SOMERVILLE – A special exhibition of historical maps, sketches, postcards, paintings and artifacts in the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Gallery will celebrate the county’s 325th anniversary.  Somerset County was founded May 22, 1688.

“We’re very pleased to have the Cultural & Heritage Commission hosting this exhibit in honor of the county’s founding,” said Freeholder Director Peter S. Palmer.  “It is an eclectic celebration of more than three centuries of growth and progress.”

The display will run April 29 through May 24 on the first floor of the county administration building at 20 Grove St.  Glass display cases are on the third floor.  Free parking is available in the attached parking deck; the entrance is off East High Street.  Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

The exhibition will include a 1790s copper tea kettle from the Somerset County Historical Society; a number of artifacts on loan from the Abraham Staats House in South Bound Brook and from the Lord Stirling archaeological dig in Bernards; a New Jersey map dated 1776; a large sketch of the former Calco plant in Bridgewater (where the Somerset Patriots ballpark is located today); a 1938 newspaper article about the county’s 250th anniversary; vintage postcards depicting the Somerset County Courthouse from the 1800s to the 1960s as well as early 20th-century views of downtown Somerville; photos of the Griggstown section of Franklin Township; a set of World War I medals; arrowheads found on a property in Bridgewater; and other items.

The Somerset County Board of Freeholders is planning several activities to commemorate the anniversary, including the gallery exhibit.  Also, a free concert will be offered Sunday, June 2, at 2 p.m. on the courthouse lawn in Somerville, with music by the Whitehouse Wind Symphony.