Membership and Volunteering
Whether you wish to be actively involved, or simply to provide your financial support, please join the Van Harlingen Historical Society as a Member or Patron. Your support helps us to create history programs for adults and children, and to take a more active role in preserving the historic character of our community.
As a Member, you’ll receive our local history newsletter and invitations to all events. As a Patron, you’ll also receive all newly published oral histories and a complimentary invitation to our annual holiday party. You may join as an individual or as a family. Our bylaws can be viewed here. Click here to access the Membership Form, print, fill out, and mail to: Van Harlingen Historical Society, P.O. Box 23, Belle Mead, NJ 08502.
You may wish to volunteer, as well, in a variety of capacities. Perhaps you like to write, help in the library or with the schoolhouse program, plan events and programs. We are a fun group and would love to you participate. Email president@vanharling.org to find out more information.Please Donate to Support Our Work! May 2004 marked a critical milestone for the 1752 Dirck Gulick House. With the completion of a major restoration, we reopened this rare 18th-century Dutch house as headquarters and library of the Van Harlingen Historical Society. The Gulick House restoration was made possible by Somerset County historical preservation grants totaling approximately $100,000, and by nearly $40,000 in Society monies contributed over many years by our generous members.
Today, we take pride in this an important achievement in the preservation of MontgomeryTownship’s history. However, we face ongoing responsibilities to assure the future of this remarkable house and to maintain it as a community resource. Annual operating costs for utilities, maintenance, and insurance are over $12,000. The 30 year-old, wood-shingle roof has been replaced, thanks to donations.
We also face expenses maintaining our other buildings, the Bedensville Schoolhouse and Montgomery Farm Museum. Other annual charges are for mailings, programs, web-site maintenance, etc.
Please consider making a charitable contribution to the Van Harlingen Historical Society, a non-profit organization. Please send your tax-deductible contribution to VHHS, P.O. Box 23, Belle Mead, NJ 08502. Thank you for your support!