The Commission was created by the Board of Chosen Freeholders of the county of Warren in October 1972. It's mission is to develop County programs in order to promote public interest in local and county history, the arts, cultural values, goals, and traditions of the community as well as the State and Nation.
In addition to arts programming, the Commission has been charged with the restoration/preservation of two major historic properties in the county - Shippen Manor and Oxford Furnace. Two-thirds of the Manor has been restored and is currently open to the public on the first and second Sundays of each month from 1 - 4 p.m. Volunteer docents from Friends of Shippen, a non-profit corporation formed to assist the Commission in the operation of the manor, provide guided tours of the Manor.
The Manor and Furnace are centrally located, and we hope to develop the area as a cultural center.
The Commission also publishes material dealing with local, county and state history, and a newsletter addressing the activities of the Commission and other agencies. The Commission works with various local historic societies and arts agencies by providing support for projects, planning assistance, and public relations
