Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum
Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum
The Blue Tour
Saturday, May 2, 2026
11am to 4pm
Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum
Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum
For information on events, click on the website below:
https://www.lakehopatconghistory.com/
In an age before jets, air conditioning and super highways, Lake Hopatcong was a major northeast resort. Within easy reach of large cities to the east, the lake’s size and setting at over 900 feet above sea level made it a perfect summer destination. Boasting over 40 hotels, two amusement parks, and all types of entertainment, Lake Hopatcong welcomed thousands each year, including leaders in government, industry and entertainment. The Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum through its extensive archives, exhibits, and programming preserves Lake Hopatcong’s history for all to enjoy.
The Lake Hopatcong Historical Society was founded in August 1955. From its inception, the goal was to establish a museum for the lake. However, obtaining a building proved elusive until the early 1960s when the State of New Jersey moved forward with plans for a new administration building at Hopatcong State Park. The park was founded on land previously owned by the Morris Canal and Banking Company. When the canal was abandoned in the 1920s, 98 acres around the Lake Hopatcong dam were set aside as a state park. The old locktender’s house was converted into an office for the state park. As the popularity of the park grew, it became apparent that a larger and more modern building was needed for the park’s headquarters. In July 1963, plans were announced for the construction of a new administration building.
Although it initially appeared that the old locktender’s house would be torn down, the Lake Hopatcong Historical Society succeeded in acquiring use of the building for a museum. A lease with the State of New Jersey was signed in the spring of 1965. On September 11, 1965, the dream of a museum at Lake Hopatcong was realized as the public was invited to an open house celebration. Over the ensuing years, the museum collection has grown through donations and acquisitions. It now totals includes 12,000 images and several thousand other items of memorabilia.
From the eight individuals who attended the first meeting of the historical society in August 1955, the organization has grown to more than 700 members, and remains loyal to its mission “to collect, house and preserve artifacts and documents relating to the civil, political, social and general history of Lake Hopatcong and to encourage the education and dissemination of information about Lake Hopatcong’s history.” As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, the Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum continues to offer an entertaining and enlightening look at the history of New Jersey's largest lake.
