From left: Mayor Louise Wilson addresses attendees at the May 18th unveiling of the Dirck Gulick House, which will serve as VHHS's headquarters and library and was recently named to the state and national registries of historic places; the newly restored resource library; VHHS member Valerie Hartshorne and her grandchild closely inspect the new plaque. Township committee members, township administrators, county representatives, a county freeholder, residents, and a 3M representative were among the crowd for the December 2003 unveiling ceremony. 3M owns the house and leases it to the Society for $1 per year.

May 2004 marks a critical milestone for the 1752 Dirck Gulick House. With the completion of a major restoration, we are reopening this rare 18th-century Dutch house as headquarters and library of the Van Harlingen Historical Society. The building, at 506 Rte. 601 across from Dutchtown Harlingen Road, can now return to service as an archive and research facility for important books, journals, records, and photographs, all relating to our local history.

The Gulick House restoration was made possible by Somerset County historical preservation grants totaling approximately $100,000, and by nearly $40,000 in Society monies contributed over many years by our generous members.

Today, we take pride in this an important achievement in the preservation of Montgomery Township’s history. At the same time, we face new responsibilities to assure the future of this remarkable house and to maintain it as a community resource. To help us, we are asking local individuals and businesses to contribute to a newly established Dirck Gulick House Fund.

Why your support is needed
Though the major restoration is completed, the project has exhausted the capital fund of VHHS and leaves us with the following obligations:
• Annual operating costs for utilities, maintenance, and insurance of over $6,000
• An immediate need to furnish the building to serve as a library and headquarters
• Landscape improvements
• The replacement of the existing roof within a few years

Levels of Support
Please consider making a charitable contribution to the Dirck Gulick House Fund. Your gift will be recognized by inclusion on a plaque to be displayed prominently in the Gulick House and updated annually.
• Benefactor $1,000 and above • Sustainer $500-$999 • Supporter $250-499 • Contributor $100-249

Additional opportunities to contribute to our activities include joining as a Member or Patron of the Society (see our Membership page. Please send your tax-deductible contribution to VHHS, P.O. Box 23, Belle Mead, NJ 08502, and name the Gulick House Fund on the memo line of your check. Thank you!