NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 2/11/17 - 2/12/17
New Jersey Weekend Historical Happenings
A Weekly Feature on www.thehistorygirl.com
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Saturday, February 11 - South Bound Brook, Somerset County
Tory Jack Day 2017
The Friends of Abraham Staats House, Inc., in conjunction with the South Bound Brook Historic Preservation Advisory Commission, and in partnership with the Women's Guild of South Bound Brook, is proud to present its 15th edition of the award winning "Tory Jack Day" program.
The annual event in honor of Black History Month celebrates the contribution and sacrifices of Afro-Americans in the foundation of our nation. This year’s feature presenter is Mr. Joseph Becton. Mr. Becton, a retired National Park Service Interpretive Park Ranger, has been recognized with the Community Service award for setting a standard of excellence in interpretation and for his role in connecting Americans to our national parks through wonderful stories and varied media. Mr. Becton now directs Joe Becton Tours and Historical Services and most recently has been proclaimed a Certified Master Guide by the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides.
Presenting the “Evolution of the Blues,” Joe will walk us through 300 years in the development of this truly American art form. Joe is fluent in guitar, harmonica, and singing on this journey. Joe will visit spirituals, minstrel, ragtime, blues, gospel and jazz. Audience participation is encouraged as musical styles, historic moments, and social movements are brought together. Mr. Becton will present at 11:00 am on Saturday at the historic Abraham Staats House located at 17 Von Steuben Lane, South Bound Brook, NJ. Seating begins at 10:30 am. Admission is free but donations are appreciated.
Following the presentation, the public is invited to tour the historic Abraham Staats House and view an exhibit entitled “The History of Jazz in Black and White” presented by local historian and Women's Guild member, Mrs. Joyce Smith with the building closing at 3:00 p.m.
For more information, call 732-469-3198, e-mail info@staatshouse.org, or visit www.staatshouse.org.
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Tory Jack Day 2017
The Friends of Abraham Staats House, Inc., in conjunction with the South Bound Brook Historic Preservation Advisory Commission, and in partnership with the Women's Guild of South Bound Brook, is proud to present its 15th edition of the award winning "Tory Jack Day" program.The annual event in honor of Black History Month celebrates the contribution and sacrifices of Afro-Americans in the foundation of our nation. This year’s feature presenter is Mr. Joseph Becton. Mr. Becton, a retired National Park Service Interpretive Park Ranger, has been recognized with the Community Service award for setting a standard of excellence in interpretation and for his role in connecting Americans to our national parks through wonderful stories and varied media. Mr. Becton now directs Joe Becton Tours and Historical Services and most recently has been proclaimed a Certified Master Guide by the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides.
Presenting the “Evolution of the Blues,” Joe will walk us through 300 years in the development of this truly American art form. Joe is fluent in guitar, harmonica, and singing on this journey. Joe will visit spirituals, minstrel, ragtime, blues, gospel and jazz. Audience participation is encouraged as musical styles, historic moments, and social movements are brought together. Mr. Becton will present at 11:00 am on Saturday at the historic Abraham Staats House located at 17 Von Steuben Lane, South Bound Brook, NJ. Seating begins at 10:30 am. Admission is free but donations are appreciated.
Following the presentation, the public is invited to tour the historic Abraham Staats House and view an exhibit entitled “The History of Jazz in Black and White” presented by local historian and Women's Guild member, Mrs. Joyce Smith with the building closing at 3:00 p.m.
For more information, call 732-469-3198, e-mail info@staatshouse.org, or visit www.staatshouse.org.
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Saturday, February 11 through March 31, 2017 - Plainfield, Union County
Funky Turns 40: Black Character Revolution Firsts Opening Reception and Curators' Talk
The Plainfield Public Library announces a new guest exhibit from the Museum of Uncut Funk, Funky Turns 40: Black Character Revolution Firsts. The exhibit commemorates the 40th anniversary of 1970s Saturday morning cartoons that featured positive Black animation characters for the first time in television history.
The pioneering cartoon characters featured in this exhibition present an unheralded legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and several animation, American, and Black History firsts. This flat-panel exhibit has traveled to the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, Bessie Smith Cultural Center, and the Purdue University Black Cultural Center. Plainfield Public Library is pleased and honored to be able to present this one-of-a-kind, traveling exhibit to the residents of Plainfield and Union County. Visitors are encouraged to join exhibit curators Loreen Williamson and Pamela Thomas for a special talk about the importance of the materials found in this exhibition. Free commemorative buttons will be given to program attendees on February 11 (as long as supplies last). All Ages Welcome! The exhibit opens at 10:30 am in the ALD Room (lower level) of the Plainfield Public Library, 800 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ. For more information, call 908-757-1111 or visit www.plainfieldlibrary.info.
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Saturday, February 11 - Paterson, Passaic County
Valentine's Day Craft Program at Lambert Castle
Children Friendly Event
A little history and fun for the whole family! The Passaic County Historical Society is offering a free craft activity for children of all ages on Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Learn about early Valentine cards and the evolution of the holiday and also have a chance to make your own Victorian style Valentine. This activity is free with regular museum admission. The activity will be ongoing throughout the museum’s open hours.
Passaic County Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was founded to cultivate interest among individuals and the community-at-large in the rich history of Passaic County. To this end our museum in Lambert Castle showcases examples of the County’s cultural and artistic diversity, as well as examples of the County’s natural, civil, military, and ecclesiastical history. The Society also maintains a library and archive, which houses manuscripts, books and photographs of historical and genealogical interest.
Lambert Castle, home of the Passaic County Historical Society, is located at 3 Valley Road, Paterson, NJ. For more information, call 973-247-0085 or visit www.lambertcastle.org.
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Saturday, February 11 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County
Valentine Sleigh/Wagon Rides
Children Friendly
The incurably romantic can warm-up for Valentine's Day at Howell Farm from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. For our married or courtin' folks we offer the Farm's circa 1900 horse drawn sleigh (or carriage) for rides. Families and groups will enjoy a horse drawn bobsled (or wagon) ride. Weather permitting rides are offered free, on a first come, first serve basis. Hot chocolate and a hand warming fire are among the outdoor amenities.
Visitors can purchase cakes, cookies and other delights, as well as hearty lunch fare in the Visitor Center. Valentine treats will be available for purchase to eat at the farm or to take home for that special someone.
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.org.
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Funky Turns 40: Black Character Revolution Firsts Opening Reception and Curators' Talk
The Plainfield Public Library announces a new guest exhibit from the Museum of Uncut Funk, Funky Turns 40: Black Character Revolution Firsts. The exhibit commemorates the 40th anniversary of 1970s Saturday morning cartoons that featured positive Black animation characters for the first time in television history.The pioneering cartoon characters featured in this exhibition present an unheralded legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and several animation, American, and Black History firsts. This flat-panel exhibit has traveled to the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, Bessie Smith Cultural Center, and the Purdue University Black Cultural Center. Plainfield Public Library is pleased and honored to be able to present this one-of-a-kind, traveling exhibit to the residents of Plainfield and Union County. Visitors are encouraged to join exhibit curators Loreen Williamson and Pamela Thomas for a special talk about the importance of the materials found in this exhibition. Free commemorative buttons will be given to program attendees on February 11 (as long as supplies last). All Ages Welcome! The exhibit opens at 10:30 am in the ALD Room (lower level) of the Plainfield Public Library, 800 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ. For more information, call 908-757-1111 or visit www.plainfieldlibrary.info.
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Saturday, February 11 - Paterson, Passaic County
Valentine's Day Craft Program at Lambert Castle
Children Friendly Event
A little history and fun for the whole family! The Passaic County Historical Society is offering a free craft activity for children of all ages on Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Learn about early Valentine cards and the evolution of the holiday and also have a chance to make your own Victorian style Valentine. This activity is free with regular museum admission. The activity will be ongoing throughout the museum’s open hours.
Passaic County Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was founded to cultivate interest among individuals and the community-at-large in the rich history of Passaic County. To this end our museum in Lambert Castle showcases examples of the County’s cultural and artistic diversity, as well as examples of the County’s natural, civil, military, and ecclesiastical history. The Society also maintains a library and archive, which houses manuscripts, books and photographs of historical and genealogical interest.
Lambert Castle, home of the Passaic County Historical Society, is located at 3 Valley Road, Paterson, NJ. For more information, call 973-247-0085 or visit www.lambertcastle.org.
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Saturday, February 11 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County
Valentine Sleigh/Wagon Rides
Children Friendly
The incurably romantic can warm-up for Valentine's Day at Howell Farm from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. For our married or courtin' folks we offer the Farm's circa 1900 horse drawn sleigh (or carriage) for rides. Families and groups will enjoy a horse drawn bobsled (or wagon) ride. Weather permitting rides are offered free, on a first come, first serve basis. Hot chocolate and a hand warming fire are among the outdoor amenities.Visitors can purchase cakes, cookies and other delights, as well as hearty lunch fare in the Visitor Center. Valentine treats will be available for purchase to eat at the farm or to take home for that special someone.
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.org.
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Saturday, February 11 - Sandy Hook, Monmouth County
Battery Gunnison/New Peck Restoration
Children Friendly Event
The Army Ground Forces Association volunteer group will be dressed in WWII era uniform performing restorations projects and interpreting Battery Gunnison/New Peck at Sandy Hook, a unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. Learn more about the restoration and the historic time of January 1943 at Fort Hancock. This free event will be held from 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm at Battery Gunnison. For more information, call 718-354-4606 or visit www.nps.gov/gate.
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Battery Gunnison/New Peck Restoration
Children Friendly Event
The Army Ground Forces Association volunteer group will be dressed in WWII era uniform performing restorations projects and interpreting Battery Gunnison/New Peck at Sandy Hook, a unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. Learn more about the restoration and the historic time of January 1943 at Fort Hancock. This free event will be held from 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm at Battery Gunnison. For more information, call 718-354-4606 or visit www.nps.gov/gate.
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Saturday - Sunday, February 11 - 12 - Atlantic City, Atlantic County
Valentine's Day Group Vow Renewal Ceremony
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Absecon Lighthouse is hosting its annual "Evening of Romance and Renewal" for Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 11th. Couples are invited to take part in a group Vow Renewal ceremony by a non-denominational minister in the Keeper's Cottage at 6:0 pm, followed by a champagne toast of congratulations and romantic dancing to the tunes of PJ the DJ. What better way to set the mood for a romantic dinner out in Atlantic City afterward? A donation minimum of $40 per couple includes the ceremony, tower climb, DJ dancing, and champagne toast, but couples are asked to "give from the heart," as this is a fundraising event. Doors open at 5:30 pm - the event concludes at 7:30 pm. You are invited to make a reservation by calling the lighthouse at 609-449-1360.
As an added bonus on Saturday and Sunday, you and your date climb for the price of one!
Absecon Lighthouse is a state-owned historic property administered by the non-profit Inlet Public/Private Association. Located at 31 So. Rhode Island Avenue in Atlantic City, NJ it is open to visitors Thursday through Monday from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. For more information, call 609-449-1360 or visit www.abseconlighthouse.org.
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Valentine's Day Group Vow Renewal Ceremony
Absecon Lighthouse is hosting its annual "Evening of Romance and Renewal" for Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 11th. Couples are invited to take part in a group Vow Renewal ceremony by a non-denominational minister in the Keeper's Cottage at 6:0 pm, followed by a champagne toast of congratulations and romantic dancing to the tunes of PJ the DJ. What better way to set the mood for a romantic dinner out in Atlantic City afterward? A donation minimum of $40 per couple includes the ceremony, tower climb, DJ dancing, and champagne toast, but couples are asked to "give from the heart," as this is a fundraising event. Doors open at 5:30 pm - the event concludes at 7:30 pm. You are invited to make a reservation by calling the lighthouse at 609-449-1360.As an added bonus on Saturday and Sunday, you and your date climb for the price of one!
Absecon Lighthouse is a state-owned historic property administered by the non-profit Inlet Public/Private Association. Located at 31 So. Rhode Island Avenue in Atlantic City, NJ it is open to visitors Thursday through Monday from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. For more information, call 609-449-1360 or visit www.abseconlighthouse.org.
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Sunday, February 12 - Princeton, Mercer County
Historic Princeton Walking Tour
Children Friendly Tour
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. Tours begin in front of the Bainbridge House, 158 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ. Tour begins at 2:00 pm and ends at 4:00 pm. Walk up ticket sales are cash only; guides cannot provide change. Space is limited. For more information and to reserve tickets, call 609-921-6748 or visit www.princetonhistory.org.
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Children Friendly Tour
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. Tours begin in front of the Bainbridge House, 158 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ. Tour begins at 2:00 pm and ends at 4:00 pm. Walk up ticket sales are cash only; guides cannot provide change. Space is limited. For more information and to reserve tickets, call 609-921-6748 or visit www.princetonhistory.org.
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Sunday, February 12 - Greenwich, Cumerbland County
New Jersey Colonial Architecture Told in 100 Buildings
On Sunday at 2:00 pm, Mr. David Veasey will discuss his 2014 book New Jersey Colonial Architecture Told in 100 Buildings at the Cumerland County Historical Society. New Jersey's wide variety of 17th and 18th century extant architecture will be the focus of an illustrated talk by author David Veasey. New Jersey often does not get due credit for its contributions to colonial and early American life, including its rich and diverse architectural heritage. This diverse architecture reflects its early settlers who were the most varied in all the colonies, except perhaps for New York City, coming from the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, France, Ireland, Scotland and a number of English regions, with each group bringing their building traditions with them. The Cumberland County buildings mentioned in Veasey's talk and book are: the Deerfield Presbyterian Church in Deerfield; the Fairfield Presbyterian Church in Fairfield; Potter's Tavern in Bridgeton; the Gibbon House in Greenwich; the Swedish Granary in Greenwich; the Richard Wood Store in Greenwich; the Caesar Hoskins Log Cabin in Mauricetown, and the Governor Howell Plantation in Shiloh.
Mr. Veasey was raised in Chatham, Morris County, and has spent most of his life in New Jersey. He now lives in Morris Plains. He has a longtime interest in the state's architecture, including its lighthouses, which are shown and discussed in his book Guarding New Jersey's Shore Lighthouses and Life-Saving Stations. He also wrote the well-received book, New Jersey Then & Now. He has a BA from Drew University and a MA from New York University. He has worked his entire career as a writer and journalist, publishing articles about New Jersey for The New York Times and on Madison Avenue, the United Nations, and finance.
The 2017 lecture series, sponsored by the Cumberland County Historical Society, will be held at the Warren and Reba Lummis Genealogical and Historical Library, located at 981 Ye Greate Street, Greenwich, New Jersey. Light refreshments will be served and the lecture is free! For more information, call the Lummis Library at 856-455-8580 or visit www.cchistsoc.org.
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Sunday, February 12 - Union Township, Union County
Open House at the Caldwell Parsonage
On Sunday from 2:00 - 5:00 pm, the Caldwell Parsonage in Union Township, NJ will be open for guided tours. The museum, once the residence of Rev. James and Mrs. Hannah Caldwell, is listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places. Lore Ullrich and Anita Centeno will serve as docents. Admission is free. The Caldwell Parsonage is located at 909 Caldwell Avenue, Union Township, NJ. For more information, call Barbara at 908-687-0048 or visit www.uniontwphistoricalsociety.webs.com.
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New Jersey Colonial Architecture Told in 100 Buildings
On Sunday at 2:00 pm, Mr. David Veasey will discuss his 2014 book New Jersey Colonial Architecture Told in 100 Buildings at the Cumerland County Historical Society. New Jersey's wide variety of 17th and 18th century extant architecture will be the focus of an illustrated talk by author David Veasey. New Jersey often does not get due credit for its contributions to colonial and early American life, including its rich and diverse architectural heritage. This diverse architecture reflects its early settlers who were the most varied in all the colonies, except perhaps for New York City, coming from the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, France, Ireland, Scotland and a number of English regions, with each group bringing their building traditions with them. The Cumberland County buildings mentioned in Veasey's talk and book are: the Deerfield Presbyterian Church in Deerfield; the Fairfield Presbyterian Church in Fairfield; Potter's Tavern in Bridgeton; the Gibbon House in Greenwich; the Swedish Granary in Greenwich; the Richard Wood Store in Greenwich; the Caesar Hoskins Log Cabin in Mauricetown, and the Governor Howell Plantation in Shiloh.Mr. Veasey was raised in Chatham, Morris County, and has spent most of his life in New Jersey. He now lives in Morris Plains. He has a longtime interest in the state's architecture, including its lighthouses, which are shown and discussed in his book Guarding New Jersey's Shore Lighthouses and Life-Saving Stations. He also wrote the well-received book, New Jersey Then & Now. He has a BA from Drew University and a MA from New York University. He has worked his entire career as a writer and journalist, publishing articles about New Jersey for The New York Times and on Madison Avenue, the United Nations, and finance.
The 2017 lecture series, sponsored by the Cumberland County Historical Society, will be held at the Warren and Reba Lummis Genealogical and Historical Library, located at 981 Ye Greate Street, Greenwich, New Jersey. Light refreshments will be served and the lecture is free! For more information, call the Lummis Library at 856-455-8580 or visit www.cchistsoc.org.
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Sunday, February 12 - Union Township, Union County
Open House at the Caldwell Parsonage
On Sunday from 2:00 - 5:00 pm, the Caldwell Parsonage in Union Township, NJ will be open for guided tours. The museum, once the residence of Rev. James and Mrs. Hannah Caldwell, is listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places. Lore Ullrich and Anita Centeno will serve as docents. Admission is free. The Caldwell Parsonage is located at 909 Caldwell Avenue, Union Township, NJ. For more information, call Barbara at 908-687-0048 or visit www.uniontwphistoricalsociety.webs.com.
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Sunday, February 12 - Maplewood, Essex County
Disaster! Stories of Destruction and Death in 19th Century New Jersey
Children Friendly Site
Superstorm Sandy in 2012 was a disaster of epic proportions, by any measure. The deadliest storm to strike the East Coast since Hurricane Diane in 1955, Sandy killed 37 people and caused more than $30 million in damages in New Jersey alone.
But our state’s history is filled with catastrophe. Using riveting images, speaker Alan Siegel brings talk participants face-to-face with natural and human-caused calamities between 1821 and 1906 ranging from train wreaks to wildfires. He focuses on tales of bravery and forgotten acts of courage in the face of danger. Mr. Siegel, a lawyer practicing in Chatham, has published numerous New Jersey history books, including Smile: A Picture History of Olympic Park, 1887-1965 and Beneath the Starry Flag: New Jersey’s Civil War Experience.
Join us at Durand-Hedden House & Garden on Sunday, at 2:00 pm, for an unforgettable afternoon with fellow local history lovers. Disaster! will be available for purchase at the book signing following the talk. The event is free; donations welcome.
Be sure to also see the fascinating exhibit on the history of the College Hill neighborhood From Farm to Suburb: The Birth of College Hill. which explores the evolution of a section of Maplewood from a dairy farm to a popular neighborhood of 300 houses.
Out in the carriage house, the Country Store will be selling historic-themed treasures: early American children’s games, books and toys, facsimile documents, quill pens and ink, historic cook books, cookie molds, tin lanterns, reproduction decorative ceramics, vintage photos, hiking sticks and more. You’ll also discover the hard-to-find original Doors of Maplewood poster, Smile, the history of Olympic Park, and the new acid-free reproduction of the charming 1931 map of Maplewood.
Disaster! Stories of Destruction and Death in 19th Century New Jersey
Children Friendly Site
Superstorm Sandy in 2012 was a disaster of epic proportions, by any measure. The deadliest storm to strike the East Coast since Hurricane Diane in 1955, Sandy killed 37 people and caused more than $30 million in damages in New Jersey alone.But our state’s history is filled with catastrophe. Using riveting images, speaker Alan Siegel brings talk participants face-to-face with natural and human-caused calamities between 1821 and 1906 ranging from train wreaks to wildfires. He focuses on tales of bravery and forgotten acts of courage in the face of danger. Mr. Siegel, a lawyer practicing in Chatham, has published numerous New Jersey history books, including Smile: A Picture History of Olympic Park, 1887-1965 and Beneath the Starry Flag: New Jersey’s Civil War Experience.
Join us at Durand-Hedden House & Garden on Sunday, at 2:00 pm, for an unforgettable afternoon with fellow local history lovers. Disaster! will be available for purchase at the book signing following the talk. The event is free; donations welcome.
Be sure to also see the fascinating exhibit on the history of the College Hill neighborhood From Farm to Suburb: The Birth of College Hill. which explores the evolution of a section of Maplewood from a dairy farm to a popular neighborhood of 300 houses.
Out in the carriage house, the Country Store will be selling historic-themed treasures: early American children’s games, books and toys, facsimile documents, quill pens and ink, historic cook books, cookie molds, tin lanterns, reproduction decorative ceramics, vintage photos, hiking sticks and more. You’ll also discover the hard-to-find original Doors of Maplewood poster, Smile, the history of Olympic Park, and the new acid-free reproduction of the charming 1931 map of Maplewood.
Durand-Hedden House is dedicated to telling the history of the development of Maplewood, New Jersey and the surrounding area in new and engaging ways. It is located in Grasmere Park at 523 Ridgewood Road in Maplewood, New Jersey. For more information, call 973-763-7712 or visit www.durandhedden.org.
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Blacksmith Demonstration
Children Friendly Event
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, February 12 - Montclair, Essex County
Family FUNday: Presidents’ Day
Family Friendly Event
Step back through over 200 years of American history at Montclair's historic properties at 108 Orange Road. Visit the Crane House to reflect the YWCA period from 1920 - 1965, check out the farm, and meet the chickens. The site is open from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Discover how our past presidents - and their wives and children - lived using crafts and hands-on activities. We'll go on a Symbol of our Country scavenger hunt, make a log cabin, live weaving demonstrations, and play-act George Washington’s Rules of Civility by the hearth fire.
Admission: $10/family. Family membership get in free. For more information, call 973-744-1796, e-mail mail@montclairhistorical.org, or visit www.montclairhistory.org.
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Sunday, February 12 - Toms River, Ocean County
Fly! Bessie! Fly!
An entertaining and informative program funded by the Horizons Speakers Bureau of the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, will be presented by speaker Daisy Nelson Century on Sunday at 2:00 pm at Ocean County Historical Society, 26 Hadley Avenue, Toms River, NJ. In 1921, Bessie Coleman became the first African-American woman to earn a pilot's license. She traveled to France to learn to fly when American flight schools refused her because of her race. She shared her experiences with children, encouraging them with the words, "you too can fly." No admission fee but you must register. Refreshments will be served. For more information and to reserve your seat, call 732-341-1880 or visit www.oceancountyhistory.org.
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Fly! Bessie! Fly!
An entertaining and informative program funded by the Horizons Speakers Bureau of the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, will be presented by speaker Daisy Nelson Century on Sunday at 2:00 pm at Ocean County Historical Society, 26 Hadley Avenue, Toms River, NJ. In 1921, Bessie Coleman became the first African-American woman to earn a pilot's license. She traveled to France to learn to fly when American flight schools refused her because of her race. She shared her experiences with children, encouraging them with the words, "you too can fly." No admission fee but you must register. Refreshments will be served. For more information and to reserve your seat, call 732-341-1880 or visit www.oceancountyhistory.org.
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Sunday, February 12 - Westfield, Union County
Antique Valentines at the Miller-Cory House Museum
Children Friendly Event
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On Sunday from 2:00 - 4:00 pm, love is in the air at the Miller-Cory House Museum! The writing of romantic notes and letters for St. Valentine's Day was very popular in colonial America. By the mid-1800s, the first mass-produced Valentine's Day cards were sold, and an industry was born. The program features a display of vintage valentines presented by Ms. Jean Groszmann, many of them with unique details such as pop-ups, cut-outs and trinkets. A children's Valentine's Day craft and light refreshments are included. Admission is $4.00 for ages 13 and older, $3.00 for ages 3 to 12 and free under age 3.
The Miller-Cory House Museum, located at 614 Mountain Avenue in Westfield, NJ, is a fully furnished farmhouse built in 1740 and listed on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places and as a site on the New Jersey Women's Heritage Trail. For more information call 908-232-1776 or email millercorymuseum@gmail.com.
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Antique Valentines at the Miller-Cory House Museum
Children Friendly Event
On Sunday from 2:00 - 4:00 pm, love is in the air at the Miller-Cory House Museum! The writing of romantic notes and letters for St. Valentine's Day was very popular in colonial America. By the mid-1800s, the first mass-produced Valentine's Day cards were sold, and an industry was born. The program features a display of vintage valentines presented by Ms. Jean Groszmann, many of them with unique details such as pop-ups, cut-outs and trinkets. A children's Valentine's Day craft and light refreshments are included. Admission is $4.00 for ages 13 and older, $3.00 for ages 3 to 12 and free under age 3. The Miller-Cory House Museum, located at 614 Mountain Avenue in Westfield, NJ, is a fully furnished farmhouse built in 1740 and listed on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places and as a site on the New Jersey Women's Heritage Trail. For more information call 908-232-1776 or email millercorymuseum@gmail.com.
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Sunday, February 12 - Ewing, Mercer County
"Washington Through Ewing"
In celebration of our Presidents' Birthday, TCNJ Interns will present "Washington Through Ewing" at the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society on Sunday at 2:00 pm. This program will be a presentation of the educational project produced by two TCNJ students who recently did an internship at the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society as part of the requirements for their degrees. Entitled "Washington Through Ewing," it is an interactive program that involves the clever use of video, props, and audience participation as it traces the route that George Washington and the Continental Army followed through what is now Ewing Township on their way to the famous Battle of Trenton that became the turning point in the American Revolution.
The program was presented this past fall at several Ewing Township schools and will be presented at 2:00 pm on Sunday afternoon as part of the celebration of Presidents' Day Weekend at the historic Benjamin Temple House, 27 Federal City Road in Ewing. Admission is free. For more information, call 609-883-2455 or visit www.ethps.org.
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Through March 12, 2017- Trenton, Mercer County
Furniture as Art at Ellarslie, the Trenton City Museum
The Trenton City Museum hosts "Furniture as Art," four exhibits-in-one that highlight the items that bring comfort and beauty to our lives - furniture. How many of us take our daily surroundings for granted? This exhibit helps us to see the everyday with fresh eyes.
On the museum's second floor, Furniture from the Permanent Collection features furniture from the collection of the Trenton Museum Society - antique furniture made in and associated with Trenton. Many of these reminders of Trenton's past manufacturing heyday have never before been seen by the public. Rustic Regional Windsor Chairs includes a collection of early Windsor chairs loaned by private collectors. According to TMS trustee and curator of the exhibit David Bosted, "The first American Windsor chair is believed to have been made here in the Delaware Valley in 1730. About a dozen pre-1850 Windsor Chairs will be on view along with a half-dozen colonial-revival reproductions, to illustrate the various forms and artistic features of rustic regional Windsor chairs."
On Sunday, February 26, 2017, Robert Whitley talks about furniture restoration during his 50+ year career.
The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie is located in the middle of the Frederick Law Olmsted-designed Cadwalader Park, with an entrance on Parkside Avenue, in Trenton, New Jersey. There is no fee for admission although donations are accepted. There is abundant free parking including handicap accessible parking. The museum is handicapped accessible.
For more information, call 609-989-3632 or visit www.ellarslie.org.
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In celebration of our Presidents' Birthday, TCNJ Interns will present "Washington Through Ewing" at the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society on Sunday at 2:00 pm. This program will be a presentation of the educational project produced by two TCNJ students who recently did an internship at the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society as part of the requirements for their degrees. Entitled "Washington Through Ewing," it is an interactive program that involves the clever use of video, props, and audience participation as it traces the route that George Washington and the Continental Army followed through what is now Ewing Township on their way to the famous Battle of Trenton that became the turning point in the American Revolution.
The program was presented this past fall at several Ewing Township schools and will be presented at 2:00 pm on Sunday afternoon as part of the celebration of Presidents' Day Weekend at the historic Benjamin Temple House, 27 Federal City Road in Ewing. Admission is free. For more information, call 609-883-2455 or visit www.ethps.org.
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Through March 12, 2017- Trenton, Mercer County
Furniture as Art at Ellarslie, the Trenton City Museum
The Trenton City Museum hosts "Furniture as Art," four exhibits-in-one that highlight the items that bring comfort and beauty to our lives - furniture. How many of us take our daily surroundings for granted? This exhibit helps us to see the everyday with fresh eyes.On the museum's second floor, Furniture from the Permanent Collection features furniture from the collection of the Trenton Museum Society - antique furniture made in and associated with Trenton. Many of these reminders of Trenton's past manufacturing heyday have never before been seen by the public. Rustic Regional Windsor Chairs includes a collection of early Windsor chairs loaned by private collectors. According to TMS trustee and curator of the exhibit David Bosted, "The first American Windsor chair is believed to have been made here in the Delaware Valley in 1730. About a dozen pre-1850 Windsor Chairs will be on view along with a half-dozen colonial-revival reproductions, to illustrate the various forms and artistic features of rustic regional Windsor chairs."
On Sunday, February 26, 2017, Robert Whitley talks about furniture restoration during his 50+ year career.
The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie is located in the middle of the Frederick Law Olmsted-designed Cadwalader Park, with an entrance on Parkside Avenue, in Trenton, New Jersey. There is no fee for admission although donations are accepted. There is abundant free parking including handicap accessible parking. The museum is handicapped accessible.
For more information, call 609-989-3632 or visit www.ellarslie.org.
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Through Sunday, April 9 - Cape May, Cape May County
Moore History: The Story of William J. Moore of Cape May
The Center for Community Arts (CCA) once again presents an exhibit in association with the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) that highlights and illuminates African-American life and history in Cape May and the surrounding region. This year's exhibit, in the Carroll Gallery of the Emlen Physick Estate, is entitled "Moore History: The Life and Works of William J. Moore."
The CCA History Committee has selected important original documents, objects, and photographs of Mr. Moore's long and honored life. William J. Moore was principal of the segregated West Cape May Elementary Annex school for 52 years, inspiring many of his students to go on to college and careers. He served as the executive of Cape May Golf Club and then the pro at Cape May Tennis Club, which was named in his honor at his 100th birthday. He raised nine children with his wife, Susie (Smothers) Moore, and founded the William J. Moore Scholarship Fund.
Many of his students and friends remember him to this day. Their testimonies and recollections accompany Mr. Moore's own words and those of his children. The exhibit will be open to the public on Saturday, January 14 with an official opening ceremony on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 16 at 4:00 pm at the Carroll Gallery in the Carriage House at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street. The exhibit opening is free and open to the public; light refreshments will be served.
The exhibit is open to the public as follows: Saturdays, January 14 - February 4, 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm; Saturday, February 18, 11:00 am - 3:30 pm, Sunday, Feb. 19, 11:00 am - 2:30 pm, Monday, February 20, 1:00 - 3:00 pm, Saturday, February 25, 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm, Saturday, March 4, 11:00 am - 2:30 pm, Saturday, March 11, 11:00 am - 2:30 pm. The exhibit is open daily, March 18 - April 19. Hours vary.
The Emlen Physick Estate is located at 1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ. Admission is free. Sponsored by the Center for Community Arts (CCA) in association with the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For information on the exhibit, call 609-884-7525 or see www.CenterforCommunityArts.org. For gallery hours call 609-884-5404 or visit www.capemaymac.org.
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The Center for Community Arts (CCA) once again presents an exhibit in association with the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) that highlights and illuminates African-American life and history in Cape May and the surrounding region. This year's exhibit, in the Carroll Gallery of the Emlen Physick Estate, is entitled "Moore History: The Life and Works of William J. Moore."The CCA History Committee has selected important original documents, objects, and photographs of Mr. Moore's long and honored life. William J. Moore was principal of the segregated West Cape May Elementary Annex school for 52 years, inspiring many of his students to go on to college and careers. He served as the executive of Cape May Golf Club and then the pro at Cape May Tennis Club, which was named in his honor at his 100th birthday. He raised nine children with his wife, Susie (Smothers) Moore, and founded the William J. Moore Scholarship Fund.
Many of his students and friends remember him to this day. Their testimonies and recollections accompany Mr. Moore's own words and those of his children. The exhibit will be open to the public on Saturday, January 14 with an official opening ceremony on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 16 at 4:00 pm at the Carroll Gallery in the Carriage House at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street. The exhibit opening is free and open to the public; light refreshments will be served.
The exhibit is open to the public as follows: Saturdays, January 14 - February 4, 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm; Saturday, February 18, 11:00 am - 3:30 pm, Sunday, Feb. 19, 11:00 am - 2:30 pm, Monday, February 20, 1:00 - 3:00 pm, Saturday, February 25, 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm, Saturday, March 4, 11:00 am - 2:30 pm, Saturday, March 11, 11:00 am - 2:30 pm. The exhibit is open daily, March 18 - April 19. Hours vary.
The Emlen Physick Estate is located at 1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ. Admission is free. Sponsored by the Center for Community Arts (CCA) in association with the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For information on the exhibit, call 609-884-7525 or see www.CenterforCommunityArts.org. For gallery hours call 609-884-5404 or visit www.capemaymac.org.
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Toy World Exhibit
Children Friendly
Bring the whole family to enjoy this fun new exhibition spotlighting the little-known history of toy manufacturing in New Jersey. Step back to another era and enjoy a bit of nostalgia with more than 100 toys made in New Jersey between 1880 and the late 1960s, during New Jersey's golden era of manufacturing. See how world events helped shape the toys produced here, from tin toys, porcelain dolls, and model trains, through the development of plastics, which ushered in little green army men, Colorforms, Suzy Homemaker ovens and more. Innovations such as the first "talking" doll, created by Thomas Edison, will also be featured.The exhibition features a play area for children and a spot to share your favorite childhood toy memories. Randomly selected memories will be featured on the Museum's Facebook page throughout the exhibition. "Toy World" will be on view from through April 28, 2017.
“Toy World” will be on view in the Riverside Gallery on the New Jersey State Museum's second floor. The Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 am to 4:45 pm and closed on all State holidays. The Museum is located at 205 W State St, Trenton, NJ. For more information, visit www.statemuseum.nj.gov.
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Through Sunday, May 21, 2017 - Princeton, Mercer County
Bruce Springsteen: A Photographic Journey
Like Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Bob Dylan before him, Bruce Springsteen is a pillar of American music. Springsteen has turned his guitar into an instrument of change, using it to tap into the American psyche and connect with the blue-collar man and woman through his melodies and lyrics. From his humble beginnings of rehearsing in New Jersey garages to selling out arenas around the world, Springsteen's career has spanned decades and crossed genres-and has never wavered from its upward trajectory.This fall, Morven Museum & Garden presents Bruce Springsteen: A Photographic Journey. Traveling from the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles, this exhibition features forty photographs of the rock legend and video interviews with five of the six noted photographers: Danny Clinch, Ed Gallucci, Eric Meola, Barry Schneier, Pamela Springsteen, and Frank Stefanko. Together they revisit Springsteen's career as a frontman and songwriter, capturing his charisma and off-stage vulnerability.
The exhibition is on view from November 18, 2016 through May 21, 2017 at Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ. Hours: Wednesday - Sunday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. For more information, call 609-924-8144 or visit www.morven.org.
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Through June 2017 - Ocean Township, Monmouth County
Presidents at the Monmouth County Shore Exhibit
One hundred years ago this September, 25,000 people gathered on the grounds of what is today Monmouth University—then a private estate called Shadow Lawn—to see Woodrow Wilson officially accept the nomination of the Democratic Party for a second Presidential run. Wilson was following a popular tradition among American Presidents to retreat to our slice of the Jersey Shore to escape the heat and hubbub of Washington. At the Eden Woolley House, this major exhibit tells the wide-ranging stories of eleven Presidents who spent time here, at the Monmouth County shore.Mrs. Lincoln got the ball rolling
There’s a case to be made that it all started with Mary Todd Lincoln. Mrs. Lincoln travelled to Long Branch in the summer of 1861, probably at the invitation of William Newell, family friend and then supervisor of the life-saving services in New Jersey. Long Branch was already a popular resort, and national coverage of the First Lady’s visit added immeasurably to its fame and appeal.
That fame and appeal continued to draw the wealthy and influential—including the seven presidents who vacationed in resort city, starting with Ulysses Grant.
Seven Presidents in Long Branch
In 1870, a group of wealthy businessmen who summered in the Elberon section of Long Branch presented President Grant with an oceanfront cottage where he vacationed for the next 15 years. When Grant died in 1885, city officials feared the resort might lose its cachet. They needn’t have worried. Six of the next ten Presidents--Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Harrison, McKinley, and Wilson--chose to spend time in Long Branch.
The most tragic of these Presidential visits was James Garfield’s last. Mrs. Garfield was in Long Branch recuperating from illness, when, on July 2, 1881, Garfield was shot by an assassin in the Washington train station. He was taken to the White House, where his condition worsened. In hope the sea air might help, Garfield was taken to Elberon. Famously, locals worked through the night to build the spur to carry the President’s railroad car from Elberon Station to the ocean side cottage. He died there 12 days later, September 19.
Beyond Long Branch
Long Branch was not the only Monmouth County destination of Presidents. Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, and Richard Nixon visited our area, if only, in some cases, for a political rally. And then, of course, there’s Warren Harding, whose local connection was a bit less public and a good deal more scandalous. Join us June 26 to learn the full story. The new exhibit is on view through June 2017.
The Township of Ocean Historical Museum offers exhibits on the history of coastal Monmouth County and a full calendar of events. The Museum also houses a library and archive of local history. It is open, free of charge, 1:00 - 4:00 pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday, 7:00 - 9:00 pm Thursday evenings, and 1:00 - 4:00 pm the first and second Sundays of each month. The Township of Ocean Historical Museum is located at 703 Deal Road, Ocean, NJ. For more information, visit www.oceanmuseum.org.
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Sundays through June 30, 2017 - Piscataway, Middlesex County
A Revolutionary Legacy: the Cornelius Low House 275 Exhibit
The newest exhibit to open at the Middlesex County Museum exhibit delves into the history of the Low family and the role they played in the shaping of the United States. A Revolutionary Legacy: the Cornelius Low House 275 exhibit is housed inside the County’s Historic Cornelius Low House/Middlesex County Museum.
This seven-room exhibit contains artifacts that date to the 1700s and includes handcrafted furniture from New Brunswick, paintings by artist Micah Williams, a document signed by Cornelius Low and his wife Johanna, portrait miniatures of several Low family members, and a chair that George Washington used on a visit to the New Brunswick area. These items are on loan from the DAR Jersey Blue Chapter Buccleuch Mansion, the Suffolk County Historical Society and private collections.
The Cornelius Low House/Middlesex County Museum is open on Sundays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm and is located at 1225 River Road, Piscataway, NJ. For more information, call 732-745-4177 or visit www.middlesexcountynj.gov.
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Through September 3, 2017
Garden State: Living Off the Land in Early New Jersey Exhibit
Family Friendly
How far is the distance from farm to table? For families in early New Jersey it was measured in inches. These families did not make their living “by bread alone.” They relied not only on wheat and corn, but also on bees, cows, apples, and vegetables to support themselves and their communities. The Garden State: Living off the Land in Early New Jersey explores the technology and tools, from bee smokers to cradle scythes, that farmers in 18th and 19th century New Jersey utilized in order to survive. The exhibit also features a new generation of Garden State farmers who are working to make the distance from farm to table a little bit shorter for today’s families.
This exhibit is on display through September 3, 20017 at the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts located at 9 Main Street, Madison, NJ. Admission: Adults – $5; Students, children and adults 65+ – $3; METC members and children under 6 – FREE; Family maximum rate – $15.00. For more information, call 973-377-2982 or visit www.metc.org.
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A Revolutionary Legacy: the Cornelius Low House 275 Exhibit
The newest exhibit to open at the Middlesex County Museum exhibit delves into the history of the Low family and the role they played in the shaping of the United States. A Revolutionary Legacy: the Cornelius Low House 275 exhibit is housed inside the County’s Historic Cornelius Low House/Middlesex County Museum. This seven-room exhibit contains artifacts that date to the 1700s and includes handcrafted furniture from New Brunswick, paintings by artist Micah Williams, a document signed by Cornelius Low and his wife Johanna, portrait miniatures of several Low family members, and a chair that George Washington used on a visit to the New Brunswick area. These items are on loan from the DAR Jersey Blue Chapter Buccleuch Mansion, the Suffolk County Historical Society and private collections.
The Cornelius Low House/Middlesex County Museum is open on Sundays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm and is located at 1225 River Road, Piscataway, NJ. For more information, call 732-745-4177 or visit www.middlesexcountynj.gov.
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Through September 3, 2017
Garden State: Living Off the Land in Early New Jersey Exhibit
Family Friendly
How far is the distance from farm to table? For families in early New Jersey it was measured in inches. These families did not make their living “by bread alone.” They relied not only on wheat and corn, but also on bees, cows, apples, and vegetables to support themselves and their communities. The Garden State: Living off the Land in Early New Jersey explores the technology and tools, from bee smokers to cradle scythes, that farmers in 18th and 19th century New Jersey utilized in order to survive. The exhibit also features a new generation of Garden State farmers who are working to make the distance from farm to table a little bit shorter for today’s families.This exhibit is on display through September 3, 20017 at the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts located at 9 Main Street, Madison, NJ. Admission: Adults – $5; Students, children and adults 65+ – $3; METC members and children under 6 – FREE; Family maximum rate – $15.00. For more information, call 973-377-2982 or visit www.metc.org.
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Last Sunday of the month through Fall 2017 - Woodbury, Gloucester County
White Lace and Promises: Two Centuries of Weddings Exhibit
White Lace and Promises: Two Centuries of Weddings, is the Gloucester County Historical Society Museum's most comprehensive wedding exhibit to date! This gorgeous exhibit features over 50 wedding gowns from the museum’s collection, representing the time period from the 1810’s through most of the 20th century. From the hooped dresses and bustles of the 19th century, to the many variations of gowns during the 20th century, nearly every popular wedding gown style is represented. Also showcased are bridal accessories including headpieces, veils, shoes, fans, lingerie, and jewelry. Documentation such as invitations and wedding certificates, along with beautiful photographs from many of these weddings, are also on display. This extensive exhibit will be up until fall of 2017 – do not miss it!
White Lace and Promises: Two Centuries of Weddings Exhibit
White Lace and Promises: Two Centuries of Weddings, is the Gloucester County Historical Society Museum's most comprehensive wedding exhibit to date! This gorgeous exhibit features over 50 wedding gowns from the museum’s collection, representing the time period from the 1810’s through most of the 20th century. From the hooped dresses and bustles of the 19th century, to the many variations of gowns during the 20th century, nearly every popular wedding gown style is represented. Also showcased are bridal accessories including headpieces, veils, shoes, fans, lingerie, and jewelry. Documentation such as invitations and wedding certificates, along with beautiful photographs from many of these weddings, are also on display. This extensive exhibit will be up until fall of 2017 – do not miss it!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. If interested in scheduling a private tour during non-public hours to see this exhibit, this may be organized for you and/or your group with advance. 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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Some event listings courtesy of the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey
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