The event offers participants opportunities to visit nature preserves, an observatory, and privately and publicly owned farms and historic sites, some of which are open to the public only for this even
Join the Hunterdon Land Trust on June 29, from 10 a.m-6 p.m., for Treasure Hunterdon, a family friendly fundraiser that’s both a treasure hunt and a chance to explore the riches of Hunterdon County.
The event offers participants opportunities to visit nature preserves, an observatory, and privately and publicly owned farms and historic sites, some of which are open to the public only for this event. Featured sites include Bobolink Farm, the historic Califon Train Station and Quakertown Meeting House.
The adventure begins when participants check in at either one of two locations to receive a briefing on the route and the rules of the road. The check-in points are the Hunterdon Land Trust’s Dvoor Farm on the Route 12 circle in Flemington or Voorhees High School.
During check in, teams receive an Event Packet that includes a “treasure” map of sites to visit and pit stops for lunch and snacks, coupons and a task list. Participants can enjoy a leisurely day traversing back roads and scenic byways to explore the Treasure Hunterdon locations, or they can earn points and a chance to win prizes by uncovering facts about the stops along the way. Points are also earned for wearing team costumes, driving a vintage or alternative fuel car, and posting updates during the tour on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
While the route on the map covers the entire county, participants can choose longer or shorter tours depending upon their preference. The southern portion of the route runs about two hours, covers nearly 40 miles, and features Headquarters Farm, a privately owned stone home built in 1735 by John Opdyke, who ran a store out of the building during the American Revolution and would supposedly sit with Gen. George Washington near a pork house on the property. Participants can also visit the Dvoor Farm house, where docents will lead tours of the 1798 stone structure and current home of the Hunterdon Land Trust.
The northern section of the county tour runs about three hours and covers 60 miles. Highlights include the Quakertown Meeting House, which was built in 1862 on land where Quakers have worshipped since the 1720s; and the Voorhees Observatory, where explorers can take a quarter-mile stroll through the solar system. The site’s planetary map is considered one of the country’s most spectacular scale models of the solar system.
The event wraps up at the Dvoor Farm with refreshments for all and prizes for top-scoring teams.
Tickets cost $30 per adult, $15 for children four to 16, and free for children 3 and under. All proceeds benefit the Land Trust’s efforts to safeguard the rural character and special places of Hunterdon County. To register, visit: www.hunterdonlandtrust.org or contact Caryn Tomljanovich or Arleen Buchanan at 908-237-4582, or via email at [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.
Treasure Hunterdon is sponsored by Zanya Spa Salon; Emily Runion, CPA; The Stover Foundation; Amy S. Greene Environmental Consultants; Flemington Car and Truck Country; Blue Raccoon Home Furnishings; Ron Subber, The Private Advisor. Refreshments are being donated by Shop Rite of Flemington, and Stop & Shop.