2 replies to this topic

[SouthJersey7]

Batsto Village was an iron foundry dating back to the mid-18th century. Despite being relatively small it was important and produced iron for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. In the 19th century it turned from iron smelting to glassmaking and various forms of agriculture. Eventually these industries did not last and today it is remarkably preserved with over 40 buildings including a blacksmith, stables, post office, general store, mill, the Batsto mansion where the various owners lived over the years, and the old worker's homes. It's really a beautiful and one-of-a-kind place.




The Batsto Mansion, under renovation:




This building used to have a water wheel...when there used to be water!  

Looking out over the Batsto Lake:


These are the houses the ironworkers once lived in. One of them's getting new siding:

[lammius]

Excellent pics, SJ7!  I've always wanted to go visit Batsto Village and check it out.  Do you just drive up and walk around, or is there an admission fee, park entrance, tour, etc.?

[SouthJersey7]

lammius, on Nov 29 2007, 11:21 AM, said:

Excellent pics, SJ7!  I've always wanted to go visit Batsto Village and check it out.  Do you just drive up and walk around, or is there an admission fee, park entrance, tour, etc.?

There is a park entrance, and in the summertime there is a fee, because the lake is also a popular bathing/recreational area. Also during the summer season there are tours of the mansion and demonstrations of the old-time trades such as blacksmithing, etc. But when I was there, it was completely deserted. I drove up, parked and walked around for about an hour and didn't see one person. If it wasn't for the cars and a few other things I would have thought it was 200 years ago.