Session 5 | March 8, 2025
Field Based Learning: Site Visits to the Five Generals Houses
In this session, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a historical house museum’s unique history, architecture, and collections while observing experienced docents in action. These site visits will allow you to gain valuable insights into visitor engagement, storytelling techniques, and best practices for interpreting history. This experience is designed to help you develop confidence and expertise in leading tours and sharing the rich narratives of these historic sites with the public.
Site Visit Descriptions & Schedule
The Five Generals Houses are conveniently located within short driving distances of each other. The address of each house is listed below to help you plan your day. Each house also has free, onsite parking. You will visit at least two historical house museums during this session. Read the descriptions to learn about the focus and schedule for each site visit. Then, reserve your spot during one of three 40-minute time blocks. You may also choose to complete a self-paced virtual site visit.
You will receive a confirmation email by Tuesday, March 4th with your site visit schedule, directions to each site, and supplemental resources. Questions? Reach out to scdocent@ahaliconsulting.com
Abraham Staats House | Open House Tour
17 Von Steuben Lane, South Bound Brook, NJ 08880
Visit an early Dutch colonial house built by the Staats family about 284 years ago, decades before the American Revolution would erupt. See firsthand how docents apply the skills and strategies you are learning to engage with visitors about local history, genealogy, architecture, and more during their Open House Tour.
Please Note: This tour involves standing for brief periods in each room of the house. A portion of the tour to the Slave Quarters above the Old Kitchen is accessible only by a winding staircase.
Choose from one of the following time blocks:
Time Block B 10:30 A.M. - 11:10 A.M.
Time Block C 11:30 P.M. - 12:10 P.M.
Jacobus Vanderveer House | A Tale of Two Parlors
In this virtual site visit, you will focus on two rooms in the Jacobus Vanderveer House – the Vanderveer Parlor and the Knox Parlor – to discover how docents use structural details, artifacts, and stories to make meaning and foster connections with visitors.
Please Note: This session is self-paced and takes place virtually. You will need a computer or phone with an Internet connection.
Van Horne House | Welcome to Phil’s Hill
941 East Main Street, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
This is not your average historical site! In this field-based experience, you will learn how the Heritage Trail Association honors the house’s history as a social hub of the community - including its time as a trading post, a tavern, and an inn. You will get to meet with docents and learn about their creative methods to introduce the Van Horne family to visitors.
Please Note: Seating is available for this visit. Let us know how to make your experience more accessible!
Choose from one of the following time blocks:
Time Block A 9:30 A.M. - 10:10 A.M.
Time Block B 10:30 A.M. - 11:10 A.M.
Time Block C 11:30 A.M. - 12:10 P.M.
Van Veghten House | Architecture Walk & Talk
9 Van Veghten Drive, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
The Van Veghten House is central to the story of colonial settlement in Somerset County. In this field-based experience, you’ll explore its exterior, connecting its architectural features to the Van Veghten family’s history and its strategic location near the Raritan River, key defensive positions, and historic routes, including the bridge. We’ll also highlight the adjacent reserve, used for walking tours and bird-watching, to provide additional context for the site’s significance.
Please Note: This session will take place outdoors and involves walking on exterior grounds.
Choose from one of the following time blocks:
Time Block A 9:30 A.M. - 10:10 A.M.
Time Block B 10:30 A.M. - 11:10 A.M.
Time Block C 11:30 P.M. - 12:10 P.M.
Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage | Historic Rehabilitation Down the Brook
71 Somerset Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
Paul and Brian will introduce the historic rehabilitation projects underway for Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage and explore opportunities for docents to offer special tours and programs engaging new audiences with these projects during the construction periods as a legacy of Revolution NJ.
Please Note: Seating will be available. Let us know how we can make your visit even more accessible!
Choose from one of the following time blocks:
Time Block A 9:30 A.M. - 10:10 A.M.
Time Block B 10:30 A.M. - 11:10 A.M.
Time Block C 11:30 P.M. - 12:10 P.M.