[4] SSAAM was founded by historians Elaine Buck and Beverly Mills, whose 2018 book If These Stones Could Talk chronicles the history of the African American presence in the Sourland Mountain region of central New Jersey.

[7][8] When open, SSAAM plans to present historical exhibits and other public programming to educate visitors about African American history in New Jersey.

Zion AME Church was originally established in 1866 by African American residents, the descendants of both free and enslaved people, of the Sourland Mountain area.

[2] The church was home to an active congregation until 2005, when it stopped holding worship services.

Zion AME Church organized "camp meetings" each summer to benefit the local community.