Upcoming Open Houses + Events
November 2025 Open-House — Fall Open House and Holiday Gifts!
Oakland Historical Society @
Valley Middle School PTO Holiday Craft Boutique
Valley Middle School Auditorium, 71 Oak Street | Saturday, 6 December, 10 am to 3 pm
Join the Society as we offer a selection of handmade dolls and pillows, vintage Oakland postcards, antique books, jewelry, and more for sale — with 100% of proceeds benefitting the Society. We'll also have some fun, free educational materials and maybe even a pop-up exhibit to enjoy!
Valley Middle School PTO Holiday Craft Boutique
Valley Middle School Auditorium, 71 Oak Street | Saturday, 6 December, 10 am to 3 pm
Join the Society as we offer a selection of handmade dolls and pillows, vintage Oakland postcards, antique books, jewelry, and more for sale — with 100% of proceeds benefitting the Society. We'll also have some fun, free educational materials and maybe even a pop-up exhibit to enjoy!
December 2025 Open-House — Sinterklaas and Dutch Christmas!
Sunday, 6 December, 2025, from 1–4 pm | Van Allen House, 3 Franklin Ave., Oakland, NJ
Welcome Sinterklaas and enjoy holiday decorations, koekjes (cookies to you English) and treats baked in our historic kitchen, live music and carols, and more! It’s our “don‘t miss” annual event!
Free admission. Rain or shine. Bring the whole family! Park across the street in the Faber Brothers’ lot and cross carefully!
A meeting of the Society will commence at 4 pm after the close of the Open House — join us!
Welcome Sinterklaas and enjoy holiday decorations, koekjes (cookies to you English) and treats baked in our historic kitchen, live music and carols, and more! It’s our “don‘t miss” annual event!
Free admission. Rain or shine. Bring the whole family! Park across the street in the Faber Brothers’ lot and cross carefully!
A meeting of the Society will commence at 4 pm after the close of the Open House — join us!
2026 Save the Dates!
January Open House | Saturday, 18 January 2026, 1–4 pm
Join us for quilting and soap-making demonstrations, historic house tours, and more!
Free admission. Rain or shine. Bring the whole family! Park across the street in the Faber Brothers’ lot and cross carefully!
A meeting of the Society will commence at 4 pm after the close of the Open House — join us!
Join us for quilting and soap-making demonstrations, historic house tours, and more!
Free admission. Rain or shine. Bring the whole family! Park across the street in the Faber Brothers’ lot and cross carefully!
A meeting of the Society will commence at 4 pm after the close of the Open House — join us!
February Open House | Saturday, 15 February 2026, 1–4 pm
Help us celebrate Washington’s birthday with homemade cherry pie, Lincoln Logs, historic house tours, and more!
Free admission. Rain or shine. Bring the whole family! Park across the street in the Faber Brothers’ lot and cross carefully!
A meeting of the Society will commence at 4 pm after the close of the Open House — join us!
Help us celebrate Washington’s birthday with homemade cherry pie, Lincoln Logs, historic house tours, and more!
Free admission. Rain or shine. Bring the whole family! Park across the street in the Faber Brothers’ lot and cross carefully!
A meeting of the Society will commence at 4 pm after the close of the Open House — join us!
March Open House | Saturday, 15 March 2026, 1–4 pm
Raise a glass with homemade beer while Redcoat reenactors camp on the grounds of the Van Allen House!
Free admission. Rain or shine. Bring the whole family! Park across the street in the Faber Brothers’ lot and cross carefully!
A meeting of the Society will commence at 4 pm after the close of the Open House — join us!
Raise a glass with homemade beer while Redcoat reenactors camp on the grounds of the Van Allen House!
Free admission. Rain or shine. Bring the whole family! Park across the street in the Faber Brothers’ lot and cross carefully!
A meeting of the Society will commence at 4 pm after the close of the Open House — join us!
Help Us Celebrate 2026, 2027, and Beyond!
The 250th anniversary of the American Revolution is coming up soon, and the Van Allen House should not be left out. Route 202 by Franklin Avenue has many stories to tell. Come visit the House and follow the maps and train tracks of Oakland's long history. E-mail Klaus or Jerri at [email protected] or call us at 201-337-9652.
The 250th anniversary of the American Revolution is coming up soon, and the Van Allen House should not be left out. Route 202 by Franklin Avenue has many stories to tell. Come visit the House and follow the maps and train tracks of Oakland's long history. E-mail Klaus or Jerri at [email protected] or call us at 201-337-9652.
Oakland Train Station, August 30th, 1898; from ”The Years Between“ (1964).
A photo from The Years Between taken as the Sunday School group from Ponds Church were getting ready for their picnic trip to Echo Lake. A fifth of the local population turned out. Women held the community together and took their families along for the ride. Let's be thankful for the roads that have held America together for almost 250 years! From the days that the Lenape Natives lead Dutch Settlers to the local iron ore mines to the recent time when Oakland was a summer vacation spot along the tracks of the Susquehanna RR.
