Weekend Historical Happenings: 9/13/14 - 9/14/14

WEEKEND HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS

Know about a historical event happening in your area? 

Send me an e-mail to let us know!

Be the first to find out about these events on Facebook!

Saturday, September 13 - Byram Township, Sussex County

Waterloo Canal Heritage Day

Children Friendly

Come visit Waterloo Village between 10:00 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 grist mill, guided tours of 1859 Methodist Church, the Canal Museum - with exhibits and videos, and guided walking tours of the village. 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.

-----------------------------------

Saturday, September 13 - Tuckerton, Ocean County

Ye Old Clamtown Antique Flea Market

On Saturday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, the Tuckerton Historical Society hosts its annual Ye Old Clamtown Antique Flea Market at Tip Seaman Park in Tuckerton, NJ. The flea market will feature about 100 vendors. Support the Tuckerton Historical Society as they celebrate 40 years of hosting this event. For more information, call 609-685-1528 or visit www.tuckertonhistoricalsociety.org.

-----------------------------------

Saturday, September 13 - Mount Laurel, Burlington County

Tour Paulsdale

Children Friendly

Paulsdale is open to the public for Second Saturday Tours at 12:00 noon and 1:00 pm. Paulsdale is the birthplace of Quaker suffragist Alice Paul. Tours include a 15-minute presentation about Alice Paul's life and work and a guided tour of the first floor of the property where visitors learn about the Paul family's daily life in the house and its present day use as a girl's leadership center. Tours are $5.00

Paulsdale is located at 128 Hooton Road, Mt. Laurel. For information about group tours or future tour dates, contact the Alice Paul Institute at 856-231-1885, e-mail info@alicepaul.org, or visit www.alicepaul.org.

-----------------------------------

Saturday, September 13 - Lambertville, Hunterdon County

New Hope-Lambertville Bridge Birthday Bash

On Saturday, the Lambertville Historical Society, along with the New Hope Historical Society and the Inn at Lambertville Station will celebrate 200 years of the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge. The original covered bridge that opened on September 12, 1814, significantly eased access to both sides of the river and has gone through several incarnations resulting in the bridge in use today. While originally constructed and run as a toll bridge by private concerns, it is now maintained by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.

The festivities will be held at the newly renovated Lambertville Station Inn Riverside Ballroom from 1:00 - 3:30 pm and will include photo displays, a film, and walking tours of the fascinating history of our iconic bridge (every 30 minutes beginning at 1:30 pm).

Other related activities will include historian-guided SPLASH steamboat tours ($5) on the hour and half hour between 12:00 noon and 5:00 pm and river sports exhibitions along the Delaware. For more information, call 609-397-0770 or visit www.lambertvillehistoricalsociety.org.

-----------------------------------

Saturday, September 13 - Madison, Morris County

Family Fun Day

Children Friendly

Join the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts for a day of family fun and a craft activity on Saturday from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Family Fun Day is held every second Saturday of the month. Advance registration recommended - call 973-377-2982 x12. Regular admission applies: museum admission is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors, students & children (ages 6 and up) and FREE for Members & children (ages 5 and under). Family maximum admission $13.00. The museum is open Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm and Sunday 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm. The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts is located at 9 Main Street, Madison, NJ. For information, please call 973-377-2982 x10 or visit www.metc.org.

-----------------------------------

Saturday, September 13 - Ridgewood, Bergen County

Housing Discrimination in Suburbia: A Historical Perspective

On Saturday, the Ridgewood Public Library will host a symposium entitled "Housing Discrimination in Suburbia: A Historical Perspective" from 8:30 am - 12:20 pm. Suburban Bergen County has, historically, been populated by white, Christian, and upper income people. This symposium looks at the attitudes, actions, and restrictions that are a part of this history and some of the changes made by citizen activism and court decisions.

Speakers include:
*Introduction: The New Suburban Reality.
Phil Dolce, Professor of History, Bergen Community College.

*Use of Deed Restrictions to Deny Opportunities for Land Ownership. 
Joe Grabas, land title expert and historian, relates the history of deed restrictions based on race and religion and of the laws and court cases that eventually banned them. 

*Intimidation in the Suburbs:  the Ku Klux Klan in Bergen County in the 1920s.
Joe Suplicki, Ridgewood Village Historian, will present a paper based on the collections of local historical societies and the research of Kay Yeomans, President of the Upper Saddle River Historical Society.

*The History of the Fair Housing Council and Real Estate Practices.
Lee Porter, Fair Housing Council of Northern New Jersey, discusses redlining, steering, and exclusion and citizen attempts to combat them.

*Mount Laurel and Mahwah.
Tom Dunn, Mahwah Museum Society, discusses Mahwah’s role in the court decisions, including the “Mount Laurel” case, which required affirmative action to create affordable housing in the suburbs.

*Summation. 
Carlos Martinez, Intern Minister, Ridgewood Unitarian Society.

$10 fee. Walk-ins welcome. The Ridgewood Public Library is located at 125 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ. For more information,  call 201-670-5600 or visit www.ridgewoodlibrary.org.

-----------------------------------

Saturday, September 13 - River Edge, Bergen County

Baronfest at Historic New Bridge Landing

Come and enjoy the finest that regional craft breweries have to offer together with delicious food from a variety of vendors including food trucks, relax to your favorite songs and originals by four New Jersey bands, shop and talk to local artists at their stands, tour three 18th century sandstone houses, and stroll the grounds of Historic New Bridge Landing in River Edge, Washington's headquarters in 1780, later home of Major General Baron von Steuben. 

Help raise funds for a Hall of History Museum celebrating Bergen County's storied past. Baronfest will be held from 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm at Historic New Bridge Landing, 1201 Main Street, River Edge, NJ. Rain date is Sunday, September 14, 2014. Admission: $15 per adult, $10 for designated drivers and children 12 - 20 years old. Children under 12 are free but must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Credit cards accepted and exact cash line will move faster. Have photo ID out for review. Beer and food are an additional cost.     

NJ Transit is making additional free parking available at the train stop parking lot. Train service is available on the Pascack Valley Line to the "New Bridge Landing" stop. Historic New Bridge Landing is only one block north-east of the train stop. For more information, call 201-343-9492 or visit www.bergencountyhistory.org.

-----------------------------------

Saturday, September 13 - Atlantic Highlands, Monmouth County

Atlantic Highlands Historical Society Outdoor Flea Market

The Atlantic Highlands Historical Society will hold its 36th annual Outdoor Flea Market at the Atlantic Highlands Marina (off First Avenue) on Saturday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. The rain date is Saturday, September 20, 2014.

Over 100 vendors will offer a variety of antiques and collectibles, crafts, second time around, and some new items. Among the merchandise to be found is furniture, tools, fishing equipment, jewelry, books, postcards, tee shirts, handbags, clothing, toys, art, glassware, etc. Also an eclectic array of bargains can always be found at the society's Treasures Table as well as a variety of food, refreshments, and baked goods.

All proceeds from this event will be used towards the restoration of the AHHS Museum, the Strauss Mansion, at 27 Prospect Circle, as well as educational programs throughout the year. For more information, call 732-291-4313 or 732-291-9337 or visit www.ahhistory.org.

-----------------------------------

Saturday, September 13 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County

Canning

Children Friendly

It’s the end of summer and the crops are bountiful. It’s time to “put up” some food on Saturday. At Howell Living History Farm, you can help from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. The farm will be the site of a canning and cooking program. Not only can you learn how to can and pickle your garden favorites...but you can sample some of the treats.

Throughout the day, farmers will be canning and pickling surplus garden crops like cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, and more. You can sample the results and take home recipes and other secrets that made canning a mainstay of the 1900 farm.

Howell Living History 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.com.

-----------------------------------

Saturday, September 13 - Bergen County

"Shared History: A Historical House Tour"

Two hundred years ago, in 1814, the Rev. Stephen Goetschius came to the Old Stone Church to be minister. He served until 1835. The families who worshipped here came from both the  Ramapo Township area of Rockland County and northern Bergen County.

The Historical Society of Upper Saddle River and the USR Historic Preservation Commission have joined with the Historical Society of Rockland County to present "Shared History: A Historical House Tour" on Saturday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. There will be 8 homes on the tour in Montvale, Upper Saddle River, Saddle River, Tallman, and Airmont. Several are 18th century stone houses; all had ties at one time to the Old Stone Church.

In addition to the homes on the tour, the Old Stone Church, which has been restored to what it looked like when it was built in 1819, the church cemetery, and the Hopper-Goetschius House Museum, which was Rev. Goetschius' parsonage, will also be available to tour.

Proceeds from the tour will benefit the two historical societies. Tickets for the tour are limited. They are $35 in advance ($40 the day of the tour). They are available in advance at the Upper Saddle River Library, 245 Lake Street, Upper Saddle River. They may be purchased on line at Brown Paper Tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/755302.

On the day of the tour, tickets will be sold at the upper parking lot of the Old Stone Church Education Building, 500 East Saddle River Road, Upper Saddle River, NJ. The parking lot entrance is on Weiss Road. For more information, visit www.usrhistoricalsociety.org.

-----------------------------------

Saturday, September 13 - Roebling, Burlington County
The Bridges of New Jersey

The Roebling Museum announces the continuation of its Second Saturday Series, on Saturday at 1:00 p.m at the Roebling Museum. Author Steven Richman takes his audience on a photographic journey to explore the history of some of the Garden State's most iconic bridges and lesser know spans as well. In spite of New Jersey's relatively small size, over six thousand bridges cross its varied landscape. They traverse rivers, streams, railroads, and roadways. Several dozen bridges cut across the Delaware River alone. Three connect the state to Staten Island. Some are steeped in history, dating back to the colonial era and the American Revolution. Others are recognized worldwide for their size or significance in the annals of engineering. And, of course, there is a Roebling connection!

The lecture will be held in the Investors Bank Media Room at the museum. Space is limited and reservations are strongly suggested by calling the Museum at 609-499-7200 or booking online at www.roeblingmuseum.org. Adults are $7.00, seniors and museum members are $5.00. Mr. Richman will be available after his presentation to sign copies of his book The Bridges of New Jersey: Portraits of Garden State Crossings.

The Roebling Museum is located on 100 Second Avenue in Roebling, NJ. Parking is available at the back of the museum just off Hornberger Avenue and at the New Jersey Transit River Line Station. Visitors can also take the River Line; the museum is only a short walk from the Roebling stop. For more information, call 609-499-7200 or visit www.roeblingmuseum.org.

-----------------------------------

Saturday, September 13 - Mercer County

Walking Tour of D&R Canal

The Delaware & Raritan Canal Watch will hold the sixth in its series of free interpretive walking tours of the D&R Canal on Saturday. The walk will be between Alexander Road in Princeton and Carnegie Road in Lawrence. The 5.5-mile walk will include Turning Basin Park, Port Mercer and its historic bridge tender's house, a convenient side trail to the historic Brearley House, a dramatic footbridge over Route 1,  Bakers Basin. and the bridge tender's house at Carnegie Road.

Canal Watch board member Bob Barth will conduct the walk and provide commentary. Meet 10:00 am at the canal parking lot on Carnegie Road in Lawrence, NJ. Carnegie Road can be reached from northbound Brunswick Avenue (Business Route 1), north of Darrah Lane. Carpools will be arranged to allow a one-way walk.

For more information and weather-related updates, call Mr. Barth at 201-401-3121 or e-mail barths@att.net.

-----------------------------------

Saturday - Sunday, September 13 - 14 - Cape May, Cape May County

Civil War Weekend

Children Friendly

The Civil War comes to life at Historic Cold Spring Village’s annual Civil War Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, from 10:00 am - 4:30 pm. Visitors can tour Union and Confederate camps and meet authentically clad and equipped military and civilian reenactors who will discuss the everyday lives of Civil War soldiers and the roles civilians played in supporting them. Historian Mike Kochan, who played a vital role in the recovery of the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley in 2000, will have a display of Civil War-era naval and telegraph technology - what he refers to as “nineteenth century text messaging.” Educator and weapons expert Jack Meyers will be in the Village Welcome Center with a large display of Civil War-era firearms. Stirring battle reenactments will occur both days at 2:00 pm, and vendors of reproduction period merchandise will be found on “Sutler’s Row.” The Village, which re-creates a rural community in the 1800s, serves as the perfect backdrop in presenting this event to the public, which is generously sponsored by The CapeBank Foundation.

Historic Cold Spring Village is a non-profit, open-air living history museum that portrays the daily life of a rural South Jersey community of the Early American period. It features 26 restored historic structures on a 30-acre site. From late June to early September, interpreters and artisans in period clothing preserve the trades, crafts and heritage of “the age of homespun.”

Historic Cold Spring Village is located at 720 Route 9, three miles north of Cape May City and four miles south of Rio Grande. Admission during the season is $10 for adults and $8 for children ages 3 to 12. Children under 3 are admitted free. Unlimited free admission is available with Village membership. As a member of the national Blue Star Museums program, Historic Cold Spring Village is proud to offer free admission to active duty military personnel and up to 5 family members. The Village Nature Trail at Bradner's Run is open to the public for free self-guided tours. For more information, call 609-898-2300, ext. 18 or visit www.hcsv.org.

-----------------------------------

Sunday, September 14 - Paterson, Passaic County

Hinchliffe Stadium Racing Expo

Children Friendly

On Sunday, travel back in time to when midget cars raced around the track at Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, NJ. The Friends of Hinchliffe Stadium Racing Division presents the Hinchliffe Stadium Racing Expo. This event will feature a parade of midget race cars, stock cars, and speedway motorcycles traveling at maximum speeds of 35 mph from about 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm.

Admission is free. The gates will open at 10:00 am, with access provided through the chain-link fence near Mary Ellen Kramer Park, on Liberty and Maple Streets, Paterson, NJ. The event closes at 6:00 pm. For more information, call 973-247-7602.

-----------------------------------

Sunday, September 14 -  Morristown, Morris County

1920s Country Fair & Harvest Festival
Children Friendly

On Sunday, attend the annual 1920s Country Fair and Harvest Festival at Fosterfield's Living Historical Farm. Enjoy the farm animals, wagon rides, live music, food concessions, crafts, exhibits, demonstrations, period games, a farm market, wood stove cooking, and hands-on activities. A perfect family event! 

Admission: $8 for adults; $7 for seniors (65+); $6 for children ages 4 – 16; and $4 for children ages 2 and 3. FREE for children under age 2 and Friends members with a current membership card. Fosterfields Living Historical Farm is located at 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ. For more information, visit www.morrisparks.net.

-----------------------------------

Sunday, September 14 - Morristown, Morris County

New Jersey 350th History Hike

Children Friendly

Celebrate the 350th anniversary of New Jersey's founding as a colony by hiking the 2.25 miles yellow trail and hear about the historical forces that have affected New Jersey for more than 350 years, including a north/south divide, and the roles of transportation and immigration in the development of the state. Hike begins at 10:00 am and ends at 12:00 noon. Meet at the Jockey Hollow Visitor Center within Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown, NJ. Cost: Free. For more information, call 973-543-4030 or visit www.nps.gov/morr.

-----------------------------------

Sunday, September 14 - Whippany, Morris County

Excursion Train Rides

Children Friendly

Spend Sunday at the Whippany Railway Museum on a 10-mile, 45-minute round trip excursion from Whippany to Roseland on a mid-1900s Excursion Train. The combined age of the equipment used on the vintage train is an astounding 635 years! Be on the lookout for deer, turtles, wild turkeys, hawks, and rabbits, as the route takes you past a natural swamp with abundant wildlife. Trains depart at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00 pm from 1 Railroad Plaza at the Intersection of Route 10 West & Whippany Road in Whippany, NJ. Train fare is: Adult: $14; child (under 12): $9; infants (1 year and under): Free. Train Fare includes admission to Whippany Railway Museum Building.  The "Excursion Train Ride" is a fundraising effort to benefit the Whippany Railway Museum, a 501(c)3 non-profit Operating Heritage Railroad that is staffed by Volunteers. Donations from the public help to keep the Museum operational, but funds are still required to support this unique New Jersey treasure. Proceeds from the train rides will further enhance the Museum's mission and its Historic Preservation efforts. For more information, call 973-887-8177 or visit www.whippanyrailwaymuseum.net.

-----------------------------------

Sunday, September 14 - Bridgewater, Somerset County

Hidden Bridgewater Narrated Bus Tour

King George II established Bridgewater Township by Royal charter in 1749. The township was originally much larger than it is today. It included Bound Brook, Raritan, Somerville, most of Green Brook, part of Warren, and all of Branchburg - a total area of 55 square miles. Gradually, as its population increased, villages formed and controlling interests changed, portions of Bridgewater became separate townships and boroughs, reducing the township to its current size of 32 square miles.

Join the Heritage Trail Association on Sunday and discover the hidden history of Bridgewater Township. You will learn about the township’s geography, early roads, land development, schools, industrialization, and Revolutionary War events. You will also hear interesting stories about some of the people who lived in Bridgewater and made it what it is today.

The two tours, 10 am and 2 pm, will leave from the historic Van Horne House at 941 East Main Street in Bridgewater, NJ. Reservations are required. The cost is $10 with advanced payment and $20 with payment at the door. Parking is available behind the Target store in the Bridgewater Promenade. Call 732-356-8856 for reservations, or sign up online at www.heritagetrail.org.

-----------------------------------

Sunday, September 14 - Holmdel, Monmouth County
Blacksmithing Demonstration
Children Friendly

On Sunday, visit Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel to take a step back in time to watch blacksmiths perform their craft. They will be shaping iron into everyday products. Blacksmiths were as common as an auto mechanic in towns and on farms of the 1890s. This free event runs from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Historic Longstreet Farm is located at 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ. For more information, call 732-946-3758 or visit  www.monmouthcountyparks.com.

-----------------------------------

Sunday, September 14 - Montville, Morris County

Montville Township Historical Society 50th Birthday

The Montville Township Historical Society is celebrating its 50th Birthday on Sunday from 1:00 - 5:00 pm in the Montville Township Senior House, 356 Main, Montville, NJ.

The society will celebrate special residents who have made Montville Township their home for most of their life with a birthday cake, just like they did 50 years ago. There will be photos on hand, a presentation of gifts to the museum, a ceremony honoring the historical society's achievements over the years, and remembering those that began and continued the work of the historical society.

There will be a continuous photo show of old Montville Township, historic photos, and a quilt made by the Montville Reformed Church Quilting Group, which was presented to the museum in 1976. They will also display photos of unidentified people which they hope can be identified.

-----------------------------------

Sunday, September 14 - Westfield, Union County

"The Star Spangled Banner"

Children Friendly

Our national anthem is 200 years old! Celebrate the birthday of "The Star Spangled Banner" at the Miller-Cory Museum's program on Sunday between 2:00 and 4:00 pm. The presentation will give the circumstances of how a young Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the song, how it became our national anthem, and other interesting facts. Tours of the museum and demonstrations of 18th century open hearth cooking are included.

Admission is $3.00 for adults and children 13 and older, $2.00 for children ages 3 to 12 and free under age 3. The program is from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. For more information, call 908-232-1776, e-mail millercorymuseum@gmail.com, or visit www.millercoryhouse.org.

-----------------------------------

Sunday, September 14 - Montclair, Essex County

The Jersey Tomato

Everyone loves the Jersey Tomato! Discover where the tomato originated and why it became one of New Jersey’s favorite crops. Find out when New Jersey was known for its tomato packing industry and what happened to it. Did you know that tomatoes were considered poisonous at one time and it was a New Jerseyan who decided to prove everyone wrong? Hear about heirloom varieties and modern hybrids and the folklore attached to this fruit Program is led by Judith Krall-Russo, Food Historian. After the program, visitors are welcome to visit the Montclair Community Farm and see the variety of produce growing on the farm! This event is free to the public and will be held at the Israel Crane House, 108 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ. For more information, call 973-744-1796 or visit www.montclairhistorical.org.

-----------------------------------

Saturdays and Sundays Through October 2014 - Ringwood, Passaic County

Grounds and Garden Tour

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 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 2:00 pm in front of Ringwood Manor every Saturday and Sunday from June - October. 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. For more information, visit www.ringwoodmanor.org.

-----------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------

Through September 20, 2014 - Orange, Essex County

Looking at the Age of Edison Through the Witness Trees of Glenmont

Children Friendly

A joint program of the Rhode Island School of Design (RSID), the National Park Service (Witness Tree Project), and ValleyArts, this exhibition entitled "Transformed: Looking at the Age of Edison Through the Witness Trees of Glenmont" will be on display at the ValleyArts Firehouse Gallery, 580 Forest Street, Orange NJ from Thursday, August 28 through Sunday, September 21, 2014. Historic Trees, felled by Hurricane Sandy at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange, have been transformed by RISD students into objects of art that entice viewers to think more deeply about history. The Gallery is open Thursdays 5:00 - 7:30 pm; Saturdays 10:00 am - 4:00 pm; Sundays 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm and by appointment.  Admission is free. For more information, call 973-736-0550 ext. 50.

-----------------------------------

Through Sunday, October 5, 2014 - Paterson, Passaic County

The History of the Silk City Diner Company of Paterson Exhibit

On exhibit through Sunday October 5, 2014 in Lambert Castle, home of the Passaic County Historical Society, view "Pancakes, Patties, and Pies...the History of the Silk City Diner Company of Paterson." The humble origin of American diners can be traced back to 1872. Since then, diners have evolved to become an iconic representation of the American lifestyle. This type of dining, with its comfort foods, distinct architecture, and unique aesthetics has captivated the appetites and imaginations of generations. In this exhibit, learn how the Paterson Vehicle Company contributed to this phenomenon with their  Silk City Diners. Exhibit co-curated by Clifton native and author Michael Gabriele. Visitors can access the exhibition during regular museum hours (Wednesday-Sunday). General museum admissions apply.

Admission: Adults $5.00, Senior Citizens (65+) $4.00, Children ages 5-17 $3.00, and children under age 5 and members of the Historical Society are free. Lambert Castle is located at 3 Valley Road, Paterson, NJ. For more information, call 973-247-0085 or visit www.lambertcastle.org.

-----------------------------------

Through Sunday, October 12, 2014 - Trenton, Mercer County

"Before There Was Trenton" Exhibit

This year New Jersey observes the 350th Anniversary of its political establishment in 1664. To commemorate the event, the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie in Cadwalader Park is hosting a display of items related to the mid-1600s - before there was a place called Trent's-town. "Before There Was Trenton," on view through October 12, 2014 is curated by Trenton Museum Society Trustee David Bosted and son Nicholas Bosted. A formal lecture, "Before There Was Trenton" will be given by the curators on Sunday October 12, at 2:00 pm, on the last day of the display. 

Prior to 1664, New Netherland was a colony founded by the Dutch on the east coast of North America. The Dutch colony extended from Hartford, CT in the east to Albany, New York, in the north to Delaware in the south, encompassing parts of what are now the states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut and Delaware. The New Netherland colony included three major Rivers: Nord (North River, now the Hudson River), Sud (South River, now the Delaware River) and the Versche (Fresh) River (now the Connecticut River). The English wrested control of the colony from the Dutch in 1664, turning its capital, New Amsterdam, into New York City.

The Dutch colonial efforts were mostly directed toward trade with Native Americans. However, their permanent settlements in some cases caused conflict with native peoples as well as with several other European powers, especially England, Sweden and France. 

Beaver pelts were especially sought after for the fur trade. Marten, fox, otter and mink were also bartered.  In 1624 (the year New Amsterdam was first settled), Dutch settlers shipped 1,500 beaver and 500 otter skins to Europe. Thereafter, the fur trade grew enormously under the Dutch. Fort Orange (now Albany) and New Amsterdam (now New York City) were the centers of the fur trade, reaching deep into the Lenni Lenape and Mohawk tribal territory, and promoting contact between the Dutch and the Native peoples.

"Before There Was Trenton" recalls that early period of exploration, contact and settlement. Among the items on display are items highly valued in the fur trade: hand-forged trade axes, knives and other metal tools; easily transportable and popular trading commodities like the red "white heart" glass trade beads made in Venice; objects reflecting Dutch nautical exploration and the fur trade; and Lenni Lenape stone tools from the Delaware Valley as well as early agricultural items. Tobacco, another highly desirable trade commodity, is represented in the display by early tobacco pipes. Because tobacco was so expensive, the 17th century pipe bowls were small, holding only a pinch of tobacco.

The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie is located in Cadwalader Park in Trenton, NJ. For more information about the exhibit or the talk, call 609-989-1191, e-mail tms@ellarslie.org, or visit www.ellarslie.org.

-----------------------------------

Through October 31, 2014 - Plainfield, Union County

The Charles H. Detwiller, Jr. Architectural Drawings Collection, 1887-2002

The Plainfield Public Library announces a new exhibition in honor of New Jersey's 350th anniversary celebration. The library is displaying never-before seen examples from its collection of historical blueprints that date back to 1887. The 70-piece exhibit consists of wall exhibits and display cases on both levels of the library. The featured blueprints represent thirty-five different sets of drawings by 24 architects. The oldest drawing on exhibit is of the Plainfield Golf Club dating from 1896.

The Charles H. Detwiller, Jr. Architectural Drawings Collection contains over 16,000 sets of drawings, documenting over a century of residential and commercial architecture in the greater Plainfield area. This collection of blueprints that document the growth of a suburban community is unique in the United States.

Over 500 architects are represented, including African-American architect George Ernest Robinson, who was a nationally known architect in firehouse design. Plainfield's Fire Headquarters building, designed by him in 1925, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Preservation of the aging documents began by the library in 1998. The processing of the collection is still ongoing. The cost of microfilming, digitization, and cataloging is entirely supported through grant funding and volunteer assistance. Major funders include The Institute for Museum and Library Services; The New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State; the Plainfield Foundation; and the Friends of the Plainfield Public Library.

The exhibition will run through October 2014 and is free to the public. The Plainfield Public Library is located at 800 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ. For more information, call 908-757-1111 or visit www.plainfieldlibrary.info.

-----------------------------------

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.

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.

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.

-----------------------------------

Through November 2014 - Ocean Township, Monmouth County

New Exhibit - The Story of the Morro Castle

Children Friendly

On Saturday, September 8, 1934, the burning hulk of the disabled luxury liner Morro Castle broke free of its towline and drifted dangerously near Convention Hall to run aground just yards off the Asbury Park beachfront.  The tragedy (at the time the worst in U.S. merchant marine history) made national headlines. It turned local lifesavers into heroes and Asbury into a sightseeing mecca for the next six months.

Eighty years later, the Township of Ocean Historical Museum, located in the Eden Woolley House at the Ocean Township Library complex on Deal Road, opens a mini-exhibit remembering  the Morro Castle.  The highlight of the September 7 opening is a dramatization of a radio interview with fictional Morro Castle survivor Ellen Van Brunt. Imagining a WCAP ("City of Asbury Park") broadcast from Convention Hall, the performance, scheduled for 1:30 pm and repeated at 3:00 pm, brings events to life.

Visit the Eden Woolley House through November to learn the full story of this tragedy. The exhibit will be up through the end of November.

The Township of Ocean Historical Museum is located in the Eden Woolley House, one of the few 18th century structures still in existence in Ocean Township and is open to the public on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (1:00 - 4:00 pm), Thursday evenings (7:00 - 9:00 pm), and the first and second Sundays of each month (1:00 pm - 4:00 pm). The Museum is located at 703 Deal Road, Ocean, NJ. For more information, call 732-531-2136 or visit www.oceanmuseum.org.

-----------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------

1st and 2nd Sundays through June 2015 - Ocean Township, Monmouth County

The History of Houses and the Things That Make Them Home

Since prehistoric times, where we live has been about much more than shelter (think of those cave paintings). A new exhibit explores just how our human instinct to nest has played out in the structures we inhabit and the stuff we put in them. "The History of Houses and the Things that Make Them Home" is on display in the Richmond Gallery of the Eden Woolley House / Township of Ocean Historical Museum.

The exhibit examines the influences on the design and content of the American home - from the traditions early settlers brought with them, to the availability of materials, to the transforming power of technology. It takes guests on a virtual house tour, revealing room by room how things have changed and how those changes have shaped our lives.

What is home? It's where the heart is and there's no place like it. Beyond shelter, our homes express our tastes, values, and social status. Our neighborhoods abound with homes that illustrate the point, and the new exhibit asks us to see our familiar surroundings in a new light. It reveals the lineage of familiar house styles--colonial, neoclassical, Victorian, and modern, for example. It explains that the colonists of the new world built houses in the style of the old. That the founding fathers, all men of the Enlightenment, adapted the designs of Greeks and Romans whose rationality they admired. That the clutter and ornamentation of the Victorians expressed their fascination with goods made possible by the Industrial Revolution and made available by the railroads. And that twentieth century architects rejected Victorian fussiness in favor of designs that challenged old assumptions and took advantage of new technologies and building techniques.

House design is just the beginning. The exhibit takes us inside, room by room. For all but the rich, our earliest homes were one-room dwellings. The very concept of a single-purpose room (living, dining, bathing, etc.) is relatively new. And even in early multiple-room houses, people moved from room to room more in pursuit of sunlight and warmth than specific activity. In effect, all rooms were "living rooms."

Revolutionary new technologies - indoor plumbing, central heating, and electric light, in particular - made room specialization practical. The bathroom, bedchamber, dining room, library, and parlor emerged as distinct spaces in ways that both reflect and influence life style.

Take the living room (aka parlor, drawing room, sitting room, and salon). It has come full circle. As parlor, it was a room often reserved to receive visitors. In time, it became the place where the family "withdrew" to gather around the piano - later the radio and then television. Today, the "great room" has assumed that role and in many homes, the living room is again a more formal space reserved for entertaining guests.

The exhibit makes that case that every house has a story, every room has a history. "The History of Houses and the Things that Make Them Home" will be up through June 2015. The Township of Ocean Historical Museum is open to the public on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (1:00 - 4:00 pm), Thursday evenings (7:00 - 9:00 pm) and the first and second Sundays of each month (1:00 - 4:00 pm). The Township of Ocean Historical Museum is located at 703 Deal Road, Ocean, NJ. For more information, please call 732-531-2136 or visit www.oceanmuseum.org.

-----------------------------------

Through June 2015 - Morristown, Monmouth County

The Civil War through the Eyes of Thomas Nast

Before radio, TV, or the Internet, there was political cartoonist Thomas Nast. Nast illustrated battles, Union and Confederate troop movements, and their activities throughout the Civil War. He also captured the poignancy of those back home, who worried about their family members in combat. Nast covered both the home and battle fronts; his work was the main source of information about the war for many people. His illustrations in publications like "Harper's Weekly" brought the information about what was happening into the homes of the American public, the way mass media does today. Like all media agents, he not only depicted what was happening by reporting on the events taking place, but also created propaganda by trying to stir emotions and support for the Union side. Mounted to commemorate the final year of the Civil War Sesquicentennial (2011-2015), this second floor exhibit will include a number of these stirring images. "The Civil War through the Eyes of Thomas Nast" opens September 7, 2014­ and will be on exhibit through 2015.

Thomas Nast (1840-1902) is one of the most recognized names in the world of political cartoons.  Often called the father of American political cartooning, Nast's images remain popular today.  His well-known depictions of the Democratic donkey and Republican elephant, conceived more than 100 years ago, continue to represent both parties.  Uncle Sam and Columbia, two of his favorite figures to draw, are still recognized as symbols for the United States of America.  His spirit lives on through his iconic representations of Santa Claus. The classic images which Nast popularized of the jolly old elf still appear on a variety of surfaces each year during the holiday season, and Nast's Civil War images of battlefront and home front were powerful tools for bringing the war into people's homes.

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. Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, 45 Macculloch Ave., Morristown, NJ. For more information, call 973-538-2404 ext. 10 or visit www.maccullochhall.org.

-----------------------------------

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