Friends of Wawayanda State Park
Friends of Wawayanda State Park, an officially recognized “Friends” organization of the state, is a sister organization of the Vernon Township Historical Society. All members of the Society are members of “Friends.” The official purpose of the Friends of Wawayanda State Park is to restore, preserve, and promote historical and cultural resources of our state park. We have several events each year to raise funds for that purpose. We have had annual guided tours of High Breeze Farm, quilt raffles, and other events. Currently, our main priority is the High Breeze farm, located on Barrett Road, and the Black Creek Site, a 10,000-year-old Native American Site located in the Vernon Valley.
When the State of New Jersey purchased the approximately 140 acres on which the Black Creek Site is located, and the 500+ acres of the former VanDokkenburg Farm, which is adjacent to the Black Creek Site, both properties were added to Wawayanda State Park. This year on September 23, we will have our grand opening celebration to recognize the Black Creek Site’s listing on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. The event will include the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape Indians of New Jersey, historic re-enactments, birds of prey, Native American dancing and regalia, vendors, guided tours, primitive games, state dignitaries, entertainment, games of chance, and much more. The event is open to the public.