Maple Sugaring Program & Maple Sap Collections

Native Americans discovered the sweet quality of sugar maple sap before written history. For hundreds, maybe even thousands of years, Native Americans would set up camp in a stand of sugar maples during the sap run. The sugar they produced was an important food for them and for the colonists, who learned the process from the Native Americans. It was only during the 1930s when maple sugar took the form we use today: syrup! Experience first-hand the North American tradition of maple sugaring at Hunterdon County's Maple Sugaring Program. You'll take a trip through time to experience the art of the sugaring process. Along the way you will see an early American Frontiersman taping his trees, visit a sugar "farmer" at his evaporator, and enjoy a Native American story about the discovery of maple sap.

Maple Sugaring Living History Program

  • Location: Echo Hill
  • Date: March 2024IMG_7004

Maple Sap Collection

Collecting the sap is a crucial step of the maple sugaring process! Manytree-cold-bush-frozen-syrup-season-889409-pxhere.com methods are used on commercial farms, but the basic idea is the same, moving the sap from the maple trees to the stove. Come participate in the process at Echo Hill! We will meet at the playground and then walk to the sugar bush (a five- or ten-minute walk). This program will also be available to groups during weekdays in February-please call us to schedule a group.

School Field Trips & Other Organized Groups

Contact our office at 908-782-1158 or email us to schedule. Dates available by appointment February through Mid-March. The program is 1 hours and can be scheduled between the hours of 9 am- 4:30 pm there is a $30 fee per session. Also available: Maple Sugar To Go! Let us bring Maple Sugaring to your location. 1 hr, $55 in-County only.