NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 3/21/15 - 3/22/15

NJ WEEKEND HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS

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Friday - Saturday, March 20 - 21 - Cape May, Cape May County

Sherlock Holmes Weekend

Children Friendly

New Mystery for 2015! Join Sherlock Holmes and his partner, Dr. Watson as they work the clues to solve the mystery, "Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silver Fox" - a weekend of mystery and intrigue, Friday through Saturday. Get into the spirit of things by donning Victorian attire and stalk the gaslit streets in search of clues; compete for the $250 grand prize and other valuable gifts as you attempt to solve the mystery. Full weekend packages are available for $200 per couple or $105 per person and include the welcome reception, performances, tour, luncheon and gift. Weekend overnight packages are also available. The Search for Clues tour on Saturday, March 21 can be purchased separately.

East Lynne Theater Company presents "Holmes and Carter Mysteries": Performed in the style of radio shows from the 1930s through the 1950s, is this vintage-radio style production, complete with live sound effects and commercials, featuring two great detectives - Sherlock Holmes Adventure of the Copper Beeches about a governess in peril, and Nick Carter and the Strange Dr. Devolo, in which Manhattan millionaires are missing. Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21 at 8:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes Street, Cape May, NJ. Tickets: $25 general; $15 students; ages 12 and under free. Sponsored by East Lynne Theater Company in association with the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC).

Search for Clues Tour, March 21: Travel from inn to inn in Victorian Cape May while you try to solve a murder mystery. 1:00 - 3:00 pm. $15 for adults, $7.50 for children (ages 3-12). Tour begins and tickets are available at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth.

These programs are sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

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Saturday, March 21 - Trenton, Mercer County

Women's History Day at The Old Barracks Museum
Children Friendly

Enjoy a day celebrating women in Colonial America for Women's History Month! On Saturday, from 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm, learn all about how food was prepared and preserved during colonial times with our ongoing presentation, "Best If Used By..." Foodways of the 18th Century.

At 1:00 pm, Nancy Loane will speak about her book, Following the Drum: Women at the Valley Forge Encampment, discussing the impact that the military encampment had on nearby families, as well as the plight of the women who followed the Continental Army during the American Revolution. There will also be a brief Q&A, followed by an informal book signing. This book is available for pre-order, and limited quantities will be available that day for purchase in the store. Please call 609-777-3599 to reserve your copy.

Open house tours will take place throughout the day. Be sure to take in our many galleries pertaining to the 18th century and the history of the building as well. These programs are included with regular admission: $8 adult, $6 student/senior, free for children under 6, active U.S. Military, and members. Parking for this event is free and plentiful, located in the lot next to the museum. The Old Barracks Museum is located at 101 Barrack Street, Trenton, NJ. For more information call 609-396-1776 or visit www.barracks.org.

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Saturday, March 21 - Atlantic City, Atlantic County

Absecon Lighthouse Public Ghost Investigation

Do you want to discover if Absecon Lighthouse is home to ghostly keepers that still watch over the shore in Atlantic City?  Come visit the Absecon Lighthouse to partake in your own Ghost Investigation, led by the New Jersey Researchers of Paranormal Evidence (NJROPE). NJ ROPE will be on property to help you hunt for ghosts in the five paranormal "hot spots" identified at the two-acre property, museum, and tower in their previous paranormal investigations. Participants will use equipment such as light boxes, glow balls, K2 meters, and cameras to detect voices and electromagnetic fields; participants are encouraged to bring their own equipment as well. Hear NJROPE's eerie recordings taken during previous paranormal investigations.

Guided tours of our grounds and tower will let you experience an authentic paranormal investigation. Reservations are required; call 609-449-1360. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the three hour investigation begins promptly at 7:00 pm and concludes promptly at 10:00 pm. Tickets are $45.00, and must be reserved. There will be five teams of eight participants in each investigative team, and participants must be at least 16 years of age. Results are not guaranteed.

Since The Inlet Public Private Association renovated the lighthouse tower, rebuilt the Keeper's Cottage, and reopened to visitors, several staff and volunteers have shared stories of being alone on the property but hearing footsteps and 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, Atlantic City, NJ. For more information, call 609-449-1360 or visit www.abseconlighthouse.org.

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Saturday, March 21 - Mount Holly, Burlington County

Colonial Tea
Children Friendly

Why was tea so important in the lives of 18th century people that fashion-conscious families posed for portraits with their tea sets? Did Great Britain lose her American Colonies over "the cup that cheers?" Find out in this unusual costumed presentation of tea lore, history, songs, poetry, living history display, and demonstration. Presented by Stacy F. Roth at 1:00 pm. Suitable for ages 8 and up. Sponsored by the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New Jersey.

This program is free and open to the public and will take place at the Burlington County Lyceum, 307 High Street, Mount Holly, NJ. Pre-registration is requested. For more information and to register, call 609-267-7111 or e-mail bclhns@bcls.lib.nj.us.

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Saturday, March 21 - Farmingdale, Monmouth County
Vintage Baseball - CANCELLED

Children Friendly

On Saturday at 12:00 noon, come see the Bog Iron Boys of Allaire Village take on the Flemington Neshanock in a vintage Base Ball game at Historic Allaire Village. The game will be played by 1864 rules, with 1800s vintage costumes and fun! The Historic Village at Allaire is located at 4263 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale, NJ. Admission to the game is free but there a $5 parking fee in effect for Allaire State Park. For more information, contact the Allaire Village office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, at 732-919-3500 or visit www.allairevillage.org.

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Saturday, March 21 - West Orange, Essex County
NJ Makers Day at Thomas Edison National Historical Park
Children Friendly

Thomas Edison National Historical Park is proud to be participating in the first ever New Jersey Makers Day on Saturday. Community members of all ages are invited to join us for an exciting day filled with activities focusing on maker culture. The following activities will be offered throughout the day at the laboratory complex on Main Street. No reservations needed.

Invent Like Edison 11:00 pm - 2:00 pm
See how tall you can build your structure using straws, paper clips, and pipe cleaners and be able to balance a golf ball on top.

What Can You Make From a Toothbrush? 11:00 pm - 2:00 pm
With supplies like a toothbrush, motor, batteries and stickers can you create a robot. This program has limited supplies and is offered on a first come basis.

Can You Make a Polymer? 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
What is a polymer? Be like Edison the Chemist and mix together ordinary household items to create your very own polymer.

Lights, Camera, Action! 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Let’s make a movie!! Movies are nothing but individual pictures moving by at a fast speed that your eye cannot tell they are individual pictures.  Using iPads we will make stop motion movies. What will your movie look like?

NJ Makers Day is designed to be a statewide single-day event that celebrates, promotes, and in many cases may introduce maker culture, as well as the values associated with making, tinkering and STEM-based learning. The maker movement in the United States isn't just a hobby; it’s having a significant impact on school curriculum development and growing local economies. To celebrate making and maker culture, residents throughout New Jersey will come together on Saturday in libraries, schools, museums, homes, and other community locations. Find out more about NJ Makers Day at www.njmakersday.org.

Thomas Edison National Historical Park is a National Park Service site dedicated to promoting an international understanding and appreciation of the life and extraordinary achievements of Thomas Alva Edison by preserving, protecting, and interpreting the Park’s extensive historic artifact and archive collections at the Laboratory Complex and Glenmont, the Edison family estate. The Visitor Center is located at 211 Main Street in West Orange, NJ. There is a $7 entrance fee into the park for anyone 16 years of age and older. For more information, call 973- 736-0550 ext. 11 or visit www.nps.gov/edis.

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Saturday, March 21 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County

Sawmilling

Children Friendly

On Saturday, Howell Living Farm invites visitors of all ages to get a grip on history by grabbing a shovel, saw, drawknife, or cant hook when helping hands are needed to plant trees, cut firewood, make barn pegs and ready logs for the sawmill.

The work will begin when farmers use a portable sawmill to cut lumber for barn repairs and restoration projects. Visitors can help by using spud bars to de-bark logs and cant hooks to roll them to the mill.

Those who like working the old-fashioned way can use a two-man saw to cut rounds that will then be split into firewood, wheel chocks and barn peg blanks. Mallets, froes and draw knives are among the tools that visitors can try. Youngsters can make and take home a barn peg like the ones used to hold together a timber frame barn.

Visitors can help the farmers plant trees to replace the ones that are used for building materials and fuel. Shovels, picks and shale bars will be on hand for those who want to help by digging holes for the new trees.

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.com.

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Saturday, March 21 - Hardwick Township, Warren County

Maple Sugaring at Millbrook Village

Children Friendly

Chase those winter blues and visit Millbrook Village from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm to see maple syrup or maple sugar being made. The sugar maples are tapped and the sap is flowing. See how the “Mud Season Harvest” is transformed from sap to sweet maple sugar. North America’s Native American Indians taught the colonists how to make maple sugar long before the first European honey bees were brought to the new world or the first sugar cane or sorghum was planted in the South. A truly North American tradition and an early necessity and industry, maple sugaring will be demonstrated as it was done years ago, along with other activities.

Does thunder chase the sap back into the ground? What makes the sap rise? Why don’t you “stir the pot” when the sap is being cooked down? What is a “sugar bush”?
Bring your questions and your curiosity to Millbrook Village and enjoy a few hours of old time maple sugaring. Gather ‘round the fire and watch the sap boil down, enjoy the company, meet a friend and enjoy the day. Visit to the general store, the wagon shop or the Trauger House to see what’s going on.

We’ll be waiting for you and hope to see you there. As usual, it’s all free.

The Maple Sugaring Program is presented by the National Park Service and Volunteers from the Millbrook Village Society. Millbrook Village is part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Millbrook Village is located in Hardwick Township, NJ at the intersection of Old Mine Road and Millbrook Road, County Route 602N. For more information and directions, call 908-841-9531, 908-537-2544, or 973-875-3461.

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Saturday - Sunday, March 21 - 22 - Wantage, Sussex County
Annual Maple Sugarin' Open House
Children Friendly

On Saturday and Sunday, stop by Lusscroft Farm for a Maple "Sugarin" Open House. Observe the "sugarin" process and purchase our bottled maple syrup. Fresh syrup will be available for purchase. The site will be open from 1:00 - 3:00 pm each day, weather permitting. Lusscroft Farm is located at 50 Neilson Road and 4H Trail, Wantage, NJ (Entrance at Route 519 at mile marker 81). For more information, visit www.lusscroftfarm.com.

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Sunday, March 22 - Maplewood, Essex County

Edgar Holden's Civil War: From Ironclad Surgeon to Newark's Ward Army Hospital

Medical historian Dr. Sandra Moss, who riveted Durand-Hedden visitors in 2011 with the surprising dangers of the natural toxins in garden flora, returns on Sunday at 2:00 pm to share the story of a pioneering, multi-faceted local 19th century doctor who is the subject of her new book: Edgar Holden, M.D. of Newark, New Jersey, Provincial Newark Physician on a National Stage.

Dr. Holden (pictured here) transcended the provinciality that characterized Essex County's medical community, acting as a surgeon on an ironclad ship and at the Ward U.S. Army hospital in Newark during the Civil War. In his four decades of practice in Newark, he was recognized locally as a skilled surgeon, respected consultant, and a doctor’s doctor. He made contributions to cardiovascular technology, the new specialty of laryngology, insurance medicine, and tuberculosism, and published over 40 articles. There is also a Hedden connection – as Dr. Holden’s wife was Katherine Hedden of Orange, NJ. Through this marriage he was the ancestor of journalist Joan Lowell Smith, who will also be available to talk about the importance of the Hedden family to the founding of Newark in 1666.

From 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. visitors can catch the intriguing exhibit, The Maplewood Theater: Its Forgotten Saga, which explores the ever-changing 87-year history of the Maplewood Theater, spanning silent films, vaudeville, talkies, a famed era of live theater, neighborhood cinema, and the current sixplex. Out in the carriage house the Country Store will be selling historic- themed treasures: early American children’s games, books and toys, facsimile documents, quill pens and ink, historic cook books, cookie molds, tin lanterns, reproduction ceramics, hiking sticks, local  honey and more. The hard- to-find original Doors of Maplewood poster and Smile, the history of Olympic Park, will also be available.

The event is free. Donations are appreciated. The Durrand-Hedden House is located in Grasmere Park at 523 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood, NJ. To arrange group tours call 973-763-7712. For more information, visit www.durandhedden.org.

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Sunday, March 22 - Trenton, Mercer County

Samuel Mountford, Trenton Architect

The last private owner of the Trent House, Edward A. Stokes, donated the building to the City of Trenton in 1929 with the condition that it be returned to its appearance during the William Trent era and be used as a library, art gallery, or museum. The building had been much changed since it was built, and the additions had to be removed.

The restoration wasn't justifyed until 1934 because of the national Depression. With funding from the federal government through the Civil Works, the Emergency Relief, and the Public Works Administration, restoration commenced under the direction of the Trustees of the Trenton Free Public Library. J. Osborne Hunt and Samuel Mountford were the architects and Howard L. Hughes, City Librarian, was the coordinator. The building was formally dedicated on October 14, 1936.

Trenton native Samuel Mountford (1892-1970) was a prolific architect in Mercer County and the surrounding area, with a career spanning from 1919 into the 1960s. First as a partner in the P.L. Fowler Co., and later as Micklewright & Mountford, he completed numerous projects for the Trenton Board of Education and the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, among many other clients. The talk focuses on the varied works of Mountford and his colleagues, as well as his role in the restoration of the William Trent House and other local landmarks.

On Sunday, Jennifer B. Leynes, a Senior Architectural Historian at Richard Grubb & Associates, Inc will discuss Mountford's life and work. She has a Bachelor of Arts in History from Furman University and a Master of Historic Preservation from the University of Georgia. She has been a resident of Trenton for more than 15 years and is a past president of the Trenton Historical Society and current member of the Trenton Landmarks Commission. This program is sponsored by the Trent House Association and the Trenton Historical Society. Complimentary refreshments beginning at 1:30 and the program begins at 2:00 pm. Tickets sold at the door - $15. $10 for members of the Trent House Association or the Trenton Historical Society. The Trent House Museum is located at 15 Market St, Trenton, NJ. For more information, call 609-989-3027 or visit www.williamtrenthouse.org.

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Sunday, March 21 - Cranford, Union County

Open House at Crane-Phillips House
Children Friendly

The Cranford Historical Society will be hosting tours of the Crane-Phillips House Museum, located at 124 North Union Avenue, Cranford, NJ on Sunday from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. Admission is free.

The Cranford Historical Society was founded in 1927 with a mission to preserve the unique history of Cranford, New Jersey. The Society maintains the Crane-Phillips House Living Museum, an important costume collection, and archives. For more information, call 908-376-0082 or visit www.cranfordhistoricalsociety.com.

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Sunday, March 22 - Princeton, Mercer County

Historic Princeton Walking Tour

Children Friendly

Enjoy a 1.9 mile, two-hour walk around downtown Princeton and the University campus as you learn about historic sites in the area, including Bainbridge House, Nassau Hall, the University Chapel, and Palmer Square. The early history of Princeton, the founding of the University, and the American Revolution are just some of the stories from Princeton’s history that you will learn on your tour.

Admission: $7 per adult; $4 children ages 6 to 12; free for children age 5 and under. Tickets are sold at Bainbridge House, 158 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ justifying at 12:00 noon. Tour begins at 2:00 pm and ends at 4:00 pm. Space is limited. For more information, call 609-921-6748 or visit www.princetonhistory.org.

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Sunday, March 22 - Montclair, Essex County
House Tours

Family Friendly

Step back through over 200 years of American history at Montclair's historic properties at 108 Orange Road. Visit the newly reinterpreted Crane House to reflect the YWCA period from 1920 - 1965, check out the farm, and meet the chickens. The site is open from 1:00 - 4:00 pm.

Free-will donation. Free admission for members! The Shultz House (Evergreens) will be closed for the season, reopening Spring 2015. For more information, call 973-744-1796, e-mail mail@montclairhistorical.org, or visit www.montclairhistorical.org.

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Sunday, March 22 - Camden, Camden County

Along the Cooper River Book Chat and Social

On Sunday, the Camden County Historical Society is hosting authors and historic preservation advocates Robert A. Shinn, a Camden County Historical Society board member, and Kevin Cook for a book chat and social. Their new book entitled, Along the Cooper River chronicles the river's heritage. Bring your questions, stories, and memorabilia for an interactive discussion, activities and prizes! Light refreshments will be served followed by tours of historic Pomona Hall, ancestral home of the Cooper Family. See historic images and maps and talk to the book’s authors. Admission is Free. The Camden County Historical Society is located at 1900 Park Boulevard, Camden, NJ. For more information, call 856-964-3333 or visit www.cchsnj.org.

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Sunday, March 22 - Westfield, Union County

Maple Sugar Sunday

Children Friendly

One of the seasonal tasks of farm life in colonial days was sugar making in the maple woods. The production of syrup and sugar from the sap of the maple tree is the oldest known industry in America. On Sunday from 2:00 - 4:00 pm, the museum features “Maple Sugar Sunday.” The presenter will talk about the technique of maple sugaring, explaining how the maple sap rises and flows, how it is collected using wooden buckets and handmade spiles, and how sugar and syrup are made from the sap (please note that no tree will actually be tapped). This program is appropriate for children.

Sunday's program includes tours and open-hearth cooking demonstrations. Members of the cooking committee will demonstrate the skills used in 18th century open-hearth cooking, using authentic recipes and seasonal foods.

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.

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Sunday, March 22 - Burlington City, Burlington County

Elias Wright, Civil War Brevet Brigadier General & Joseph Wharton's Trusted Friend

On Sunday, the Burlington County Historical Society presents, "Elias Wright, Civil War Brevet Brigadier General & Joseph Wharton's Trusted Friend" by Betsy Carpenter. Program is from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. After the lecture there will be Q & A and light refreshment. Admission: $5 per person. Programs takes place at the Corson Poly Center, with entrances at 457 High Street and 454 Lawrence Street, Burlington, NJ. For more information, call 609-386-4773, ext. 1 or visit www.burlingtoncountyhistoricalsociety.org.

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Through March 29, 2015 - Paterson, Passaic County

A Closer Look at our Community: The Fine Art of Mark Oberndorf

A new exhibit entitled A Closer Look at our Community: The Fine Art of Mark Oberndorf is open through March 29, 2015 in Lambert Castle (home of the Passaic County Historical Society) at 3 Valley Road, Paterson, NJ. This exhibit focuses on the sights of our local community, as shown in the paintings of Bergen County resident and artist Mark Oberndorf.

Oberndorf’s work focuses on the views of local buildings and features within our neighborhoods. Many pieces included in A Closer Look at our Community feature Passaic County, while others portray subjects from a wider geographic area. Some subjects include restaurant signs, barber shops, private homes, and fire stations. Through his work, Oberndorf demonstrates what is beautiful, interesting and quirky in our communities. Through this exhibition visitors will be able to see their environment in a different perspective. Visitors can access the exhibition during regular museum hours (Wednesday - Sunday). General museum admissions apply. Meet the artist at the exhibit reception held at Lambert Castle on Wednesday January 14, 2015 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. The reception is free for members; for all others regular admission applies. For more information, call 973-247-0085 or visit www.lambertcastle.org.

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Through March 29, 2015 - Princeton, Mercer County

Hail Specimen of Female Art! New Jersey Schoolgirl Needlework, 1726-1860

This landmark exhibition will be the first to focus on the important contribution of New Jersey in the creation of schoolgirl needlework in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. With over 150 works on view, this exhibition will undertake the first survey of schoolgirl needlework completed in the state or by New Jersey girls prior to 1860. This exhibition and accompanying catalogue will create a lasting record of the best known examples. As part of the museum’s mission to showcase the cultural heritage of the Garden State, the curators will bring new light to the needlework done in New Jersey during this important period of American history.

Organized geographically, the exhibition will feature works from every region of the state. Although many elaborate and important examples of New Jersey needlework will be featured in the exhibition, the curators have also included more modest examples that highlight other aspects of the educational environment, social class and familial situation experienced by young girls in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In some cases, the exhibit will reunite, for the first time, needlework created by the same girl; sisters; cousins; schoolmates and other close relations.

The exhibition will feature loans from across the country including needlework completed in every New Jersey County (accounting for the numerous re-organizations of New Jersey counties in the nineteenth century). In presenting examples from every part of the state, the exhibition will distill the educational environment that existed in New Jersey from Cape May to Sussex. The exhibition will also compile an accurate picture of girls academies and the instructresses who taught at them.

The exhibition will occupy 1,709 square feet in five galleries within the second floor of the Morven mansion. This exhibition also coincides with the 350th anniversary of New Jersey and extensive state-wide celebration and programming.

The title of the exhibition is borrowed from a needlework stitched by Trenton-born Anne Rickey (1783-1846) “Hail Specimen of Female Art” was stitched onto her sampler in 1798. Anne Rickey was the daughter of Quaker merchant, John Rickey (1751-1829) and his wife Amey Olden (1757-1849).

Morven Museum and Garden is located at 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ. For more information, call 609-924-8144 or visit www.morven.org.

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Through April 17, 2015 - Haledon, Passaic County

New Haven's Garment Workers: An Elm City Story Exhibit

Children Friendly Site

On Saturday, the American Labor Museum/Botto House National Landmark located in Haledon, NJ proudly opens the exhibit entitled, "New Haven's Garment Workers: An Elm City Story" on loan from the Greater New Haven Labor History Association.

Through historic photographs and artifacts, "New Haven's Garment Workers: An Elm City Story" presents a vivid portrait of the lives, victories, struggles and sacrifices of a courageous group of working people in the clothing industry in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1932 and 1933, to combat sweatshop conditions in the clothing industry, workers undertook a large-scale unionization of the industry that resulted in improvements in wages, working conditions, and hours. "Their history offers important lessons for all of us in these times," notes Joan Cavanaugh, Ph.D., the exhibit's creator. The exhibit will be on view through Friday, April 17, 2015.

The American Labor Museum is headquartered in the historic Botto House National Landmark, 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 offers a free lending library, restored period rooms, changing exhibits, Museum Store, Old World Gardens, educational programs and special events. 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 or by appointment. For more information, call 973-595-7953, visit www.labormuseum.net, or e-mail labormuseum@aol.com.

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Through April 18, 2015 - Trenton, Mercer County

Trenton Central High School: A Remembrance

On October 14, 2014, the Trenton Public Schools Board of Education voted to demolish Trenton Central High School. The New Jersey Schools Development Authority will fund the construction of a new $130 million high school for Trenton.

The Trenton Museum Society celebrates the soon-to-be-demolished building in an exhibit at the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie through Saturday, April 18, 2015. The former high school building, opened in 1932, was an iconic structure that inspired and nurtured thousands of Trenton students over the past 82 years.

Designed by architect Ernest K. Sibley, construction of the school began in 1929 with the first classes occupying the building in January 1932. It was built as a larger version of Trenton High School West, formerly Junior No. 3, out of red brick and composition stone trim in the colonial revival style, inspired by the historic background of the city. 

Many of the features that contributed to the unique beauty of the school were made in Trenton. The porcelain shades in the light fixtures in the auditorium were made by Lenox in Trenton. The brown faience tile lining the hallways was made by the Mueller Mosaic Tile Company of Trenton. Even the sanitary ware, such as sinks and toilets, were made by the Trenton-based Maddock pottery company.

The exhibit shows iconic artifacts from the school - a Maddock toilet, pedestal sink and water fountain, an original student desk that seats two students, one of the caged clocks from the gymnasium, wooden chairs used by students and teachers, and hallway light fixtures. The school board is loaning two large portraits of the first two principals of the school - William A. Wetzel and Paul R. Spencer, and a large aerial picture of the school.

Early yearbooks from the 1930s and 1940s show the school façade and interior. Artifacts used in the school are on display, such as scientific instruments, silverware, china, kitchen utensils, and a display cabinet with partial skeleton used in science classes.

The two cornerstones of the building from 1929 and 1956 were opened at Trenton High School's Homecoming football game on October 25. No one knew what was inside. The contents of the cornerstones will be lent to the museum and displayed in the exhibit.

In the lobby were four spectacular murals created and installed in the high school in 1941 by an artist who worked for the WPA Federal Arts Project, Monty Lewis, entitled Youth Carrying the Heritage of Arts from the Past into the Future. The Trenton School Board has pledged to save these priceless pieces of art. Photographs of them are included in the exhibit.

The Trenton Museum Society invites graduates, teachers and administrators from the school, historic preservationists, and those interested in Trenton's history to attend the exhibit. The Trenton City Museum, Ellarslie, is located in Cadwalader Park, Trenton, NJ. For more information, call 609-989-3632 or visit www.ellarslie.org.

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Through May 1, 2015 - Toms River, Ocean County

Fishing in the Good Old Days

The Ocean County Historical Society, invites you to view their new exhibit entitled, "Hook, Line and Sinker: History of Fishing in Ocean County up to 1950", which features the collections of members Richard Updike and Ferd Klebold. The exhibit takes visitors back to the days of pound fishing, frost fishing, clamming, eeling, and whaling with photos and artifacts used in the fishing industry along the Jersey Coast. A hand-forged clam rake, the white oak eel pot that used horseshoe crabs for bait, a whale vertebra found in the surf in Ocean County, early reels, and photos galore of fishermen and their catches are just some of the treasures you will find in this exhibit. Winter or summer, Ocean County fishermen braved the elements to harvest nature's bounty from the Atlantic Ocean, Barnegat Bay, and numerous rivers. Visit OCHS Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 am - 3:30 pm and the first Saturday of each month from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. The Ocean County Historical Society is located at 26 Hadley Avenue, Toms River, NJ. For more information, visit www.oceancountyhistory.org or call 732-341-1880.

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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.

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Through July 2015 - Ridgewood, Bergen County

"Hemlines" Exhibit

The Ridgewood Historical Society and the Schoolhouse Museum are pleased to announce their new exhibit, Hemlines, open through July 2015. This exhibit features women's hats, shoes, handbags, jewelry, furs, wedding attire, and fabulous dresses from 1900 to 1969. Hemlines will run through the end of July. The Schoolhouse Museum is open Thursdays and Saturdays from 1:00 - 3:00 pm and Sundays from 2:00 - 4:0 pm. Hemlines is a "must see" exhibit for anyone interested in fashion! The Schoolhouse Museum is located at 650 East Glen Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ. For more information, call 201-447-3242 or visit www.ridgewoodhistoricalsociety.org.

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Through July 2015 - Morristown, Morris 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 Avenue, Morristown, NJ. For more information, call 973-538-2404 ext. 10 or visit www.maccullochhall.org.

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Through August 2015 - Lyndhurst, Bergen County
Lyndhurst Business: Building a Community

From a ship's horn manufactured by Leslie Company to photos of steel and heat-treating plant Benedict-Miller, Inc., the Lyndhurst Historical Society is showcasing just a sampling of the many businesses that contributed to the community and beyond in its latest exhibit, "Lyndhurst Business: Building a Community," which runs from now until August 2015.

"It's New Jersey's 350th birthday and, in addition to celebrating the state as a whole, we wanted to give a nod to our local community," said Doris Bergquist, who, along with members Dale Jankowski and Doris Ludwig, curated the exhibit. "There have been and continue to be many highly regarded businesses in Lyndhurst. The Leslie Company, for example, was once in Lyndhurst and built one of the horns used on the Queen Mary."

The exhibit is free and open to the public, though a small donation to the society would be appreciated. The Little Red Schoolhouse Museum, located at 400 RIverside Avenue, Lyndhurst, NJ is open on the second and fourth Sundays of every month from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. For more information, call 201-804-2513 or visit www.lyndhursthistoricalsociety.org.

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Through September 1, 2015 - Morristown, Morris County
Treasures from the Collection

There's something for everyone to enjoy in the Morris County Historical Society's new exhibit, "Treasures from the Collection," now featured at Acorn Hall through September 1, 2015. See everything from clothing to documents, militaria to fine arts, and furniture to photography, and more in this treasure trove display from Morris County, and beyond. Highlights include heirlooms from notable local families such as the McEwans, the Condits, the Lindsleys, and the Bonsalls, and spectacular stickpins from the remarkable collection of MCHS Board Member Emeritus Learned T. Bulman.

Pieces from across the country include an 1876 ball gown worn to the Centennial Celebration in Washington, D.C., an assortment of 19th-century U.S. flags, a scarab stick pin from the reign of Ramesses II, and various 19th-century weaponry and artifacts related to the Civil War. Compare earlier fashion trends to the haute couture Pucci-inspired mini-dress, circa 1960s. For the furniture aficionados, marvel at a Victorian-era papier-mâché chair, a mahogany Chippendale chair, and a Hitchcock-style chair from Morristown furniture maker, H. Frazee. Travel with ease to faraway Japan, and experience Asian art in the form of wood block prints and porcelain vases.

Admission to tour Acorn Hall and to see the exhibit is $6 for adults; $5 for seniors; $3 for students, and free for children age 12 and under and MCHS members. To view the exhibit, only, is one half of the admission. Acorn Hall is open for tours on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, and on Sundays from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. For more information, call the Morris County Historical Society at 973-267-3465 or visit www.acornhall.org.

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Through October 30, 2015 - Morristown, Morris County

“Canals of New Jersey” Exhibit

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (MHHM) has partnered with the Canal Society of New Jersey (CSNJ) to present their traveling exhibit “Canals of New Jersey”. The exhibit was created in 1985 in part to commemorate the Society’s 25th anniversary. The display consists of panels that tell the story of New Jersey’s two towpath canals, the Morris and the Delaware and Raritan. In 1824, the Morris Canal & Banking Company was chartered to build a canal that would carry coal to developing markets along the eastern seaboard. The Morris Canal would pass through the heart of New Jersey’s iron district and provide the long-needed transportation system that would promote commercial activity and enable rustic settlements to grow into thriving industrial towns. The canal extended 102 miles from Pennsylvania, across varied terrain through New Jersey, ending at Newark. By the early 1900s the canal had become obsolete. Today, the Morris Canal Greenway, a partnership between local communities and the Canal Society of New Jersey, seeks to preserve the surviving historic remains of the canal, interpret canal sites, and offer recreational opportunities to the public. 

For the installation at MHHM the exhibit has gotten a facelift, with new titles and new art work. The CSNJ’s display is supplemented by objects including some from MHHM’s collection and information about Macculloch Hall founder George Macculloch who had the idea for the Morris Canal. In the early 1820s, George Macculloch had a vision of a waterway to connect the Delaware River to the Hudson River in Northern New Jersey. This exhibit in part celebrates Macculloch’s part in the vision, promotion, and impact that the Morris Canal had on New Jersey. The canal would become an engineering feat of its day, using locks and inclined planes to climb the elevation differences in the land. The canal was a technical marvel of its time and helped to spur the economy in New Jersey by allowing goods to reach further afield than ever before. The exhibit shares some of the stories of the workers and families who lived and worked on the canal, as well as other details about its construction using photographs and drawings, as well objects including model canal boats and images. The “Canals of New Jersey” exhibit will be on display in the second floor gallery during touring hours from March 15th through October 30, 2015.

MHHM 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. MHHM is open for house and exhibit tours on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. The last tour ticket is sold at 3:00 pm. Adults $8; Seniors and Students $6; Children 6 – 12 $4. Members and children under 5 are free. Macculloch Hall is located at 45 Macculloch Avenue, Morristown, NJ. For more information, call 973-538-2404 ext. 10 or visit www.maccullochhall.org.

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