Weekend Historical Happenings: 10/26/13 - 10/27/13

WEEKEND HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS

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Friday, October 25 - Bedminster, Somerset County

Halloween Tales and Tunes
Children Friendly

Children and parents are invited to join balladeer Linda Russell, who will present songs and stories for Halloween on Friday evening at 6:00 pm. Playing hammered and mountain dulcimers, guitar, and limberjack, she'll present ghostly ballads, songs of fairy folk, and harvest tunes as well as the tale of the first jack-o-lantern. Children will be able to play rhythm instruments as part of the Goblin Band!

Linda Russell explores history through music. Having served for many years as a balladeer for the National Park Service at Federal Hall on Wall Street, the site of Washington's inauguration, Ms. Russell now takes her music to historic sites, schools and festivals throughout the country. New York appearances have included Avery Fisher Hall, the Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors Festival, and the Carnegie Hall Folk Festival. She has recorded eight albums of traditional and popular music of the 18th and 19th centuries.

The program is free, but registration is suggested. The Jacobus Vanderveer House is located at 955 Route 202/206, Bedminster, NJ, behind River Road Park. The entrance to the house is via River Road Park. For more information and to register, call 908-396-6053 or visit www.jvanderveerhouse.org.

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Friday - Saturday, October 25 - 26 - Denville, Morris County
Haunted Denville Walking Tours

Experience haunted Denville walking tours with Vito Bianco. Tours will be given at 7 pm beginning at the Denville Museum. Join Society Vice-President and author, Vito Bianco on a journey into the unknown, the bazaar, and the unexplained history of Denville. Local legends, curses, angry spirits, unresolved disappearances, and lonely gravesites will be revealed. This is a walking tour on relatively flat terrain that will take about two hours. The tour is not suitable for children under the age of 16.  Participants should bring a flashlight. The museum is located at 113 Diamond Spring Road, Denville, NJ. 

Call the museum at 973-625-1165 by 5:00 pm on the night of the tour in case of inclement weather for an updated message. Admission to the tour is by donation (minimum $5 suggested per person). For more information, call the Denville Historical Society & Museum at 973-625-1165. 

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Friday - Saturday, October 25 - 26 - Farmingdale, Monmouth County

Haunted Hayride at Allaire Village
Children Friendly

Historic Allaire Village, presents Halloween Hayrides on Friday, and Saturday from 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm. The Halloween Hayride starts in front of the General Store and enters the foreboding woods for a trip into Halloween horror. Hayrides are approximately twenty minutes in length and wagons leave every fifteen minutes from the General Store. If you make it through the Hayride alive, take a stroll through our Haunted Village. Scary story-telling will be held in the Carriage House and special Halloween performances will be held in the Allaire Mansion. All are welcome...if you dare! Stop by the Allaire Bakery for hot cider and spooky snacks or visit the General Store and Museum Gift Shop for limited edition Halloween souvenirs and merchandise.

The cost for the hayride is $10 for child under 12 and $15 for adults. Tickets are limited so advance purchase is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Tickets are for sale by calling 732-919-3500 - please have your credit card ready. You can also purchase tickets via PayPal at www.allairevillage.org/tickets.

Historic Allaire Village is located in Allaire State Park at 4263 Atlantic Ave. in Farmingdale. For more information, contact Allaire Village during business hours, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at 732-919-3500 or visit www.allairevillage.org.

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Friday - Saturday, October 25 - 26 - Haddonfield, Camden County

Haunted Haddonfield Walking Tours

On Friday and Saturday, please join local author Bill Meehan as regales us with ghost stories and legends from his popular paperback, Haunted Haddonfield. The tour begins at 7:00 pm at Greenfield Hall (343 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield, NJ) and winds past the cemetery and familiar houses along the way. The tour lasts about 90 minutes and can be enjoyed by everyone - couples, groups, and families! Adults are $10 and children (3-12) are $5. Tickets can be purchased at the door (cash only) or ahead of time at Greenfield Hall, the public library, or the Haddonfield Visitor Center. There are no rain dates but tickets can be used on any of the tour dates. Please remember to wear comfortable shoes, bring a flashlight and wear somewhat reflective clothing as a safety precaution.

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Friday - Saturday, October 25 - 26 / Nov. 1 - 2 - Perth Amboy, Middlesex County

Proprietary House Ghost Tours

Does the ghost of a little boy remain to play around with visitors at the Proprietary House in Perth Amboy, NJ? Does a lady in white solemnly walk the hallways, waiting for her long-lost love to return? Just how many ghosts are there at the Proprietary House? Stop in for the annual ghost tours featuring world-renown psychic Jane Doherty, just in time for the spookiness of Halloween! Tours are approximately one hour long and each tour leaves precisely on the hour. See where the past and present collide, the hauntings that have been experienced, and the history behind them! Admission is a $10 donation per person. Reservations not required unless you have a group of 8 or more. 

Tours will be held on Friday, October 25 from 7:00 - 11:00 pm and Saturday, October 26 from 6:00 - 10:00 pm and Friday, November 1 from 7:00 - 11:00 pm and Saturday, November 2 from 6:00 - 10:00 pm.

The Proprietary House is located at 149 Kearny Avenue, Perth Amboy, NJ. For more information, call 732-826-5527, e-mail info@theproprietaryhouse.org, or visit www.theproprietaryhouse.org.

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Friday - Saturday, October 25 - 26 - Tuckerton, Ocean County

Haunted Seaport
Children Friendly Areas/Activities

Pirates and sea captains long lost at sea stroll the boardwalk for a night of screams at the Tuckerton Seaport. Stop in on Friday and Saturday evenings from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. Tour the haunted Tucker's Island Lighthouse, hayrides, phragmites maze, food, refreshments, entertainment, and a non-scary pumpkin patch for the little ones. Fun for the whole family! Admission is $8 for adults, members $5, hayrides $2 with paid admission, hayrides free for members. The Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen's Museum, is located at 120 West Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ. For more information, call 609-296-8868 or visit www.tuckertonseaport.org.

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Saturday, October 26 - Jersey City, Hudson County

The Ghost of Uncle Joe's Halloween Fundraiser

On Saturday beginning at 2:00 pm, get your costume ready for this year's spooky fundraiser for The Historic Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery, located at 435 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ.

Enjoy music all day and night. Food from Cal's Hot Dogs and Honey Bakery. 

The day's line-up :
2:00 Gates 
2:22 Elvis Costello & the Attractions Otis Ball
3:30 Rancid : They Live 
4:20 Cream : Aminal 
5:10 Fugazi
6:00 B-52's Papermaker
6:50 Joy Division
7:40 The Doors 
8:20 Roxy Music WFMU Hoof and Mouth Slimfonia
9:10 The Who - the Milwaukees
9:45 End of Show 
10:00 Death March to the Lamp Post 

With Special Guest DJ Gorgio - Motor Funker

Beginning at 10:30, the celebration moves to The Lamp Post Bar & Grille in Jersey City for an "After-life party."

10:30 Weezer - Jaguar Shark
11:20 Sly & the Family Stone - The Defending Champions
12:10 The Pixies 
1:00 The Violent Femmes 

Suggested donation of $10 per person at the entrance gate. For more information, call 201-707-0738 or visit www.jerseycitycemetery.org.

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Saturday, October 26 - Union, Union County

Pumpkin Patch Day at Liberty Hall

Children Friendly

On Saturday, enjoy Pumpkin Patch Day from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm at Liberty Hall. The day features its traditional menu of activities, including pumpkin picking, hayrides, house tours, and Halloween crafts, including carving or decorating your pumpkin. An exciting new activity this year is a corn maze! Program Fee: Adults: $6.00, Children: $10.00, Under Three: Free. Additional charge for pumpkins and lunch will be available from a vendor. Reservations suggested, call 908-527-0400. Rain date is Sunday, October 27. Liberty Hall Museum is located at 1003 Morris Ave, Union, NJ 07083. For more information, call 908-527-0400 or visit www.kean.edu/libertyhall.

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Saturday, October 26 - Harmony Township, Warren County

Historic House and Barn Tours
Children Friendly

The Harmony Township Historical Society and the Historic Preservation Commission of Harmony Township invite the public to attend their annual Fall Open House at the historic Hoff-Vannatta Farmstead on Saturday, from 10:00 am to dusk. Admission is free. The farmstead is located at 3026 Belvidere Road, Route 519, just north of the Municipal Building in Harmony Township.

Come see the progress being made at the farmstead, including the two recently-relocated and restored wagon houses. The event will include tours of the circa 1750s main house, the restored wagon house, and the one of a kind Dutch style barn, and war reenactors, live demonstrations, and hearth cooking in the summer kitchen.

For more information, contact Ruth at historicalcomm@aol.com or visit www.hoffvannattafarm.org

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Saturday, October 26 - Bridgeton, Cumberland County

Old-Fashioned Baseball

Children Friendly

The 150th Anniversary of Bridgeton Base Ball is in October, so to commemorate this anniversary, on Saturday, the Minerva Base Ball Club of Bridgeton will take on the Philadelphia Athletics at Alden Field in Bridgeton at 2:00 pm. There will be a meet and greet at the Sports Hall Of Fame near Alden Field at 12:30 pm, practice will start at 1:00 pm, and the game starts at 2:00 pm. Skip Akers will be the announcer for the game and Edward Foreman will be running the scoreboard.

Stop by the Sports Hall Of Fame before the game and check out the Base Ball display that has been set up, as well as the collection of the Hall of Fame. There will be Base Ball trivia and a drawing. There is no charge for the game, so bring the whole family and see just how much the game of base ball has changed. The first official game of base ball in Bridgeton was played on Oct. 29, 1863. The game was between the Bridgeton Base Ball Club and the Athletic Club of Philadelphia (aka the Philadelphia Athletics) so this game is the 150th anniversary of Bridgeton Base Ball, 150th anniversary of Bridgeton playing Philadelphia, and the 150th anniversary of Cumberland County Base Ball. All that history at one game. Alden Field is located at 4 Burt Street, Bridgeton, NJ.

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Saturday, October 26 - Trenton, Mercer County

Colonial Trades Day

Children Friendly

Experience colonial trades and crafts at the historic Trent House museum: 18th century blacksmithing and apple pressing; spinning and weaving, and dip your own beeswax candle to take home. Learn about these essential household skills that preceded the invention of electricity and grocery stores. Plus colonial toys and games; pumpkin painting and tours of the restored house and kitchen garden. Donations welcome. 

The 1719 William Trent House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a National Historic Landmark, is the oldest building in our state capital. A Georgian-style manor house restored to its former glory and carefully furnished as it would have been in the early 18th century. It is located at 15 Market Street, Trenton, NJ adjacent to the Hughes Justice Complex. Ample free parking. For more information call 609-989-0087 or visit www.williamtrenthouse.org.

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Saturday, October 26 - Chester, Morris County

A Miller's Halloween
Children Friendly

Visit the Cooper Grist Mill for a Miller's Hallween celebration! Come in costume, if you like, for a fun-filled afternoon! Enjoy spooky story telling at 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm, create corn husk dolls, color pumpkins, and play old-time games. In the Gristmill, be alert for spooks, spiders, skeletons, and surprises! The Cooper Grist Mill is located at 66 New Jersey 24, Chester, NJ.

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Saturday, October 26 - Atlantic City, Atlantic County

Haunted Lighthouse Tours

Do you want to discover if Absecon Lighthouse is home to ghostly keepers that still watch over the shore in Atlantic City? Did the Jersey Devil pay a visit in 1909? Come visit the Absecon Lighthouse to hear the true ghost stories that prompted a visit from SyFy's Ghost Hunters! The New Jersey Researchers of Paranormal Evidence (NJ ROPE) will be on property to help you hunt for ghosts. Plus, hear their eerie recordings taken during a paranormal investigation. Guided tours of our grounds and tower will let you explore our rich history and experience some spooky tales. Beer, wine, & refreshments will be provided. 

Reservations are required; call 609-449-1360. Tour times are 5:00, 6:00, 7:00 and 8:00 pm, and include a tower climb. Tickets are $20.00, and must be reserved or else we'll send a ghost to follow you home!

Since The Inlet Public Private Association renovated the lighthouse tower, rebuilt the Keeper's Cottage and re-opened to visitors, several staff and volunteers have shared stories of being alone on the property but hearing footsteps & voices, smelling smoke and even seeing a few ghostly apparitions. Now is your chance to experience the Absecon Lighthouse as you've never experienced it before. 

Absecon Lighthouse is located at 31 South Rhode Island Avenue in Atlantic City, NJ. It is open to visitors Thursdays through Mondays, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. For more information, call 609-449-1360 or visit www.abseconlighthouse.org.

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Saturday, October 26 - Morristown, Morris County

Winter of 1777

Children Friendly

January of 1777 was an interesting time in Washington’s army. They just won battles at Trenton and Princeton and wintered in Morristown. Join a Park Ranger at Fort Nonsense to discover what the army was doing in Morristown at that time and why Fort Nonsense got its name. Programs at 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 pm at Fort Nonsense, within Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown, NJ. Cost: Free. http://nps.gov/morr

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Saturday, October 26 - Trenton, Mercer County

Halloween Spooktacular at the State Museum

Children Friendly

Celebrate Halloween with a day of fun activities at the New Jersey State Museum. From 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, visit the Riverview Court to make and take crafts inspired by New Jersey's spooky history. Stop in at 1:00 pm in the auditorium for the FREE performance of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by TSF Productions, a part of Encore Performing Arts, Inc. Don't forget to come in costume and sign up for the costume contest! The contest will be held immediately following the show in the Museum auditorium. Every child will have the opportunity to parade across the stage and show off their costume creations. Prizes will be awarded in 3 age categories. Plan to stay for a FREE showing of Sea Monsters in the Planetarium at 3:00 pm. 

The New Jersey State Museum is located at 205 West State Street in Trenton, NJ. On weekends, free parking is available in lots adjacent to and behind the Museum. For more information, visit www.statemuseum.nj.gov or call the recorded information line at 609-292-6464.

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Saturday, October 26 - Chesterfield Township, Burlington County

Chesterfield Township's 325th Anniversary
Children Friendly

A bucolic corner of New Jersey celebrates its unique heritage on Saturday, when the Chesterfield Township Historical Society marks the township’s 325th anniversary. Visitors to the town of Crosswicks, one of three still-rural villages in the township, will be transported to earlier centuries as they tour an exhibit of antique farm equipment, participate in traditional crafts, hear music from the era and sample delicacies that were once locally made. Lectures by three area scholars on the history of the Quakers, the Lenni Lenape tribe, and the Underground Railroad will be given in the afternoon, between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm.

The celebration begins at 10:00 am with a ceremony at the Ward Avenue museum, where a recently-acquired majestic, 38-star American flag purchased by local residents in 1884 will be unveiled. The Old Barracks Fife and Drum Corps will lead a parade down Main Street, once a Lenni Lenape trail, to the historic Crosswicks Friends Meeting House, where the lectures will take place. Local dignitaries will be on hand to take part in the festivities. The Malcolm Knowles Memorial Research Library, on the second floor of the Historical Society’s headquarters on Front Street, will have its official opening and dedication.

Children can get in on the fun with Colonial games and an art contest. They can investigate the antique farm equipment, including a steam traction engine and a cranberry sorter. Traditional crafts to be demonstrated during the day include spinning, quilting, pen-writing, basket-making, blacksmithing, pottery-making, and needlework. Some of the artworks will be for sale, including a commemorative piece of pottery. George Washington and Ben Franklin will also be on hand to meet with inquisitive children and adults alike!

And then there is the food. The aromas of open-hearth cooking are sure to stimulate the senses, along with some traditional food served by the local Chesterfield Inn.  The day’s menu will include Crosswicks Community Association Chicken Salad, Brick’s Mincemeat, from a recipe that was developed in 1874 by Edgar Brick and manufactured in Crosswicks until the 1970s, and Taylor Pork Roll sandwiches, a product developed by a descendant of an original Chesterfield Township settler.

The traditional crafts will be located at 2 Front Street, Crosswicks Village, Chesterfield Township, NJ. The lectures will be presented at the Friends Meeting House, Corner of Church & Front Street in Crosswicks.

With its rural character still intact thanks to decades of efforts by historians and Township officials who preserved much of the local farmland through the township-wide Transfer of Development Rights program, Chesterfield Township is considered one of the gems of the state. For more information about the Township’s 325th anniversary celebration, visit www.chesterfieldtwphistoricalsoc.org.

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Saturday, October 26 - Newton, Sussex County
Graveyards, Ghosts and Gallows

Join Professor Jeff Williamson for the "Halloween: Graveyards, Ghosts, and Gallows Tour" beginning with an 11:00 am "Ghost" Tour of the Cemetery. At 1:00 pm, there will be a presentation on the Victorian Way of Death and then at 4:00 pm the tour will be repeated. Admission: $5 per adult and $10 for families; Sussex County Historical Society members free. The program will take place a the Hill Museum, home of the Sussex County Historical Society, 82 Main Street, Newton NJ. For more information, call 973-383-6010 or visit www.sussexcountyhistory.org.

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Saturday, October 26 - Plainfield, Union County

African-American Genealogist Panel

Please join Plainfield Public Library's Local History Department in October to celebrate American Archives Month! On Saturday, from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, IDI (Innovative Document Imaging) will be available to answer questions about the digital reformatting of personal photographs, papers and older formats of audiovisual materials. They will also take reformatting orders for materials brought in during the event. Walk-ins are welcome.

Pre-registration is encouraged, so please call 908-757-1111 ext. 136. The Plainfield Public Library is located at 800 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ. www.plainfieldlibrary.info

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Saturday, October 26 - Byram Township, Sussex County

Waterloo Canal Heritage Day

Children Friendly

Come visit Waterloo Village between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm for a day in this historic Morris Canal town. Enjoy boat rides on the Morris Canal, Smith's Store - a furnished canal-era store with hands-on activities, blacksmithing, see the operating gristmill, guided tours of 1859 Methodist Church, the Canal Museum - with exhibits and videos, guided walking tours of the village, and the Long Hill String Band. Admission is free. Waterloo Village is located at 525 Waterloo Road, Byram, NJ. For more information, call 973-292-2755 or visit www.canalsocietynj.org.

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Saturday, October 26 - Byram Township, Sussex County

Trick or Treat at Waterloo Village
Children Friendly

Visit Waterloo Village in Byram Township on Saturday for a trick or treat event from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Enjoy free candy, cider, and storytelling. This is a special event to support the historic preservation of Waterloo Village. Admission is free but there is a $5.00 per vehicle parking fee. All ages welcome but those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Rain date Sunday, October 27, 2013. Waterloo Village is located at 525 Waterloo Road, Byram, NJ.

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Saturday, October 26 - Hewitt, Passaic County

Linda Russell at the Furnaces

Children Friendly

Historical musician Linda Russell once again brings her patriotic anthems, broadsides, hymns, and dance tunes on guitar, mountain and hammered dulcimers, penny whistle, and limber jack to Long Pond Ironworks on Saturday evening. Guests will use candle lanterns to walk back to the Long Pond furnace area for a lively selection of songs punctuated with anecdotes and facts from previous centuries.

A family concert will be offered at 7:30 pm. Children under 12 years of age will not be admitted. An adults-only concert will be offered at 9:00 pm. Advance registration is required as space is limited. Tickets are $10/adult and $5/child. To make a reservation, leave your name, concert time, number of tickets, and telephone number on the Friends of Long Pond Ironworks information line at 973-657-1688. They will confirm your reservation. Long Pond Ironworks is located at 1334 Greenwood Lake Turnpike (Rt. 511) in West Milford, Passaic County, NJ. www.longpondironworks.org

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Sunday, October 27 - Matawan, Monmouth County

Rose Hill Cemetery Tour

The Matawan Historical Society in conjunction with Rose Hill Cemetery is sponsoring its third annual guided walking tour of Rose Hill Cemetery in Matawan, including new stories! Local Historian Al Savolaine will lead the tour, sharing fascinating stories about those buried in the cemetery, including the victims of the Great Matawan fire of 1901, the 1916 shark attack in Matawan, as well as some unusual ghost sightings at the cemetery, considered to be one of the most haunted sites in New Jersey. The tour will be held on Sunday at 2:00 pm and is approximately two hours long. Tickets are $10 per adult, with proceeds benefitting the Burrowes Mansion in Matawan and the beautification of Rose Hill Cemetery. Rose Hill Cemetery is located on Ravine Drive in Matawan. Park will be available at the cemetery and at the school lot across the street. Tickets can be purchased the day of the tour or by contacting savolaine@hotmail.com.

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Sunday, October 27 - Morristown, Morris County

Restoring the Wick House

Children Friendly

Did you know people lived in the Wick House until 1933? Thanks to the Civilian Conservation Corps the house has been transformed to an original appearance. Join a Park Ranger at the Wick House to discover the ways in which the C.C.C. restored the Wick House and farm. Program at 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00 pm in the Wick House at Jockey Hollow, within Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown, NJ. Cost: Free. http://nps.gov/morr

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Sunday, October 27 - Bridgewater, Somseret County

New Brunswick and the Civil War

On Sunday at 2:00 pm, attend Joanne Hamilton Rajoppi's presentation entitled "New Brunswick and the Civil War: The Brunswick Boys in the Great Rebellion" at the Van Veghten House in Bridgewater, NJ. At the beginning of the Civil War, New Brunswick was positioned at the transportation and manufacturing hub of New Jersey. Many of the city's young men exchanged manufacturing equipment for rifles, and those whom they left behind witnessed the war through letters from their sons, brothers and husbands.

Patriotism, a longing to earn more money, and adventure lured these "Brunswick Boys" - close friends and co-workers - to enlist. Their recollections offer insights into everyday life in New Jersey during the war: New Brunswick's factory system, education, and medicine. These letters also reveal their struggles to survive amid battles and close encounters with death that so many soldiers faced, as well as their difficult transition to civilian life. Local author Joanne Hamilton Rajoppi presents the fascinating stories of New Brunswick and the Civil War, gleaned from the letters of those who experienced it. 

Suggested donation for adults: $5. Children under 16 are free. The Van Veghten House is located at 9 Van Veghten Drive in Bridgewater, NJ. For more information, call 908-218-1281 or visit www.schsnj.com.

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Sunday, October 27 - Morristown, Morris County

American Heroes in Bronze Gallery Tours

On Sunday, Macculloch Hall Historical Museum welcomes historian and author William B. Styple, for gallery tours of the "American Heroes in Bronze: The Artwork of James E. Kelly," an exhibit of bronze sculptures that is currently on display in the upstairs gallery.  

Mr. Styple is the co-curator the "American Heroes in Bronze" exhibit and has a deep interest in the work of James. E Kelly. He presented two popular and engaging presentations about the artist in the spring and now returns to provide visitors with gallery tours of the exhibit. He will be available throughout the afternoon to answer questions and provide background information on the pieces on display. Styple discovered and transcribed Kelly's interviews with Generals Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Hancock, Warren, Chamberlain, and many others. The resulting book, Generals in Bronze-Interviewing the Commanders of the Civil War, was published in 2005. This is a rare opportunity to discuss Kelly's work with Mr. Styple, while viewing the works in the exhibition. Mr. Styple will be available during touring hours, 1:00 - 4:00 pm and will address visitors who visit the exhibit throughout the afternoon. Mr. Styple will also have copies of his books available for sale.

"American Heroes in Bronze: The Artwork of James E. Kelly" is co-curated by William B. Styple and the Museum's Curator of Collections Ryan Hyman. This unique exhibit explores the work of Irish-American sculptor James E. Kelly (1855-1933). In the decades following the American Civil War, over forty Union Generals visited the New York City studio of Kelly, who was highly respected for his artwork's historical accuracy. While the war heroes sat, the artist conducted in-depth interviews regarding their wartime service, and heard their very personal stories of Fort Sumter, Antietam, Gettysburg, and Appomattox. The work resulting from these personal interviews presents a unique perspective on the famous figures and events from the Civil War. Also included in this exhibition are Kelly's depictions of notable events from the Revolutionary War and well-known civilians such as Thomas Edison and Clara Barton.  Bas reliefs, busts, engravings and bronze sculptures depict these heroes. The collection of Kelly's work is on loan from private collectors and can be viewed during touring hours until October 31st.

Visitors can also visit the Thomas Nast gallery where Macculloch Hall Historical Museum is currently presenting a new exhibit "Thomas Nast Brings Down Boss Tweed". The exhibit features over twenty examples of the political cartoons Thomas Nast created attacking Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall. 

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum preserves the history of the Macculloch-Miller families, the Morris area community, and the legacy of its founder W. Parsons Todd through its historic site, collections, exhibits, and educational and cultural programs. The Museum is open for house and exhibit tours on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. The last tour leaves at 3:00 pm. Adults $8; Seniors & Students $6; Children 6 - 12 $4. Members and children under 5 are free. For more information, call 973-538-2404 ext. 10 or visit www.maccullochhall.org. Macculloch Hall Historical Museum is located at 45 Macculloch Avenue, Morristown, NJ.

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Sunday, October 27 - Chatham, Morris County

Chatham's "Fifth Avenue"

On Sunday, stop by the Library of the Chathams at 2:30 pm for the Chatham Historical Society's special presentation about the buildings and people involved in the development of Chatham and Fairmount Avenue in particular.

This special program, back by popular demand, will highlight the history of Chatham's "Fifth Avenue," also known as Fairmount Avenue. Learn about the architects, the builders, and the citizens who helped develop this distinctive avenue as well as the heart of Chatham and the entire community.

Learn how Chatham was possibly the first place in the country to install "speed reducers" to help slow down those impossibly fast, new-fangled inventions called automobiles. Come and hear many unique stories about Chatham. The program is open to the public and refreshments will be served. The Library of the Chathams is located at 214 Main Street, Chatham, NJ. For more information, visit www.chathamnjhistoricalsociety.org.

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Sunday, October 27 - Bedminster, Somerset County

Reading and Presentation by Edgar Allan Poe

The Jacobus Vanderveer House will be open for tours from 1:00 - 4:00 pm on Sunday. At 2:00 pm, noted author and literary maverick Edgar Allan Poe (portrayed by American Historical Theatre's Bob Gleason) will discuss his life and read excerpts from some of his best-known works.

Exposing the inner machinations of the human mind and heart, Gleason's Edgar Allan Poe provides vivid images, terrifying  tales, and heart-thumping excitement. He reveals the literary editor and critic determined to mine his mind and profit from his published works. Participants learn that Poe is considered the inventor of the detective story, providing the reason for the award being dubbed the Edgar. They also discover the all-too-human Poe, the passionate poet, the intense husband, as well as the haunted soul.

The program is free, but registration is suggested. The Jacobus Vanderveer House is located at 955 Route 202/206, Bedminster, NJ, behind River Road Park. The entrance to the house is via River Road Park. For more information and to register, call 908-396-6053 or visit www.jvanderveerhouse.org.

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Sunday, October 27 - Lawrence Township, Mercer County

Bats!

Richard Dutko will be on hand to talk about bats, with attention paid to the colony that calls the Brearley House home. The program will take place after the regular Sunday tours, which will be offered from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. The Brearley House is located at 100 Meadow Rd, Lawrenceville, NJ. For more information, call 609-895-1728 or visit www.thelhs.org.

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Sunday, October 27 - Westfield, Union County

"Halloween Hocus Pocus"

Children Friendly

It's time for Halloween fun! Visit the Miller-Cory House Museum at 614 Mountain Avenue in Westfield on Sunday from 1:30 to 4:00 pm to celebrate Halloween Hocus Pocus. This program is ideal for young children. The museum's costumed docents will greet visitors at the door of the colonial farmhouse.  There are numerous activities planned for the afternoon, including Halloween storytelling, tattoos, and face painting.  Children can decorate their own Halloween cupcakes and make two additional crafts to take home. Festive refreshments will be served. Be sure to come in Halloween costume! The fee for Halloween Hocus Pocus is $4.00 for children; accompanying adults are free. Reservations are required for this event. For more information or to register, call 908-232-1776 or e-mail millercorymuseum@gmail.com.

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Sunday, October 27 - Woodbury, Gloucester County

The Libby Prison Minstrels Concert

Children Friendly

The renowned Libby Prison Minstrels are coming to the Gloucester County Historical Society in Woodbury on Sunday with songs and music of the Civil War era. The five-piece band along with other members of the 12th NJ Reenactors will be staged on the grounds of the museum for a concert and mini-encampment. The musicians will perform soldier songs, as well as period tunes from the home front.  Along with three part harmony vocals, their selections will feature guitars, banjo, mandolin, double bass, harmonica, whistles, and handheld percussion instruments. They have performed at venues up and down the East coast including Gettysburg, the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Citizen’s Bank Park Phillies games, the United States Capitol Building and Ford’s Theater in Washington DC. 

Admission is FREE to the concert and encampment which begins at 2:00 pm. Ongoing tours of the current exhibit, "The Civil War:  Echoes of New Jersey’s Finest," are available in the museum until 5:00 pm at the usual rates of $5 for adults, $1 age 6 – 18, under 6 free. The museum is located at 58 North Broad Street, Woodbury, NJ. Free parking is available on-site and at the free parking garage across the street at Broad and Hunter. In the event of inclement weather, please call the museum at 856-848-8531 for further information.  www.rootsweb.com/~njgchs

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Sundays Through November 30, 2013 - Lakehurst, Ocean County

Pittis - Doctor - Mayor - Postmaster

The Borough of Lakehurst Historical Society announces a special exhibit about an important resident - "PITTIS - Doctor - Mayor - Postmaster". Dr. Pittis was the local physician for Lakehurst and Manchester from the turn of the 19th century until World War II.  He  would make house calls all the way to Whiting in his horse-drawn buggy. Later in life, he became a physician at the Jersey City Medical Center. Dr. Harold Pittis was the son of Thomas Kearn Pittis and Susan  null Henrietta Collins.  Harold was the fourth of ten children; eight brothers and one sister, all from Plainfield, New Jersey.

Dr.  Harold received his MD in 1901 from McGill University, Montreal, Canada, where he met his wife Ruth. He and Ruth were married on January 8, 1900 at St. Mark's Church in Malone, New York. In the 1910 census, Dr. Pittis was living on Union Avenue, Lakehurst, with his wife and son Harold, who had received his MD from McGill University in 1937.

Dr. Harold Pittis was not only the town physician, but also Lakehurst's first postmaster, beginning in November 1918. He was reappointed twice and served until August 16, 1929. He financed the construction of the first post office. 

The museum is open Wednesdays and Sundays from 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm. The Lakehurst Historical Society Museum is located at 300 Center Street, Lakehurst, NJ. For more information, call 732-657-8864 or click here.

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Saturdays and Sundays Through October 27, 2013 - Ringwood, Passaic County
Grounds and Garden Tour - LAST WEEKEND

Did you ever wonder what all that “stuff” is placed around the grounds at Ringwood Manor? What about all those other buildings on the property? What were they used for? If you have ever been curious about the estate at Ringwood Manor, this tour is for you! The 2-1/2 hour guided walking tour will take visitors around the main property at Ringwood Manor, discussing the historic objects, the planned gardens & landscape features, the out-buildings, and the cemetery. Historic photographs of the property will also be shown. These free tours meet at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:00 pm in front of Ringwood Manor every Saturday and Sunday from May 25 - October 27, 2013. It is advised that participants wear walking or hiking shoes, dress appropriately for the weather, and bring bug spray and sun block. Steady Rain cancels. No reservations necessary. For more information and to call ahead to confirm a tour, call 973-962-2240. Ringwood Manor is located at 1304 Sloatsburg Road, Ringwood, NJ, within Ringwood State Park.

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Through June 30, 2014 - Piscataway, Middlesex County

Got Work? Exhibit

View the exhibit "Got Work? New Deal/WPA in New Jersey" at the 1741 Cornelius Low House Museum in Piscataway. The museum is open Tuesday - Friday, 8:30 - 4:00 pm and Sunday afternoons from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. The exhibit will run through June 30, 2014.

The Cornelius Low House, built in 1741, was the home to its namesake and is only one of two remaining buildings from historic Raritan Landing. This high-style Georgian mansion is listed on the National Register and operated by the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission. Admission to the museum is FREE. The museum is located at 1225 River Road, Piscataway, NJ . For more information, visit

http://www.co.middlesex.nj.us/culturalheritage/museum1.asp

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Through February 2014 - Madison, Morris County

Ghosts, Ghouls, & Gravestones Exhibit

Children Friendly Site

The Museum of Early Trades and Crafts presents "Ghosts, Ghouls, & Gravestones: The Trades of Burial," which will examine the progression of the burial trade. Passing away from this world was once a family affair, but over time, the process spread through the social and economic ties of the community. By 1900, a robust funeral industry had developed that saw to a family's every need. The exhibit will also explore the strict protocols that dictated mourning and the artistry in gravestones.

Regular Museum admission is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors, students & children (ages 6 and older), and free for members and children under 6. Family maximum admission $13.00. The Museum is open Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm and Sunday 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm. The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts is located at 9 Main Street in Madison, NJ just two blocks from the Madison train station. For information, please call 973-377-2982 x10 or visit www.metc.org.

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Through Sunday, February 23, 2014 - Trenton, Mercer County

Historic Maps of the Garden State Exhibit

Children Friendly Activities

Often overlooked as a decorative art form, maps are ideal artifacts for exploring New Jersey history. Stories of New Jersey’s social, economic, military, environmental and political history – as well as the state’s role in the history of American transportation – can be told through the visual splendor of the Garden State’s historic maps.

Opening on September 7 and running through February 23, 2014, “Where in the World is New Jersey? Historical Maps of the Garden State” is comprised of nearly 100 maps depicting the colony and state of New Jersey from 1635 through 1950 on display at the New Jersey State Museum.

This unprecedented exhibition provides the visitor with an introductory survey of historical maps depicting the colony and state of New Jersey from 1635 until 1950. The nearly 100 maps on display – most of which are original hand-colored copperplate engravings or chromolithographs – come from the collections of four public institutions – the New Jersey State Museum, State Archives, State Library, and Special Collections and University Archives at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. They were selected for their rarity, their ability to convey aspects of New Jersey history, and their artistic merit – underscoring the dual role of maps as both works of art and utilitarian tools essential to the human experience. 

The New Jersey State Museum, located at 205 West State Street in Trenton, NJ is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 am - 4:45 pm. The Museum is closed Mondays and all state holidays. The NJ State Museum has a “suggested” admission fee. For more information, visit www.statemuseum.nj.gov or call the recorded information line at 609-292-6464. On weekends, free parking is available in lots adjacent to and behind the Museum. Please visit www.trentonparking.com for a number of options for parking in downtown Trenton during the week.

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Through December 14, 2013 - Harrison Township, Gloucester County

Under the Sea: Our Prehistoric Past

Children Friendly

The Harrison Township Historical Society's fall exhibition, Under the Sea: Our Prehistoric Past is on display through Saturday, December 14, 2013.

This new installation, which features rare fossil specimens on loan from the New Jersey State Museum, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, and private collections, explores how fossil discoveries at 19th century marl mining operations around Mullica Hill attracted the interest of such notable early paleontologists as Yale's Othniel Marsh and Philadelphia's Charles Lyell, Timothy Conrad and William Gabb. As guest curator, Shirley S. Albright, retired Assistant Curator of Natural History, New Jersey State Museum has written, the historic significance of the classic Mullica Hill fossil locality cannot be underestimated. The exhibits show the diversity of  prehistoric faunal life inhabiting the ancient ocean that covered Harrison Township, as well as Pleistocene fossils transported southward by melting glaciers.

The exhibition also discusses the area's geology and native stone deposits with photos of buildings constructed of limonite, or Jersey sandstone, that survive in the area from the 18th and 19th centuries.

With over sixty specimens, an introductory video, and activities for children in the gallery and to take home, Under the Sea offers insights into the area's ancient past for the entire family, and admission is free.

The Harrison Township Historical Society's Old Town Hall Museum is located at 62-64 South Main Street, Mullica Hill, NJ. The Museum is open Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00 - 4:00 pm, through December 14, 2013.  For more information, call 856-478- 4949 or visit www.harrisonhistorical.com.

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Through June 2014 - Morristown, Morris County
"Controversies: The More Things Change..." Exhibit

Currently on display at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum is an exhibition about topics that helped shape our world. "Controversies: The More Things Change..." opens new territory for the Museum, presenting challenging subject matter that may not be suitable for casual dinner conversation. This new exhibit explores topics that helped shape our world through local history events which had national significance:medical experimentation, immigration, and the right to die.

"Controversies: The More Things Change..." inspires people to consider, even reconsider, the ways in which they think about these important, frequently debated issues. The exhibit explores local history events which had national significance: the 1833 Antoine LeBlanc murder trial and public execution; the immigration issues of the late nineteenth century as depicted by political cartoonist Thomas Nast, a Morristown resident, and the 1976 Karen Ann Quinlan "right to die" case.

The museum is making a major departure in exhibit presentations with "Controversies."  Where most exhibits typically provide detailed information about the objects on view, "Controversies" offers limited information about the objects, essentially forcing personal thought, and inspiring discussion, about the areas represented.  Each object and concept in the exhibit represents a part of New Jersey's history - specifically Morris County's history. The ideas expressed through the historical objects in the exhibit, however, are not confined to New Jersey boundaries- the significant concerns raised by the important and controversial issues showcased in this exhibit continue to be debated throughout the United States and the world.

"We wanted to give our visitors a chance to participate in an exhibit in a new way - to have a reaction without being guided by the institution's interpretation of what the objects represent, which labels typically provide," said Executive Director Carrie Fellows. Instead, curator's books of supplementary information will be available within the exhibit, should the visitor want to learn more, drawn from primary sources like news articles, contemporary commentary, and images. Visitors are encouraged to leave comments about the themes presented.

The exhibition was inspired when Fellows and Ryan C. Hyman, the Museum's curator, heard Burt Logan, Executive Director of the Ohio Historical Society speak at a conference about the organization's groundbreaking "Controversy: Pieces You Don't Normally See" exhibit, and its sequel, "Controversy 2: Pieces We Don't Normally Talk About". During his talk, Mr. Logan strongly encouraged other museums to adapt the concept and develop similar exhibits. Inspired by the presentation, Hyman and Fellows began discussing how they might create an exhibit using themes from the Morris area's rich history.

"Controversies: The More Things Change..." will be on view during Museum touring hours through June 2014. Please note the subject matter may not be suitable for all audiences. Visitor discretion advised. Recommended for visitors 12 years of age and older.

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum preserves the history of the Macculloch-Miller families, the Morris area community, and the legacy of its founder W. Parsons Todd through its historic site, collections, exhibits, and educational and cultural programs. The Museum is open for house and exhibit tours on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. The last tour leaves at 3:00 pm. Adults $8; Seniors & Students $6; Children 6 - 12 $4. Members and children under 5 are free.  For more information, call 973-538-2404 ext. 10 or visit www.maccullochhall.org. Macculloch Hall Historical Museum is located at 45 Macculloch Avenue, Morristown, NJ.

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Some event listings courtesy of the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey