While vacationing in Ventnor a nice day trip for the family is Batsto Village, a nationally recognized historic site, located in the Wharton State Park. Batsto Village is rich in American History; in 1766 Charles Read built the Batsto Iron Works on the banks of the Batsto River. Batsto manufactured supplies for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. In 1876 Joseph Wharton purchased Batsto and thousands of acres surrounding the village. The State of New Jersey purchased the Wharton properties in the 1950's. Batsto Village is a state and national treasure, listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.
During the iron making and glass making periods there were hundreds of people working and living in the village. The town was self sufficient with a sawmill to cut lumber for building homes, a mill to process grain, a general store, blacksmith and wheelwright. The workers planted gardens and raised animals, an ice house was constructed and a post office. A visit to Batsto is like stepping back in time. The village is completely restored and is a beautiful replica of the original settlement. There are picnic areas, tours, lawns and a village of workers houses.
Directions to Batsto Village from Ventnor City, New Jersey
From Ventnor start out going Northeast on Ventnor Ave toward Albany Ave.
Turn Left on Albany Ave travel 2.7 miles to the on ramp of the A.C. Expressway
Travel on expressway 4 miles enter Garden State Parkway North
Travel 13 miles on Parkway take exit 50 toward New Gretna/Batsto
Turn Left on CR-542 Hammonton Rd continue 13 miles
End at Batsto Village Estimated Distance 36 miles