NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 6/6/15 - 6/7/15

NJ WEEKEND HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS

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Saturdays, June 6, 13, and 20 - Trenton, Mercer County

Be an Archaeologist at the Trent House Museum

Children Friendly

The 1719 William Trent House Museum in Trenton announces opportunities to work with professional archaeologists from Trenton's Hunter Research to try to locate the distinctive 1742 kitchen addition referenced in 18th century maps and documents. Public "dig days" are Saturdays June 6, 13, and 20 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.

Hands-on participation may include digging, soil screening, artifact processing and documentation. As well as building remnants, artifacts from the various notable families who occupied the Trent House over the centuries may be found. Instruction and supervision will be provided. This event is free and open to the public.

The new archaeology at the Trent House will further the scholarly documentation of this important historic landmark. The house was built for William Trent, who immigrated to Philadelphia from Scotland and became a very successful and wealthy merchant trading with Great Britain and the colonies. About 1719, William Trent built his country estate at the Falls of the Delaware River in the settlement that would come to be known as Trenton. The house is a large, imposing brick structure, built in the Georgian style.

After Trent died in 1724, "300 acres plus the brick dwelling house" were sold, and from 1742 to 1746, the house was leased to the first British Governor of New Jersey, Lewis Morris. Upon taking residence, he required that a separate kitchen be built, connected to the main house by a "gangway", which would also be large enough to "lodge servants." Subsequent 19th and early 20th century modernizing additions to the Trent House altered its early appearance, and Governor Morris's distinctive kitchen was lost.

In addition to seeking evidence of the actual location of Governor Morris's kitchen, another goal is to pinpoint the original well location. Artifacts from pre-contact Native Americans may be found, and of particular interest would be artifacts indicating the use and occupation of the Trent House by enslaved people of African heritage during the 18th and early 19th centuries.

For more information about becoming involved, please contact the Trent House office at trenthouseassociation@verizon.net or 609-989-0087. The Trent House is located at 15 Market Street in Trenton, adjacent to the Hughes Justice Complex. Ample free parking. For more information, call 609-989-0087, e-mail trenthouseassociation@verizon.net, or visit www.williamtrenthouse.org.

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Saturday, June 6 - Montclair, Essex County

A Woman About Town

This walking tour begins in front of a typical upper middle class home on Prospect Terrace in Montclair, from the vantage point of a woman who lived there in the early 20th century. Learn about Montclair’s history, focusing on the late 1800s to mid-1900s, a period of great growth and change, as it would have likely been experienced by this Montclair family; the tour shines a special spotlight on a woman’s experience during that time and typical activities and interests.  A tour will also be given inside the First Congregational Church. The tour will be about a mile, starting at 15 Prospect Terrace at 10:30 am and ending at 58 South Fullerton Avenue, the current Mills Social Services building, with a viewing of the gardens in back at 12:00 noon. The walking tour is led by MHS Board of Trustee member Helen Fallon and MHS Manager of Audience Engagement, Angelica Diggs. Co-sponsored by Bike&Walk Montclair. Suggested donation of $5. To register, call 973-744-1796 or e-mail mail@montclairhistorical.org. For more information, visit www.montclairhistorical.org.

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Saturday, June 6 - Middletown, Monmouth County

King George III's Birthday

Children Friendly

The Monmouth County Historical Association invites you to join them for a celebration of the birthday of King George III on Saturday at Marlpit Hall, 137 Kings Highway, Middletown, NJ from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Within the British Empire, including the American Colonies, celebration of the King's birthday was one of the social events of the year. Come and see how this day might have been celebrated in the home of Loyalist Edward Taylor. Historical reenactors dressed as Edward and wife, Mary Ogborne Taylor, will welcome guests. Enjoy musical entertainment of the period played on the harpsichord and recorder, as presented by "The Practitioners of Musick" with John Burkhalter of Princeton. 

Marlpit Hall, built circa 1756, was home to the prominent loyalist Taylor Family at the time of the Revolution. Many of its members were among the area's leading politicians, farmers, merchants, and landowners. Edward Taylor endured house arrest for his political position and the family lost much its fortune and influence. The house was restored, furnished and donated to Monmouth County Historical Association by Margaret Riker Haskell in 1936 when it became the first restored house museum in the region. Mrs. Haskell was one of the most significant collectors of Americana, notably decorative arts, in the United States and a well-respected figure in a historically significant trail of women involved in preservation work. Marlpit Hall is currently furnished to reflect the varying tastes and lifestyles of the 18th century Taylor Family and Mrs. Haskell's 20th century colonial revival plan.

Light refreshments will be served and admission is free. Parking is available at the adjacent Middletown Village School. For more information, call 732-462-1466 or visit www.monmouthhistory.org.

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Saturday, June 6 - Newark, Essex County

2015 GSNJ and NJHS Spring Program

On Saturday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, join the Genealogical Society of New Jersey (GSNJ) and New Jersey Historical Society (NJHS) for a full day of genealogy and history. Learn about new and unusual resources in Newark, New York, and at the New Jersey State Archives in Trenton. Get a fresh perspective on researching your New Jersey ancestors. With six lectures to choose from – you’re sure to find something you like!

Registration includes lunch and free parking in a secure lot at 25 Fulton Street, just a few short blocks from NJHS. The private parking lot will stay open for program attendees until 5:00 pm.

Featured Speakers: 
- James Amemasor and Doug Oxenhorn will be presenting "Doing Research at The New Jersey Historical Society"
- Christopher Zarr will be presenting "NJ and the National Archives at New York City"
- Melissa A. Johnson will be presenting "Researching Your Newark Ancestors"
- Catherine Stearns Medich will be presenting "So what is new at the New Jersey State Archives?"
- Andy McCarthy will be presenting "New Jersey collections at NYPL"
- Joseph R. Klett will be presenting "Colonial New Jersey Research"

Walk-ins are welcome, but lunch is not guaranteed. Cost to attend: $50 non-members and $45 for GSNJ and NJHS members. The New Jersey Historical Society is located at 52 Park Place, Newark, NJ. For more information, visit www.gsnj.org.

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Saturday, June 6 -  Atlantic Highlands, Monmouth County

2015 House Tour

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Saturday, June 6 - West Orange, Essex County

Edison Day

Children Friendly

Join West Orange as it celebrates Edison Day. This year the park has joined with many of its West Orange partners to bring you the largest Edison Day EVER! There will be a street fair, town picnic, stage with live entertainment, and the park has many special programs throughout the day. Take a look at the highlights below:

Dream Rocket Project
Be one of the first to see the new art exhibition. Submissions are from around the US and all are completed on 2x2 cloth squares. Each square is the artist's interpretation of Innovation – Edison and Beyond. Which is your favorite artwork?

Edison and West Orange
Take a look at documents and photos that highlight the history of West Orange. Meet the archivists and town historian.

Wax Cylinder Recording
Stop in the building - watch and listen as these New Jersey musicians record on 100 year old phonographs. You decide if it sounds like your MP3 music today.

Entrance fees are waived on Edison day. The main laboratory complex at Thomas Edison National Historical Park is located at 211 Main Street, West Orange, NJ. For more information, call 973-736-0550 ext. 17 or visit www.nps.gov/edis.

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Saturday, June 6 - Tuckerton, Ocean County

Privateers and Pirates Festival

Children Friendly

All things pirates! Learn the difference between privateers and pirates and then be one at the Tuckerton Seaport on Saturday from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. Pirate history - authentic and make believe - plus a treasure scavenger hunt, games, costume contest and craft activities. Enjoy live entertainment throughout the day with "Pirates for Sail" and be immersed in an interactive pirate adventure for a swashbuckling good time. Channel your inner pirate at the Pirate’s Market, where you can purchase eye patches, swords, and other pirate paraphernalia. If it’s treasured memories you seek, spend the day at the Seaport and live the pirate’s life of plunder.

General admission: adults $8, seniors $6, ages 5-12 $3, under five free and Seaport members free. Event admission includes access to the Seaport’s 40 acres of family fun, featuring maritime activities, historic and recreated buildings, live animals, a boardwalk, miniature golf course, and exhibits. The Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen's Museum is located at 120 West Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ. For more information, call 609-296-8868 or visit www.tuckertonseaport.org.

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Saturday, June 6 - Pennsville, Salem County

A Day at the Farm
Children Friendly

Come and enjoy the fun as the Pennsville Township Historical Society recreate the living history of farm life during the 1800s at the Church Landing Farm Museum from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm. Featuring baked goods, Jersey fresh vegetables, antique trucks and tractors, Revolutionary War and Civil War reenactors, spinning and weaving demonstrations, music, old-fashioned children's games, plus food and drinks. There will be pony rides for the kids from 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm and music by the American Legion Band from 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm. Museum tours will take place from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm. Rain date is Sunday, June 7 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. The Church Landing Farm Museum is located at 86 Church Landing Road, Pennsville, NJ. For more information, visit www.pvhistorical.com.

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Saturday, June 6 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County

Hog Weighing

Children Friendly

On Saturday, the Howell Farm hogs will wade out of their wallows, shuffle down a chute and step onto the scales. The weigh-in is open to the public, and visitors are invited to join farmers as they wash and weigh hogs, slop hogs, and of course, call hogs.

Kids can help farmers with pig chores: mixing feed and filling wallows. Hog weighing will take place during the day. Prizes will be offered to visitors who come closest to guessing the pigs' weights. Hog weighing will take place at: 11:30 am, 1:00, 2:00, and 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, June 6 - Morristown, Morris County

Washington Leaves and the British Invade

Children Friendly

Join a ranger for special tours of the Ford Mansion on the 235th anniversary weekend of General George Washington's departure from Morristown. On June 7, 1780, Washington left the Ford Mansion in a big hurry! Meet an officer at the Ford Mansion to find out why and how the citizens of New Jersey, both professional and civilian soldiers, faced down a major British invasion of their state. Tours from 1:00 - 3:30 pm. Cost: $4 per adult. The Ford Mansion is located within Morristown National Historical Park, 30 Washington Place, Morristown, NJ. For more information, call 973-539-2016 ext.210 or visit www.nps.gov/morr.

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Saturday, June 6 - Haddonfield, Camden County

Revolutionary War Skirmish in Haddonfield
Children Friendly

Red Coats and rebels will face off once again when the American Revolution returns to South Jersey for the third annual "Skirmish on Kings Highway" on Saturday.

The event will mark the 237th anniversary of the British encampment in Haddonfield. Revolutionary reenactors - the Second Pennsylvania Regiment - will gather at the Indian King Tavern Museum beginning 10:00 am. Around 1:00 pm, the Red Coats from the First Battalion of New Jersey Volunteers will march down Kings Highway.

When the two groups meet, the skirmish will begin, with the future of the colonies at stake. The fight will last about 30 minutes, and there will be space for people to watch along the street, which will be closed to traffic. Afterward, children will have a chance to march down the street with wooden muskets. Tours of the museum will be held throughout the day.

The Indian King Tavern Museum is located at 233 Kings Highway, Haddonfield, NJ. For more information, call 856-429-6792 or visit www.indiankingfriends.org.

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Saturday, June 6 - Moorestown, Burlington County

Civil War Reenactors in Moorestown

Children Friendly

The Historical Society of Moorestown will mark the end of its 18-month commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War with a Civil War reenactment. A group of reenactors who portray the 4th New Jersey Regiment will set up an encampment on the grounds of the Smith-Cadbury Mansion in Moorestown, NJ on Saturday from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, in conjunction with Moorestown Day on Main Street.

Among the demonstrations that the group will showcase will be the type of medical care soldiers received in the mid-19th century, the types of weapons used, and even children's games from that era. The 4th New Jersey Regiment was formed in 2012 and has members from all over the state. The group attends events all over the country and recently participated in the 150th Anniversary Commemoration of Lee's surrender at Appomattox. Their goal is to educate the public about one of the most pivotal time frames in American history. As a reenactment organization, they educate by conducting living history programs and by participating in battle reenactments.

The Smith-Cadbury Mansion, located at 12 High Street in Moorestown, NJ. For more information, call 856-235-0353 or visit www.moorestown.com/history.

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Saturday, June 6 - Princeton, Mercer County

Community Day at Updike Farmstead: TASK Artists and Musicians

Children Friendly

Updike Farmstead is open to the public on Saturday! The day features art and music for the whole family to enjoy. From 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm, the public is invited to observe members of the Trenton  Community A-TEAM "plein-air" painting on the beautiful six-acre Farmstead, and enjoy a variety of music, from folk to funk, performed by the FunkTASKtiks. In addition, supplies will be available for those inspired to create their own masterpieces.

All programs are included with $4 museum admission or $2 with a donation of art supplies or non-perishable food items for TASK. Updike Farmstead is located at 354 Quaker Road, Princeton, NJ. For more information, call 609-921-6748 x102, e-mail eve@princetonhistory.org, or visit www.princetonhistory.org.

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Saturday, June 6 - Roebling, Burlington County

Roebling Museum to Honor the Contributions of Rosie the Riveter!

Join the Roebling Museum on Saturday at 1:00 pm as they honor the contributions of America's women during times of war with a special presentation on "Rosie the Riveter." During World War II, as men joined the armed forces, large numbers of women put on their "Rosie the Riveter" coveralls and went to work in the mills of the John A. Roebling's Sons Company for the first time. Many of these women here in Roebling, N.J. and nationwide won special commendations, honors, and awards for the work efforts and for supporting our troops by buying war bonds.

Rosie the Riveter has been a popular American cultural icon for many years. A song of the same name was written by Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb and was recorded by Kay Kyser's band. J. Howard Miller's "We Can Do It" poster (mistaken for Rosie) is still popular, as is Norman Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post cover featuring the strong, capable woman. In times of war, women are called upon to take on tasks traditionally considered men's work and have shown themselves more than equal to the challenge. Even more difficult might have been returning to traditionally female roles once the men return home. Rosie has symbolized rising to both types of challenges.

Elizabeth Michaels' portrayal of Rosie the Riveter shows the characteristic strength and grace under pressure for which this American archetype is famous. This self-taught actress has created a successful career and family by identifying her talents and finding ways to make her contribution.

The presentation is free but seating is limited. Reservations are strongly suggested. You may register on-line at www.roeblingmuseum.org or by calling 609-499-7200.

The Roebling Museum is located at 100 Second Avenue in Roebling, NJ. Parking is available at the rear of the museum just off Hornberger Avenue. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. For more information, call 609-499-7200 or visit www.roeblingmuseum.org.

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Saturday - Sunday, June 6 - 7 - Cape May, Cape May County

Free Country Fair at Historic Cold Spring Village

Children Friendly

Step back in time during Historic Cold Spring Village's Free Country Fair on Saturday and  Sunday. Guests are invited to tour a selection of the Village's 26 restored, historic buildings where historical interpreters demonstrate the trades, crafts and lifestyles of the "homespun era." Enjoy games, crafts, historic dress-up, face-painting, a special sale at the Country Store and a bake sale on Saturday. Antique dealers, folk artists and crafters will display and sell their wares along the Village's shaded lanes throughout the weekend.

Visitors to the Cold Spring Country Fair can also take guided walking tours of the Village from Jim Stephens, HCSV Deputy Director for Education and Interpretation. Stephens will lead the lively tours throughout the 30-acre site, providing details and insight into the Village buildings and Cape May County history. Tours will be offered at 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm on both Saturday and Sunday and will begin near the Route 9 gatehouse.

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

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Saturdays & Sundays, June 6 through October 25, 2015 - Ringwood, Passaic County

Child’s Life Tour at Ringwood

Children Friendly

The “A Child’s Life” tour was developed for children and is all about the Hewitt children. The program uses first-hand accounts to help younger visitors understand what it was like to spend summers at the Ringwood estate 150 years ago. If you thought living without modern entertainment like television, DVDs, and computers was boring, think again! Designed to be fun and amusing, these tours are great for families and visitors of all ages!

Like any family, the Hewitt children were full of energy. With 22,000 acres of property, they could often be found fishing, hunting, swimming, and horseback riding. The large, rambling mansion provided plenty of indoor fun with activities like hide-and-go-seek and sliding down the staircase banisters. In addition, Eddie and his brother Cooper were getting into all sorts of trouble at their summer home, going on adventures and playing many practical jokes on their guests. So, if you’d like to hear about the family’s pet bear, or how the Hewitt boys played a prank using a raccoon and a suitcase, this tour is for you!

“A Child’s Life” tour is approximately 45 minutes long and takes visitors through the historic house while these amusing stories are being told. All thirty of the rooms open to the public are shown, but the tour proceeds at a faster, more energetic pace. Scavenger hunts are provided to encourage visitors to look for some of the unusual features in the manor. At the end of the tour, children and adults are invited to play with reproduction 18th and 19th century toys on the front lawn of Ringwood Manor. 

“A Child’s Life” tours will be offered to the public at 1:00 pm every Saturday and Sunday through October 25th. Tours are $3 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-12, and children 5 and under are free. Ringwood Manor is located at 1304 Sloatsburg Road, Ringwood, NJ, within Ringwood State Park. For more information, call 973-962-2240 or visit www.ringwoodmanor.org.

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Sunday, June 7 - 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 starting 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, June 7 - Haledon, Passaic County

American Labor Museum Unveils Phase Twentieth of Silk Walk

On Sunday at 1:00 pm, the American Labor Museum/Botto House National Landmark will unveil the nineteenth phase of its Silk Walk Project. A successful fundraiser that began in 1994, the Silk Walk is a project designed to sell engraved bricks for placement at the Landmark's front walkway and under its grape arbor. Funds from the project are to be used for the museum's upkeep, operating expenses, and educational programs. This ongoing project is available for all to participate. Silk Walk bricks are priced from $50 to $200.

Also on Sunday at 1:00 pm, the museum's annual membership meeting will take place. The general public is invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

The Botto House National Landmark, home of the American Labor Museum, is located at 83 Norwood Street in Haledon, NJ. It was the meeting place for over 20,000 silk mill workers during the 1913 Paterson Silk Strike. The Museum is open to visitors Wednesday through Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm or by appointment. For more information, call 973-595-7953 or visit www.labormuseum.net.

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Sunday, June 7 - Union Township, Union County

Hannah Caldwell Day 2015

On Sunday from 2:00 - 5:00 pm, the Union Township Historical Society commemorates the anniversary of Hannah Caldwell's death. Rev. James Caldwell will be present and there will be an open house at the Caldwell Parsonage Museum. The museum is located at 909 Caldwell Avenue, Union, NJ. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. For more information, call Barbara at 908-687-0048 or visit http://uniontwphistoricalsociety.webs.com.

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Sunday, June 7 - 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! For more information, call 973-744-1796, e-mail mail@montclairhistorical.org, or visit www.montclairhistorical.org.

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Sunday, June 7 - Holmdel, Monmouth County
Music at the Farmhouse
Children Friendly

On Sunday, visit the farmhouse at Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel to enjoy music from the 1890s. This free event runs from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Historic Longstreet Farm is located at 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ. For more information, call 732-946-3758 or visit  www.monmouthcountyparks.com.

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Sunday, June 7 - Bedminster, Somerset County

Colonial Springfest

Children Friendly

Pack a picnic lunch on Sunday and spend the afternoon at Bedminster’s historic Jacobus Vanderveer House & Museum for Colonial SpringFest. From 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm, visitors can join reenactors outdoors under a period tent for an old-fashioned Colonial picnic and Colonial games. They can also tour the 1772 Dutch Colonial home – once the headquarters for General Henry Knox during the American Revolution – where costumed presenters will demonstrate early American crafts and trades.

Food historian Susan Plaisted will offer an ice cream making demonstration, complete with taste tests, while Patty Matonti from New York’s Hudson Valley will demonstrate the step-by-step process of turning natural wool fleece into handspun yarn. Jacqueline Mazza, former pastry chef for the Frog and the Peach restaurant, and owner of Knead Baked Goods will be selling hand-baked breads, focaccia, and pretzels, made with locally sourced ingredients. Handmade items from multiple crafters will also be available for purchase.

The free event will be held rain or shine. Visitors are encouraged to bring their food in a recyclable basket or container, along with a blanket or lawn chairs. The Jacobus Vanderveer House is located at 3055 River Road (in Bedminster’s River Road Park), Bedminster, NJ. For more information, call 908-396-6053 or visit www.jvanderveerhouse.org.

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Sunday, June 7 - Westfield, Union County

When Stars Were In Reach - The WHO Lecture and Concert

On Sunday afternoon from 2:00 - 4:00 pm, the Westfield Historical Society will host a fundraising rock event on the lawn of the Reeve History and Cultural Resource Center. They are delighted to have Michael (Mike) Rosenbloom as our guest speaker followed by a live performance from Jersey-based rock band BooneScuttle5.

Mike will discuss his recently published book, When Stars Were In Reach - THE WHO At Union Catholic High School, November 29, 1967. The story surrounding this event is fascinating and presented with great enthusiasm and skill by Mike, whose book tells the story of how a small group of teenagers from a suburban high school in Scotch Plains, New Jersey were able to book the "soon to be world famous" British rock band to play at a fund-raiser for their school, Union Catholic. Mike's presentation has drawn enthusiastic crowds and received high praise in the local press.

The presentation runs approximately 1 hour and will be followed by a Q&A session and a live performance from BooneScuttle5, WHO fans themselves, playing British Invasion style 60s Radio Rock. Three members of the band were actually at the Union Catholic concert in 1967, and were interviewed by Mike while researching his book. Mike will be on-hand during the concert to sell and sign copies of his book.

Admission is a $10 donation to the Westfield Historical Society at the door and includes light refreshments plus a door prize entry for one lucky recipient to win a signed copy of the Collector's Edition of Mike's book. Please pre-register for this fun event by calling 908-654-1794 or by emailing info@westfieldhistoricalsociety.org.

If very wet or stormy weather is forecast, any event changes will be posted on the society's website the evening before. For more information, call 908-654-1794 or visit www.westfieldhistoricalsociety.org.

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Sunday, June 7 - Maplewood, Essex County

Remembering Gruning’s 

Children Friendly

Oh for the simple pleasures of yester-year – like savoring the taste of a fresh peach ice cream cone on a summer day at Gruning’s ice cream parlor in South Orange or sharing a deluxe chocolate ice cream soda with a friend after school at The Top in Maplewood. On Sunday from 1:00 – 4:00 pm, visit the Durand-Hedden House for a relaxed afternoon of fun recalling these adored institutions that were a center of social life for the two towns.

Gruning’s produced its top quality ice cream known for high butter fat content and rich flavors for over 80 years from 1910 through 1991. Sadly, just as the restaurant/confectionary stores are a memory, the ice cream is no more. However happily, the celebrated fudge sauce is now being made from the original Gruning’s recipe and visitors will be able to taste samples. There will be vintage photographs on display and an opportunity for people to share their own memorabilia and record their memories of Gruning’s on paper or tape. Town residents who arrived in town too late for a Gruning’s experience will get a sense of why the name alone brings wide contented smiles to Gruning’s veterans. Bring the kids, there will be some old-fashioned activities that include games and word puzzles, croquet, and ice-cream making.

Inside the house, visitors can still 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 decorative ceramics, vintage photos, hiking sticks, and more. The hard- to-find original Doors of Maplewood poster and Smile, the history of Olympic Park, will also be available.

The Durand-Hedden House is dedicated to telling the history of the development of Maplewood and the surrounding area in new and engaging ways. It is located in Grasmere Park at 523 Ridgewood Road in Maplewood, NJ. For more information, call 973-763-7712 or visit www.durandhedden.org.

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Sunday, June 7 - Pennsauken, Camden County

Reenactment and Open House

Children Friendly

On Sunday, the Historic Griffith Morgan House will host the troops and followers of the recreated 11th Pennsylvania Regiment of militia of the American Revolution from 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm. The troops will be going through training drills in the yard while followers of the regiment will take advantage of the colonial hearth to prepare a hearty meal for their brave soldiers! Hear the call to arms to defend your homes against the red coats! Free tours of the historic house and museum, free parking plentiful. Admission is free, but memberships and donations are most welcome! Refreshments will be offered. The Griffith Morgan House is located at 243 Griffith Morgan Lane, Pennsauken, NJ. For more information, call 856-486-9561 or visit them on Facebook.

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Sunday, June 7 - Jefferson Township, Morris County

Open House

The Jefferson Township Museum, also known as the George Chamberlin House, will have an open house on Sunday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Learn about the Jefferson Township Historical Society. Costumed docents will be available to talk about this Victorian home. The Museum Curator has decorated the museum with charming vintage spring items.  Admission is free.

The Jefferson Township Museum is located at 315 Dover-Milton Road, Jefferson Township, NJ. Visit Miss Elizabeth's Shoppe located in the original kitchen of the museum, where small antiques, collectibles, handmade, handcrafted and seasonal items will be offered for sale. For further information, call 973-208-8601 or visit www.jthistoricalsociety.org.

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Sunday, June 7 - Westampton, Burlington County
Leather Tooling

Leather was an important part of colonial life. It was necessary for clothing, shoes, furniture and military use. Mount Holly artist Elaine Guzman Meade will share her knowledge and unique talent for working with leather. Elaine is known for creating beautiful handcrafted leather items, as well as working in such mediums as etched glass and wood working. She is the owner/operator of "Cheerful Dreams" located in Mill Race Village, Mount Holly.

This program will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. Admission is $5 per person; Friends of Peachfield admitted free of charge. Reservations are recommended as seating is limited. Peachfield is located at 180 Burrs Road, Westampton, NJ. For more information and to register, call 609-267-6996, or e-mail colonialdamesnj@comcast.net.

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Sunday, June 7 - South River, Middlesex County

Open House

Stop by the South River Historical & Preservation Society on Sunday from 1:30 - 3:30 pm and view exhibits on all aspects of Borough history including: schools; churches and houses of worship; local businesses and organizations; daily life; events and celebrations; and more. While you are there, see the cemetery located behind the building, ask questions, drop off donations, or exchange hometown stories with the docents. The museum is located at 64-66 Main Street, South River. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~njsrhps/museum.html

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Sunday, June 7 - Burlington City, Burlington County

New Jersey Shipwrecks

On Sunday, the Burlington County Historical Society presents Margaret Bucholz, author of New Jersey Shipwrecks: 350 Years in  the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Listen as she takes us on a gripping voyage through the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" - a name bestowed upon the state's treacherous shoals and inlets. Bucholz explores the maritime history of NJ coast, along with the development of the U.S. Coast Guard from its 1848 origin as the Lifesaving Service, through illustrations, photographs, and readings from the harrowing memories of survivors and observers. 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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Sunday, June 7 through October 25, 2015 - Ringwood, Passaic County

Grounds and Garden Tour

Did you ever wonder what all that “stuff” is placed around the grounds at Ringwood Manor? What about all those other buildings on the property? What were they used for? If you have ever been curious about the estate at Ringwood Manor, this tour is for you! The 2 hour guided walking tour will take visitors around the main property at Ringwood Manor, discussing the historic objects, the planned gardens, and landscape features, the out-buildings, and the cemetery. Historic photographs of the property will also be shown. These free tours meet at 2:00 pm in front of Ringwood Manor every Sunday from June 7 - October 25. It is advised that participants wear walking or hiking shoes, dress appropriately for the weather, and bring bug spray and sunblock. Steady rain cancels. No reservations necessary. For more information and to call ahead to confirm a tour, call 973-962-2240. Ringwood Manor is located at 1304 Sloatsburg Road, Ringwood, NJ, within Ringwood State Park. For more information, call 973-962-2240 or visit www.ringwoodmanor.org.

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Sunday, June 7 - Washington Township, Burlington County

Vintage Baseball Game

Children Friendly

The Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc. and Wharton State Forest will be hosting a vintage baseball game on Sunday between Minerva (Bridgeton, NJ) and Philadelphia (Pa.) Athletic at 1:00 pm. The teams play following the rules and customs of the time, use period baseball equipment, wear typical 19th century baseball uniforms, and even use language and phrases of the era! The game is free to attend but a $5 parking fee is in effect for the park.

Batsto Village is located in Wharton State Forest in Burlington County, South Jersey approximately seven miles east of Hammonton on Route 542 and 15 miles west of Exit 50 of the Garden State Parkway. For more information, call 609-561-0024 or visit www.batstovillage.org.

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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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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 - Plainfield, Union County

Plainfield's Local Clubs & Organizations Collection, 1884 to 2015

The Plainfield Public Library announces their new spring-summer exhibition. The library is displaying a variety of materials from our collection of records of significance from local clubs and organizations that date back to 1884. The 120-piece exhibit consists of wall exhibits and display cases on both levels of the library. The oldest items on exhibit are the 1884 board meeting minutes from the Plainfield Reform Club, a temperance organization, and an 1884 letter from Craig Marsh announcing the first meeting of the Union Club, a conservative men's social club.

The entire Local Clubs & Organizations Collection contains records from over 100 clubs and documents over a century of community activities in the City of Plainfield. Twenty-two clubs are represented in the displays, which feature the Monday Afternoon Club, Plainfield Garden Club, and Freemasons - including a rare panoramic photograph of African-American Masonic Lodge members from New Jersey attending the 1937 annual convention held in Plainfield. Other organizations in the exhibit are the Plainfield B.P.O. Elks, Boy & Girl Scouts, Camera Club, Laurel League, Ric-Charles Choral Ensemble, Shakespeare Club, and twelve others. The exhibit presents thirty-nine photographs and postcards, forty-five pieces of paper ephemera and documents, fifteen newspaper articles, twelve artifacts, five examples of ledgers and manuscripts, as well as several loaned items.

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

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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