Historic house and garden tour offers beauty and tranquility

NEWTON — The Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council will host its 13th Annual Historic House and Garden Tour on Saturday, June 18. Officials said waterfall, cottage, English, Victorian, lake view, and vegetable gardens and a private retreat can be enjoyed, studied and photographed. The self-guided tour through the gardens starts from the council’s office in Newton. Participants receive a guidebook with a map indicating where the gardens are located. They then proceed at their own pace, through the roads of Sparta and the Andover area. Restaurants along the way will be offering discounts. The tour hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and all areas will be available for viewing during that time. On the day of the tour, the Arts Council will open at 9 a.m. Guidebooks will then be available for pick up, and patrons who have not yet registered may do so. Registration is $22 for members or if purchased before June 14 and $25 at the door. Rain date is June 19. To learn more, call 973-383-0027,