Weekend Historical Happenings: 4/18/15 - 4/19/15

NJ WEEKEND HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS

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Fridays through April 25, 2015 - Pennington, Mercer County

Pennington Comes of Age: Photographs by George H. Frisbie

As part of the 125th anniversary of the incorporation of Pennington Borough, an exhibition of historic photographs, "Pennington Comes of Age," will be unveiled by the Hopewell Valley Historical Society at The Pennington School’s Silva Gallery of Art.

"Pennington Comes of Age" tells the story of the first 25 years of Pennington Borough’s incorporation, 1890–1915. During these years George Frisbie, who had grown up in a family-run business on South Main Street, captured the world around him through the viewfinder of his big wooden camera. His images not only document people and places, but recorded many of the changes that took place over that span of time.

Descendants of Mr. Frisbie still reside in Pennington Borough, and in 1986 Alice Frisbie and her daughter, Mary Thornton, donated 800 negatives to the Historical Society.

The exhibition will continue through Saturday, April 25. A special reception will be held on Wednesday, April 1, from 5:00 - 8:00 pm. Gallery hours are Monday - Thursday, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm; Friday, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm; or by appointment. For more information, call Gallery Director Dolores Eaton at 609-737-4133.

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Saturday, April 18 -  Morris Township, Morris County

Spring at the Farm
Children Friendly

On Saturday at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, meet the newborn farm animals, and watch a cooking demonstration using the wood-burning stove in the Farmhouse. from 1:00 - 3:30 pm.

Admission: $6 for adults; $5 for seniors (65+); $4 for children ages 4 – 16; and $2for 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.

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Saturday, April 18 - Holmdel, Monmouth County
Felting Demonstration
Children Friendly

On Saturday, visit Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel to take a step back in time and learn the process of felting wool that can be used in garments. 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.

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Saturday, April 18 - West Orange, Essex County

National Junior Ranger Day at Thomas Edison NHP

Children Friendly

In celebration of National Park Week, the National Park Service would like to show its appreciation for all of its junior rangers. Junior rangers explore, learn, and protect national parks.

Thomas Edison National Historical Park would like to invite all junior rangers to try our new Junior Ranger Program. Sneak through the Laboratory with a ranger and see if you can decode the secret hidden message.

Reservations required. Call 973-736-0550 ext 89 to reserve your spot. Admission to Thomas Edison National Historical Park is waived on April 18 and 19 in honor of National Park Week. Passes for Glenmont must be picked up at the Laboratory Complex Visitor Center at 211 Main Street, West Orange, NJ. For more information, call 973-736-0550 x11 or visit www.nps.gov/edis.

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Saturday, April 18 - Bridgewater, Somerset County
Digital History Mapping Workshop

Join Marilyn Cummings on Saturday at 9:30 am and get ready to be surprised by an entirely new way to present the history of your area. It uses 21st century digital technology; but, at the same time, it is non-technical, user friendly, and truly compelling. Based on the free Google Earth program and tools, it employs layers of various timeframes and topics of history to display an endless variety of studies. It can used by anyone with an interest in local history, and should be of special interest to scholars and historians.

Please visit www.historymapping.org for a preview. All you need to bring is your computer (or share with a friend) and your knowledge of local history. Plan to attend - we guarantee you will be delighted and enthralled!

The workshop is free but reservations are required. Please register by contacting Marilyn Cummings via e-mail marilyncummings@msn.com or call 609-397-5363. This program will be held at the Van Horne House, 941 E Main Street, Bridgewater, NJ.

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Saturday, April 18 - Morristown, Morris County

National Junior Ranger Day at Morristown NHP

Children Friendly

Join Morristown National Historical Park as they celebrate National Junior Ranger Day with special programs and activities for children and adults. Programs run from 10:00 am - 4:00pm at Jockey Hollow.

Junior Rangers can earn a special certificate at Jockey Hollow for this one day only. If they visit both special programs (listed below), get one of the staff at each location to sign their page, then they earn the special certificate. Pick up the special handout at the Jockey Hollow Visitor Center when you arrive.

Colonial Games - Have some old-fashioned fun as you take on the same games that the soldiers and the Wick Family played. Try your hand at nine-pins, quoits, trap-ball, nine-man morris, fox & geese and other 18th century games. Available from 10:00 am - 11:30 am and 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm at the Wick House.

People of Continental Army – Visit with a Continental soldier who worked with and for the army. Hear what they have to say about army life, their duties, equipment, and experiences in the Continental Army. Available from 10:00 - 11:30 am and 1:30 - 4:00 pm at the Soldier Huts in Jockey Hollow.

GPS address for the Jockey Hollow Visitor Center and Wick House, 580 Tempe Wick Road, Morristown NJ. For more information, call 973-543-4030 or visit www.nps.gov/morr.

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Saturday, April 18 - Trenton, Mercer County

2015 Trenton Ceramics Symposium
Sanitation & Civilization: Trenton's Contributions to the Progress of American Hygiene

The Potteries of Trenton Society (POTS) is pleased to partner with the New Jersey State Museum and the Trenton Museum Society to present their 12th annual Trenton Ceramics Symposium on Saturday. This year the speakers will explore the city's importance in the history of the sanitary industry in the United States. The symposium will be held in the Auditorium of the New Jersey State Museum. Registration and light refreshments will begin at 9:00 am; the program will start at 10:00 am.

This year's keynote speaker will be Professor Daniel Gerling of Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dr. Gerling's will explain the evolution of sanitary technology and show how the move from "outhouses" and "backhouses" to indoor toilets was enormously important in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in terms of public health, shifting gender roles, and architectural trends. Gerling holds a Ph.D. in American Studies from The University of Texas at Austin. Gerling joined Augustana in 2012, and in 2013 he began serving as the director of the Writing Center, Augustana's nationally-certified peer tutoring program.

Bill Liebeknecht will investigate Trenton's sanitary innovations by examining over 40 patents granted to the city's inventors during the latter part of the 19th century and opening decades of the 20th century. Patents range from bowl designs to water tanks, flushing mechanisms, seat designs, and covers. They also include coupling designs which allowed the tanks to be mounted directly behind the toilet and firmly to the floor. These seemingly insignificant patents had an enormous impact on our lives. Mr. Liebeknecht is a Registered Professional Archaeologist and is employed at Hunter Research Inc., in Trenton, New Jersey. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology from Beloit College in Wisconsin and Master's degree in Public History from Rutgers University.

The afternoon session will offer several delights, including Sally Lane's exploration of the Trenton origins of a legendary White House bathtub, "Rub-a-dub-dub, Four Men in Taft's Tub." Lane, who has a B.A. in history from Columbia University, wrote a weekly newspaper column on Trenton history for eight years. In addition, Ellen Denker, POTS board member and program chair will offer a brief discussion of the potters' unions and the strike that had such an impact on labor relations in Trenton, transforming the city's ceramics industry. Richard Hunter, of Hunter Research, will end with an overview of the sanitary manufacturing sites and how they fit in with the other manufacturing sites in the city.

The day will finish with a closing reception sponsored by the Trenton Museum Society to be held at Ellarslie, the Museum of the City of Trenton, in Cadwalader Park. Participants will be able to view the Trenton Central High School exhibit, which includes examples of Thomas Maddock's Sons Company sanitary ware that was used to outfit the high school. Additional sanitary ware in the Museum's collection will be brought out of storage especially for this event.

The Trenton Ceramics Symposium is open to the public. Admission to the symposium is $40 at the door. POTS cannot take credit cards, but checks are welcome. Registration includes all lectures, refreshments, lunch, and a closing reception. The lectures will take place at the New Jersey State Museum Auditorium, 205 West State Street, Trenton, NJ. The reception will be held at the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie, Cadwalader Park, Trenton, NJ. Interested parties may contact POTS President Patricia Madrigal at 609-695-0122 x100 or e-mail president@potteriesoftrentonsociety.org. For more information, visit www.potteriesoftrenton.org.

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Saturday, April 18, 2015 through June 28, 2015 - Paterson, Passaic County

Highlights of the Paterson Evening News Collection Exhibit and Reception

The Passaic County Historical Society announces its newest exhibit, Highlights of the Paterson Evening News Collection. On exhibit until Sunday June 28, 2015, the display will showcase this newly digitized photograph collection. The Paterson Evening News Collection consists of over 16,000 images, dating from 1946 through 1972. Together these photographs offer an invaluable look at the history of Passaic County and the State of New Jersey. Over seventy photographs have been selected for this exhibit to highlight the variety of subjects incorporated within the collection. Visitors can access the exhibition during regular museum hours (Wednesday - Sunday). General museum admissions apply.

Hear more about the collection at the exhibit reception held at Lambert Castle on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 2:00 pm. Co-curator and digitization specialist Boris Von Faust will discuss his digitizing process and share more of his favorite images from the collection. The reception is free for members; otherwise regular museum admission applies.

Lambert Castle is located at 3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ. For more information, call 973-247-0085 or visit www.lambertcastle.org.

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Saturday, April 18 - Haddonfield, Camden County

Open House and Lecture

The Indian King Tavern will host an open house on Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm, with a lecture on medicine and sanitation of the 18th century beginning at 2:00 pm. The lecture will be presented by guest speaker Donah Crawford. The Indian King Tavern is located at 233 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield, NJ. For more information, call 856-429-6792 or visit www.indiankingfriends.org.

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Saturday, April 18 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County

Spring Plowing

Children Friendly

On Saturday, free wagon tours of Howell Living History Farm's spring plowing operations will leave from the farmyard, taking visitors to fields where farmers will be plowing with horses and circa 1900 equipment. Rides last approximately 20 minutes and are given on a first come, first serve basis. Tours will be narrated. Rides will leave from the farmyard continuously from 10:30 am until 3:00 pm.

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, April 18 - Mount Holly, Burlington County

Lenape Life

Children Friendly

The daily lifestyle of the local Native Americans known as the Lenni Lenape will be explored through hands-on experience with authentic artifacts such as tools and weapons. Reproductions of Lenape games will also be played during the program. Suitable for ages 4 to 12. Adults are also welcome. Presented by Jeff Macechak of the Burlington County Historical Society. 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 - Sunday, April 18 - 19 - Hancocks Bridge, Salem County

Civil War Weekend

Children Friendly

The Friends of the Hancock House in cooperation with the state Department of Environmental Protection, and the Division of Parks and Forestry will sponsor a living history Civil War weekend on Saturday and Sunday.

The Union forces will be encamped on the grounds of the Hancock House, ancestral home of Civil War nurse, Cornelia Hancock. There will be activities for the family and displays in the Hancock House.

The event will run from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm on Saturday and from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm on Sunday. The Hancock House is located at 3 Front St, Hancocks Bridge, NJ. For more information, call 856-935-3218.

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Sunday, April 19 - Bridgewater, Somerset County

Walter Choroszewski, The American Revolution: The NJ Connection

On Sunday from 2:00 - 3:30 pm, Walter Choroszewski will present New Jersey's significant contributions to the success of the American Revolution. He will share stories of the retreat across The Jerseys and the triumphant return across the Delaware, the historic battles at Princeton, Monmouth, and Springfield, the winters at Middlebrook and Morristown as well as Rochambeau's march to victory through the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area.

Walter Choroszewski has been a leading advocate of Jersey pride since 1980 when he was commissioned to photograph the state for a book project. New Jersey A Scenic Discovery, launched his photographic career and link to the Garden State. He has since published eighteen photographic books; his most recent book, Hunterdon In My Heart, celebrates Hunterdon County's tercentenary in 2014.

Choroszewski's photographs were the inspiration for creating the iconic state tourism campaign: "New Jersey & You: Perfect Together!" Walter was the primary photographer of the campaign through the 1980s and 90s and was awarded the first New Jersey Photo Journalism Award by Governor Thomas Kean in 1989. In addition to state tourism, Choroszewski's photographs of New Jersey were widely published in calendars, magazines, textbooks, and as covers for Bell Atlantic's telephone directories. His fine art prints and murals of New Jersey are found in corporations, hospitals in many private collections.

This program is free, but space is limited and reservations are required. To register, visit http://heritagetrail.org/events_reg.htm. The program will take place at the Van Horne House, 941 E Main Street, Bridgewater, NJ. For more information, call 732-356-8856 or visit www.heritagetrail.org.

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Sunday, April 19 - Andover, Sussex County

Open House

The Historical Society of Andover Borough cordially invites you to visit the Andover Museum on Sunday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm.

Come experience Andover's important historic significance. A wide array of artifacts and other historic memorabilia highlighting Andover's rich diversified history are visually displayed in the museum. These displays include Andover's history of iron ore mining and processing, the railroad, dairy farming production, and the everyday life and people of this significant community and Andover's important contributions to the growth of Sussex County, Northern New Jersey, and America. This month's theme is "Election Day/Political figures and a Christmas display."

The Andover Museum is open to visitors from 1:00 - 4:00 pm on Sunday. It is located upstairs in the Andover Borough Municipal Building at 137 Main Street/Route 206, Andover Borough, NJ. There is ample parking located behind the building and the museum entrance is on Smith Street.

The museum is open to the public. For additional information please call 973-786-7833 or e-mail historyandovernj@aol.com.

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Sunday, April 19 - Trenton, Mercer County

Preserving the Statue of Liberty: New Design for Safety and Accessibility in the 21st Century

On Sunday at 2:00 pm, Architect Michael J. Mills, FAIA will present a lecture at the William Trent House titled, "Preserving the Statue of Liberty: New Design for Safety and Accessibility in the 21st Century." "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States in 1886, and is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. Constructed on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty is a National Monument and a World Heritage Site, visited by more than three million people a year.

In this new security conscious age, safety and accessibility at the iconic Statue of Liberty are two important concerns for the National Park Service. In 2009, Princeton Architecture firm Mills + Schnoering Architects was engaged to bring the egress and life safety systems at the Statue into compliance with current building codes, and to improve access for visitors with disabilities. Partner-in-charge Michael Mills, FAIA, will present an illustrated lecture describing the design challenges of threading in new stairways and elevator while respecting the original copper structure and historic steel girders designed by Gustave Eiffel. Featured in the presentation will be historic images, graphics from the three-dimensional modeling design process, construction process images, and final architectural photography.

Michael J. Mills, FAIA is a partner in Mills + Schnoering Architects, LLC in Princeton, New Jersey where he designs and oversees large scale projects at significant historic structures such as the Statue of Liberty, Louis Kahn's Trenton Bath House, the Princeton University Chapel, and the Princeton University Graduate College. His work has been recognized with awards from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the American Institute of Architects - NJ Chapter, and many more. Mr. Mills is a graduate of the Princeton University School of Architecture and Urban Planning, has a M.S. in Historic Preservation from Columbia University, and has a post graduate certificate from the International Center for Conservation in Rome, Italy.

Preserving the Statue of Liberty: New Design for Safety and Accessibility in the 21st Century is sponsored by the Trent House Association and the Trenton Historical Society. Complimentary refreshments beginning at 1:30. Tickets sold at the door - $15 for nonmembers and $10 for members of the Trent House Association or the Trenton Historical Society. The William Trent House is located on the corner of William Trent Place and Market Street, across from the Hughes Justice Complex. Parking is available either on William Trent Place or in the adjacent parking lot. For more information, call 609-989-0087 or visit www.williamtrenthouse.org.

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Sunday, April 19 - 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 Crane-Phillips House Museum is located at 124 North Union Avenue, Cranford, NJ. 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, April 19 - Paterson, Passaic County

Concert at Lambert Castle

On Sunday at 5:00 pm at Lambert Castle, the Passaic County Historical Society will host Kathy Knittel as she presents A Journey of Song. Having studied at Montclair State University and William Paterson University, Kathy performs as a soloist and has been an ensemble member with numerous bands, orchestras and choirs, including the renowned Frank Bennet Orchestra and Heart of Gold Band. Her performance will include ballads and songs from James Taylor, Fleetwood Mac, Stephen Sondheim, Sarah McLachlan and Joni Mitchell just to name a few. This concert is the opening performance of  the 2015 Lambert Castle Concert Series. Admission to the concert is $15. Seating is limited and no reservations will be taken. 

This performance is a part of the 2015 Lambert Castle Concert Series. Featuring local musicians and a variety of musical genres, all concerts are performed in the beautiful atmosphere that is Lambert Castle.

The Passaic County Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was founded to cultivate interest among individuals and the community-at-large in the rich history of Passaic County. To this end our museum in Lambert Castle showcases examples of the County’s cultural and artistic diversity, as well as examples of the County’s natural, civil, military, and ecclesiastical history. The Society also maintains a library and archive, which houses manuscripts, books and photographs of historical and genealogical interest.

Lambert Castle is located at 3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ. For more information, call 973-247-0085 or visit www.lambertcastle.org.

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Sunday, April 19 - 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, April 19 - 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, April 19 - Park Ridge, Bergen County

Antique Furniture Talk at Pascack Museum

The Pascack Historical Society will present the third part of a three-part series of talks about the identification, restoration, and maintenance of antique furniture. "How to Speak Antique-Pursuing Period Furniture" will take place on Sunday at 2:00 pm and is free to attend. Children are welcome if accompanied by an adult.

The guest speaker, Robert Mathez of Westwood, wears two hats at the 72-year-old not-for-profit historical/educational organization. He is a member of the PHS Board of Trustees and is the curator of its John C. Storms Museum, both volunteer positions. Mathez, president of Robert Mathez Interiors, graduated from Westwood High School and attended the Rhode Island School of Design before he began his 40-year career in the field of antique furniture.

Mathez will begin his talk by explaining that "period" is the way in which furniture is described by studying the materials and methods used in a given time frame. The early Americans in the Pascack Valley brought their memories of European designed furniture to their new country but adapted those designs to fit into a more utilitarian lifestyle. According to Mathez, American ingenuity, which led to our fight for freedom in 1776, was already apparent in our furniture forms a hundred years before. Focus will be put on five specific Bergen County ladderback chairs from the society's collection dating from 1785 to 1970.

A question and answer period will follow the talk. Attendees are encouraged to bring their personal small ladderback chairs, or photos of the same for identification and discussion. No values will be given. A limited edition 12-page furniture guide will be given to each visitor.

Complimentary coffee and cake will be served. The Pascack Historical Society is located at 19 Ridge Avenue, Park Ridge, NJ. For more information, call 201-573-0307 or visit www.pascackhistoricalsociety.org.

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Through April 18, 2015 - Trenton, Mercer County

Trenton Central High School: A Remembrance - LAST DAY

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 16, 2015 - Morristown, Morris County
275th Anniversary of the Founding of the Township of Morris, 1740-2015

In conjunction with the Mayor and Township Committee of Morris Township and The Historic Preservation Commission of Morris Township, The Morristown and Morris Township Library is hosting an exhibit celebrating the 275th anniversary of the founding of Morris Township. The exhibit will be on display in the second floor, F.M. Kirby Gallery from through August 16, 2015. The exhibit is also supported by the Friends of the Morristown & Morris Township Library.

The colonial legislature of New Jersey created Morris County on March 15, 1739 naming the county, for the Governor of New Jersey, Colonel Lewis Morris (for which the Township and Morristown would later also be named). The county was initially divided into three townships in 1740: Pequannock, Hanover, and Morris. Morris Township originally took up half of the county but has been subdivided many times since and now encompasses 15.45 square miles. In its first two hundred years, the Township was primarily farmland but this changed drastically over time as much of New Jersey morphed into the “urban” designation tagged currently with the U.S. Census Bureau. The anniversary exhibit will focus not only on Morris Township’s agricultural past, but also its part in the American Revolution and its fame as home to Gilded Age, New York City millionaire mansions. The exhibition will also examine the history of the Township’s fire and police departments, The Seeing Eye, the College of Saint Elizabeth and other institutions as well as famous Township residents.

The Morristown and Morris Township Library is located at 1 Miller Rd, Morristown, NJ. For more information, call the Library’s North Jersey History & Genealogy Center at 973-538-3473 or visit www.jfpl.org/NJHistoryHome.cfm.

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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 September 13, 2015 - Oceanville, Atlantic County
Pine Barrens: Life and Legends

This historic exhibition at The Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton University revisits the work and play of life in the Pine Barrens. Industries of charcoal, glass, paper and iron once thrived in the Pines, while music and merrymaking filled the dance halls and stories of witches and the Jersey Devil abounded. The exhibition is a collaboration between the South Jersey Culture & History Center (SJCHC) and the Noyes Museum of Art. Admission to the museum is: Adults $5; Seniors (60 and older) $4; Students with ID $4; Stockton Students, Faculty, and Staff with ID Free; Members Free; and Children (6 and under) Free. The Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton University is located at 733 Lily Lake Road, Oceanville (Galloway Township), NJ. For more information, call 609-652-8848 or visit www.noyesmuseum.org/exhibitions.html.

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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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Through January 6, 2016 - Woodbury, Gloucester County

Gloucester Abbey: Downton Style Fashions Exhibit

Gloucester Abbey: Downton Style Fashions is currently on display at the exhibit at the Gloucester County Historical Society Museum in Woodbury, New Jersey. The exhibit will conclude on January 6, 2016. This remarkable exhibit features ladies’ fashions from the society's collection from the time period covered by the popular PBS Masterpiece Theater series Downton Abbey. Over 100 vintage dresses/ensembles from the museum’s collection dating from 1910 through the 1930s are showcased, including period wedding gowns. Also on display are ladies accessories, including hats, shoes, purses, jewelry, and lingerie. Don’t miss this fantastic exhibit!

The Gloucester County Historical Society Museum hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm, and the last Sunday of the month from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Private tours may be booked for days/times other than our regular public hours. Adult admission $5; children 6-18 years $1; children under 6 free. The Gloucester County Historical Society Museum is located at 58 N. Broad Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096. For more information, call 856-848-8531 or visit www.rootsweb.com/~njgchs.

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Through June 26, 2016 - Piscataway, Middlesex County

The Icons of American Culture: History of New Jersey Diners Exhibit

Children Friendly

When was the last time you ate at a diner? If you are like millions of New Jerseyans, the answer is not too long ago. Dubbed “the land of diners,” New Jersey has forged a unique relationship with these casual eateries. Stainless steel, neon, and menus that go on for days are part of the Garden State landscape. Come explore their rich history with us! This seven-room exhibit tells the story of some of the of the Garden State’s most iconic eateries. This exhibit runs from April 12, 2015 - June 26, 2016 and is free of charge.

The exhibit is open Tuesday – Friday from 1:00 – 4:00 pm and Sundays from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Closed Mondays, Saturdays, and Holidays. The Cornelius Low House Museum is located at 1225 River Road, Piscataway, NJ. For more information, call 732-745-4177 or visit www.co.middlesex.nj.us.

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