NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 8/8/15 - 8/9/15

NJ WEEKEND HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS

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Friday, August 7 - Trenton, Mercer County

Summer Taptoe Concerts Return to Trenton's Old Barracks Museum

Family Friendly

The Old Barracks Museum invites you to enjoy an evening of music and history with its fourth annual Taptoe Concert Series. On the evenings of July 31 and August 7, The Fifes and Drums of the Old Barracks will perform a selection of military tunes, followed by Scottish tunes and dancing as performed by Shot of Scotch Scottish Highland Dancers. The museum will be dramatically illuminated by torches and candles, providing the perfect back drop for the evening. "Taptoe" is the 18th-century term for the time when the musick and guard would march about a garrison town, signaling the taverns to close their taps and for the soldiers to return to their barracks.

The gates open at 7:00 pm. Advanced tickets are available for purchase by calling 609-396-1776 or visiting the Old Barracks Museum Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Ticket prices are as follows: $25 reserved balcony seating with included refreshments ($20 for Old Barracks Museum members); $10 lawn seating. Proceeds from the event benefit the Old Barracks Museum and the Fifes & Drums of the Old Barracks, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

The Old Barracks Museum is located at 101 Barrack Street, Trenton, NJ. Ample free parking is available in the lot adjacent to the museum. For more information, call 609- 396-1776 or visit www.barracks.org.

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Saturday, August 8 - Hewitt, Passaic County

Long Pond Ironworks Historic District Walking Tours
Children Friendly

Join the Friends of Long Pond Ironworks on Saturday as they walk through the Historic District. Learn how Long Pond contributed to the American Revolution, Civil War, and the industrial development of New Jersey. Tours last about two hours and follow a circular route through the historic village. Tours are conducted rain or shine, and attendees should wear clothing and footwear appropriate for a walk through the woods. Tours take place at 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm.

Long Pond Ironworks is located at 1334 Greenwood Lake Turnpike, Hewitt, NJ. For more information, call  973-657-1688 or visit www.longpondironworks.org.

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Saturday, August 8 - Morristown, Morris County

Fort Nonsense: Defenses of War

Children Friendly

Shortly after victories at Trenton and Princeton, the Continental Army under George Washington arrived in Morristown in early January, 1777. Protected by the Watchung Mountains and the Great Swamp, it became the Army's winter camp. Join a park ranger at Fort Nonsense to see for your the advantages of this defensive site and learn how Fort Nonsense got its name. Programs at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 pm at Fort Nonsense, within Morristown National Historical Park. It is located at 16 Chestnut Street, Morristown, NJ. Cost: Free. For more information, call 973-539-2016 ext. 210 or visit www.nps.gov/morr.

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Saturday, August 8 - Mount Laurel, Burlington County

Tour Paulsdale

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

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

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Saturday, August 8 - Titusville, Mercer County
Revolutionary War Demonstration
Children Friendly

On Saturday, from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, watch a Revolutionary War demonstration by Outwater's Company at Washington Crossing State Park. The 1st Hunterdon Company of Militia will support the demonstration along with General Washington, portrayed by Sam Davis. This program is free but the there is a $5.00 per car entry fee. This program will be held near the Visitor Center Museum in Washington Crossing State Park, 355 Washington Crossing Pennington Road, Titusville, NJ. For more information, call 609-737-0623.

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Saturday, August 8 - Washington Township, Burlington County

Save the Land...Shape the Man!

The Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc. is proud to announce the next installment in the "Beyond The Barrens" speaker series with a presentation about the Civilian Conservation Corp. (CCC). On Saturday, local south Jersey resident Wes Hughes will overview the impact young men made in our country during the Depression era to improve the environment, themselves, and their families. Hughes is the Chairperson of the Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc., a resident of Cherry Hill, and the Director of Industrial & Commercial Services for Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey & Philadelphia.

The presentation begins at 1:00 pm in the Wharton State Forest Visitor Center auditorium. There is a $2.00 / person admission fee.

Batsto mansion tours are conducted beginning at 10:00 am and conclude at 3:00 pm. Summer parking of $5.00 per car is in effect village until Labor Day at Batsto Village. The Nature Center will be open with science and nature exhibits and special activities for children.

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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Saturday, August 8 - Little Egg Harbor, Ocean County

Ocean County Soldiers in the Civil War

On Saturday, the Tuckerton Historical Society presents "Ocean County Soldiers in the Civil War," presented by Adele Shaw, historian and President of the Waretown Historical Society. Adele will discuss local Ocean County Civil War Soldiers. This presentation will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at the Giffordtown Schoolhouse Museum, 35 Leitz Blvd., Little Egg Harbor, NJ. For more information, call 609-294-1547 or visit www.tuckertonhistoricalsociety.org.

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Saturday, August 8 - Morris Township, Morris County

Love Those Spuds!

Children Friendly

On Saturday, dig in and find the potato crop that was planted this past spring at Fosterfields Living History Farm. At the Farmhouse kitchen, see how potatoes are prepared.

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, August 8 - Cape May, Cape May County

Annual Cape May Craft Beer and Crab Festival

Children Friendly Event

You won't want to miss delicious family fun with steamed crabs, pulled pork, local and regional craft beers and all-day entertainment during this year's traditional summer feast on the beautiful grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, at the Craft Beer & Crab Festival on Saturday from 11:00 am - 8:00 pm, sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC).

Come to the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ and stretch out on your lawn chair or relax under the tent during this all-day festival that celebrates the best of summer in Cape May and was named one of the 5 Best NJ Summer Festivals by CBS NY.

This all-day festival features local craft beers to wash down favorite summer picnic foods such as steamed crabs, crab cakes, steamed shrimp, pulled pork, corn on the cob, potato salad and more. 

Wash down these delicious summertime foods with craft beer from local and regional breweries in the beer garden under a tent on the estate lawn. Purchase and enjoy a variety of local and regional craft beers including Harrison Beverage, Cape May Brewing Company, Tuckahoe Brewing Company, Victory Brewing Company, and other selections including non-beer beverages.

Relax under the shade of the estate's mature trees and listen to live music on the stage near Hill House. Bring a lawn chair or spread out your beach blanket for a great afternoon and evening of non-stop musical performers.

Bring the entire family to enjoy kid-friendly activities including lawn games and a dunk tank. Acrobats will delight and entertain all throughout the day and offer lessons in juggling.

Explore the variety of crafts and food vendors on the estate grounds selling hand-made and vintage items.

Admission to the grounds is free and free parking is available at the Cape May Elementary School, 921 Lafayette Street, only a few blocks away from the Emlen Physick Estate. A free trolley shuttle will operate from the Washington Street Mall Information Booth, Washington Street Mall at Ocean Street, from 11:00 am - 8:00 pm. There will be a charge for crabs, food, beverages, and some activities. Commemorative T-shirts will be available for purchase. Proceeds of the event benefit MAC's numerous educational outreach programs.

The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) is a multifaceted not-for-profit organization committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors. For information about MAC's year-round schedule of tours, festivals, and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visitwww.capemaymac.org.

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Saturday, August 8 - Byram Township, Sussex County

Waterloo Canal Heritage Day

Children Friendly

Come visit Waterloo Village between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm for a day in this historic Morris Canal town. Enjoy boat rides on the Morris Canal, Smith's Store - a furnished canal-era store with hands-on activities, blacksmithing, see the operating gristmill, seamstress shop, carpenter's shop, take guided tours of 1859 Methodist Church, the Canal Museum - with exhibits and videos, and guided walking tours of the village. Admission is free but there is a $5 per car parking fee. Waterloo Village is located at 525 Waterloo Road, Byram, NJ. For more information, call 973-292-2755 or visit www.canalsocietynj.org.

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Saturday, August 8 - Mount Holly, Burlington County

Colonial Frolic: Early American Songs, Singing, Games, and More

Children Friendly

On Saturday at 11:00 am, Stacy Roth and music therapist/trumpeter Flora Newberry present  their favorite rhymes, riddles, rounds, ditties, instruments, and dances from the 17th and 18th centuries. Lots of audience participation. For kids, their parents, and their grandparents! 

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

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Saturday, August 8 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County

Honey Harvest

Children Friendly

All of the Farm's bees will be on their best behavior that day according to beekeepers, who have invited the public to meet the queens, drones and workers who are responsible for this year’s crop of clover honey.    Visitors will be able to help uncap and extract honey, to taste and buy honey, and to see the insides of working hives between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm.

The "bee yard" will open for visits when beekeeper Bob Hughes removes the boxes that contain frames of honey.  Visitors who want a close-up view of the action, which involves "brushing" the bees off the frames, should avoid wearing perfume, cologne or hairspray.  Children can help spin honey from the frames by turning the crank of an "extractor".

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, August 8 - Upper Freehold, Monmouth County
Evening Concert

The Friends of Old Yellow Meeting House invite you to a free concert featuring Charlie Zahm, a popular Early American and Celtic balladeer, on Saturday at 7:00 pm. Charlie calls on a robust baritone voice and mastery of the guitar as he sings. Refreshments will be served during the intermission. The circa 1737 Old Yellow Meeting House is church is located at 70 Meeting House Road, Upper Freehold Township, NJ. For more information, visit www.oymh.org.

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Saturday - Sunday, August 8 - 9 - Brick Township, Ocean County

Civil War Encampment

Family Friendly

The Brick Township Historical Society will host the 61st New York Volunteer Regiment for a Civil War Encampment on Saturday all day and Sunday until 2:00 pm at the Havens Homestead Museum, 521 Herbertsville Road, Brick Township, NJ. The soldiers will camp on the museum property and march, fire guns, and explain what life was like during an encampment.

In addition to the encampment, the society will hold a bake sale and items related to the 1800s such as hand crafted old fashioned outfits for the American Girl Doll, Civil War hankie dolls, flutes and much more will be available for sale. There will be free tours of the Havens Homestead Museum until 2:00 pm on both days, and the Lizzie Herbert House and the barn will be open, as well.

This event is free and open to the public. Donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, call 732-785-2500 or visit www.bricktwphistoricalsociety.com.

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Saturday - Sunday, August 8 - 9 - Holmdel, Monmouth County

Potato Harvest

Children Friendly

On Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm, visit Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel to learn about how potatoes are grown and handled. Help the staff check out the potato field. Learn about the farm machinery used on this important crop. If conditions are right, we’ll hook up the team for the harvest. Stop by the summer kitchen for a look at how potatoes are used. 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 - Sunday, August 8 - 9 - Cape May, Cape May County

Hands-On History Weekend

Children Friendly

Two days of family-friendly, interactive and educational fun are planned for Historic Cold Spring Village's 'Hands-on History' Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, from 10:00 am -  4:30 pm. Children will be given a 'Pastport' at the start of their Village trip, which can be stamped at the buildings they visit after completing a take-home craft or activity, like writing with a quill pen, carding wool, or making a pinch pot. Pastports can be redeemed at the Country Store for a free treat! The Family Activity Area will feature children's dress-up clothes, historic games, and take-home crafts. Other family-friendly activities include face painting and live entertainment from traditional musician Mary Roth.

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 $12 for adults and $10 for children ages 3 to 12. Children under 3 are admitted free. Unlimited free admission is available with Village membership. 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. 10 or visit www.hcsv.org.

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Saturday - Sunday, August 8 - 9 - Woodbridge, Middlesex County

Civil War Living History Weekend

Children Friendly

The Robert E. Lee Civil War Round Table of Central New Jersey presents its annual Civil War Living History Weekend at Parker Press Park, Rahway Avenue in Woodbridge, NJ on Saturday and Sunday.

Camps are open to the public each day from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. On Saturday at 8:00 pm, a special 150th Civil War Commemoration Ceremony will be held, followed by Candle Light Camp Visitations from 8:30 - 10:00 pm.

Take a step back 150 years and witness soldiers from the Federal and Confederate forces skirmish, view medical and weapons demonstrations, visit the civilian and military camps, speak with the Civil War living historians and reenactors, purchase wares from Civil War era sutlers, and learn more about the Civil War.

The event will be held rain or shine. Admission and parking are free.

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Saturdays and 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, August 9 - Fair Lawn, Bergen County

Garretson Forge and Farm Open House

Garretson Forge and Farm will hold an open house on Sunday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. The Gerretson, one of the oldest historic sites in Bergen County, was home to six generations of the Garretson family and remains a rare surviving example of simple farming life that was prevalent in the 1700s and 1800s. Admission is free but donations are welcome. The Forge and Farm are located at 4-02 River Road, Fair Lawn, NJ. For more information, call 551-206-4380 or 201-797-7545 or visit www.garretsonfarm.org.

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Sunday, August 9 - West Orange, Essex County

Geothermal Tour at the Glenmont Estate

Go "behind the scenes" at the Edison home. Join a guide for a walk through the basement of the famous house and learn about its new geothermal heating and cooling system. This program will last about 30 minutes at take place at 1:30 and again at 2:30 pm. It focuses on the technical aspects of the environmentally friendly geothermal system. The basement is not wheelchair accessible.

The tour is included with regular admission. Tickets must be purchased at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park Laboratory Complex Visitor Center at 211 Main Street, West Orange, NJ. Admission is $10.00 for adults, and includes the Glenmont Estate and the Laboratory Complex. Children under age 16 are free. For more information, call 973-736-0550 x33 or visit www.nps.gov/edis.

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Sunday, August 9 - 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, August 9 - Holmdel, Morris County

Blacksmith Demonstration

Children Friendly

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

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Sunday, August 9 - Morristown, Morris County

“Extra Baggage”: The Women and Children of the Continental Army

Children Friendly

Washington lamented that the women and children of the Continental Army - the families of the soldiers - slowed down the army on the march but he knew that many had nowhere else to go. They often got jobs with the military performing essential tasks needed to keep the army going. Learn about the surprising roles that women and children played in the life of the Continental Army at the Soldiers Huts in Jockey Hollow from 1:30 - 4:00 pm. Cost: Free. Jockey Hollow is located within Morristown National Historical Park, 580 Jockey Hollow Road (approximate), Morristown, NJ. For more information, call 973-543-4030 or visit www.nps.gov/morr.

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Sunday, August 9 - Ledgewood, Morris County

Museums at Drakesville Open House

On Sunday between 1:00 and 4:00 pm, the Roxbury Historical Trust will host an open house at the eighteenth century Silas Riggs Saltbox House, the historic King House and the King Store Museums. The sites are located at 213 Main Street in the Ledgewood Village section of Roxbury Township. Tours are free and historic interpreters will be on hand. For more information, call 973-927-7603 or visit www.roxburynewjersey.com.

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Sunday, August 9 - Morris Township, Morris County

Ice Cream 'Sunday'

Children Friendly

On Sunday, lend a hand cranking homemade ice cream at Fosterfields Living History Farm. Enjoy a sample while supplies last.

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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Out of State, but Close Enough!

Friday, August 7 - Saturday, August 8 - Frederick Township, PA
Goschenhoppen Folk Festival

The Goschenhoppen Historians will be hosting their annual folk festival this Friday and Saturday. Learn about the Antes Plantation on Friday between 12:00 noon and 8:00 pm and Saturday, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. Enjoy the authentic interpretation of the Pennsylvania German folk culture. Become a part of and learn the traditions, skills and trades of the Pennsylvania Germans. Eat some old fashioned Pennsylvania Dutch foods and listen to the folk music as well at this family oriented event! For more information, visit http://www.goschenhoppen.org/folk-festival.html

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Sundays 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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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 August 29, 2015 - Haledon, Passaic County
Got Work? The New Deal/WPA in New Jersey Exhibit

The American Labor Museum/Botto House National Landmark located in Haledon, New Jersey is hosting the exhibit "Got Work? The New Deal/WPA in New Jersey," on loan from the Middlesex County Museum.

Got Work? The New Deal/WPA in New Jersey presents a portrait of the experience of New Jersey's families and the Works Progress Administration programs during The Great Depression. The exhibit will be on display through August 29, 2015.

The American Labor Museum is headquartered in the historic Botto House National Landmark, located at 83 Norwood Street, Haledon, NJ. It was the meeting place for over 20,000 silk mill workers during the 1913 Paterson Silk Strike. The Museum offers a free lending library, restored period rooms, changing exhibits, Museum Store, Old World Gardens, educational programs and special events. The museum's hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Tours are offered Wednesday through Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. For more information, call 973-595-7953, e-mail labormuseum@aol.com, or visit www.labormuseum.net.

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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 17, 2015 - Trenton, Mercer County

John A. Roebling's Sons Company

At Ellarslie, the City Museum of Trenton, the second floor exhibit features art, artifacts and memorabilia from the world-renowned John A. Roebling's Sons Company, makers of steel and wire rope, most famous for the wire cable used in the suspension bridge over the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn - the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.

The John A. Roebling's Sons Company, the largest employer in Trenton and a world leader in the construction of suspension bridges had its beginnings when John Roebling started making wire rope in 1841 in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, and moved his factory to Trenton in 1848. His sons built the steel and wire mill and town of Roebling, NJ, in 1905. In 1953, the family sold the Trenton and Roebling plants to the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company (CF&I). CF&I closed the Trenton plants in 1973 and the Roebling, NJ, plant in 1974.

As the largest employer in Trenton for many decades, John A. Roebling's Sons Company had a major impact on the city and its workers and citizens. It had an international reputation for wire and wire rope making and bridge building, and its wire was used in hundreds if not thousands of industrial, commercial and consumer products.

The business was owned by four generations of the Roebling family over 112 years, a remarkable and rare achievement. John A. Roebling was the world's foremost builder of suspension bridges in the 19th century and his bridges spanned major rivers when people said it couldn't be done. His son Washington A. Roebling completed the most famous Roebling bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge, in 1883, and today it is an iconic national landmark.

The Roebling Company built suspension bridge cables for many bridges over the next 80+ years, from Canada to South America, including the George Washington Bridge connecting New York and New Jersey and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

The Roebling Company manufactured wire rope for many other uses - elevators, cable cars, tramways, airplanes, shipping, mining, construction and ski lifts - and it made wire for  electrical lines, telegraphs and telephones, wire cloth and screens, and pre-stressed concrete.

The exhibit includes five large paintings from the Roebling Company's exhibit at the 1939 New York World's Fair depicting the Brooklyn and George Washington Bridges and interior factory scenes. These paintings are part of the museum's collection but are rarely exhibited.

The exhibit includes a bronze plaque from the 1933 Chicago World's Fair that commemorates the Skyride, an innovative and popular ride at the fair that the Roebling Company helped engineer and for which it supplied the wire ropes. Also on display from the museum's collection but rarely seen are three boards showing dozens of types of electrical wire made by the Roebling Company. Artifacts in the display will include sections of wire rope, tools, artwork depicting Roebling bridges, and wooden forms used to make parts for the company's machinery, as well as advertisements, photos, books and company catalogs

The exhibit was curated by Richard Willinger, Chair of the Museum Society's Collections Management Committee. Items are being loaned to the exhibit by the Roebling Museum in Roebling, NJ, and several individuals.

Talks and a tour of remaining buildings of the Roebling complex in Trenton will be conducted by Clifford W. Zink, the foremost expert on the Roebling family and company who authored the book The Roebling Legacy. Ellarslie is located in Cadwalader Park in Trenton, NJ. Visit www.ellarslie.org for dates and times.

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Through December 31, 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