A historic village nestled in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Do a Google search to learn about this unique ecosystem! Tripadvisor rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
History Sign, Women's Heritage Trail Sign, Founder's House, General Store, Workers' Cottages. Photos by Nature Photographer Pam Hirst at PKH Photography. Writing by Freelance Content Writer and Travel Blogger Meghan Hirst at Meghan Hirst, Writer.
Like Sayen Gardens, Whitesbog Village is a hidden gem in New Jersey. You can find cranberry bogs, blueberry fields, forests, and all kinds of wildlife here. Several of the historic buildings have been refurbished to look as they did when the village was constructed in 1857. Some of them are still in operation, namely the Whitesbog General Store. It is currently open on Saturdays from 10 AM to 3 PM and sells jams, preserves, honey, souvenirs, and a variety of other merchandise. My mom and I have not shopped here yet, but we plan to sometime. I will be going straight for a cranberry product :D
This place came about when a farmer named James A. Fenwick purchased five hundred acres in Browns Mills, New Jersey (part of southern New Jersey). He immediately started cultivating cranberries in the many bogs here. His efforts yielded fruit (literally XD) and the industry was thriving within a decade. Fenwick's son-in-law Joseph J. White became the owner of the business after Fenwick passed away in 1882. White expanded the territory in order to make more money. White's daughter Elizabeth Coleman White began working in the bogs in 1893. Elizabeth thought of growing blueberries and her father agreed that it was a superb idea. She decided to use the land near the forests. Look out for more information when we cover the cranberry bogs and blueberry fields themselves in part 2!
Things to remember:
The village is open all year from sunrise until sunset and the admission is free
Brochures are available inside a bulletin board with a hard plastic cover. The board is located to the right of the general store.
The store sells a map of the nature trails
People's properties are situated next to some of the trails. Please do not trespass.
Some visitors do self-guided driving tours on the trails. Watch out for vehicles.
Have you ever shopped at an old general store?
PS: we plan on discussing restaurants, shops, and events regularly by the end of 2021!
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