Batsto Village
National Register Of Historic Places · Hammonton, New Jersey
A preserved bog-iron company town in the middle of Wharton State Forest, and the best-surviving evidence of the industry that once made the Pine Barrens an industrial region rather than an empty one. IRON WAS SMELTED HERE FROM BOG ORE DUG OUT OF THE STREAMBEDS, and Batsto supplied the Continental Army with cannonballs, camp kettles and fittings — which is why the British had plans to raid it. When the iron ran out the works turned to glass, and when that failed a Philadelphia financier named Joseph Wharton bought the lot. About thirty-three structures stand, including the ironmaster's mansion and a working sawmill.
31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, New Jersey, 08037, United States
THE VILLAGE AND GROUNDS ARE FREE TO WALK, with a seasonal parking fee on summer weekends and holidays and free parking otherwise. Open daily during daylight hours. THE IRONMASTER'S MANSION IS GUIDED-ONLY for a small charge, on a limited schedule and NOT EVERY DAY. WHICH BUILDINGS YOU CAN ACTUALLY ENTER VARIES DAILY AND SEASONALLY — several are weekend or event-day only, and the visitor centre is the place to ask on arrival. Living history and craft days run on a seasonal calendar and are worth timing for; the Batsto Country Living Fair falls in October. Inside Wharton State Forest and the Pinelands National Reserve.