#TombstoneTuesday Veterans. There are 22 Civil War veterans buried in the Old Newton Burial Ground. Among these is George Van Tile Griggs. Griggs enlisted in 1861 in Newton at the age of 21. His service began as a 1st Lieutenant in Company A, 2nd Regiment, New York Cavalry and he was later promoted to Captain of Company K of the same regiment. He was brevetted Colonel for conspicuous gallantry in action as he died of wounds suffered during the Battle of Culpepper Court House on October 11, 1863. In 1888 GAR Post #111 was organized in Newton and named for Captain George V. Griggs.
Don't forget our upcoming tour of the cemetery this Saturday the 22nd.

Article by Jennie Sweetman on our upcoming Sussex County History Day and Old Newton Burial Ground tours from today's NJ Herald.

#TombstoneThursday Don't forget, our Old Newton Burial Ground tour is next Saturday September 22. In the War of 1812, the United States took on the greatest naval power in the world, Great Britain. Causes of the war included British attempts to restrict US trade, the Royal Navy's impressment of US seamen, and America's desire to expand its territory. There are five veterans from this War resting in the Old Newton Burial Ground, one of these is Colonel Grant Fitch. Colonel Fitch served in the Sussex Militia and later in the New Jersey Militia. In 1829 he established the New Jersey Herald, Sussex County's third newspaper. Grant Fitch will be portrayed by Alex Everett in our upcoming tour.

CCC at High Point State Park, 1937

8th Annual Sussex County Heritage Weekend

Offered on Columbus Day weekend, when individuals and families like to take advantage of Fall-oriented activities, the Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council is offering its 8th annual Sussex County Heritage Weekend. First offered in 2011 as an extension of its "New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music" exhibit with a small number of sites, it has been expanded - incorporating a detailed interactive map with photos and links to additional information.

A number of Sussex County’s volunteer-run sites will welcome visitors – many offering special, new or refreshed exhibits. This year’s family-friendly event will feature 16 historic groups offering 17 sites with unique personalities, presentations and local histories!

This year's participating sites are: High Point Monument & High Point State Park, Wantage's Elias Van Bunschooten Museum and also the Turner Mansion at Lusscroft Farm, Vernon's Price's Switch Schoolhouse, Montague's Foster-Armstrong House, the Peters Valley School of Craft Gallery, Walpack Historical's Rosenkrans Museum in Walpack Center & the Van Campen Inn, the Branchville Borough Historical Museum, Lafayette's Ludlum-Mabee House, the Franklin Historical Heritage Museum, Sparta Historical's Van Kirk House, as well as the nearby Sparta Train Station, the Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council Gallery & Sussex County Historical's Hill Memorial Museum in Newton, Byram's Roseville Schoolhouse Museum, and the Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum - along with other museums which charge admission: Space Farms Zoo and Museum, Friar Mountain Model Railroad Museum, Sterling Hill Mining Museum, and Franklin Mineral Museum. Consider touring the Waterloo Village Historic Site, the Western Highlands Scenic Byway, and visiting the White Deer Plaza and Boardwalk Historic District.

The historical society sites do not charge admission during this weekend - but appreciate donations which help support their efforts.

For further details and information about the time and day each site will be open, and to access a printable map and listing, a brochure [also attached], and to view the interactive map with specific info - please visit www.scahc.org/events .