Cultural Gems

Museums and Attractions of Somerset County

Many like to use the word, but few places in New Jersey, or for that matter all of America, can lay claim so frequently to the term "unique" as Somerset County. Perhaps it is because the county's roots ramble so deep in American culture that Somerset is the address for these places, the like of which you'll find nowhere else. Absolutely!

USET
The USET is the non-profit organization which represents the United States in international equestrian sports. For over four decades, the USET has proudly carried the responsibility of selecting, training, equipping, and financing teams of the highest possible standards to represent the U.S. in Pan American and Olympic Games, World Championships, and other international competitions. more...
Pottersville Rd., Gladstone, (908)234-1251
U.S. Bicycle Hall of Fame

Annual Tour of Somerville
Memorial Day Weekend
Cooperstown has one for baseball, Canton has one for football, and Somerset County has one for bicycle racing: a hall of fame, the hall of fame, for four generations of racers--the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame, in Somerville. The county seat has also been the home for five and a half decades of bike racing's Kentucky Derby in North America, the Tour of Somerville. The Hall of Fame owes its success in large measure to the prominence of the Tour among America's cycling enthusiasts, as the Tour itself owes much to the energy and vision of a single individual. Many racers in the early years of the Tour came to the streets of Somerville seeking the craftsmanship, and guidance, of one Fred "Pop" Kugler. Pop Kugler's strength and skill in his era as a cycling champion were the foundation of the enterprises that informed the rest of his career: the development of racing bikes, coaching succeeding generations of cyclists, and the advancement of the sport of competitive cycling. Begun under his direction in 1940, the Tour of Somerville has consistently drawn the best racing cyclists in America to the roadways of Somerset County. And in the Hall, before one comes to the rows of names in commemoration, hangs the red and white sign that once hung over Pop Kugler's bicycle shop.
By some estimates, bicycle racing was at least as popular a spectator sport as baseball before the turn of the last century; its champions as worthy of front page news then as professional football is today, and arguably, were the best paid sports figures in the nation. Many cities in America had velodromes, indoor and outdoor stadiums that featured high-banked, wooden platform raceways that drew throngs of eager fans. American champions were heralded with equal enthusiasm in Europe, where competitive cycling culture was vital, well-established, and victory often a matter of national honor. The Amateur Bicycle League, predecessor of today's U.S. Cycling Federation, held races across the country in venues that ran the gamut from improved roads to hardscrabble to the local velodrome, yielding some of the names now honored in Somerville.
The Hall of Fame was incorporated in 1986, and opened to the public in 1987. Beginning with its first inductee, Pop Kugler, the Hall has recognized the dedication and triumph of 28 other individuals. It is an egalitarian list: Doris Kopsky Muller who in 1937 became National Women's Champion of the Amateur Bicycle League of America, clearing a path for succeeding decades of women champions; Marshall "Major" Taylor, the first black world champion of any professional sport, who set records in every sprint competition from two to one-quarter miles in 1899; and John Chapman, "The Georgia Cyclone", race promoter and former general manager of the old Madison Square Garden whose world record in a five-mile race stood for more than fifty years. Personalities whose achievements were crucial in the establishment of the sport are also Hall of Famers, and they include Col. Albert Pope, who first brought bicycle manufacture to the United States in the 1870's, and who later shepherded the inclusion of the formal study of road engineering at MIT. Among the representatives of the contemporary era is the late Robert Rodale, publisher and velodrome financier whose Rodale Press publishes Bicycling Magazine.
Van Horne House, 941 E. Main Street, Bridgewater, 732/356-7016 website
The Theatre and Planetarium at Raritan Valley Community College
Theater at RVCC includes major classical and popular artists from theater, dance, and music as well as special productions for children. The Planetarium offers educational and entertaining programs year-round for audiences of all ages. Planetarium shows take you into space and evoke a sense of adventure as you visit the last frontier from one of the 100 comfortable armchairs. Special projector lenses places images of 3,000 stars, nebula, galaxies, star clusters and the Milky Way onto the planetarium dome. Exhibits, multi-media presentations, laser light shows, gift shop and school group shows are available.
Lamington Road, Branchburg
Theatre 908/725-3420
Planetarium 908/231-8805
Ukrainian Orthodox Library and Museum
The museum, located below the church contains displays of decorative Easter eggs, lacework and hand embroidery, statuary, church vessels and many other Ukrainian cultural and historical items.
135 Davidson Ave., Franklin Twp.732/356-9105 website
Printmaking Council of New Jersey
There are only a handful of organizations in the world that focus solely on the fine art of printmaking -- PCNJ brings a unique and important facet of the arts to our members and to the community. Including 18 annual exhibitions, quarterly classes and workshops, and other special events, PCNJ reaches over 22,000 people per year.
440 River Road, Somerville908-725-2110 website
Somerset County Courthouse and Church
Refurbished in 1996, the courthouse was built in 1909. John Russell Pope designed the Lord Memorial Fountain in 1910. The adjacent First Reformed Dutch Church was built in 1897.
East Main Street, Somerville 908/231-7110
Commerce Ballpark
1 Patriots Park, Bridgewater 908/252-0700 The multi-use facility is home to the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
Somerset Art Association
The non-profit organization is dedicated to furthering the awareness of the visual arts through quality, educational programming accessible to all. Programming includes classes for all ages and skill levels, a lecture series, changing exhibition in SAA's in-house, two-floor Johnson Gallery; specialty workshops, and field trips.
2020 Burnt Mills Rd., Bedminster 908/234-2345

Whether you are a lover of history, theatre, incredible gardens, golf, horse riding, baseball or rinks, Somerset County has something for everyone in the family. For those of you wanting to expand your visit, we have over 3,000 fine hotel rooms and too many great restaurants to count.
Somerset County is a year-round experience for the family. It is open space, greenways, and waterways. Its location is ideal for day trips from NY, PA, DE, and MD and easily accessible by traveling over our excellent NJ highway system including I-78, I-287, the Turnpike and Parkway.

 
 

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