Walpack Historical Society

08/22/2026

Did you know that it is only 4 weeks until Sussex County History Day? Did you know that the Old Newton Burial Ground tours frequently sell out of tickets? You can buy your ONBG tour tickets in advance through PayPal. See instructions on the flyer. Be sure and mention the time of the tour you are interested in and the type of tickets. Hope to see you there!

08/17/2026

The Walpack Historical Society would like to thank everyone who joined us on a very rainy and dreary day for the unveiling of two markers at the Lower Walpack Cemetery.

The unveiling of these markers offered the perfect opportunity to learn more about the men who were being recognized as well as the history of the Lower Walpack Cemetery. Guests also learned about Colonel John Cleves Symmes, Colonel John Rosenkrans and Daniel Decker who are already or are soon to be memorialized elsewhere in Walpack. Sharon Spangenberg also announced that the Walpack Historical Society’s application to the County Commissioners for a historical marker honoring Colonel John Cleves Symmes has been successful. The marker should be placed in 2027.

Please join us on Saturday, September 19th from 5 pm - 8 pm at the Lower Walpack Cemetery for the Return of the Spirits of Lower Walpack Cemetery Event.

Photos by Ally Schwab and Jeff Stoveken

08/15/2026

The Walpack Historical Society would like to thank Grateful Acres Farm in Branchville, New Jersey for their generous donation of several flats of flowers. The flowers, planted earlier this summer by WHS volunteers, have been beautiful pops of colors helping to honor military veterans’ gravesites. Flowers were also planted alongside various plaques and memorials recognizing important people in Walpack.

08/11/2026

🗓 When: Sunday, August 16th, 2026, from 1 pm – 3 pm

📍Where: Lower Walpack Cemetery (See map in comments – Please note, this is NOT the cemetery by Walpack Center.)

What: The Walpack Historical Society honors Revolutionary War Veterans William Hill, Nathaniel Van Auken and Jonas Smith as well as Patriots Andries Cole, Nicholas Emans and Isaac Van Campen.

The Lower Walpack Cemetery is one of 23 cemeteries selected by the Sussex County Historian and Board of Commissioners to receive a special marker recognizing it as one of Sussex County’s ancient cemeteries where Revolutionary War veterans and patriots are buried. Join us on Sunday, August 16th, 2026, at 1 pm at the Lower Walpack Cemetery when we unveil this marker. Immediately following, we will also unveil a bronze plaque recognizing three men who were landowners in Walpack, engaged in patriotic services during the Revolutionary War, and died in Walpack, but were never recognized for their service to our country.

Event Notes:
🚻There will be a port-o-john onsite.

🐶 As always, well-behaved dogs are welcome but must be leashed at all times. Please be prepared to take heat related precautions to protect your dog.

🪑Please bring a lawn chair if you wish to sit during the program.

08/09/2026

What a treat! Today the McSweeney Family traveled to Walpack Center in style. Docents and guests alike enjoyed seeing the 1929 and 1934 Fords. We are grateful to the family for graciously answering a lot of questions and allowing photos of the vintage vehicles. Did you notice the license plate?

08/09/2026

⭐️ Event Reminder!⭐️

Please join the Walpack Historical Society on Sunday, August 9th, 2026 from 12 pm - 3 pm for tours of the Walpack Center Schoolhouse, Church, barn, Rosenkrans Museum, General Store and Post Office and the Van Campen Inn.

Are you interested in exploring more of Walpack when you visit?

🥾 Hike the Military Trail (pamphlets are available at the Rosenkrans Museum and the Van Campen Inn). You can also hike the Walpack Loop, which has access points off the Military Trail. Please note, the Military Trail has moderate inclines.

➡️ Visit the Black/Enslaved Persons Cemetery (located off the Military Trail)

➡️ Visit the site of Fort Johns / Headquarters / Fort Shapanack (located off the Military Trail)

➡️ Visit Col. John Rosenkrans’ Memorial (located on the side of Old Mine Road (dirt) a short distance from the Van Campen Inn)

➡️ Visit Shapanack Cemetery (located up the path from Col. Rosenkrans’ Memorial)

🥾 Hike to Buttermilk Falls (vehicles must access via Struble Road). Buttermilk Falls is approximately 2.5 miles from Walpack Center if you chose to hike there.

08/08/2026

Calling all photographers!

Our annual calendar contest for photos taken in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is now open for submissions! We have been doing an annual calendar contest since 2020 and never tire of seeing and honoring the excellent photographers of our area. We offer 4 different categories for the photos. Each category will have a winner chosen for a prize of $50. Other honorable mention will be chosen to appear in the calendar.

The annual contest takes submissions that feature the wildlife, beautiful scenery, historical structures, and fun activities one can find in the DWGNRA. They can be taken on either side of the park, New Jersey or Pennsylvania, and there is no date limit on when the photos were taken, but they must be taken by you. The categories are:
1 - Landscapes and Waterfalls:
2 - Wildlife
3 - Recreation in the Park
4 - Historical Structures and Miscellaneous

You must submit your photos by August 30th!
Visit our website to make a submission - go to click on the More option on the Menu Bar above and then click on 2027 Calendar Contest.
Or use this link to go directly to the submission page: https://friendsofdewanps.org/2027-calendar-contest

08/07/2026

Just like that the 2026 Walpack Historical Society tour season is nearly over. There are only two dates left. Please join us on Sunday, August 9th, 2026 from 12 pm - 3 pm as we open the Van Campen Inn, General Store and Post Office, Rosenkrans Museum, barn, Walpack Center Church, and the schoolhouse.

These buildings will also be open for tours on Sunday, September 6th, 2026 from 12 pm - 3 pm. There will also be a “Hike with a Ranger Program - Military Trail from Walpack Center to Van Campen Inn and Back”, which leaves from Walpack Center at 11 am.

Will we see you on the streets and trails of Walpack? We hope so!

08/07/2026

Yesterday representatives of the Walpack Historical Society visited the Pocono Environmental Education Center in order to participate in the Lenape Nation Of Pennsylvania’s Rising Nation River Journey and to sign the treaty. This event is continuing through August 15, 2026 and concludes in Cape May, New Jersey. Those interested in participating should visit the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania’s social media for more information.