Force Homestead Museum: Free Tours For Livingston History Buffs

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Township of Livingston. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The Force Homestead Museum, located at 366 S. Livingston Ave., Livingston will be open to the public on Sunday, September 8, 2019 from 2 pm to 4 pm.

Built circa 1745 by Theophelous Ward, descendent of the early settlers of the Canoe Brook area and purchased by Samuel Force in 1777 for his son Thomas and his wife Hannah Smith. The original home consisted of one large room and a loft area. The house was expanded in 1800.

The Homestead was purchased by the Township of Livingston in 1962 and in 1964 members of the Historical Society started the repair and restoration of the interior of the home, taking great care that only original materials were used. Over the years many generous people donated period pieces which are displayed in the home today.

It contains a fireplace in nearly every room, grandfather clocks and spinning wheels, original etchings, elegant gowns and many other articles of interest.

The Livingston Historical Society aims to foster wide appreciation of the development of our community from its earliest days. We strive to discover, collect, preserve, publish and exhibit materials illustrating the history of the area.

The Society has restored and maintains the Force Homestead Museum, which includes the Force Home and the Cookhouse /Former Slave Cabin.

Docents from the Livingston Historical Society will lead free tours of the Force Homestead usually on the second Sunday of the month during September, October, November, April, May and June from 2 pm – 4 pm. Donations are welcome to help pay for the preservation of the artifacts in the museum. In addition, private tours may be arranged by contacting Lorraine Palmer at (973) 992-6896.

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