Category: Smile! Your Visiting New Jersey!

Edelman Fossil Park & Museum at Rowan University 66 Million Mosasaur Way Sewell, NJ 08080

Edelman Fossil Park & Museum at Rowan University 66 Million Mosasaur Way Sewell, NJ 08080

Edelman Fossil Park & Museum at Rowan University

66 Million Mosasaur Way

Sewell, NJ 08080

(856) 284-3466

https://www.efm.org

Open: Sunday-Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm Closed major holidays-please check their website for changes

Admission: Adults $29.00/Children over Two $24.00/Children under two Free/Digs are extra $25.00 with Museum Admission-$34.00 for Standalone and $20.00 for Members

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g46596-d33042982-r1082522342-Edelman_Fossil_Park_Museum_Of_Rowan_University-Mantua_New_Jersey.html

I had read that a new museum had opened as part of Rowan University in Glasboro on the study of pre-historic creatures, many found in New Jersey and what I found fascination is that it was built right next to one of the research pits.

The front of the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum

The Mission of the Museum:

(from the museum website)

Our mission at the Jean and Ric Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University is to be a catalyst for good through the power of understanding the past. We deliver this through first-hand discovery of fossils and an immersive experience in the epic, real story of the dinosaurs. We bring awe and wonder to inspire action for a better world. Using the past, we put the present into perspective and give all people tools to create future actions for good. Whether it’s the pure joy of digging and exploring for exciting possibilities or an awakening of a growing realization about our place in time and how great the gift of life is, we aim to be a remembered, loved, and inspirational agent for good (Museum website).

The lake area outside the museum with the beautiful Fall foliage

This contemporary designed museums sits on a beautiful wooded site on a lake where the design of the building blends so well with the natural surroundings. With the Fall season in full display, the foliage of the surrounding woods blends so beautifully with the building and its grounds.

The side view of the museum at the lake

The museum entrance and hallway are open air and beautifully designed

After I paid my admission, I entered the open air beauty of the lobby with a wonderful little restaurant off to the side with sandwiches, drinks and pastries. To the other side of the lobby was a gift shop with an array of items perfect for both a child and an adult. The the doors to the side lead to the Terrace over looking the research pit.

The terrace just off the main lobby has gorgeous views of the research pits where new fossils are being discovered

The Fossil Pit:

(from the museum website)

Dig into the past at the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum’s Quarry in Mantua, NJ, where you can search for real fossils from 66 million years ago! More than 100,000 fossils have been discovered at this incredible site, including mosasaurs, sea turtles, shark teeth, and more.

Your quarry adventure includes up to 60 minutes of hands-on fossil digging, plus a fossil to take home! Come ready to explore in comfortable clothes and closed-toed shoes – rubber boots are recommended. All guests entering the quarry must have a ticket; children ages 2 and under are free. Guests must be at least 16 years old to dig independently.

I was not able to spend too much time out here as they were preparing for a wedding

The was a small cafe just off the lobby with a really nice menu that was getting ready to close for the afternoon

https://www.efm.org/quarrygrounds

The Beverage and snack area of the museum restaurant

The restaurant is open for both breakfast and lunch and its selection is very nice. It was closing for the day when I arrived and they have a nice assortment of things to eat.

The Gift shop was on the other side of the lobby

The main part of the museum was down the hall and gave me an interesting perspective of how New Jersey was part of Dinosaur Age. What I liked about the museum was it challenges us with the past when we feel we can control the environment. I liked how it questions our own future.

The sign in the Main Gallery before you enter

The entrance to the main exhibition gallery

The main Dinosaur Gallery

The Teeth vs Tonnage exhibit

The Teeth and Tonage display

Dinosaur display lurking

The back of the gallery

The main Dinosaur Gallery

The Eagle Ray sign

The Eagle Ray

Creatures from the deep

Sea turtles

The Ammonoids sign

The Ammonoids display

The Ammonoids display

I thought the dinosaur displays dazzled with their detailed information and their interpretation of these ancient creatures. The life sized models really showed the day to day life and survival of these mammals.

The Sea Rex

The Sea Rex display

The Sea Rex up close

The Giants Flying Reptiles

The flying reptiles display

The Circle of Life exhibition

The Hall of Hope and Distinction:

(from the museum website)

This captivating experience highlights the asteroid impact that ended the dinosaurs 66 million years ago and the current climate crisis threatening a Sixth Extinction, while inspiring visitors to take action against climate change (Museum website).

The history of dinosaurs in New Jersey

The Fifth Extinction display

The room contained pictures of birds and mammals that are now extinct or on their way to being extinct. This is a cautionary tail of what can happen when we do not respect the environment

Critter Cover on the Lower Level:

(from the museum website)

Step into Critter Cove, where the wonders of today connect to the creatures of the past! Come face-to-face with incredible critters, from hands-on sea stars to a powerful monitor lizard. This isn’t just an exhibit, it’s a time-traveling adventure through evolution! Discover living descendants of ocean-dwelling invertebrates, dinosaur-age reptiles, and hardy mammal ancestors that defied extinction. Packed with excitement and discovery, Critter Cove is an unforgettable thrill for explorers of all ages!

The lower level aqua room and interaction room has tanks with small sea creatures we could interact with but I did not attempt to touch them. I loved seeing the small string rays and starfish. It was also interesting to hear from the naturalist about the conditions of our beaches and the ocean surrounding New Jersey.

The touch pool has various fish and aquatic life

This turtle was peaking out at me

After I toured the museum, I toured the grounds around the property and walked around the lake where the museum sits on its edge. The foliage was breathtaking that day.

The lake in the early Fall afternoon

The view of the museum on the side of the lake

The museum even has a family playground with pre-historic creatures to play on. I thought the design was quite clever.

The front of the playground outside the museum

The playground with its dinosaur themed equipment

The playground from a distance

For a university research museum, I thought it offered a lot for the public to see and experience. I did not know that New Jersey had such a rich history of pre-historic life in its past.

The Hill Memorial Museum/Sussex County Historical Society 82 Main Street Newton, NJ 07860

The Hill Memorial Museum/Sussex County Historical Society 82 Main Street Newton, NJ 07860

The Hill Memorial Museum/Sussex County Historical Society

82 Main Street

Newton, NJ 07860

(973) 383-6010

https://www.facebook.com/SussexCountyHistoricalSocietyNj

Contact

Open: Sunday-Thursday Closed/Friday 9:00am-1:00pm/Saturday Closed

Admission: Free but donations are accepted

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g46674-d27060080-Reviews-Sussex_County_Historical_Society-Newton_New_Jersey.html

The front of the Hill Memorial Museum

The front sign to the museum

The History of the Hill Memorial Museum:

(from the museum website)

The Hill Memorial was constructed in 1916 by Newton contractor Thomas Farrel in renaissance revival style according to the design of Henry T. Stephens, a Paterson architect. It was built for the society’s use by donations from Joshua Hill, a native of Sussex County and was dedicated on Founder’s Day, June 8, 1917. The building was named in memory of Joshua’s parents, Luther and Abigail (Dildine) Hill, and his uncle, Joseph Price Hill. The building is faced with two shades of tapestry brick furnished by the N.H. Sloan kilns of Pennsylvania. The main entrance is ornamented with a portico and door casings manufactured by the Brick Terra Cotta & Tile Company of Corning, New York. The main architectural feature of the entry hall is the grand staircase of quartered oak.

The Hill Memorial Museum Mission Statement:

(from the museum website)

The purpose of the SCHS is to promote public knowledge and interest in the history of Sussex County, New Jersey, and surrounding areas by:

  • Compiling, publishing and disseminating information;
  • Collecting, preserving and studying historical, genealogical and archaeological records, documents, papers and artifacts;
  • Maintaining a public museum;
  • Promoting the preservation and protection of buildings, cemeteries and other sites of historic interest and co-operating with other organizations of similar interest.

During the Sussex Heritage Weekend, one of the museums on my bucket list was the Hill Memorial Museum, the home of the Sussex County Historical Society. The museum has very limited hours and I have been wanting to visit since last summer. The museum is worth the wait. What an interesting museum filled with fascinating artifacts found from all corners of Sussex County, NJ. The collections fills two floors that also include a historical room and a research library.

The entrance foyer to the museum is quite grand

The museum home to an extensive collection of artifacts and does an interesting job of displaying these objects case by case. Each case holds a story of businesses, the participation of the community in wars, parks and schools and daily life over the last hundred years. The museum is a treasure trove of information on not just the County but the State of New Jersey as well.

Historic musical instruments on display along the stairs

The Second Floor Galleries of the Hill Memorial Museum:

(from the museum website)

The Victorian display in the upstairs gallery were custom made for jeweler H.D. Couse, and donated by his successor, John Coats Sr., when Coats Jewelry Store moved from the Cochran House to 103 Spring Street in 1950. Here are displayed some of the Society’s collections including the partial skeleton of a Mastodon discovered in 1962 during the dredging of a bog at Camp Auxilium in Hampton Township.  New exhibits include “The History of” Farming, Railroads, and Creameries “of Sussex County”. The Civil War display now includes information about 22 Soldiers who rest across the street in the Old Newton Burial Ground.

The second floor is where the larger part of the gallery and displays are located. Each case-line has a different category of artifacts depending on the theme. The main room is used as a meeting space for organization meetings and lectures for the community. The room is surrounding on all sides by cases filled with different objects depending on the subject matter.

The main gallery and meeting room on the second floor

The back of the main gallery behind the meeting space is lined with glass and wood case lines of artifacts from the County of Sussex, NJ

Each case line has a different set of displays:

The first display case was lined with dinosaur bones locally found and the Woolly Mammoth skull and bones found in the County is the highlight of the collection

The Native American and Lenape display of domestic and agriculture artifacts

The 250th Anniversary display

The Sussex County farming and agriculture display

The Sussex County Railroad display

The Dairy industry case

The World War I display and veterans memorabilia

The rail system in Sussex County

The vintage Toy display

It was interesting to look at the vintage toy collection as you wonder today if children in the twenty-first century still have the same imagination as the children in the 19th century. I think creativity comes from within.

The vintage doll

The vintage rocking horse

The World War II display

The history of Photography in Sussex County

Various household and everyday items from elaborate clothes and accessories to household products

The elaborate outfits of the day

The household goods that made the home run

The museum had an elaborate and detailed display of the old Chatterbox Restaurant, that was once a staple in the Newton area that has since been replaced by a Wawa.

The Chatterbox Restaurant display

https://www.facebook.com/groups/125409904217878/posts/27792041107128052

https://nj1015.com/another-memorable-nj-restaurant-torn-down

Video on the demolition

The accessories of the Proper Victorian Lady at the turn of the last century

The history of Mining in Sussex County

The Mining industry of Sussex County

The Colligate display from Newton High School

https://www.newtonnj.org/o/nhs

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton_High_School_(New_Jersey)

The office at the turn of the last century

The Sussex Room of the Hill Memorial Museum:

(from the museum website)

As the name indicates, this room on the lower floor focuses on local history. The main feature is a large stone fireplace built by George Sharp in 1921, incorporating stones from Sussex County that are of geological and historical significance. A framed copy of G.M. Hopkins Jr.’s 1860’s map of Sussex County hangs near the oak roll-top desk of Judge Henry T. Kays. Portraits of Luther and Abigail (Dildine) Hill are on display. Other interesting pieces include a safe from the first bank in Newton – The Sussex Bank, founded in 1818; a Wheeler and Wilson sewing machine – once used to sew clothing for Civil War soldiers; and an original wrestling robe from Newton High School during the time of “Henry Boresch –father of NJ Wrestling”. In the center of the room is a display featuring the Cochran House, once located on Spring Street, it was the center of local social, business, and political activities.

The museum really covers the history of Sussex County in detail with wonderful and interesting displays and lots of historical artifacts. It will take you more than one afternoon of visiting the museum to see the whole collection.

Tour of the Museum on video

After the tour of the museum was over, I toured the historic Green in the middle of the downtown. Downtown Newton as the County Seat of Sussex County is coming into its own as the City gentrifies bringing in new restaurants and shops. The Green was in bloom with Fall colors. Lots of restaurants are in the process of opening and their are lots of coffee shops as well.

Downtown Newton in the Fall of 2026

https://www.newtontownhall.com/346/Explore-Newtons-Vibrant-Dining-Scene-for

https://www.newtontownhall.com/181/Maps-of-Newton

The historic Newton Green

The historic marker of the Green

The colorful gardens and the historic County Courthouse in the distance

The history of the Green

http://www.newtonnj.net/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton,_New_Jersey

I really learned a lot about the City of Newton both inside the museum and outside. This is a community that is still writing its own history.

It was not just an interesting museum visit but it was nice to walk the downtown and see how this small city was changing rapidly as new people were moving in and changing the demographics. Newton, NJ is a town in transition.

Stillwater Historical Museum/Historical Society of Stillwater 900 Main Street Newton, NJ 07860

Stillwater Historical Museum/Historical Society of Stillwater 900 Main Street Newton, NJ 07860

Stillwater Historical Museum/Historical Society of Stillwater

900 Main Street

Newton, NJ 07860

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HistoricStillwater

https://www.historicstillwater.org

Admission: Free but donations are appreciated

Open: check the website for hours/Seasonal

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g46674-d34737428-r1081596401-Stillwater_Historical_Museum-Newton_New_Jersey.html

The front of the Stillwater Historical Society

The last museum on my tour during the Sussex County Heritage Weekend was the Stillwater Historical Society Museum in Stillwater, NJ, a small town just west of Newton, NJ, the County Seat of Sussex NJ.

The Historical Society is set up like a General store on the first floor with displays with merchandise of the past and household items. They have recreated the recreation of the past with a modern twist. How did a small town buy and sell a hundred years ago? How did they socialize when this was the place of communication?

The sign for the museum

The Historical Society of Stillwater Township:

(from the museum pamphlet)

Since its organization in 1977, the mission of the Society has been to foster and promote an interest in Stillwater area history by maintaining a museum and reference library of historic artifacts and genealogical records of area families and support preservation efforts of historic structures sites and events.

Through the generous foresight and planning of Mr. Amos F. Dixon and his wife, Mrs. Mary W. Dixon, the museum associated with the Historical Society of Stillwater Township has been located within the Neighborhood House on Main Street in Stillwater since 1954. Originally a one room schoolhouse from 1842 to 1909 and the home of Mary W. Dixon Library, within the building are interpretive displays of a restored schoolroom and a general store with a post office. A collection of artifacts depicting the early life of the village and surrounding area is on display as well as a costume collection, mineral collection, Native American artifacts and military items dating back to the Revolutionary War. Genealogical records, photographs and newspaper clippings of historic significance to the area and its families are part of the Reference Library.

The first floor gallery of the Stillwater Historical Society is set up like a general store.

The first floor gallery

The History of the Museum:

(from the museum pamphlet)

The museum’s collection has grown and flourished throughout the years thanks to generous donations from the Stillwater community. The Society is always seeking locally-relevant physical artifacts and genealogical information. Dedicated members are working to preserve the artifacts and we are currently computerizing our collections to make the information.

The Preservation of the Museum:

(from the museum pamphlet)

Along with the continued preservation of the Museum and its artifacts, the society has supported the concept of an historic district in Stillwater and recently assisted in the historic registry designation of the Shafer Grist Mill in Stillwater village. The Society & the Casper Shafer residence on Main Street previously assisted with the preservation of Keen’s Mill in the Swartswood Lake area.

The Van Horn family burial plot is also preserved and maintained by the Society. The Society supports all efforts to preserve these and other important historic structures and to make them available for public enjoyment and educational purposes.

To support Stillwater’s community life, the Society hosts educational programs and fund-raising events throughout the year. Past topics have included the evolution of grist mills, herbal remedies used during the 18th Century, Revolutionary War weaponry, the Tocks Island Project and historic cemeteries. Fundraising events range from festivals featuring music, food and games to seasonal bus tours.

The General Store display

The General Store display

The old pot belly stove the center of the General store

The stove of the old General Store

The pot belly stove

Kitchen artifacts

Local artifacts from the Stillwater community

The second floor galleries were broken up into two different sections, Native American and early settler artifacts plus part of the building was once a schoolhouse so the museum also set up a schoolhouse display.

The Lenape Native American display

Native American artifacts

Native American artifacts

This was the old stage of the elementary school now being used to house the Children’s display.

The Children’s Schoolhouse display on the old second floor stage

The other side of the second floor galleries houses clothes, accessories and household goods. The clothing was beautifully displayed.

The second part of the second floor galleries

The back part of the second galleries

It really was an interesting little museum with wonderful artifacts nicely displayed throughout the museum. The museum did a nice job with this.

The Morning clothing display

Day and Evening dresses

Hats and gloves and other accessories

Military outfits and some formal clothing

Farming equipment

Farming equipment

Shoes and sewing items from the turn of the last century

Household items for the turn of the century home

The Town of Stillwater, NJ:

(from the museum pamphlet)

https://www.historicstillwater.org/township-overview

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stillwater_Township,_New_Jersey

Home

Stillwater Township is located in Sussex County, eights miles west of Newton. Its encompasses an area of 28 square miles. Three small villages: Stillwater, Middleville and Swartswood, together with residents now residing in what was only a few years ago a farming community, compete its population of approximately 4,500.

After my tour of the Stillwater Historical Society Museum, I took a walk in the rural downtown of Stillwater, NJ. I felt like I was in a quaint New England village and not twenty miles from Manhattan.

The beautiful Victorian homes

The town was decorated for upcoming Halloween

The General Store restaurant downtown

The farm view from the downtown

The historic sign for the old Casper Shafer farm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casper_Shafer

https://www.sussex.nj.us/585/Casper-Shafer

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HistoricStillwater/permalink/10159716198614329

The original farmhouse decorated for the Halloween holidays

The ghost on their porch

The picturesque farmland

The farm stand in front of the house (on the honor system)

The plant and pumpkin stand on the farm (also on the honor system)

The also had a arranged flower stand with colorful Fall flowers

The back of the old Shafer farm in the Fall

The town was so beautiful and picturesque and it was so much fun just walking around looking at the foliage. It was also a nice way to end my tour on the Sussex County Heritage Tour for the afternoon. I could not believe I was still in New Jersey.

Sparta Train Station 30 Station Road Sparta, NJ 07871

Sparta Train Station 30 Station Road Sparta, NJ 07871

Sparta Train Station

30 Station Road

Sparta, NJ 07871

https://www.facebook.com/SpartaTrainStation

Open: The museum is seasonable and open for special events. Please check out their website for more information. Open for the Sussex County Heritage weekend event.

Admission: Free

Home Page

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g46839-d34737451-r1081601474-Sparta_Train_Station_Museum-Sparta_New_Jersey.html

The old Sparta Train Station

I visited the Old Sparta Train Station Museum as part of the Sussex Heritage Weekend and it was a fascinating trip back in time to when these rural communities started getting connected to the cities after the Civil War.

The museum was at the beginning stages of development with displays being created in the rail system in Sussex County and train artifacts that were mounted on display. There was a model train set chugging along a train route.

The side view of the station

The plaque dedicated to the train station

The water tower outside the train station on the station’s grounds

The grounds where the station and the water tower are located are still an active train line.

The inside gallery at the Sparta Train Station Museum

The back part of the station’s gallery

Old travel equipment used on the train rails

Though the collection is small for now, the docents explained they will continue to add more to the collection. They were also a wonder book of knowledge on the history of this area of New Jersey.

The history of the museum

The building and the museum have had quite the history. This includes the fire and the rebuilding.

The train displays

The train display

The engine display

The docents were a wonder book of information on the history of the rail system and of the station building itself. The museum is just starting to develop so for now it is quick visit through the museum when it is open and visits back to see how it grows it collections. For now, it was a very interesting visit.