Waterloo Opens for Canal Heritage Day

BYRAM TOWNSHIP, NJ – Visitors were able to take a step back into the past this weekend, because of volunteers with the Canal Society of New Jersey, and in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Forestry.

On Saturday, August 30, members of the public were able to enjoy a no-cost experience, at one of the Waterloo Canal Heritage days.

The road entering into Waterloo Village. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

A view of the Morris Canal from the road that leads into Waterloo Village. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

In addition to the Waterloo Canal Day in June, the Waterloo Canal Heritage Days took place on July 12 and 26, and August 9. Upcoming Canal Heritage Days will take place on Saturday September 13 and 27, and October 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Buildings that were open for view included: the church (which has remained open to the public since 1859 for worship services), the Seymour Smith House, Smith’s Store, the Sawmill, the Gristmill, the Blacksmith Shop, the Seamstress Shop, the Rutan Cabin, the Carpentry Shop, the Canal Museum, and the White Barn. Lenni Lenape Indian Village tours and boat rides along the preserved section of Morris Canal, also took place.

The Old Stone House, a building that needs repair at Waterloo Village. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

The Waterloo United Methodist Church. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

A blacksmith demonstration was one of the day’s highlights. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

John R. Giles speaks about the various goods for sale at the Smith’s Store, and quizzes visitors to identify a few of them. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

Another view of the interior of Smith’s Store. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

An exterior view of the front of Smith’s Store. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

The now defunct sawmill at Waterloo Village. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

Waterloo Village was a forge in the 1700s, and then formed a community around its Morris Canal attributes beginning in the 1860s. In the 1960s, after the canal had been abandoned, and for a time, the village was as well, it became a well-known tourist destination.

A hands-on village, Waterloo is set apart from other villages of a similar kind like Old Sturbridge Village, because Waterloo features the actual buildings from its heyday on the original site location.

Waterloo thrived until 2007 as a popular concert venue on top of its historical value. Unfortunately, that was not enough. While the site is owned by the State of New Jersey and is part of the Allamuchy Mountain State Park, the foundation that assisted with the village faded away by 2007.

Today, volunteers such as the Friends of Waterloo (click here to read our story about the Harvest Moon fundraiser), the Canal Society of New Jersey, and the New Jersey State Park Service work tirelessly to bring the village back to its glory. One by one, the historical buildings are being refurbished and reopened for public view.

A canal boat tour down the sleepy stretch of the Morris Canal. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

A view of Smith’s Store from the canal ride. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

The Mule Bridge, in need of repair. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

A marker overseeing the Mule Bridge at Waterloo Village. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

A former lock on the Morris Canal within Waterloo Village. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

Visitors to Waterloo Village had an opportunity to watch a blacksmith demonstration as one activity, and to tour Smith’s Store, and to learn about the items for sale there. Author John R. Giles, who wrote The Story of Waterloo Village: From Colonial Forge to Canal Town (published July 29) was one of a number of volunteers at the village who shared insights with visitors about the village, the Morris Canal, and its relationship with the canal.

Another attraction for the day was live musical entertainment.

Live musical entertainment near the site of the Morris Canal was another highlight of the day. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

Click here to learn more about the Canal Society of New Jersey.

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