Join us for seasonal festivities at

the Abraham Staats House, Hendrick Fisher House and the Reformed Church of Bound Brook.

It's a great way to enjoy the winter holidays with activities at two historic locations.

Tom Harabin playing the mountain dulcimer

The Abraham Staats House

The Abraham Staats House will be decked out in festive finery for Holiday at the Abraham Staats House! This historic house, c. 1740, was owned by the Staats family for nearly two centuries and is now owned and maintained by the Borough of South Bound Brook, with support and grant funding provided by the state and Somerset County, as well as other supporters. In recognition of its historic importance, the house is now on the state and federal historic registries. Its rooms will be festively decorated by members of South Bound Brook community organizations -- including the Fire Department, Police Department, First Baptist Church, Reformed Church of Bound Brook in celebration of the holiday season. Stroll through the many rooms, learn about the history of the home, and get in the holiday spirit as you enjoy the different displays and exhibits. The house will be open to the public Sat., Dec. 15 and Sun., Dec. 16 from 11 a.m. to

4 p.m.

Admission is free, donations are accepted. The Abraham Staats House is located at 17 Von Steuben Lane, South Bound Brook. (From Route 287 N or S: Use Exit 10 to South Bound Brook. Von Steuben Lane is located off Route 527/Easton Ave. Look for the Abraham Staats House sign.) For information call Brian or Kathy on 732-469-5836. www.staatshouse.com

photos by Jody Gibian-Miles

The Hendrick Fisher House

The landmark Hendrick Fisher House will also be open to visitors both days, Saturday, Dec. 15th and Sunday, Dec. 16th from 11:00 am to 5 pm. This beautiful home, located on the grounds of the St. Andrews Center of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., provides the setting for "The Sights and Sounds of Christmas 2006," a Nativity Holiday visit featuring soft seasonal music, village scenes, fourteen uniquely decorated evergreen trees, handmade decorations, one-of-a-kind wreaths and more to delight young and old. The Hendrick Fisher Homestead, ca. 1688, was the home of Hendrick Fisher, close neighbor of Abraham Staats and an ardent American patriot present at the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The driveway entrance for parking (in the St. Andrew Church lot) is located at 1960 Easton Ave., Somerset, NJ, about 1/4 mile south from the Abraham Staats House. Also, the November/December 2007 issue of New Jersey Countryside Magazine features "Holiday magic at the Fisher House". For more information about this event, call 732-356-0090 and ask for Shirley or Emil Skocypec or e-mail seskonj@aol.com. http://www.uocofusa.org/center/fisher.shtml.

photos by Jody Gibian-Miles