Millbrook Village, part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DEWA), is a re-created community of the 1800s where aspects of pioneer life are exhibited and occasionally demonstrated by skilled and dedicated docents throughout the village. Although most of the buildings at the site are replications, Millbrook has a real past. A few of the old structures have survived the ravages of Mother Nature, and escaped condemnation to make way for the ill-fated Tocks Island Dam project in the 1960s. Although the project sealed the fate of this and other villages in what is now a National Park, the Millbrook Village Society has worked hard and consistently to bring the village back to life.
The roots of the Millbrook Village Society go back to the late ‘60s, not too long after Congress established DEWA. The official date for the Society is October 17, 1972 when the Certification of Incorporation was issued by the State of New Jersey and the Society became the Millbrook Village Society, Inc., a 501(c)(3) exempt organization under the Internal Revenue code. “Obviously, the founders of this new Society had put in a lot of hours, planning and meeting before 1972,” says current president Wil Bullivant. “Some of our members claim 1971 as our real “Birthday”. By 1973, 106 charter members joined the Society through the conclusion of that year’s Millbrook Days, the organization’s very popular autumn festival.
The Society has an annual budget that is funded by membership dues, private donations, contributions collected, and craft items sold at Millbrook Days. The annual dues for General Membership, which includes all family members residing at one residence, is $10.
“The Millbrook Village Society members have many accomplishments to be proud of,” says Wil. We have been around and have worked cooperatively with the National Park Service as an Official Cooperating Association for over half a century. We have promoted and encouraged the understanding and appreciation of America’s past as related to Millbrook Village and have aided the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in accomplishing the purpose of its establishment. Our members have donated their time, knowledge, enthusiasm and cooperation over the years, and we look forward to the future and the next generation to continue what we started. I think those accomplishments are something to be proud of!”
With the exception of scheduled events, the village may be visited 365 days a year from dawn to dusk. Besides Millbrook Days, the Society normally holds early spring maple sugaring demonstrations, a spring fling event, an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration, and Victorian Christmas. Look for check the Millbrook Village Society Facebook page. or check the NPS schedule , or call 908/841-9531 for more information.
Local roots!
Consider Rutherfurd Hall as refuge and sanctuary in similar ways now, as it served a distinguished family a hundred years ago.
Choose and Cut from 10,000 trees! Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Pine, Scotch Pine Fraser Fir, Canaan fir, Douglas Fir. Family run on preserved farmland. Open Nov 29 - Dec 23, Tues-Sunday, 9-4. Easy Access from Routes 78 or 80.
Guided fly fishing excursions, beginner to expert, instruction also available. Catch trout in spring, smallmouth bass in summer, ice fishing in winter. Explore the Paulinskill, Flatbrook and wild trout streams.
The Centenary Stage Company produces professional equity theatre and also a wide variety of top-flight musical and dance events throughout the year.
