Batsto Village, an abandoned historic site exploration

[@MillerMeteor74]

The worker houses are from the 1820s, to my knowledge. The one that appears whitewashed, and has the fence around the front yard- that one contains the most original wood of all of them. There once were 5 streets of houses there. Only those two streets remain. The 1874 fire wiped out much of the residential area. The outhouses are modern re-creations. Some hide electrical panels, and some hide fire hydrants with hose reels. 10:34- That's the ironmaster's mansion. It was built in the 1760s or 70s, and modernized 100 years later by Joseph Wharton. The church is just west of the village, over the county line. It's a very simple one-room structure, built in 1808. I worked at Batsto in the late 80s. At that time they had 4 horses. I brushed and fed them every day. They lived in that horse barn. 12:40 - that's the grist mill. It can still be made to run. I saw it run, maybe 20 years ago (something like that). 13:35- That's one of the millstones used for grinding of grain. You missed the parking lot and visitors' center. Maybe you saw it at a later date. The museum gallery in the visitors' center is awesome. Great video. Thanks again.

[@walkingcam1]

I been there this Thursday. Just a short walk, without camera. Visitor center was closed, so i missed it again) Noticed one curious thing near the dam: system of hoses to collect maple syrup in a plastic canister. Never knew how it's done. In my childhood we used to go for birch juice) Do you know how the threshing barn worked? I feel a bit confused with its П-shape. It was connected with the grist mill with system of belts and shafts, but i saw nothing mechanical inside the barn. Probably, everything was dismantled years ago. The water mills fascinate me. So impressive to see a triumph of engineering minds. Emailed to Walnford historic village yesterday,. They have an active mill and i was lucky to film it working last autumn. Occasionally they need a carpenter-volunteer to do some works in the mill building. Would be good to be useful for them.

[@MillerMeteor74]

@@walkingcam1The threshing barn, as you called it, is the drive-through double corn crib. That is one of about 3 that I have seen in all of South Jersey, or possibly 4. That's for storage and drying out of corn only. I know about the pulleys and shafts on the outside of it, but I don't know how any of that worked, or what exactly it did. There must have been some machine to remove the corn from the cobs. Maybe it was towed in. I have visited Walnford a couple of times, but never when anything was open. Oh, thinking about the sawmill- that does run. A year, or couple years ago they were running it at the Country Living Fair, which is always in October. I have a short video of them cutting wood in it. I'm pretty sure I do anyway. As for Harrisville, there is, or was a sign on the fence telling people to stay out. But it's possible someone stole it. I went in once, several years ago, but was constantly watching for Park Police. They are very strict. I know the guy called Wandering Woodsman went in. He said there was no sign. It's possible he didn't see it, or maybe it's gone.

[@walkingcam1]

It's so named on Batsto web site. Thank you for info, i will aske them for details when the next time i come. I know Woodsman, i mean, not personally, just i follow him on YT. Great videos, very informative. Regarding the police, I'm very lucky. Although, twice I’ve been kicked out of closed places I’ve wandered carelessly into.

[@MillerMeteor74]

@@walkingcam1 Interesting about the website calling it the threshing barn. I never knew that. But I haven't looked at their website in ages. I really enjoy Woodman's videos. I like his laid back way of doing them.

[@christinevangilder6245]

I remember our paternal grandparents taking us here in the 80's. I recollect a guided tour (?) I took my son here in the 90's. Very enjoyable 😄

[@redpill344]

That music made me go back in time🥺

[@charlenekassekert280]

Me of my favorite places

[@user-mj6lap17]

A beautiful place, the house's still look like you could live in them now, very lovely.

[@walkingcam1]

They are!

[@louiesmom7394]

There's currently a big forest fire around the village and the village is being protected by my hometown volunteer fire department. (6/20/2022) 7,200 acres have burned and it's not contained yet. I have been here many times, living nearby. It's a very important part of NJ history. Thanks for the video tour.

[@walkingcam1]

Hi, i, yes, I follow a Pine Barrens group on FB and heard about that. Thank you!

[@williamwintemberg]

I was there in the early 80's when the saw mill was running. They were using the wood for construction at the village. I wonder if it still runs. The iron furnace was a pile of rubble. I have visited a number of times over the years. It's surprising how many people don't know the village exists.

[@walkingcam1]

Hi William, yes, i did a small research before the visit. The mill doesn't work now but may be restored. It isn't damaged too hard.

[@debramccrosson2334]

Love Basto have been there many times

[@kethsharakhlok1976]

Wow, this was a colorful and informative touring/good-paced video. I'm amazed that many houses have old or new artifacts in place. Your info. series made me realizing that I was truly a foreign frog at bottom of dark pond in "Chatham" (1975) and I never knew that NJ had more than just the Turnpike (?) to most traveling motorists. Thanks for your teaching series clips. 👍

[@walkingcam1]

I've never visited the Turnpike 🙂 Judging by its fame, that's sort of a party place what ruins the charm of historical abandon)

[@raymullen3583]

Would go there and walk around on Sundays ' then go off for Dinner at either Smithville or Sweet Water Casino...Good times a long time ago...

[@walkingcam1]

yeah, it's a good place to spend few hours when not too many people around

[@dvk1895]

Very neat. You skills are high level! I would love to see you film the long pond iron works. Ringwood manor and Skyline manor botanical gardens. Area around Van slyke castle around its lake and surrounding ruins. While your in area check out jungle habitat

[@walkingcam1]

hi, thanks) Planning this trip. Too many structures over there to explore in one day

[@redpill344]

I love the way you give information on screen because sometimes talking is so annoying i mean narration is annoying.. ❤️ this channel 👌 please continue 😊

[@walkingcam1]

Thank you)) I'm not very verbose and don't like when explorers shake cams, walk in a crowd and talk incessantly. I wanna share my emotions and feelings through the atmosphere of the place and music

[@charlenekassekert280]

I have a family friend who’s grandmother lived in the village

[@walkingcam1]

I love talking with old people. Their stories always are so alive, so full of details. That never may have found in none of the historical books

[@stevenwilgus5422]

I have visited Batsto Village many times. Do you know there are pickerel living in the cool clean stream there?

[@walkingcam1]

That must be. Personally, i caught some at Atsion dam nearby but pretty sure they should live here too

[@lorycicada9185]

Once this village featured in a horror movie

[@walkingcam1]

9th child :)