62 Walnford Road, Upper Freehold, NJ 08501
(609) 259-6275 - Historic Walnford House
(609) 259-5794 - Ranger Station
Park Brochure & Map
Park is open from 8am-7pm from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and 8am-4:30pm thereafter.
Historic buildings are open daily from 9am-4pm.
Butter and Eggs
Sunday, June 2 from 1-4pm
Meet the cow and help churn butter, admire the hens and chicks and sort eggs. Cows and chickens were the housewife’s responsibility. Their products fed families and often generated extra income. Come and celebrate the past while learning some DIY tips for today.
Picturesque after a snowfall, full of fascinating history throughout the year, any day is a great time to visit this wonderful historic site and learn more about the Waln family and the evolution of Walnford over two centuries - from an 18th century industrial village and family farm to an elegant country estate. At the heart of the Crosswicks Creek Greenway (1436 acres), the site showcases over 200 years of social, technological and environmental history through the Waln family. The historic district includes 36 acres of field, woodland and wetlands. Pets are not allowed on the site.
Visit the large, elegant home built in 1774, the 19th century gristmill and the farm buildings set in a beautiful landscape. The site is open 8am - 4:30pm daily. NOTE: For those that are unable to negotiate the front steps into the Waln House, accessibility is provided by use of the out kitchen ramp located in the rear of the house.
Gristmill
Visit and view the beautiful gristmill along the banks of Crosswicks Creek. Speak and interact with knowledgable staff on weekends April-November from 1-4 pm as they describe the workings of the mill. All ages are welcome, under 14 with adult. Call (609) 259-6275 for more information regarding drop-in programs and reserved group tours.
This historic district features an 19th century grist mill, the elegant Waln family home (1773), a carriage house, and an assortment of outbuildings. Offerings include a guided site tour of the grounds, learning about the mill, a tour of the wetlands, short hands-on craft experiences, and an introduction to Historic Walnford in your classroom or meeting place. Call (609) 259-6275 for more information.
Photos of Historic Walnford
Walnford's buildings and landscape features represent every era of the site's 250 year history. These photos are provided to encourage your personal visit. Click on image to make larger.
Corn Crib entrance way 1879 Carriage House
1772 Waln House Waln House kitchen
Working Grist Mill Interior view of Grist Mill
Upcoming Free Events at Historic Walnford
The Mill in Action
With repairs completed, we will resume the operation of this marvelous example of our industrial heritage. Experience the rumble, clack, and whoosh of grinding corn in a 19th century gristmill on weekend afternoons from 12noon-4pm from Sunday, April 7 through November. Other times and days available by request.
Butter and Eggs
Sunday, June 2 from 1-4pm
Meet the cow and help churn butter, admire the hens and chicks and sort eggs. Cows and chickens were the housewife’s responsibility. Their products fed families and often generated extra income. Come and celebrate the past while learning some DIY tips for today.
Antique Autos
Saturday, June 15 from 11am-4pm
Admire a display of pre-1948 autos set against the backdrop of Historic Walnford’s buildings and pleasantly shady landscape. Bring a picnic, tour the buildings and spend a relaxing afternoon visiting the past.
Roots of Root Beer
Sunday, June 30 from 1-4pm
Health inducing tonic or sweet refreshment? Either way root beer has a history as long and varied as the many ingredients used to create its unique flavor. Drop-in and sample our brew, see how many ingredients you can identify, and raise your glass to a bit of family-friendly history.
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness
Thursday, July 4 from 1-4pm
Come celebrate July 4th in the 1776 setting of Historic Walnford’s main house. We’ll have the quill pens sharpened and the inkwells filled for you to scribe your own declaration of independence or bill of rights, as you reflect on the words of our founding citizens.
Quilt Show and Tell
Saturday & Sunday, July 6 & 7 from 2-4pm
We invite you to bring up to three quilts to show and share either afternoon. Tell us about the maker or the owner, and how this quilt is special to you. Old quilts or new, shared stories are the legacy that becomes history. Wish you knew more? Bring your quilt questions and we’ll do our best to find answers.
Behind the Barriers Mill Tour
Saturday, July 20 from 10am-12noon
(ages 8 and up)
Join in a behind the barriers tour of Waln’s gristmill. Get up close to the gears, pulleys, belts and vast array of carefully crafted wooden parts that make this ingenious system work. You will visit areas of the mill not generally open to the public with the miller’s undivided attention for the morning. No fee, but space is limited, call (609) 259-6275 to reserve your spot.
You Scream, I Scream, for ICE CREAM
Sunday, August 4 from 3-4pm
Family fun and food history intertwine as we crank and then sample batches of cold sweet ice cream made using historic recipes and techniques. Develop a new appreciation for a treat we may take for granted today.
Sweet Corn Festival
Saturday, August 17 from 12noon-5pm
Join us for our First Annual Sweet Corn Festival. There will be corn themed crafts for children, kid’s races, the climbing wall, and so much more! Admission and parking are free.
For more information on any of these activities, call: 609-259-6275.
Exhibits & Displays
Quilts from the Historic Walnford Collection
Now through February 15, 2014
Small Section of Indigo Blue Wax Resist Quilt circa 1770-1803
This exhibit will feature six selected quilts covering two different periods of history, the 1770s-1800 and the 1860s. Some quilts are decorative and commemorate a special event, while others are just plain and warm, but all have character. These quilts were hand-made using different techniques and materials, and for the most part, made by parties unknown.
Site Map
Click on image to enlarge & print
Directions:
Please note: If you choose do an internet search for directions to this address, be aware that the parking lot on site is not accessible from the Walnford Rd/Hill Rd intersection.
From the East Via I-195: Take Exit 11 (Imlaystown/Cox's Corner) and turn left onto Rt.43 (Imlaystown/Hightstown Rd). At the first intersection, turn right onto Rt. 526/Red Valley Rd. At the first light, turn left onto Sharon Station Rd and follow approximately 2 miles. Turn right onto Rt. 539 North. Travel a short distance and turn left onto Holmes Mills Rd. Make first right onto Walnford Road which leads directly into the park.
From the West: Follow I-195 to Exit 8 (Allentown), Rt. 524/539. Turn right and follow Rt. 539 through Allentown. Turn right onto Holmes Mills Rd and then right onto Walnford Rd, which leads directly into the park.
From the North: Take Rt. 9, 79, or 34S to 537W to Rt. 539 in Upper Freehold. Turn right onto Rt. 539 (Forked River Rd), then left onto Burlington Path Rd. Turn right onto Holmes Mills Rd and then left onto Walnford Rd, which leads directly into the park.