NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 7/4/15

NJ WEEKEND HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS

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Friday - Saturday, July 3 - 4 - Morristown, Morris County
Revolutionary Times 2015

Children Friendly

Come celebrate the Independence Day holiday weekend in Morristown and Morris County! Morristown National Historical Park has once again partnered with the Morris County Tourism Bureau to provide the annual Revolutionary Times Independence Day weekend event, a weekend program created for the general public to learn and enjoy the national holiday of Independence Day on July 4, as well as the history of Morristown and Morris County.

Morristown National Historical Park's participation includes FREE admission to the Washington's Headquarters Museum and Ford Mansion from July 3 - 5.

Schedule of Events

Friday, July 3rd

2:00 - 4:00 pm - Free lawn concert at Washington's Headquarters! Music will be provided by the Old Barracks Fife and Drum Corps. Bring your chairs and blankets! The park's museum store will be selling bottles of water, snacks, and Old Barracks Fife and Drum Corps CDs!

Saturday, July 4th

11:30 am - Public reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Presbyterian Church on the Morristown Green. The festivities will begin with the singing of the National Anthem along with audience warm-up activies by Park Ranger Eric Olsen. The Declaration will be read by Park Ranger Tom Winslow.

12:45 pm - "Feu de Joie" musket firing on the Green by the 2nd New Jersey Regiment, Helms' Company.

1:00 pm - Activities on the Green that include arts and crafts, musical entertainment, and free tours of the Presbyterian Church and colonial graveyard.

1:30 pm - Special ceremony at the Gold Star Mothers' Tree on the Green honoring Veterans

2:00 pm - Program concludes

For more information, visit www.nps.gov/morr or www.morristourism.org.

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Saturday, July 4 - Belleville, Essex County

Annual July 4th Ceremony to Honor Revolutionary War Soldiers

Family Friendly

Annual July 4th morning ceremony honoring the sixty-seven Revolutionary War soldiers buried in the churchyard of the old Belleville Dutch Reformed Church at the corner of Rutgers and Main Street in Belleville, NJ. This year's event includes the dedication of a monument in memory of the recently discovered presence of the burial in 1780 of an 18 year old private who had just enlisted and then was killed in his first battle at Connecticut Farms. His father and two cousins were also in the battle and brought his body home. The ceremony includes the Roll Call of the Troops, reading of excerpts of the Declaration of Independence, the National Anthem and concludes with the firing of a 21 gun cannon salute. Program begins at 10:00 am and hosted by the Belleville Historical Society/Captain Rutgers Artillery Company. For more information, call 973-780-7852.

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Saturday, July 4 - Holmdel, Monmouth County

Independence Day Celebration
Family Friendly

Independence Day was a festive time in the 1890s at Longstreet Farm. Patriotism was celebrated with music, games and good picnic food. Join the staff at Longstreet Farm on July 4th as they celebrate the holiday with games and contests from 12:00 noon - 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, July 4 - New Brunswick, Middlesex County

Declaration of Independence Reading

Family Friendly

In 1776, the third reading of the Declaration of Independence took place in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Come celebrate the 4th of July with a reenactment of that historic event at historic Christ Church, 5 Paterson Street, New Brunswick, NJ. Learn about the history behind the reading of the Declaration in New Brunswick, tour the historic Christ Church Cemetery with graves marking Revolutionary War heroes, sing patriotic songs from the era, and hear unique American music performed on a traditional pipe organ. The event begins at 11:00 am. Free admission and free refreshments. Free parking in the Church Street Parking Deck is available via a voucher system. Please see an usher for a voucher card and instruction sheet. For more information, visit www.christchurchnewbrunswick.org.

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Saturday, July 4 - Morris Township, Morris County

Explore the Farm: Horse-Drawn Wagon Ride
Children Friendly

On Saturday at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, take a horse-drawn wagon ride! With an emphasis on sustainability, this narrated wagon ride explores the methods, equipment, crops, and enterprises of Fosterfields in the early 1900s. Tour runs from 10:15 am - 12:00 noon. Preregistration is required. Please call 973-326-7645 to register.

Admission: $6/adult, $5/senior (65+), $4/child (ages 4 -16), $2/child (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, July 4 - Haddonfield, Camden County

Independence Day Celebration

Family Friendly

On July 4th, before Haddonfield's annual parade on Kings Highway, an interpreter will read the Declaration of Independence at 9:00 am on the steps of the Indian King Tavern. At 9:30 am watch a demonstration of musketry. At 10:00 am the parade through Haddonfield begins! An open house will follow the parade until 3:00 pm. Revolutionary War reenactors from the Second Pennsylvania Regiment will be encamped at the Indian King hanging out to celebrate, so be sure to join them! The Indian King Tavern is located at 233 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield, NJ. For more information, visit www.indiankingfriends.org.

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Saturday, July 4 - Ringwood, Passaic County

July 4th Celebration

Family Friendly

Looking for something fun and educational to do with the family on Independence Day this year? Come to Ringwood Manor for the annual Declaration of Independence celebration! On Saturday, July 4, 2015, Ringwood State Park will mark its 16th year holding the Independence Day event. The event features a dramatic delivery and reading of the Declaration of Independence on the steps of the Manor’s porch along with colonial activities and demonstrations. Revolutionary War reenactors from New Jersey Militia - Heard’s Brigade, the 35th Royal Sussex Regiment, Outwaters Militia, the Friends of Long Pond Ironworks, and individual reenactors help celebrate the 239th anniversary of American independence and bring the experience to life.

The Declaration of Independence was formally adopted on July 4, 1776. News of its creation spread to the colonists in America through traditional public readings in large, open places such as town squares, churches, and taverns. The first public reading of the document was to a crowd in Philadelphia on July 8th, 1776, four days after its creation. A day later, it was first read aloud to Washington’s Continental troops in New York City. The celebration at Ringwood Manor attempts to recreate the same excitement first felt when colonists heard those famous words 239 years ago.

The festivities will begin in front of Ringwood Manor at 1:00 pm, when colonial era toys and games will be available for children to play with. Young and old can sign their “John Hancock” on a copy of the Declaration using a traditional quill pen and ink. Colonial crafters, demonstrations, and displays will help to create an atmosphere of a town square in front of Ringwood Manor. An exhibit on Ringwood’s own Surveyor General Robert Erskine and his role in the American Revolution will also be on display.

The ceremony itself will begin at 2:00 pm with a short introduction about the history of the area and the Declaration of Independence. A lively debate among members of the crowd will break out, involving British soldiers, area Loyalists, and the supporters of the cause for independence, the colonial rebels. After the debate concludes, the local militia unit will form and muster up. Soon after, the Declaration will be delivered to the front steps of Ringwood Manor by a horse and rider. The document will then be read to the crowd at 2:30 pm. Visitors are encouraged to listen closely and cheer and jeer during the reading. Following the reading there will be a traditional flag raising. Again this year, the “Hopkinson” flag will be used for the event. Believed to be the first version of the new country’s flag, it was designed by and named after New Jersey’s own Francis Hopkinson. After the flag is raised, there will be a ceremonial musket volley and the bell at Ringwood Manor will be rung thirteen times to conclude the ceremony.

The public is encouraged to stay after the ceremony as the celebration continues. Children are encouraged to join the Continental Army and learn military drills. 18th century baked goods will be available to purchase from the Sugar Loaf Baking Company. Colonial items and keepsakes will also be available for purchase from sutler Lady Ellen. Free watermelon slices are available to everyone who attends. All are welcome to join the fun!

There is no charge for the Independence Day celebration. There is, however, a parking fee to enter Ringwood State Park of $5 for in-state residents, and $7 for out-of-state residents. The event will take place rain or shine. Ringwood Manor will be open to the public in a self-guided format between 10:00 am and 1:30 pm only to allow for the event to proceed as scheduled. The entrance fee for Ringwood Manor is $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. Independence Day at Ringwood Manor is sponsored by the North Jersey Highlands Historical Society and the Ringwood State Park staff. For more information, call 973-962-7031 ext. 0 or visit www.ringwoodmanor.org.

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Saturday, July 4 - Caldwell, Essex County

Ice Cream Social

Family Friendly

In between viewing spectacular fireworks and attending family barbecues on this upcoming 4th of July weekend, be sure to take part in another summertime American tradition - enjoying ice cream. Ice cream, a magician, soft drinks, popcorn, lemonade, burgers ‘n’ dogs by the Cloverleaf, and tours of the Grover Cleveland historic birthplace are all part of the fun at the ice cream social, to be held on Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm.

Take a stroll through history with free tours of the historic birthplace museum and peak into the past with the traveling trunks. Enjoy entertainment from a strolling magician and of course free ice cream for everyone! Children may dress up in Victorian costumes, enjoy Cleveland era games such as marbles, and potato sack races. Food services are by Cloverleaf Tavern, and old fashioned lemonade and popcorn are also available.

The Grover Cleveland Birthplace is located at 207 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ. While there are no admission charges and many events are free, donations are accepted. For more information, call 973-226-0001 or visit www.presidentcleveland.org.

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Saturday, July 4 - Shrewsbury, Monmouth County

July 4 Kick Off Celebration at Allen House

Family Friendly

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Join the Monmouth County Historical Association for a historic celebration in honor of Independence Day with a public reading of the Declaration of Independence on Saturday, at Allen House, 400 Shrewsbury Avenue, Shrewsbury, NJ starting at 10:00 am. Association President Linda Bricker will act as master of ceremonies. Mayor Donald W. Burden of Shrewsbury, Reverend Lisa Mitchell from Christ Church along with Church Historian Bob Kelly will also join in the festivities.

The bells at Christ Church will ring in honor of the signing. Rumson resident Owen Dougherty will lead the guests in a patriotic singalong. Dougherty, who is 16, has sung the national anthem at five U.S. Opens. Shrewsbury Boy Scouts, along with their Troop Leader Hagen Hottmann, will serve as color guard during the Pledge of Allegiance. Members of the public are invited to participate in reading parts of the Declaration. Costumed interpreters will welcome guests and the Allen House will remain open for tours and visitors until 12:00 noon. Refreshments will be served following the ceremony. For more information, call 732-462-1466 or visit www.monmouthhistory.org.

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Saturday, July 4 - Hampton, Hunterdon County

Independence Day Picnic at 1760 Joseph Turner House

Family Friendly

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Saturday, July 4 - Princeton, Mercer County

July 4th Jubilee

Children Friendly

Celebrate July 4th at Morven, the former home of Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence! This FREE family event will take place on the front lawn from 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm! Ocean Country Band will be performing on the front porch and various activities including a dramatic presentation by Stacy Flora Roth on "Revolutionary Tea," a "Meet and Greet with Benjamin Franklin", portrayed by David Emerson, an opportunity for children of all ages to “sign” the Declaration of Independence, games, and MORE! Oink & Moo BBQ will also be on-site to provide refreshments! This event is SHINE only (due to the outdoor activities, it will be cancelled if there is prolonged rain). Guests are invited to use the Princeton Theological Seminary or Monument Hall parking lots, or can park on the street. There will be no parking at Morven since so many children will be on the grounds. Morven Museum & Gardens is located at 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ. For more information, call 609-924-8144 or visit www.morven.org.

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Saturday, July 4 - Titusville, Mercer County

Independence Day Celebration

Family Friendly

On Saturday, celebrate Independence Day at Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville, NJ. Stop by the Johnson Ferry House from 1:00 - 5:00 pm for a Colonial ice cream demonstration and the Visitor Center Museum will be having a reading of the Declaration and musket demonstration at 2:00 pm. Admission is free but parking fees will be in effect - $5 for New Jersey residents and $7 for out-of-state residents. Washington Crossing State Park is located at 355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville, NJ. For more information, call 609-737-0623.

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Saturday, July 4 - Tuckerton, Ocean County

Baby Parade, Ice Cream, Music, and Fireworks
Family Friendly

Brings the kids to Tuckerton Seaport at 5:30 pm on July 4th for the Baby Parade. Dress to impress in red, white, and blue. Various children’s activities and programs will be taking place from 5:30 - 9:00 pm, including an Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social from 3:00 - 8:00 pm, featuring sweet samples of the Jersey shore’s best local ice cream. Tasting Kits will be $8 and include 8 samples, while supplies last! Make sure you view the fireworks from the Tuckerton Seaport Boardwalk a little after 9:00 pm! Food Vendors will be located on Main Street and in the parking lot of the Seaport. Enjoy a family-friendly day of fun free of charge! 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, July 4 - Princeton, Mercer County

Independence Day Celebration

Family Friendly

On Friday, celebrate Independence Day at Princeton Battlefield. The battle on this site on January 3, 1777 is considered to be the fiercest fight during the American Revolution. General George Washington led his troops to this otherwise peaceful winter field and defeated a force of British Regulars, giving Washington his first victory against the British Regulars on the battlefield. Between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm, the Clarke House will be open for tours. Admission is free. Princeton Battlefield is located at 500 Mercer Road, Princeton, NJ. For more information, call 609-921-0074 or visit www.theprincetonbattlefieldsociety.com.

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Saturday - Sunday, July 4 - 5 - Upper Freehold, Monmouth County

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

Children Friendly

Celebrate July 4th in an appropriate historical setting at Historic Walnford from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Read the Declaration of Independence then use a freshly sharpened quill pen to scribe your thoughts on freedom, or just practice your “John Hancock”. We will have a variety of historical activities available for young and old to “pursue happiness” this weekend.

While there, visit the large, elegant Walnford home built in 1774, the 19th century gristmill and the farm buildings set in a beautiful landscape. Walnford is located at 62 Walnford Road, 08501. For more information, call 609-259-6275 or visit www.monmouthcountyparks.com.

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Saturday - Sunday, July 4 - 5 - Cape May, Cape May County

Independence Day Celebration

Children Friendly

Historic Cold Spring Village is hosting its annual Independence Day Celebration on Saturday and Sunday, July 4 and 5, from 10:00 am - 4:30 pm. A variety of patriotic family activities, programs and music will be taking place and the Village's restored historic buildings will be open, featuring demonstrations of Early American trades and crafts.

At 2:00 pm on Saturday, the Village's Deputy Director for Education, Jim Stephens, will present "The Story of Old Glory," a fascinating look at the origins and history of our nation's flag. And on Sunday at 2:00 pm, the John Walter Cape Community Band will perform American heritage tunes at the Village Gazebo. The Family Activity Area will feature children's dress-up clothes, historic games, and take-home patriotic crafts including a tin-punch American flag. Kids can also take part in the "Patriot Spy Game," visiting Village buildings to look for clues using a real Revolutionary War cipher, and participate in a militia muster at noon on Saturday and Sunday.

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 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, July 5 - 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, July 5 - Morristown, Morris County

The Lonely Heartstrings Band

Family Friendly

This Sunday Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (MHHM) begins the popular "Summer Concerts in the Garden Series” which takes place on Sundays in July at 4:00 pm. On Sunday, the Museum welcomes The Lonely Heartstrings Band to the garden for the first time. Combining instrumental virtuosity, 3-part harmonies, original songwriting and a deep understanding of traditional bluegrass and Appalachian music, the Lonely Heartstring Band is all about a great show! From Boston MA, the band has become a staple in the New England bluegrass scene and are quickly building momentum in the rest of the country and in Canada. The Lonely Heartstring Band will transport you to the top of a lonesome mountain, tug at your heartstrings with their songwriting, and keep your toes tapping all the while. The beautiful historic gardens will be the backdrop for a superb line up of musicians during this July’s series and a great setting for visitors to settle on the lawn for a relaxing afternoon of music. Bring a picnic, some chairs, or a blanket and enjoy the spectacular gardens and tranquil setting.

Tickets for the concert will go on sale beginning at 1:00 pm on the day of the performance - no advance sales. Concert tickets are $15; $10 for members, seniors, students. Free for children under 12. On concert days the Museum building is open 1:00 - 4:00 pm with concert tickets still available after 4:00 pm. A special $5 Museum admission ticket can be purchased during the afternoon by concert ticket purchasers. The last guided tour is at 3:00 pm and the galleries remain open until 4:00 pm. Concertgoers should please bring blankets or chairs as there is no seating available. Only service animals permitted - no pets please. In the case of inclement weather the performance will be moved indoors (limited seating). The announcement will be made on the Museum’s voicemail and Facebook page the afternoon of the program.

The museum is open for house and exhibit tours on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Adults $8; Seniors and Students $6; Children 6 - 12 $4. Members and children under 5 are free. Macculloch Hall Historical Museum 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 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 December 2015 - Ridgewood, Bergen County

"Hemlines" Exhibit

The Ridgewood Historical Society and the Schoolhouse Museum are pleased to announce their new exhibit, Hemlines, open through December 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 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

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