Resources
There are many ways to explore Hopewell Valley history. From the time of European settlement, people have collected stories about how they got here and who they were. Scroll through to find your path to history!
Places to go
Howell Living
History Farm
Howell Living History Farm brings visitors back to the year 1900 and gives them the chance to learn about their rural history and heritage by rolling up their sleeves for hands-on activities, meeting interpreters in historic costume, and embarking on tours through a farm that's really working year-round.
Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum
The Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum was founded in 2016, born from decades’ worth of research conducted by its co-founders Beverly Mills and Elaine Buck. SSAAM is located at Mt. Zion AME Church and True Farmstead, two historically African American-owned properties in Skillman, New Jersey.
People and things
HVHS Resources
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As you peruse this site, you will find myriad ways in which the HVHS discovers and shares the history of the Hopewell Valley. To remind you, here is a list
History detectives:
Oral histories, House lineages, Newsletter & Archives
Programs:
Semiquincentennial
The 250th anniversary of our nation's independence is coming up soon in 2026. Check back often for updates.
The Sankofa Collabortive
The Sankofa Collaborative helps people learn about, understand, and discuss African American history in schools, museums, libraries, civic groups, and other settings.
The Collaborative is the work of five New Jersey organizations - 1804 Consultants, Grounds For Sculpture, The New Jersey Historical Society, Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum, and the William Trent House Museum. Their programs and website are made possible through generous grants from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities and the New Jersey Historical Commission.
Ten Crucial Days
On December 25, 1776, George Washington's troops were looking into the face of defeat. As the General bemoans in the musical "Hamilton," they were "outgunned, outmanned, outnumbered, outplanned." But Washington and his lieutenants had an idea - to cross the Delaware at Hopewell Township, then march to Trenton to surprise the Hessian mercenaries guarding the fort for the British there. After they were, against all odds, successful, they continued fighting, culminating in the Battle of Princeton. Together, the events of those 10 days changed the trajectory of the war, finally resulting in victory for the Americans.
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The Ten Crucial Days organization is dedicated to interpreting and promoting the sites and venues of the Trenton and Princeton Campaigns of December 1776 and January 1777. They annually run tours during the 10-day period and produce other self-guided tours, written information, and events during the year.
