 11am and 2pm. Proceeds from the luncheon benefit the church. Those traveling a distance may want to consider spending a night at the historic (and green) Raritan Inn Bed & Breakfast, www.RaritanInn.com, 908-832-6869. Long Valley has many restaurants to enjoy. For more information please email info@wthsnj.org, visit our web site at www.wthsnj.org or telephone (908) 876-9696. Shelley Heretyk Washington Township Historical Society -------------------------------------------------------------- First is “The Luz Holvenstot House”, named for the artist, noted breeder of Irish Setters, author, and passionate environmentalist who in the 1960s purchased the property that dates to the late 1700s. She had her art studio in the hay barn, gradually transformed it into livable space, and in the 1970s made it her permanent residence. The current owners, an architect and structural designer, have made spectacular improvements over the last 9 years. The home features the original post-and-beam pegged structure, pine floors, stone walls, and barn beams. In addition, the dairy barn will be shown. This was nearly dilapidated and has been recently built into a spacious office and workshop. Next on the tour is “Hilltop Cottage”. John Jacob Trainor, a wealthy bachelor from the Bronx, built this home in 1905, on 175 acres he purchased for the cost of taxes. It was a summer home for family members until the 1970s. The wrap-around-porch welcomed many visitors and the house was always full of cheer. John Trainor loved symmetry as evidenced by the windows – plenty of cross breeze that kept everyone cool. The interior trim is of American Chestnut and many lovely decorations grace this home. The third house on the tour is the “Drakestown General Store and Post Office.” This stone home was built in 1828 by John P. Sharp, a descendent from the original German settlers. The building represents a family transition from agricultural to entrepreneurial pursuits. In 1829, John added a stone wing which housed a general store and shortly after added a wooden frame . This became the Drakestown Post Office in 1837. It was the post office until 1911 and closed when post offices were consolidated in the township. The home has multiple original fireplaces and original wide plank oak and pine floors. Next is the historic Drakestown United Methodist Church on Church Road. This church was completed in 1855 at a cost of $1,445. The congregation dates back to 1811 when a meeting took place in the Drakestown School to decide it was time to have a church. In those days ministers traveled by foot, horseback, or stagecoach to provide services. As you visit this lovely old church, take note of the stained glass windows that date to 1899. The original pulpit, two side chairs, and altar ware can also be seen. Fifth on the tour is “The Applegate House”, a lovely stone house built circa 1752. Moses and Sarah Applegate farmed the property, followed by Jacob and Sarah Applegate in the 1880s. The original part of the house represents a good example of a stone dwelling of that time. Upstairs, the original beam still spans the house and original (and very irregular) floor planks can be found. There is a well in the front of the house that used to provide water and a two-seater outhouse still exists in the backyard. Tour goers will then drive to Spring Lane which along with the other roads traveled on this tour, is an old road. Originally house number six was a milk house on property once owned and farmed by the Ort’s. George Dufford, a descendant of the group of settlers who came in 1738, is the first known owner. The main entrance to the house and the living room area were once a milk house that was converted to a dwelling. You will notice the stone wall in the living room. The stone kept the milk cool in the summer and insulated in the winter. There is still running water in the basement from the natural springs that are so common on the mountain. A short walk away is the final house, number seven, “The Cottage on Spring Lane.” Laurence Hann, a descendent of early settlers, is the first known owner of the property. In 1853 he sold it to David Dufford and it remained in the Dufford family until it was sold to Charles Ort in 1942. Many old iron pits have been found on the property and it too had natural springs. Beautiful renovations have been made to the home and the original fireplace remains.
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