Van Kirk Museum News Feed | Sparta, NJ

Martha Washington Visits Sparta on 3/19/26

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Martha Washington visits 0n 3/19/26

March 2026 - 5th graders visit for the first time

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Helen Morgan 5th grade were bussed on 3/16, 3/18 and 3/20/26 for the first time. We look forward to repeating this in 2027.

REV250 Tavern Talks at Krogh's on 1/11/26

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Sparta REV250 first program event was engaging! This was NJREV250 program which was contracted to visit Sparta.

Welcoming the Holiday Season!

Sun, 23 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

All Dressed Up for the Holidays!

Forrest Jennings was guest speaker on 11/13/25

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

On November 13, 2025, Forrest Jennings, NJ DEP, Forestry Service, Big Tree Coordinator was our quarterly guest lecturer.

Dr. Gallagher from Rutgers, visits on 11/9/25

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

On November 9, 2025, Dr. Frank Gallagher visited tVan Kirk Homestead Museum to be our 2pm speaker. He comes from Stokes NJ School of Conservation.

Wil Goldschmidt, wood turner, visits on 10/26/25

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

On October 26, 2025, Wilbur Goldschmidt visited Van Kirk Homestead Museum to be our 2pm speaker.

October 2025 school visits by middle school & High School Arts

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Fulfilling our educational mission is so invigorating and fun!

Tree-mendous Opening Day with UpTown Get Down

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

A beautiful opening day for our fall exhibit "Tree-mendous"! Afterwards, "UpTown GetDown" returned with incredible singable music!

Members Only Exhibit Opening Reception 9/11/25

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

An enjoyable members benefit that is held twice a year!

Quilt exhibit had the most personal tours

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Our spring Quilt exhibit was highly successful!

Sparta Historical's display at the 2025 Farm & Horse Show

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Visit the annual Farm & Horse show and stop in the County Bldg to see Sparta Historical Display!

Rita Joyce visits as speaker for FINAL DAY

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Final Day of exhibit came too quickly!

Jackie Laba, quilter visits on 7/13/25

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Our July 13, 2025 2pm guest speaker was Jackie Laba, quilter but also enthusiastic educator.

Jefferson Historical visits

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Jefferson Historical Society displayed many items in our Civil War bedroom

Michelle Munn, Mt Tabor Historical President visits 6/8/25

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Our June 8, 2025 2pm guest speaker was Michelle Munn, quilter but also President of Mt Tabor Historical Society

Sparta Day 6/1/25

Sun, 08 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Sparta Historical manned the Sparta REV250 booth with other committee members

Memorial Day Parade 2025

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Our annual participation in VWF's annual Sparta Memorial Day parade!

Barbara Thomas, Sussex County Quilter & Fair Grounds Art Building Director 5/11/25

Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Our May 11, 2025 2pm guest speaker was Barbara Thomas, quilter but also Director of Arts Building at SC Fair

Sparta Earth Day 5/3/25

Sat, 10 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Sparta Enviromental committee invited Sparta Historical to participate in their Earth Day held on Middle School field

One if By Land, Two if By Sea 4/18/25

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Sparta Historical participated in national 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's ride on April 18th

Quilt Exhibit Opening Day 4/13/25

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Quilt Exhibit Opening Day breaks previous visitor count record!!

Members Only Exhibit Opening Reception 4/10/25

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

A Members only benefit which was enjoyed by all!

Alice Paul visit Sparta 3/20/25

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Celebrating Women's History Month with NJ's own Alice Paul

Sparta Winter Carnival 2/1/25

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Today was COLD outside but lots of FUN inside!!

Kristin Muller, Exec Dir Peters Valley Craft School on 11/14/24

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Sparta Historical's fourth and final 2024 program

Model A Club visits the Van Kirk Museum on 11/10/24

Sat, 16 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Model A Car Club visits and spends a couple hours with us!

Sussex County Symphony Ensemble performs on 9/22/24

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Sparta Historical's third and final 2024 musical performace was a crowd pleaser!

Military Life by Brian O'Neill on 9/12/24

Sun, 22 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Sparta Historical's third lecture was by long time member, Brian O'Neill

Long Hill String Band performs on 8/27/24

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Sparta Historical welcomed our second 2024 musical guest!

Mike Dettra, pannist on 7/21/24

Sun, 04 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Our first 2024 musical guest

Co-founder Marjorie Strohsahl Birthday Celebration 7/20/24

Sun, 28 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

An absolutely perfect day celebrating a milestone birthday of Sparta Historical's co-founder, Marjorie Strohsahl!

National Sewing Guild - Sussex County Chapter visits on 7/15/24

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Sussex County Sewing Guild visited for a couple hours!

Sparta's Memorial Day & Independence Day parades 2024

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Sparta Historical marches annually in our town's parade including our Model T

Military History Day 6/15/24

Sat, 29 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

A great day for families -

Annual 6th grade visit June 2024

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Sparta Historical looks forward to the annual June sixth grade visit

Sparta Senior Advisory Committee visits 5/15/24

Tue, 28 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

;Sparta's Senior Advisory Committee visited for a couple hours!

Participating in Sparta MIddle School's Solar Eclipse Watch Party 4/8/24

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Over 250 middle schoolers enjoyed themselves outside!!

St Kateri and Revolutionary Women 03/21/24

Sat, 30 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Our second Wowan;'s History Month program is about Revolutionary Woman and a visit by St Kateri

Jackie O visits for tea 03/14/24

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Jackie O, performed by Jill Lawrence, was our first program celebrating Woman's History Month!

Hosting the NJ League of Historical Societies Annual Meeting 11/04/23

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Sparta Historical hosted the annual NJ League of Historical Societies Annual meeting. It ha been almost 20 years since it was last held in Sussex County!

Opening Lenni-Lenape 2023 Fall Exhibit on 9/10

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Despite a rainy forecast, if you build it, they will come -

Long Hill String Band performance on 8/26/23

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Our second 2023 performing arts group, Long Hill String Band, was a huge success!! What a show!

One-Room Schoolhouse Dedication & Opening on 8/13/23

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0400

After more than a year of planning, Sparta Historical held its newest permanent exhibit grand opening!

Sparta Historical visit Hardyston Monroe Schoolhouse on 7/24/23

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Hardyston invited Sparta Historical members to visit

Florian Schantz Jazz Combo returned on 7/23/23

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400

When Jazz was HOT.....and we were COOL under the shade

Sparta Memorial Day and Independence Day Parades 2023

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Sparta Historical marches annually in our town's parade including our Model T

Summer has arrived on 6/21 with our annual Summer Soiree

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Summer Time, Summer Time, Sum Sum Summer Time!

Sixth Graders visit over 3 days

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Sparta Middle School made their annual end of school year visit to see our Transportation exhibit and Edison exhibit

Veterans Salute Weekend June 10-11, 2023

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Our first weekend event honoring our military and their families!

Carol Simon Levin portrays Juliette Low on 4/27/23

Sat, 06 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Sparta Historical's annual event celebrating Women's History month was postponed due to COVID to April. .

3/29 /23 - Sparta Historical truly appreciates our Volunteers!

Sun, 09 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400

A good time was had by all who attended as refreshments were served with discussions of past and future volunteer opportunities!!

Vernon Camera Club visits on 02/05/23

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Objective of the visit was to create depression era looking photographs - Do you think they were successful?

Holiday at Van Kirk Homestead Museum

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0500

All Dressed up for the Holidays! Final Day December 11

Sussex County Birders Visit

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Sparta Historical welcomed the Sussex County Bird Assoc to our Vintage Duck Decoy Exhibit

Celebrating Native American History Month

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Sparta Historical had an action packed month of Native American programs!

Sparta 6th Graders return for Colonial History

Sun, 30 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Annual school visit to enrich history lessons on Colonial times.

NJ Questers Visit on 10/17/22

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0400

While participating in their annual meeting hosted by Sparta Questers, NJ Questors visit the Van Kirk Homestead Museum

7th Annual Classic & Antique Car Show

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Car Show held on 9/25. This years theme was "Corvairs:.

Sussex Symphony Ensemble Returns

Sat, 17 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Sussex Symphony's Brass Quintet and String Quartet planned a wonderful program on 9/11 for all who attended.

Fall Duck Decoy exhibit Opens

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Michael Cagno & Gabrielle Jonas, from Noyes Art Museum, visit us on opening day!

Whiskey Crossing - a Country Rock Duo

Sun, 28 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0400

It was a great afternoon and a great audience listening to a great country rock band!

in Memorium, Jack Clark

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Sparta Rec Farm Camp visits on 7/1/22

Sat, 02 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Children visit the Van Kirk Homestead to participate in an outdoor farm learning experience!

Up Town Gets Down, NJ most fun party band

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0400

On 6/26/22, an Incredible Classic Party Playlist enjoyed by all!!

Sixth Graders visit over 3 Days

Sat, 25 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Who says things aren't back to normal? Here's proof that Sparta Middle School made their annual end of school year visit to see our Transportation exhibit and Edison exhibit.

Sparta Day 2022

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0400

A good time had by all!

Dr Paul Israel, Exec Dir & Editor, Edison Papers Visits

Thu, 19 May 2022 00:00:00 -0400

A successful second 2022 historical program with esteemed Dr Paul Israel's presentation!

Wantage DAR awards Sparta Historical at 2022 Award Luncheon

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0400

2021 Volunteers Celebration & 2022 Call Out on 3/30/22

Sat, 02 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0400

A fun filled evening was held for Sparta Historical Society's 2021 Volunteers. We appreciate and could not exist without them!!!

Hop on Down to Childrens' Magic Show 03/27/22

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Sold Out Childrens' Magic Show was great success!

Carol Simon Levin portrays Emily Roebling on 3/24/22

Sat, 26 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Sparta Historical Society's annual March program celebrating Women's History Month.

Sparta Lenape School Program

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Sparta Historical celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Month with two day Sparta School programs!

FROM THE PRESIDENT's CHAIR

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0500

Taking a few minutes to reach out to everyone who supported Sparta Historical Society and its Van Kirk Homestead Museum throughout this most unique year of 2020.

2020 Classic & Antique Car Show

Thu, 12 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0500

Sparta Historical Society's 5th Annual Classic & Antique Car Show, held Sunday, October 25th, was a huge success! 149 autos and 393 visitors attended. A good, safe, time was had by all!

Music Day at the Museum was finally held using our new performance deck!

Sat, 12 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Musical guest Sean O’Flynn, a Sussex County guitarist/vocalist performed outside at the Van Kirk Musuem

Van Kirk Drive Street Sign Dedication

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Thomas Van Kirk and his wife Elizabeth Carnes arrived from Monmouth County in 1775. He bought 45 acres from James Broderick for 9000 English pounds in 1780 ....

Menlo Park Edison Historical Center visits Van Kirk Homestead Museum!

Sat, 15 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Our Edison Exhibit has collections on loan from Menlo Park Edison Historical Center, Edison National Park in West Orange, The Edison Foundation and private collections.

We’re baaaack! We are the first heritage site to be reopened in Sussex County!

Sun, 26 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0400

The Sparta Historical Society has taken all the necessary COVID requirements to heart to make your visit safe and enjoyable.