Union Forge Heritage Association
1760 Joseph Turner House
Solitude Heritage Museum
"Preserving and Protecting the Rich History and Natural Environment of Hunterdon County and New Jersey since 2002."
We are open!
Tours are the first and third Sundays of each month
May - November from 2-4 PM.
Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year
UPCOMING EVENTS 2017
Christmas Open House
December 9th, 2-7pm December 10th, 1-5pm
Come see our history museum decked out in Victorian style and enjoy a variety of delicious homemade food, drink and holiday cheer. Our Saturday, December 9th Open House includes a special harp concert at 3:00 by Mary Cruz of Harp Time, and enjoy a Christmas carol sing-a-long on Sunday.
$10. donation per person appreciated
Forging & Firearm Show & Demo May 20
On May 20th, the Union Forge Heritage Association kicked off a year-long calendar of events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the historic Union Iron Works of Hunterdon County with their "Forged with Fire"event at the association's 1760 Joseph Turner House and Museum. Ryan and Tony of the NJ Blacksmith Association demonstrated various applied forging techniques while local historian Doug Pitchell lectured about the French and Indian War and demonstrated a mock firing of an antique black powder rifle. Three centuries of antique firearms were also on display and discussed by professional firearms expert James Carten. Various displays of Iron Works artifacts, historical informational boards, and one of the last remaining circa 1742 Iron Ingot were on display.
PAST EVENTS 2017
Forges to Factories,
History of the Union Iron Works
October 7 & 14
Michael Gronsky gave a powerpoint presentation on the history of the Union Iron Works and the Taylor Wharton Foundry. He showed never-before-seen 16mm footage of a WW II bombing mission over Germany. He played a 1942 audio recording of the 200th Union Iron Works Anniversary in High Bridge.
Senior Art Show and Photography Exhibit September 23
To celebrate the anniversary of the Ironworks, UFHA sponsored a Senior Art Show and Photography Exhibit. Both events focused on the history of Hunterdon County as well as historical places, buildings, and artifacts relating to the Iron Works.
Terrarium Lecture & Workshop
June 3
Master Gardener Sandy Gay, from the Hunterdon County Presentation Team, took us through the history of terrariums followed by a hands-on workshop June 3, 10:00am. Those attending left the workshop with their own terrarium.
Lecture on The History of High Bridge
by Bill Honachefsky on March 29
The history of High Bridge is intertwined with the development of the iron and steel industry in the United States. High Bridge evolved around the Taylor Wharton Foundry, established in 1742.
Back by popular demand, Bill was at the Clinton North County Library with his 130+ slide power point presentation on the History of High Bridge along with a book signing of High Bridge The Postcard Series, his historic postcard collection. The room was packed, with many standing for the entire presentation.