MOUNTAINSIDE — This weekend, October 21 and 22, marks Union County’s Four Centuries in a Weekend event. Each year, Union County celebrates its important place in history by featuring many historic sites throughout the county. Among them is Mountainside’s Deacon Andrew Hetfield House, which will be open to visitors this Saturday, October 21, and Sunday, October 22, from noon to 5 p.m. each day.
The Mountainside Restoration Committee has revealed that, back by popular demand, on both days there will be a miniature diorama simulation of an historical Civil War battle. Mountainside’s own John Sileo, a member of the Tri-State Historical Education Simulations, Inc., will be present to engage in a lively discussion on local regiments who fought in the Battle of Gettysburg. The discussions will be augmented by a diorama of the military actions with hundreds of hand-painted soldiers.
In addition, the Mountainside Rescue Squad, in celebration of its 85th anniversary, will display historical artifacts along with a video presentation of the squad’s history through the years.
The Deacon Andrew Hetfield House is located at Constitution Plaza (Watchung Avenue, off Birch Hill Road), adjacent to the Mountainside Public Library. Tours of the Hetfield House will be available throughout the weekend. The open house and activities are free to visitors and fans of Union County history. The adjacent circa 1818 Levi Cory House and Village Shop also will be open during Four Centuries hours.
For further details, call (908) 7899420 or go to www.mountainsidehistory.org.
