NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 9/12/15 - 9/13/15

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NJ WEEKEND HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS
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Saturday, September 12 - Tuckerton, Ocean County
Ye Old Clamtown Antique Flea Market

 On Saturday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, the Tuckerton Historical Society hosts its annual Ye Old Clamtown Antique Flea Market at Tip Seaman Park in Tuckerton, NJ. The flea market will feature about 100 vendors. Support the Tuckerton Historical Society as they celebrate 41 years of hosting this event. For more information, call 609-685-1528 or visit www.tuckertonhistoricalsociety.org.

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Saturday, September 12 - 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, September 12 - Morristown, Morris County
Silent Art Auction to Benefit the Draft Horses at Fosterfields

 The Friends of Fosterfields and Cooper Mill extend an invitation to join them at a Silent Art Auction on Saturday from 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm at the Frelinghuysen Mansion, located at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum, a facility of the Morris County Park Commission, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown, NJ. The Silent Art Auction hopes to raise funds for the retirement of Calvin and Hobbes, the beloved draft horses currently at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, also a facility of the Morris County Park Commission, and the future purchase of a new draft horse team for the farm.

 The Silent Art Auction offers the public its first opportunity to tour the Frelinghuysen Mansion, while bidding on works of art displayed by more than 20 renowned, and internationally known, artists and photographers. Docent-led tours of the mansion, hors d’oeuvres and wine, and distinctive musical entertainment by harpist, Laurel Grube, are included in the price of admission.

 The artists participating in the Silent Art Auction include Medy Bozkurtian,  Dan Campanelli, Jason Chang, PSA, Christina DeBarry, PSA, Elaine Erny, Gaile Hibbs, Jenny Lee, PSA, R. Luzatto, Ken Marcell, Maceo Mitchell, PSA, Shahbudin Mohd, Andrea Placer, Elissa Prystauk, PSA, and Patricia Wynne. Photographers who are also participating in the event include Ralph Iacobelli, John Parsekian, William Prystauk, Karel Raska, and Caryn Seifer. Numerous artworks in a variety of price ranges are displayed on the first and second floors of the mansion.

 The historical and cultural significance of the Frelinghuysen Mansion is shared by docents stationed throughout the mansion and the Rose Garden. Whippany Farm was home to George Griswold Frelinghuysen and his wife Sara Ballantine Frelinghuysen, who built their Colonial Revival-style summer home, and a carriage house, there in 1891. The surrounding property was designed and landscaped in the style of an English country estate. It was bequeathed to the Morris County Park Commission in 1969 by their daughter Matilda E. Frelinghuysen, whose intentions were for the development of a public arboretum.

 The donation to attend the Silent Art Auction is $20 for an advance ticket, or $25 at-the-door on the day of the event. To purchase tickets for the Silent Art Auction, or for more information, please contact 973-512-3458 or ylla53art@gmail.com.

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Saturday, September 12 - Chester, Morris County
National Milling Day
Children Friendly

On Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm, celebrate the 260th birthday of Oliver Evans, a 1780s inventor, who  created the first automatic flour mill. See some of his inventions at work at the Gristmill. View a collection of antique printed flour bags. Cost: FREE but donations appreciated. The Cooper Gristmill is located at 66 Route 513, Chester, NJ. For more information, call 908-879-5463 or visit www.morrisparks.net.

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Saturday, September 12 - Morristown, Morris County
What is It?
Children Friendly

According to Henry Wick's bill of inventory, he owned a stylyard, a beetle, and a riding chair. Join a Park Ranger at the Wick House to discover these and other curious items that Mr. Wick owned. Program runs from 1:00 - 4:00 pm outside the Wick House at Jockey Hollow (rain location in the Visitor Center), within Morristown National Historical Park, 580 Jockey Hollow Road (approximate), Morristown, NJ. Cost: Free. For more information, call 973-543-4030 or visit www.nps.gov/morr.

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Saturday, September 12 - Farmingdale, Monmouth County
Late Summer Flea Market

The Historic Village at Allaire is hosting a Late Summer Flea Market as a fundraiser on Saturday, from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. Browse, shop and look for that missing item, lost childhood toy, antique jewelry, memorabilia and more. The event is held in the Show Field of Allaire State Park. Admission is $1 for those 12 and older.

Shop all day, visit the on-site food vendor, or spend some time in the Historic Village. The General Store and Bakery will also be open beginning at 10:00 am. This event is a fundraiser, benefiting the historic and educational programs presented at the Historic Village at Allaire by the non-profit organization, Allaire Village, Incorporated.

The Historic Village at Allaire is located at 4263 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale, NJ. For more information, contact the Allaire Village office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, at 732-919-3500 or visit www.allairevillage.org.

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Saturday, September 12 - Morristown, Morris County
High Fashion, High Tea
Children Friendly

On Saturday from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, put on some historic clothes and travel back to another time. Fashion and tea enthusiasts of all ages are invited to join us for an afternoon of dress-up, treats, and history. Wear your own costume, or try on one of ours. Admission: $5/adult, $4/senior (65+), $3/child (ages 4 -16). FREE for children under age 4 and Friends members, with a current membership card. Historic Speedwell is located 333 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown, NJ. For more information, call 973-285-6550 or visit www.morrisparks.net.

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Saturday, September 12 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County
Back to School
Children Friendly

School bells ring once again in Pleasant Valley when Howell Farm invites the public to participate in a unique "back to school" day.  The program features the educational, social and cultural activities centered on the "one-room school" in rural life of 1900.

 The Howell Farm school mistress has McGuffey readers, slates and slate pencils ready for students of all ages to begin their lessons in the three R's.  Visitors can take a seat in an antique school desk and try their hand at orthography using pen and ink, or attempt to solve farm related arithmetic problems on the chalkboard.  As in yesteryear, children can help with farm chores before attending the "one-room school.

 The school bell will ring to begin lessons, for recess, and a quick tour of the privy. During recess, children will be introduced to hoops and sticks, tug of war and other old-fashioned games and toys.

 School lunches served in baskets or pails will be sold. Participants in the school program may also attend the "box social".  Well-wrapped boxes of homemade pies or goodies will be auctioned off to benefit the school. The lucky gentleman who wins the bid on the teacher's pie will also share her company.

 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, September 12 - Ewing, Mercer County
Ewing Historical Society Annual Flea Market

The Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society's Annual Flea Market will be held on Saturday from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm at the Benjamin Temple House, 27 Federal City Road, Ewing, NJ. Shop for bargains and support the society!

 The Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society was founded in the early 1970s, and seeks to preserve, promote, and interpret the history of the township. For more information, call 609-883-2455 or visit www.ethps.org.

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Saturday, September 12 - Washington Township, Burlington County
Photography in Batsto Village

 The next presentation in the “Beyond The Barrens” series being held at historic Batsto Village will take place on Saturday. Area photographer Christopher Huston will bring his twenty five years experience to Batsto. Mr. Huston will share his favorite places to photograph in the pines and review tips on equipment and techniques for capturing your favorite scene in and around Batsto Village. The presentation begins at 1:00 pm in the Batsto Village Visitor Center auditorium. There is a $2.00 per person admission fee.

Those attending are encouraged to join Chris capturing the historic beauty of Batsto Village with their favorite cameras and lenses after the formal presentation.

Mansion tours are conducted beginning at 10:00 am and conclude at 3:00 pm. 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 - Sunday, September 12 - 13 - Tuckerton, Ocean County
Antique and Classic Boat Show
Children Friendly

 During the New Jersey Maritime Heritage Festival, on Saturday and Sunday, between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm. Join the Seaport for two splendid days of classic wood and glass boat exhibitors, demonstrations, workshops, crafters, vendors, food, refreshments and maritime activities. Sign up for a boat building class or take a boat ride on the Tuckerton "Crik." The boat show is fun for the whole family.

 General Admission: Adults: $8; Seniors: $6; Children 6 to 12: $3; Children 5 and under: Free. Members Free. Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen's Museum, 120 West Main Street, Tuckerton. For more information call 609-296-8868 or visit www.tuckertonseaport.org.

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Saturday - Sunday, September 12 - 13 - Cape May, Cape May County
Civil War Weekend
Children Friendly

The Civil War comes to life at Historic Cold Spring Village’s annual Civil War Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, from 10:00 am - 4:30 pm. Visitors can tour Union and Confederate camps and meet authentically clad and equipped military and civilian reenactors who will discuss the everyday lives of Civil War soldiers and the roles civilians played in supporting them. 

 Historian Mike Kochan, who played a vital role in the recovery of the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley in 2000, will have a display of Civil War-era naval and telegraph technology - what he refers to as “nineteenth century text messaging.”

 Educator and weapons expert Jack Meyers will be in the Village Welcome Center with a large display of Civil War-era firearms. 

 Stirring battle reenactments will occur both days at 2:00 pm, and vendors of reproduction period merchandise will be found on “Sutler’s Row.” The Village, which re-creates a rural community in the 1800s, serves as the perfect backdrop in presenting this event to the public, which is generously sponsored by The CapeBank Foundation.

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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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, September 13 - Bridgewater, Somerset County
Nineteenth Century Photographers

Of the approximately 3,000 different photographers who were active in New Jersey before 1900, a number lived or worked in Somerset County. On Sunday at 2:00 pm, Gary D. Saretzky will profile these pioneers and discuss them within the larger context of New Jersey photography in the nineteenth century. Among the photographers to be discussed are William A. Apgar (active 1876-1892), Columbus S. Gernert (active 1898-1913), and Edward T. Kelley (1868-1885), all three based in Somerville.

Gary D. Saretzky, archivist and photographer, taught the history of photography at Mercer County Community College from 1977 to 2012. Archivist of Monmouth County since 1994, Saretzky lectures regularly on photographic history and photographic conservation. His publications include, "Nineteenth Century New Jersey Photographers," New Jersey History, Fall/Winter 2004.

 The program is free, but space is limited. If you plan to attend, please send email indicating the number in your party to event@heritagetrail.org. Light refreshments will be served. The Van Horne House is located at 941 East Main Street, Bridgewater, NJ. Free parking is available behind Target or at the Patriots Ballpark across the street. For more information, visit www.heritagetrail.org.

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Sunday, September 13 -  Morris Township, Morris County
1920s Country Fair and Harvest Festival
Children Friendly

On Sunday, attend the annual 1920s Country Fair and Harvest Festival at Fosterfield's Living Historical Farm in Morristown, NJ. Enjoy the farm animals, wagon rides, live music, food concessions, crafts, exhibits, demonstrations, period games, a farm market, wood stove cooking, and hands-on activities. A perfect family event! 

Admission: $8 for adults; $7 for seniors (65+); $6 for children ages 4 – 16; and $4 for children ages 2 and 3. FREE for children under age 2 and Friends members with a current membership card. Fosterfields Living Historical Farm is located at 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ. For more information, visit www.morrisparks.net.

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Sunday, September 13 - Manalapan, Monmouth County
Role of the New Jersey Brigade in the Battle of Monmouth

On Sunday, Dr. David Martin will give a FREE lecture based on his original research related to the role of the New Jersey Brigade in the Battle of Monmouth. The lecture will begin at 2:00 pm in the Monmouth Battlefield State Park Visitor Center auditorium. Monmouth Battlefield State Park is located at 16 New Jersey Business 33, Manalapan, NJ. For more information, visit www.friendsofmonmouth.org.

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Sunday, September 13 - Whippany, Morris County
Excursion Train Rides
Children Friendly

Spend Sunday at the Whippany Railway Museum on a 10-mile, 45-minute round trip excursion from Whippany to Roseland on a mid-1900s Excursion Train. The combined age of the equipment used on the vintage train is an astounding 635 years! Be on the lookout for deer, turtles, wild turkeys, hawks, and rabbits, as the route takes you past a natural swamp with abundant wildlife. Trains depart at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00 pm from 1 Railroad Plaza at the Intersection of Route 10 West & Whippany Road in Whippany, NJ. Train fare is: Adult: $14; child (under 12): $9; infants (1 year and under): Free. Train Fare includes admission to Whippany Railway Museum Building.  The "Excursion Train Ride" is a fundraising effort to benefit the Whippany Railway Museum, a 501 (c)3 non-profit Operating Heritage Railroad that is staffed by Volunteers. Donations from the public help to keep the Museum operational, but funds are still required to support this unique New Jersey treasure. Proceeds from the train rides will further enhance the Museum's mission and its Historic Preservation efforts. For more information, call 973-887-8177 or visit www.whippanyrailwaymuseum.net.

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Sunday, September 13 - Morristown, Morris County
The Delaware & Raritan Canal: A Lecture

On Sunday, Macculloch Hall Historical Museum welcomes Linda Barth from the Canal Society of New Jersey (CSNJ). Linda will present a program about The Delaware and Raritan Canal (D&R). The D&R is one of the subjects of the current second floor gallery exhibit "Canals of New Jersey" which will be available to view prior to the presentation. Canal author and historian Linda J. Barth will introduce you to the people, the bridges, the locks, and the aqueducts that made the D&R Canal work.

 This waterway, now a "greenway" and the centerpiece of a popular state park, transported men and supplies between New York and Philadelphia during three wars. Inventor John Holland used the canal to deliver his Holland VI submarine to Washington for its Navy trials, and luxury yachts, like J .P. Morgan's Tarantula, cruised the waterway. For more than 170 years, the D&R Canal has meandered across the narrow waist of New Jersey and was one of the nation's most successful towpath canals, carrying more tonnage in 1866 than the more famous Erie Canal. Johnson & Johnson, Roebling, and Fleischmann's Distillery all had their start along the D&R. These days the canal provides the people of central New Jersey with both a water supply and a premier recreational facility. 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. In this presentation Linda will discuss the history and operation of the canal and how it is used today.

 Linda Barth is no stranger to the D&R Canal, having grown up in the canal town of South Bound Brook. For over two decades she has served on the board of the Canal Society of New Jersey and, has led canal tours throughout the Northeast. The author of many canal and travel articles, Linda has served as the curator of the Mule Tenders Barracks Museum on the banks of the D&R Canal in Griggstown, New Jersey. A retired teacher, she has written two books on the D&R Canal for Arcadia Publishing. Her children's picture book, Bridgetender's Boy, was published by the National Canal Museum in 2005. was published by Charlesbridge in 2012. Her newest book is Hidden New Jersey, A History of Inventing in New Jersey: From Thomas Edison to the Ice Cream Cone. Linda will be available after the program to sell and sign books, including books about the D&R Canal.

 MHHM opens at 1:00 pm on Sunday and visitors who arrive prior to the 4:30 pm program can enjoy the "Canals of New Jersey" exhibit. MHHM has partnered with CSNJ to present this display of panels that tell the story of New Jersey's two towpath canals, the Morris and the Delaware and Raritan. 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. 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 such as model canal boats.

 Tickets for the program go on sale from 1:00 pm - no advance sales - and remain on sale until the presentation begins at 4:30 pm. Speaker tickets include admission to the museum exhibits during the afternoon and a guided tour of period rooms. The last tour ticket is sold at 3:00 pm. Speaker tickets will remain on sale until 4:30 pm. The Museum's second floor "The Civil War Through the Eyes of Thomas Nast" and "Canals of New Jersey" exhibits will remain on view until 4:30 pm. The first floor "Thomas Nast: Unknown Works and American Icons" exhibit will close 3:30 - 4:00 pm in preparation for the program. Tickets to hear speakers are Adults $8; Seniors & Students $6; Children 6 - 12 $4. Members and children under 5 are admitted free.

 The museum is open for house and exhibit tours on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Adults $8; Seniors & Students $6; Children 6 - 12 $4. Members and children under 5 are free. Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, 45 Macculloch Ave., Morristown, NJ. For more information, call 973-538-2404 ext. 10 or visit www.maccullouchhall.org.

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Sunday, September 13 - 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 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, September 13 - Holmdel, Monmouth County
Blacksmithing Demonstration & Turn of the Nineteenth Century Music
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. 

Also on Sunday, join music man Rich Marzec as he performs songs from the turn of the century on the farm.

These free events run 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, September 13 - 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, September 13 - Westampton, Burlington County
Beds, Rugs, and Quilts

How did early settlers stay warm before the time of central heating? In the 17th and 18th centuries, quilts and bed rugs were more than ornate coverings. Families often slept together under two or three covers to stave off the winter chill. Quilts from colonial times will be on display along with a very rare bed rug from the 1700s at Historic Peachfield. Learn about the fabrics, techniques and uses of these covers. Tours of the property are available at 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm.

This site will be open from 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm. Free admission. Free-will donations appreciated. Reservations are recommended. Peachfield is located at 180 Burrs Road, Westampton, NJ. For more information and to register, call 609-267-6996, e-mail colonialdamesnj@comcast.net, or visit www.colonialdamesnj.org.

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Sunday, September 13 - Piscataway, Middlesex County
Built in New Jersey: Diners Then and Now

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Sunday, September 13 - Park Ridge, Bergen County
A Visit with Benjamin Franklin

The Pascack Historical Society will explore the rich and long life of one of our most famous Founding Fathers at "A Visit with Ben Franklin" on Sunday at 2:00 pm. Guest speaker Jack Sherry, dressed in full colonial costume, will bring one of America's most admired historic figures back to life. Sherry, a retired history teacher who grew up in Ramsey, received both his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Pace University in Briarcliff, NY.

 Over the last 30 years he has become one of the most popular Franklin reeanctors in the tri-state area appearing regularly at such venues as: Van Cortland Manor, The New York Historical Society in NYC, Fraunces Tavern, John Jay Homestead and Washington's Crossing.

 Franklin was a true Renaissance man. He was a printer, publisher, inventor, editor, diplomat, scientist and according to legend somewhat of a Lothario. He has a knack for finding solutions to practical problems.

 For example, Franklin had to have separate glasses for near and far vision. But he got tired of putting one pair on to see across a room - then taking them off and putting another pair on to read a book. So he had two pairs of spectacles made - one for reading, one for far sight - cut the lenses in half, and paired the halves in a single frame. Ergo, the invention of bifocals.

 A question and answer period will follow the talk. Complimentary homemade coffee and cake. Free admission to the barrier-free museum. Children are welcomed and encouraged to attend when accompanied by an adult. The Pascack Historical Society is located at 19 Ridge Avenue, Park Ridge, NJ. For more information, call 201-573-0307 or visit www.pascackhistoricalsociety.org.

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Sunday, September 13 - Montclair, Essex County
House Tours and Second Sunday Family Funday: Back to School!
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.

Celebrate back to school with demonstrations in our schoolroom on the half hour and make your own 1800s report with a quill pen. Tours on the hour in our museum designed for the family. All activities are free! 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, September 13 - Franklin Township, Somerset County
Follow the Middlebush Road

 The Meadows Foundation cordially invites you to tour its three historic homes at their annual "Follow the Middlebush Road" event on Sunday. Events include an art show and historic tours.

 The houses are: the mid-1860s' Hageman House and 1876 Barn, 209 S. Middlebush Road, the 1703 Wyckoff-Garretson House, 215 S. Middlebush Road, and the 1875 Van Liew-Suydam House, 280 S. Middlebush Road.

 A $5 per person donation is asked. This donation can be paid at the first site visited and is good for admission to all of the houses. For more information, visit www.themeadowsfoundation.org.

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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 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 September 13, 2015 - Hoboken, Hudson County
The Beadist: Artworks by Jan Huling

On August 2, the Hoboken Museum celebrated the opening of a new art exhibit in the Upper Gallery, "The Beadist: Artworks by Jan Huling," which will remain on  view through Sunday, September 13. The recipient of a 2015 fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Huling produces unique works of art by applying intensely colorful beads in intricate patterns on various found objects that strike her fancy, from musical instruments to vintage toys to old globes. She is self-taught, drawing on her training and career as a product designer and textile artist and children's book author. She first stumbled into beadwork in 2001, after her sister showed her some Pez candy dispensers that she had decorated with beads. Jan thought it looked like fun, and tried her hand at gluing beads onto a kazoo. Her kazoo, and its equally colorful beaded box, were featured on a program on cable channel HGTV, and her beaded artwork became her full-time occupation.

From kazoos, Huling moved on to beading other objects that struck her fancy--kewpie dolls, animal figurines, globes-things ranging in size from 3 inches to over 6 feet that she finds mostly at thrift shops and flea markets. Sometimes she combines items, such as an exotic taxidermy beetle and matchbox, in a beaded frame, titled "Forgiven." Her work is widely exhibited and she has cultivated a nationwide following of collectors, and happily embraces a description of her work in The New York Times as "oddball assemblages." She will visit the museum on August 30, 2015 at 4 :00 pm for an artist's talk. For a preview, visit www.janhuling.com. The Hoboken Museum is located at 1301 Hudson Street, Hoboken, NJ. For more information, call 201-656-2240 or visit www.hobokenmuseum.org.

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Through October 4, 2015 - Paterson, Passaic County
Patriotism and Propaganda in American Posters From the Great War 1917-1918

The Passaic County Historical Society would like to announce the opening of its newest exhibit, “Can the Kaiser”: Patriotism and Propaganda in American Posters From the Great War 1917-1918. When one thinks about America’s great promotional posters of the First World War, Uncle Sam’s “I Want You” springs to mind. Posters were used to incite patriotism and aid the war effort, promoting everything from the purchase of liberty bonds and Red Cross sponsorship to enlistment, hard work, and frugal lifestyles.

This exhibit of original World War I posters from the Society’s collection will be on display until October 4 in the third floor gallery at Lambert Castle (home of the Passaic County Historical Society) at 3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ. Visitors can access the exhibition during regular museum hours (Wednesday - Sunday). General museum admissions apply.

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

For more information, call 973-247-0085 or visit www.lambertcastle.org.

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Through October 30, 2015 - Morristown, Morris County
“Canals of New Jersey” Exhibit

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

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

MHHM preserves the history of the Macculloch-Miller families, the Morris area community, and the legacy of its founder W. Parsons Todd through its historic site, collections, exhibits, and educational and cultural programs. MHHM is open for house and exhibit tours on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. The last tour ticket is sold at 3:00 pm. Adults $8; Seniors and Students $6; Children 6 – 12 $4. Members and children under 5 are free. Macculloch Hall is located at 45 Macculloch Avenue, Morristown, NJ. For more information, call 973-538-2404 ext. 10 or visit www.maccullochhall.org.

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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 December 31, 2015 - Morristown, Morris County
Morristown: 1865-2015: Identity, Tradition and Enterprise

 Morristown once comprised territory stretching from Mendham to Chatham until 1865 when, amidst the chaos of the Civil War, mysterious forces acted to separate it from Morris Township.

 The Morristown & Morris Township Library invites you to explore an exhibit that details the lives of those who came to Morristown seeking wealth, redemption, conflict, or a new beginning. Utilizing rare and previously unseen archival materials, visitors will witness the development of the Green as the center of commerce, public affairs, and leisure, and how nearby houses of worship focused residents' spiritual and social lives.

 Long a center of commerce and trade, early settlers struggled with the limitations of dirt roads until residents developed interstate canals, rail and trolley lines, and sophisticated highway systems. Changes in criminal behavior and law enforcement will be explored, as well as efforts to educate productive upstanding citizens through forward-thinking private and public schools.

 In addition to the generations of innovators and immigrants who built Morristown's many businesses and infrastructure, we will take a look at those who celebrated cultural and religious events, grieved over shared disaster and commemorated war dead, and fought to make Morristown a place where everyone could gather in peace.

 The exhibit will be on display through December 31 and is sponsored by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission and by funding from the Friends of the Library. The Morristown and Morris Township Library is located at 1 Miller Road, 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 December 31, 2015 - Ocean Township, Monmouth County
Ocean Township High School at 50

Early in September 1965, the doors of Ocean Township High School (OTHS) opened for the first time. It was a momentous day - the culmination of an impassioned campaign and a turning point for both Ocean Township and Asbury Park, the district that up to then had educated most of the township's teens.

Fifty years later, almost to the day, a mini-exhibit opened at the Eden Woolley House commemorating the milestone. "OTHS at 50," uses photographs, press clippings, and artifacts to demonstrate how the school's history mirrors five decades of social and political change.

The campaign for a high school:
Ocean Township's commitment to education is long standing. Between 1784 and 1960, it built at least nine schools. None was a high school.

Graduating eighth graders had a choice:
Asbury Park or Long Branch. Most chose Asbury. By 1962 Ocean students at Asbury High outnumbered city students 713 to 558. Ocean was booming and more than 1,000 high school-age students were projected by 1966. Asbury High, on split session since 1959, was already overcrowded. Something had to be done.

Asbury asked Ocean to sign a 20-year contract with the city as a condition for its undertaking a building expansion. Ocean refused. There was talk of regionalization, at first rejected and later revisited by the city. But it was too late. A full-blown campaign for an Ocean Township high school, spearheaded by the PTAs, was underway. On June 12, 1962, by a nearly 3-to-1 margin, the voters of Ocean approved a $2,969,000 bond to built their own school.

OTHS changes with the times:
Ocean High opened in 1965 without a senior class. Ocean seniors had returned to Asbury to graduate with their class. The next year, OTHS held its first graduation and published its first yearbook, The Sandpiper.

A look through almost a half century of yearbooks reveals more than changing hair styles and hemlines. Here's a sample:
* In the 1960s, Industrial Arts were just for boys, Home Economics, just for girls (who also have a "Homemaking Club").
* Title IX (prohibiting discrimination in federally funded programs) shaped the 1970s: for the first time girls had golf, tennis, and soccer teams; girls fixed cars, boys baked cakes.
* The technology revolution is evident. Keypunch machines of the 1970s give way to desktops in the late 1980s and electronics redefine the classroom in the new millennium.

Proof of the pudding:
In recent years, OTHS has made its share of "best high school" lists. Its own list of notable alums is impressive: Academy Award, Emmy, and Pulitzer Prize winners; distinguished educators, journalists, authors, and scientists; a fashion designer, a network news anchor, innovative entrepreneurs, and more.

 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 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
Location: New Jersey, USA

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