Batsto Village

Batsto Village is a historic industrial settlement with over forty structures spread across roughly 1,200 acres in the Pine Barrens. The site includes a mansion with fifty rooms, a sawmill, gristmill, blacksmith shop, and general store that together tell the story of life in the past.

The settlement started as an iron production facility in 1766 and became important during the American Revolutionary War. It supplied materials to the Continental Army, playing a role in the independence struggle.

The village name comes from the Swedish word 'bastu', showing the early European influences that shaped this place. Walking through today, you can see how people lived and worked together in this industrial community.

The site is open seven days a week with a visitor center offering exhibits and guided tours of the mansion. The paths between buildings are walkable, though sturdy shoes work best, especially when conditions are wet.

The village post office still operates today without using a zip code, maintaining mail processing methods from the 1800s. This makes it one of the few places in America where traditional mail handling continues in this way.

Location: Washington Township

GPS coordinates: 39.64170,-74.64780

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:03