The Port Mercer Bridgetender’s House in Lawrence Township will be among the highlights when the Delaware & Raritan Canal Watch hosts its second annual Canal House Challenge on Sunday, Sept. 14.
The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is the only time during the year when all five canal houses along the route are open to the public at the same time.
The Port Mercer house, maintained by the Lawrence Historical Society, is one of several historic homes that once served as residences for bridgetenders or locktenders along the Delaware & Raritan Canal.
Visitors can step inside the Lawrence Township landmark to learn about its history and the families who lived there.
The challenge invites participants to visit all five houses, stretching from Lawrence Township to northern Franklin Township, in a single day. Those who complete the circuit and stop at each location receive a prize.
“While visiting each site, participants learn about the history of the home,” organizers said. “Participants who visit all sites win a prize.”
Other participating locations and organizations include: the East Millstone Bridgetender’s House (East Millstone Historical Society), the Blackwells Mills Bridgetender’s House (Blackwells Mills Canal House Association), the Griggstown Bridgetender’s House (The Raritan-Millstone Heritage Alliance), and the Kingston Locktender’s House (Kingston Historical Society).
The event promotes New Jersey’s canal heritage, and while donations are voluntary, they will be gratefully accepted at each location to support the preservation of historic homes along the canal.
More information about the Canal House Challenge is available at thelhs.org/canal-house-challenge. Details about the D&R Canal Watch can be found at canalwatch.org.
The Port Mercer Canal House. (Photo by Paul Ligeti, Historical Society of West Windsor.),
