County historical alliance to showcase two sites

WANTAGE — The next meeting of the Sussex County History Alliance, scheduled for Tuesday, July 29, at 7 p.m. at Lusscroft Farm, 50 Neilson Road, Wantage, will showcase the farm and the 1858 Horton Mansion in Newton, located on the Sussex County Community College campus.

The mansion is on the 2014 list of New Jersey's 10 most endangered historic sites.

All are welcome to attend the meeting, which includes a rare tour of the main buildings and restored Turner Mansion. Lusscroft's history includes an extinct volcano, artificial insemination, sleigh rides, 4-H and butter.

Wayne McCabe, the Historian for Sussex County, will also give an update on restoring the Horton Mansion as the showpiece of Sussex County Community College. This Rural Gothic building is seated in its place of prominence in the center of the campus, but is slated to be torn down and replaced with a parking lot. The local preservation community is willing to lead the primary fundraising and has drafted a plan for the mansion's future.

The History Alliance is an association of 39 historical societies and historical interests groups in Sussex County, under the umbrella of the Sussex County Historical Society. The Alliance was formed 18 months ago to foster communication and collaboration of activities among the various groups.