Memorial Day Weekend Historical Happenings: 5/24/14 - 5/26/14

WEEKEND HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS

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Saturday, May 24 - Princeton, Mercer County

Washington Returns!

Children Friendly

On Saturday from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm, find out how the Battle of Princeton on that cold winter’s day, January 3, 1777, saved the American Revolution. Military encampment and mini-reenactments of the Battle of Princeton, a critical turning point in the American Revolution and the first battle won by the Continental Army against professional British soldiers. 

With muskets, cannon, fifes and drums, there will be tactical formations and drills, and a combined arms assault re-enactment of the two-phased battle, with marching, loading, and firing volleys. A special feature will be the arrival of General Washington who will give his greetings and answer questions. There will also be a duel with pistols between two officers, all with the backdrop and activities of a typical American Revolution military camp with campfires and the cooking and other domestic activities of camp followers.

A special highlight will be training for Young Patriots and marching in formation. Also, fifers and drummers will play various tunes ending with the “Rogue’s March.” Presentations will be given by Paul Loane, Commander of the Second Pennsylvania Regiment, explaining uniforms, weapons and tactics, including the logistics for conducting a duel. The Regiment also will be participating in the Princeton Memorial Day Parade and the Ceremony at the Princeton Battle Monument. The camp will be set up in the morning and struck after 5:00 pm. Visit the Thomas Clarke House, which was constructed circa 1772 and witnessed the battle! Learn more about its future restoration. Hot dogs and ice cream will be available for purchase. Presented by the Princeton Battlefield Society and the Second Pennsylvania Regiment.

This program will be held rain or shine. Princeton Battlefield is located at 500 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ. For further information, e-mail princetonbattlefieldsocinfo@gmail.com or visit www.theprincetonbattlefieldsociety.com.

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Saturday, May 24 - Ocean Grove, Monmouth County

Memorial Day Weekend Auction

The Historical Society of Ocean Grove continues its 2014 season of Special Fundraising Events with the popular Memorial Day Weekend Auction on Saturday at the Young People's Temple in Ocean Grove, NJ. Preview starts at 9:00 am; Auction at 11:00 am. The 18th Annual Auction will feature collectible and antique dolls, baseball collectibles - many signed, Roseville, including large Corinthian Jardinière and Pedestal, plus Middle Period pieces (1920s) Sunflower, Dahlrose, Blackberry, and Jonquil pieces, vintage pictures and nuttings, Lenox, glassware, tobacco silks, postcards and stereo-views, children's books, old teddy bears, vintage paintings, furniture, a Singer Featherweight sewing machine, stained glass windows, an outstanding large (40") Majolica piece with clock, box lots of collectibles and ephemera, dollhouses, and much more! As in the past, they will also feature a wide array of Ocean Grove, Asbury Park and Shore area memorabilia including early souvenir china, ruby flash glass, sterling spoons, pennants, and rare ephemera. Many items will be on display in the HSOG window. 

The next auction will be held on Labor Day weekend; Friday, August 29, 2014. Directions from the Garden State Parkway: North take exit 100B or South exit 100. Proceed to Route 33 east and proceed five miles to Ocean Grove. Follow signs to the Great Auditorium. The Ocean Grove Young People's Temple is located at 22 Pilgrim Pathway and the corner of McClintock Street across from the Great Auditorium.

Absentee bids are accepted. Buyer's Premium 12% (3% additional for credit card purchases). A complete auction list, with descriptions, is available for $3.00. Refreshments will be available. For more information, call 732-774-1869 or visit www.oceangrovehistory.org.

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Saturday, May 24 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County

Hayrides

Children Friendly

Hayrides around Howell Living History Farm will leave the barnyard area every 20 minutes on Saturday between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm. Tickets will be distributed on a "first come, first serve" basis.

Howell Living Farm represents typical farm life between 1890 and 1910. The farm is operated by the Mercer County Parks Commission. It is located at 70 Wooden's Lane, Lambertville, NJ. For more information. call 609-737-3299 or visit www.howellfarm.org.

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Saturday, May 24 - Morristown, Morris County

Marking History

Children Friendly

Join a Park Ranger at the Wick House to discover how what we do to our watersheds today may lead us backwards to the poor water quality of the 18th Century. Program from 1:30 - 4:00 pm at the Wick House at Jockey Hollow, within Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown, NJ. Cost: Free. For more information, call 973-543-4030 or visit www.nps.gov/morr.

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Saturday, May 24 - Westfield, Union County

Aunt Carrie's Attic Sale

Housewares, books, furniture, linens, toys and more will be available for sale at the Miller Cory House Museum's annual "Aunt Carrie's Attic Sale" on museum grounds (rain or shine). The sale is scheduled for Saturday from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. All proceeds benefit the museum. No early birds please.

The Miller-Cory House Museum is located at 614 Mountain Avenue, Westfield, NJ. For more information, call 908-232-1776 or visit www.millercoryhouse.org.

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Saturday, May 24 - Morristown, Morris County

New Jersey Brigade Hike

Hike one of the lesser known areas of the park and learn about two different eras of history. Hear about the suffering of the New Jersey soldiers. Then discover the lavish lifestyles of the Mountain Colony during the early 20th century at the Cross Estate. This is a strenuous 2 mile round trip hike. 1:00pm at the New Jersey Brigade Parking Area, within Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown, NJ. Cost: Free. For more information, call 973-543-4030 or visit www.nps.gov/morr.

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Sunday, May 25 - Paterson, Passaic County

Central Jersey Symphony Orchestra Concert

On Sunday at 5:00 pm, the Central Jersey Symphony Orchestra will return to Lambert Castle to perform as a part of the Lambert Castle Concert Series. Founded in 1970 as the Somerset County College Orchestra, in 2002 the CJSO reorganized as an independent nonprofit organization. The mission of the Central Jersey Symphony is to enrich the community by inspiring a  love of music through exciting performances, innovative programming, and educational outreach.

Admission to the concert is $15. Seating is limited and no reservations will be taken. This performance is a part of the 2014 Lambert Castle Concert Series. Featuring local musicians and a variety of musical genres, all concerts are performed in the beautiful atmosphere that is Lambert Castle.

The Passaic County Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was founded to cultivate interest among individuals and the community-at-large in the rich history of Passaic County. To this end our museum in Lambert Castle showcases examples of the County's cultural and artistic diversity, as well as examples of the County's natural, civil, military, and ecclesiastical history. The society also maintains a library and archive, which houses manuscripts, books and photographs of historical and genealogical interest. Lambert Castle, home to the Society, is located at 3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ. For more information, call 973-247-0085 or visit www.lambertcastle.org.

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Sunday, May 25 - Morristown, Morris County

Kid’s Tour of the Ford Mansion
Children Friendly

Here's a historic house tour geared for kids in grades four and up (including adults). It will feature activities such as role playing, a scavenger hunt, and learning about "gross stuff," like 18th century bathrooms. The tour begins in the Washington Headquarters Museum at 10:30 am, 1:30, and 3:30 pm. The Washington Headquarters Museum and Ford Mansion are located within Morristown National Historical Park. Cost: $4 per adult. For more information, call 973-539-2016 ext. 210 or visit www.nps.gov/morr.

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Sunday, May 25 - Morristown, Morris County

Soldier's Knapsack

Children Friendly

Have you always wondered what types of things soldiers carried throughout the war? Join a Park Ranger at the Wick House to discover what would have been inside a soldier's  knapsack. Program runs from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at the Wick House at Jockey Hollow, within Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown, NJ. Cost: Free. For more information, call 973-543-4030 or visit www.nps.gov/morr.

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Sunday, May 25 - Brielle, Monmouth County

Decoration Day Celebration

Looking to honor area residents, living or deceased of past wars, the Union Landing Historical Society (ULHS) will host its annual Decoration Day ceremony on Sunday. The ceremony, which will take place at the historical Osborn Family Graveyard, located on Holly Hill Drive off from Riverview Drive, will begin at 2:00 pm. The public is invited to attend. For some time, the Brielle community has found a unique way to honor fallen servicemen and women while connecting the ceremony to the historic borough's roots. According to Brielle Borough Historian John Belding, Memorial Day was formerly known as Decoration Day. On Decoration Day in the past, widows and women of the family of fallen soldiers decorated the graves with flowers and ribbons. The historic graveyard is an appropriate place to hold a memorial service, because two of the soldiers buried there fought in wars. The two soldiers buried in the graveyard are Lt. Abraham Osborn, who fought in the Revolutionary War, and his son, Col. James  Osborn, who was a private in the War of 1812. However, the borough did not always have a Memorial Day celebration, and so the idea to host the Decoration Day ceremony was born. In the past, many people from the Brielle community, including Mayor Thomas Nicol and council members, have spoken at the ceremony, and local Scout groups have contributed to the ceremony.

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Monday, May 26 - Jersey City, Hudson County

Honoring Our Heroes

Children Friendly

The Jersey City & Harsimus Cemetery will present their 6th annual "Honoring Our Heroes" event, a military and musical tribute on Monday at 1:00 pm. This FREE public event is a very moving and patriotic one hour program, and at the end of the program, all guests are welcomed to participate by placing a flag on a Hero's grave. Our thousands of Veterans participated in battles from Revolutionary era War of 1812, Civil War and up through Desert Storm.

This year there will be some new faces in the audience. The cemetery has contracted a small group of new 'helpers', a herd of young goats, who will spending the summer with a special task - a special ecological project of eradicating acres of invasive weeds on some of the property's hilly and and rough terrain. 

Families are encouraged to attend and bring the children to our Memorial Day tribute, and then enjoy the afternoon touring the grounds (including the underground War of 1812 bunker and vaults). Children and adults are also welcomed to meet, greet, pet, and feed the friendly little goats, and watch them do their magic as they start their mission of chowing down the Japanese knot-wood and poison ivy that is not only tasty to them, but good for their four-stomach digestive system.

Refreshments will be served. The Jersey City & Harsimus Cemetery is located at 435 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ. For more information, call 201-707-0738 or  973-204-9888 or visit www.jerseycitycemetery.org.

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Monday, May 26 - Bridgeton, Cumberland County

Memorial Day "Pic-nic" at Bridgeton's Broad Street Cemetery
Family Friendly

Looking for the perfect destination for your Memorial Day outing this year? It may be the Old Broad Street Cemetery on Route 49 between West Avenue South and South Lawrence Street in Bridgeton, NJ on Monday from 12:00 noon - 3:30 pm, when the Friends of Old Broad Street Church and the Broad Street Cemetery Association (BSCA) join up for their third annual commemoration of the Civil War Sesquicentennial. 

The event starts with a half-hour of old-fashioned gathering and "pic-nic" on the well-tended grounds, followed by a program at the venerable Old Broad Street Church of select Civil War poetry (including Walt Whitman's "Eighteen Sixty-one"), with songs by the First Presbyterian Church Choir under the direction of Gae Finch. Each poem or song bears a connection to the veterans actually buried in the cemetery. 

An expert, story-filled tour of Civil War Veterans' graves follows, touching each of the seventy-seven regiments and branches of service in the war. The day will close with a cannon salute, a VFW Honor Guard salute, and Taps.

The entire program, including all special exhibits, is FREE. Families welcome! Proceeds from sales of the recently-published cemetery history and maps go entirely to support the BSCA's ongoing work to preserve the cemetery, one of the most storied in the state. For more information, call Jim Bergmann of the BSCA at 856-332-0008.

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Monday, May 26 - Mahwah, Bergen County
Museum Open House

The Old Station Museum and Caboose in Mahwah will open on Memorial Day from 9:30 am - 12:00 pm. Stop in and visit before or after the ceremony. The museum is located at 1871 Old Station Lane, Mahwah. Additionally, the Old Station Museum and Caboose will be open on Sundays, beginning June 29 until October, from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. Admission is free on Memorial Day. For more information, visit www.mahwahmuseum.org.

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Through June 8, 2014 - Morristown, Morris County

Brilliant Cut Glass Exhibit

Experience firsthand the timeless beauty and elegance of American Brilliant Cut Glass at the Morris County Historical Society at Acorn Hall in its new exhibit "Sharp Edges, Brilliant Cut Glass through the Centuries" now on view through June 8, 2014. The Morris County Historical Society is pleased to have Patricia Sanftner as the exhibit’s guest curator. An avid collector of the antique American glassware, Ms. Sanftner is the director of the Schuyler-Hamilton House in Morristown, and an adjunct, Tech Theater Department-Costume Construction/Wardrobe Mistress at Marymont Manhattan College. 

The Sharp Edges exhibit sparkles with cut glassware from the Brilliant period (1880 - 1915) when American glass cutters produced the best pieces in the world. American Brilliant is known for its clarity, size, weight, and the artistry that shaped its sharp prismatic cuts. Some of these exceptional glass-making companies were located in New Jersey; once considered a glass-making center because of its sandy shores. The items currently on display in the exhibit are from numerous personal collections, the Morris County Historical Society, as well as from the American Brilliant Cut Glass Association.  The admission fee to tour Acorn Hall and see the exhibit is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for students, and children under 12 are free. The fee to tour the exhibit, only, is half of the regular admission price.

The Morris County Historical Society, founded in 1946, is a member-supported, 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Its headquarters, Acorn Hall, is an Italianate Villa mansion open to the public on Wednesdays and Thursdays (11:00 am - 4:00 pm) and Sundays (1:00 - 4:00 pm). For more information, call 973-267-3465 or visit www.acornhall.org.

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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, call 732-745-4177 or visit http://www.co.middlesex.nj.us/culturalheritage.

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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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Through July 20, 2014 - Montclair, Essex County

A Persistent Passion: The Art of Lora Eberly Ballou

The Montclair Historical Society presents the exhibition "A Persistent Passion: The Art of Lora Eberly Ballou: 1870-1976, Places in a One Hundred Six Year Life" at the Charles Shultz House (Evergreens), 30 North Mountain Avenue, Montclair, NJ from April 27 through July 20 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm on first and third Sundays of the month. Lora Eberly Ballou was a unique woman who lived during the last quarter of the 1800s in Ohio, then moved to the suburbs of New York City, residing in an elegant home in Montclair, NJ with her husband John Ballou and two daughters, Margaret and Harriet. Ballou's work focuses on an interest and passion for gardening and travel, and depicts many of the places she lived, including a winter scene of Tony's Brook.

Ballou's artwork will be on display at the Montclair Historical Society's Charles Shultz House, an 1896 home that remains virtually untouched. It showcases a time capsule of the Shultz family and lifestyle during the same period when the Ballou family lived in Montclair. This home provides a unique setting for the exhibition, placing Lora Ballou's artwork against the backdrop of a Montclair family active in the community, unveiling similarities in their lifestyles and interests during this period in history. This exhibition is sponsored by Robert M. and Patricia C. Phillips. Robert M. Phillips is the grandson of Lora Ballou. A free public reception will be held on April 27 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm with light refreshments. For additional information or to schedule a private tour, contact the Montclair Historical Society at 973-744-1796, visit www.montclairhistorial.org, or e-mail mail@montclairhistorical.org.

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Saturdays and Sundays through July 27, 2014 - Ridgewood, Bergen County

A Community's Journey: Our Place in New Jersey History

The Schoolhouse Museum's new exhibit, on display now through July 27, 2014 celebrates New Jersey's 350th anniversary. "A Community's Journey: Our Place in New Jersey's History" showcases the area's evolution over the last three centuries using the themes of liberty, innovation, and diversity.

The Liberty collection highlights uniforms and other war-time memorabilia while the Innovation collection chronicles the history of performing arts in the village including items from the Ridgewood Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, such as a silk wedding kimono worn by Yum Yum in the "Mikado." Also on display are items owned by Ridgewood magician Harry Rouclere. Especially noteworthy is the Diversity collection which tells the story of the African American, Jewish, Irish, and  Korean communities through personal artifacts.

The museum is open Thursdays and Saturdays from 1:00 - 3:00 and Sundays 2:00 - 4:00. The Schoolhouse Museum is located at 650 East Glen  Avenue in Ridgewood, NJ. For more information, call  201-447-3242  or visit www.ridgewoodhistoricalsociety.org.

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Sundays through August 30, 2014 - Cranbury, Middlesex County

"At Long Last...Summer" Exhibit

The Cranbury Historical and Preservation Society is bringing a bit of the seashore to its museum in Cranbury. After a harsh winter, the society is happy to present a new exhibit  at the Cranbury Museum, entitled, "At Long Last...Summer."  Featuring treasures of the sea and seashore, the exhibit includes oil paintings, watercolors, a rare sea glass collection, antique whale bone, shells, Sailor valentines, ephemera, and vintage toys and souvenirs. The exhibit will continue through August 30, 2014. Celebrate summer and join us on Sunday afternoons from 1:00 - 4:00 pm, to view the exhibit! The Cranbury Museum is located at 4 Park Place East, Cranbury. For more information, visit www.cranburyhistory.org.

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Through August 23, 2014 - Haledon, Passaic County

"The Mill Girls" Exhibit

The American Labor Museum/Botto House National Landmark in Haledon, NJ proudly opens the exhibit "The Mill Girls," a unique three-dimensional display that showcases images of three mill girls on large-scale replicas of the wooden bobbins used in early textile mills, by visual artist Donna Berger. The exhibit will be on view through August 23, 2014. 

The Botto House National Landmark, home of the American Labor Museum, is located at 83 Norwood Street, Haledon, NJ. It was the meeting place for over 20,000 silk mill workers during the 1913 Paterson Silk Strike. The Museum's hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Tours are offered Wednesday through Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm and by appointment. For more information, call 973-595-7953, visit www.labormuseum.net, or e-mail labormuseum@aol.com.

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Through August, 2014 - Lyndhurst, Bergen County

Let's Play! An Exhibit of Beloved Toys

Children Friendly

From a china-head doll to a Lionel train, several toys are on display at the Little Red Schoolhouse Museum as the Lyndhurst Historical Society recalls fun times with favorite toys. The new exhibit, "Let's Play! An Exhibit of Beloved Toys," is open now through August 2014.

The exhibit is free and open to the public, though a small donation to the Society would be appreciated. The Little Red Schoolhouse Museum is open on the second and fourth Sundays of  every month from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. The Lyndhurst Historical Society was established in 1984 in an effort to preserve the 1893 schoolhouse, located at 400 Riverside Avenue, Lyndhurst, NJ. For more information, call 201-804-2513 (leave a message) or visit www.lyndhursthistoricalsociety.org.

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Through Sunday, September 14, 2014 - Princeton, Mercer County

Micah Williams: Portrait Artist Exhibition

Traveling portrait artist and New Jersey resident Micah Williams (1782 - 1837) was a prolific artist who has 272 known existing works. His works are represented in many major museums and are highly sought after by folk art collectors. Yet, there has never been an exhibition dedicated solely to the work of Micah Williams. "Micah Williams: Portrait Artist," on loan to Morven from the Monmouth County Historical Association, tells a story about the new America of the 19th century. With over 40 portraits on view, visitors can come face-to-face with the state's nineteenth century farmers, orchard growers, militia officers, politicians, silversmiths, potters, carpenters, and their families.

The exhibition will also debut Morven's newest acquisition: a pastel portrait of Commodore Robert Field Stockton (1795-1866) completed by Micah Williams around 1821. Stockton was a third-generation resident of Morven, head the Pacific Fleet and a U.S. Senator. With this exhibition, the portrait makes its return to the walls at Morven. "Micah Williams: Portrait Artist" exhibition will be on display at Morven through September 14, 2014.

Morven Museum & Garden is a museum and public garden located at 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ. A National Historic Landmark, Morven was the home to Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as well as the former Governor's mansion of New Jersey. Public Hours: Wednesday - Friday 11:00 am - 3:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm. For more information, call 609-924-8144 or visit www.morven.org.

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Through October 31, 2014 - Trenton, Mercer County

Trenton's Old Barracks Museum Shows Iron Art

The Old Barracks Museum will feature the sculpture of AbOminOg Intl. Arts Collective in an exhibit entitled "Founding the Future: A Continuum of Iron Casting in Trenton with AbOminOg Intl. Arts Collective." The exhibit will run from April 26 to October 31, 2014. A reception for the artists will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2014 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Old Barracks Museum.

The Old Barracks Museum is pleased to feature the metal sculpture of members of one of Trenton's illustrious artist collectives in an exhibit entitled, "Founding the Future: A Continuum of Iron Casting in Trenton with AbOminOg Intl. Arts Collective." Exhibiting artists include Kate Graves, Aylin Green, Bruce Lindsay, Rory Mahon, Steve Morse, Joanna Platt, Matt Reiley, David  Robinson and Scot Thompson.

This outdoor exhibit is part of the statewide celebrations of the 350th anniversary of the founding of New Jersey by representing the connection between the history that the Old Barracks Museum interprets and AbOminOg Intl.'s focus on the revolutionary industrial material of iron. As the first art installation at the Old Barracks, it will allow the visiting public a new perspective on the relationship between the past and the present in the formation of the future. Commemorative iron medallions will be poured by the group at the Old Barracks Museum on June 21st.  Leading up to this spectacular event, a free public reception and opportunity to meet the artists and view the outdoor sculpture is scheduled for Saturday.

The Old Barracks Museum is adjacent to Petty's Run, site of the only excavated Colonial steel furnace in America. Trenton's history of industry, manufacturing and self-reliance is reflected in the AbOminOg Intl. model of collaboration through sweat equity, upcycling crushed iron scrap into sculpture. The essence of the artist collective's cause- to teach and facilitate artists of diverse backgrounds, age groups and skill levels in the creation of cast-metal sculptural artworks within an inspiring, supportive and sustainable setting while positively affecting the community and the art world at large- has remained the same since their inaugural iron pour in a Trenton backyard on December 31, 1999. The Old Barracks Museum is located at 101 Barracks Street, Trenton, NJ. For more information, call 609-396-1776 or visit www.barracks.org.

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Through December 29, 2014 - Woodbury, Gloucester County
Be Prepared:  Scouts of Yesteryear
Children Friendly

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts have been a tradition in America for over a century. The Gloucester County Historical Society Museum is presenting a remarkable exhibit with scouting artifacts from over the decades. Numerous uniforms, merit badges, equipment, manuals, and accessories from the 1930’s on are on display.  

The Gloucester County Historical Society Museum hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm and the last Sunday of the month from 2:00 - 5:00 pm. Adult admission $5; children 6-18 years $1; children under 6 free. The Gloucester County Historical Society Museum is located at 58 North Broad Street, Woodbury, NJ. For more information, call 856-848-8531 or visit www.rootsweb.com/~njgchs.

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Through February 13, 2015 - Madison, Morris County

The American Revolution in New Jersey

Children Friendly

New Jersey spent much of the American Revolution as a theater of war. A new exhibit at the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, "The American Revolution in New Jersey: Where the Battlefront Meets the Homefront," explores the rarely told story of New Jersey's farmers, women, and tradesmen and their actions during the war. Topics discussed include the local civil wars that erupted between revolutionaries and loyalists, the multiple roles that women took on as their men went off to war, and how civilian life was affected by the regular presence of troops. The exhibit will be open until February 13, 2015. 

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 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm and Sunday from 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 more information, please call 973-377-2982 x10 or visit www.metc.org.

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