Force Homestead Open for Free Tours on Sunday, June 11, 2017

The Force Homestead Museum, located at 366 S. Livingston Ave., Livingston, will be open to the public on Sunday, June 11, 2017 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The home was built circa 1745 by Theophelous Ward, descendant of the early settlers of the Canoe Brook area, and purchased by Samuel Force in 1777 for his son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Hannah Smith. The home originally consisted of one large room and a loft area and was expanded in 1800.

The Homestead was purchased by the Township of Livingston in 1962. In 1964, members of the newly established Livingston 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.

The house 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 the community from its earliest days. It strives to discover, collect, preserve, publish, and exhibit materials illustrating the history of the area.

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

Docents from the Livingston Historical Society lead free tours of the Force Homestead, usually on the second Sunday of the month during September, October, November, April, and May from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 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.

Visit www.livingstonnj.org to learn more about the Livingston Historical Society and the Force Homestead.