Discover Lake Hopatcong History in Free Annual Tour this Weekend

How much do you really know about the history behind Lake Hopatcong? You can learn more this weekend as local history fans can take a trip to northern New Jersey's way back when.

Pathways of History is a museum tour featuring historic properties in Boonton, Boonton Township, Butler, Denville, Kinnelon, Lake Hopatcong, Mine Hill, Montville Township, Mount Tabor, Pequannock Township, Randolph, Rockaway Township,  Roxbury and West Milford.

The tour began in 2010 to promote small, volunteer-run museums and historic sites in the county that offer free admission and are self-sustaining.  Since then, the event has grown from five towns to including all those listed above, and some towns boast more than one historic site.  The annual event is held in the fall and is described by organizers as a “pathway” between towns to collectively encourage and boost heritage tourism.

The tour is a freewheeling affair that you can start anywhere, using a list of tour sites and events for the weekend. It runs Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday from noon-4 p.m. Organizers encourage everyone to come and "craft your own tour." Go to www.pathwaysofhistorynj.com for more information.