Force Homestead Museum Open Sunday, Oct. 14

The Force Homestead Museum, located at 366 S. Livingston Ave., will be open to the public on Sunday, October 14, 2018 from 2 pm to 4 pm. Free tours will be provided by docents from the Livingston Historical Society.

Originally built in 1745 as a one-room house with a loft by Theophilus Ward, the architecture of this historic house reflects the daily lives of the early settlers. In 1777, Samuel Force purchased the farm and gave it to his son, Thomas Force. Thomas served in the Revolutionary war and settled in the house with his wife Hannah Smith after the war. Thomas and Hannah were the parents of 10 children and, over the years, added a larger section to the one-room house.

When the Township of Livingston purchased the Force Home in 1962, the inside of the house was badly in need of repair and the entire house had to be shored up. It became the purpose of the newly-formed Livingston Historical Society to restore the Force Home.

Members of the Society located and preserved numerous items of historical significance, which are now on display. The Museum Room on the second floor of the Force Home houses a collection of wedding dresses from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, various children’s toys, and a display case full of arrowheads found locally.

Also on display at the Force Home are a grandfather clock from the Edison Foundation, an original Hitchcock rocking bench, many Victorian pieces, spinning wheels, a large mirrored clothes rack that belonged to General McClellan, and a large original desk, used in Livingston’s first Post Office. In the front of the building is an old Indian stone, used to grind corn.

Docents from the Livingston Historical Society lead free tours of the Force Homestead on the second Sunday of the month during September, October, November, April, May, and June from 2 pm to 4 pm. Private tours may be arranged by contacting Lorraine Palmer at 973-992-6896.

Learn more at livingstonnj.org.