(above) John Sileo will present the Revolutionary War Battle of Springfield reenactment, in a miniature diorama, during the Four Centuries in a Weekend Open House at Mountainside’s Hetfield House – Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20 (12-5 p.m.).
Four Centuries Weekend at Hetfield House
Submitted by Carol Goggi
The weekend of October 19-20, 2019 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. Mountainside’s historic Hetfield House will be open for visitors on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20 from 12-5 p.m.
During Saturday and Sunday, back by popular demand, there will be a miniature simulation of a Revolutionary War Battle. This year, The Battle of Springfield will be reenacted featuring newly found information. 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 the battle, fought nearby in June of 1780 in Springfield. The discussions will be augmented by a diorama of the military actions with hundreds of hand-painted soldiers.
In addition, special exhibits will be set up throughout the house. Stop by, next door, at the recently renovated and restored, circa 1818, Levi Cory House which will be open for visitors.
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 exterior of the Hetfield House will be adorned by many scarecrows representing figures in history. These scarecrows are created by Mountainside Fifth Grade students from the Deerfield School who will visit the Hetfield House, on a field trip, the week prior to Four Centuries Weekend.
The Hetfield House will be participating in Union County’s History Trading Card program. Be sure to pick up MacKinlay Kantor and other cards from the Hetfield House and add to your collection from other Union County sites. Each card depicts a person, place or event in Union County history.
The Deacon Andrew Hetfield House is located at Constitution Plaza (Watchung Ave., off Birch Hill Rd.) adjacent to the Mountainside Library. The Mountainside Restoration Committee is a committee of volunteers whose purpose is to restore and maintain the Deacon Andrew Hetfield House and Levi Cory House and collect and save historic information and items from destruction. For further details, please call 908-789-9420 or, go to: mountainsidehistory.org.
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