Pathways of History: Saturday 10/3

The 17th annual Pathways of History Fall Tour will be hosted by the Morris County Historical Society on Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering residents and visitors a free opportunity to explore more than 29 historic sites and museums across Morris County.

The self-guided tour will highlight historic homes, museums, American Revolution-era landmarks and other features that tell the story of Morris County and the people, industries and events that shaped the region. The tour will be held rain or shine.

Visitors can begin at any participating location and follow one or both of the tour routes:

• Blue Tour: Saturday, Oct. 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Red Tour: Sunday, Oct. 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Blue and Red Tours: Participating sites open both Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Launched in 2009 with five participating organizations, the tour has grown to include more than 29 sites and more than 115 volunteers. The participating organizations operate independently and offer free admission during the tour weekend.

Among this year’s participating locations are the L’Ecole Kinnelon Museum (25 Kiel Avenue, Kinnelon) housed in a former one-room schoolhouse and featuring exhibits on education and women’s health. There also is the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey, which recently received a Merci Train boxcar, a World War I-era railroad car with a unique history among a collection of approximately 60 historic locomotives and railroad cars at the Boonton Yard (104 Morris Ave., Boonton).

Earlier this year, the County Commissioners awarded a Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund grant of $18,560 to the railroad society to support construction documents for interior and exterior preservation work on the boxcar.

The 2026 Pathways of History Fall Tour is part of Morris County’s ongoing commemoration of the 250th anniversary of American independence, providing visitors with another way to explore the county’s connection to the nation’s founding and its unique history.

A complete list of participating sites, maps and tour information is available at PathwaysofHistoryNJ.net. Visitors are encouraged to check individual organization websites and social media pages for specific exhibits, presentations and other programming.

The Morris County Historical Society is a member-supported 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the region’s history through education, advocacy and community engagement.