NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 7/22/17 - 7/23/17

 New Jersey Weekend Historical Happenings

A Weekly Feature on www.thehistorygirl.com

Want to submit an event? Use our event submission form.

Friday - Saturday, July 22- 24 - Paterson, Passaic County
Shakespeare at Lambert Castle

Visitors to Lambert Castle on Friday and Saturday may find themselves transported to Elizabethan times. The Passaic County Historical Society will host ATC Studios’ Summer Shakespeare Conservatory for two performances at Lambert Castle on Friday at 7:00 pm in the Gallery and Saturday at 3:00 and 5:00 pm on the Castle lawn.

The production is the culmination of a 4 week program at Clifton’s ATC, and features “A (Mini) Midsummer Night's Dream” an abridged version of Shakespeare’s famous comedy. The performance, which will last less than an hour and a half, is definitely user-friendly: a great way to introduce someone to the Bard, and a wonderful treat for those who know the works well. 

For the Gallery performance on Friday, tickets are $10, general admission. There is limited seating. Call 862-243-ATCS (2827) for reservations. Lawn performances on Saturday are FREE and donations are gratefully accepted. Royalty Seating for Saturday's performances (reserved prime lawn space): $10. If you are attending the lawn performance, please bring beach chairs, lawn chairs, or a blanket.

Lambert Castle is located at 3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ. For more information, call 973-247-0085 or visit www.lambertcastle.org.

-----------------------------------
Saturday, July 22 - Bay Head, Ocean County
Bay Head Historical Society Annual Meeting

The Bay Head Historical Society will hold its Annual Meeting on Saturday at 10:00 am, at the Bay Head Borough Hall, Bridge Avenue, Bay Head, NJ. The guest speaker will be Patricia H. Burke, acclaimed historian, author, and university professor. She will speak about her newly published book, Gerard Rutgers Hardenbergh, Artist and Ornithologist. A book signing will follow. For more information, call 732-701-0826.

-----------------------------------
Saturday, July 22 - Morristown, Morris County
Go With The Flow!
Children Friendly Event & Site

Streams provided an important water supply to farms. On Saturday at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, follow a stream to see where it goes and what life it sustains with a guide. One hour programs at 1:00 and 2:00 pm.

Admission: $6/adult, $5/senior (65+), $4/child (ages 4 -16), $2/child (2 and 3). FREE for children under age 2 and Friends members, with a current membership card. Fosterfields Living Historical Farm is located at 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ. For more information, visit www.morrisparks.net.

-----------------------------------

Saturday, July 22 - Morristown, Morris County
Log House City

Children Friendly Event

Join a Ranger's talk on Saturday from 1:30 - 2:00 pm about the mural in the Jockey Hollow Visitor Center as he puts into perspective the area that is just beyond the Visitor Center and where over 10,000 Continental Army soldiers camped during the winter of 1779-1780. The Jockey Hollow Visitor Center is located within Morristown National Historical Park, 580 Tempe Wick Road, Morristown NJ (address is approximate). This is a FREE program. For more information, call 973-543-4030 or visit www.nps.gov/morr.

-----------------------------------
Saturday, July 22 - Byram Township, Sussex County
Waterloo Canal Heritage Day
Children Friendly Event

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.

-----------------------------------

Saturday, July 22 - Sandy Hook, Monmouth County

Nike Missile Radar Site Tours

Guided tours of the Integrated Fire Control (IFC) site will allow you to see the inner workings of the facility where supersonic nuclear armed Nike Hercules missiles were controlled and guided using Cold War era computers and radars. You will have the opportunity to meet and talk with some of the veterans who actually worked on the Nike Air Defense System. Free tours from 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm. Meet at Horseshoe Cove, Parking Lot L on Sandy Hook, part of Gateway National Recreation Area. For more information, call 732-872-5970 or visit www.nps.gov/gate.

-----------------------------------

Saturday, July 22 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County
Evening Hayrides
Children Friendly Event and Site

On Saturday evening, Howell Living History Farm will have hayrides that last 20 minutes, carrying visitors over the lanes of the 130 acre working farm. During the program, visitors can also take self-guided tours, picnic in the picnic area and join a marshmallow roast.

Rides will leave the barnyard area every 25 minutes beginning at 5:10 pm, with the last ride departing at 8:00 pm. Rides will be given on a first come, first serve basis to the first 200 visitors. Rides are intended for individual and family participation; groups cannot be accommodated. There is no charge for the wagon rides.

A wheelchair accessible wagon is also available. Individuals who would like to ride on this wagon should call 609-737-3299 in advance, and ask for Kathy. On the dates when evening hayrides are offered, the Farm will be closed during the day.

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.

-----------------------------------

Saturday, July 22 - Montclair, Essex County

Research Your Home's History

Have you ever wondered about the history of your Montclair home? This free workshop on Saturday from 10:00 am - 12:00 noon will assist you in discovering local resources available to help you research the history of your Montclair home and property. Space is limited. Registration is required. For more information, call 973-744-0500 ext. 2235. Register through the Montclair Public Library at www.montclairlibrary.org. Presented by the Montclair Historic Preservation Commission, Montclair History Center, and Montclair Public Library. All sessions will be held at the Main Library, 50 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ.

-----------------------------------

Saturday - Sunday, July 22 - 23 - Cape May, Cape May County
13th Annual Celtic Festival at Historic Cold Spring Village
Children Friendly Event & Site

All aboard! Historic Cold Spring Village’s Annual Railroad Days will be held on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am - 4:30 pm. Railroad Days is the perfect outing for folks interested in railroad history, model and toy trains, or just enjoying a unique collection in a unique historical setting.

In the Village Welcome Center, under the Friends’ Pavilion and along the Village’s shady lanes, visitors will find presentations and displays from a variety of groups. On display in the Welcome Center will be the Strasburg Model Railroad Club’s display of the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines HO scale layout. Near the Ice Cream Parlor, guests can see the South Jersey Garden Railroad Society’s G-scale railroad, as well as special displays just for kids. Additional groups, including the Atlantic County 4-H Club and Just for Fun, will exhibit a variety of models and landscapes.

At 2:00 pm in the Welcome Center on both Saturday and Sunday, Jim Stephens, HCSV Deputy Director of Education and Interpretation, will present a talk on Richard Trevithick, the little known inventor of the modern steam locomotive. Children can enjoy free toy train rides around the Village on Saturday from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm and Sunday from 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm, departing behind the Welcome Center. The Family Activity Area will feature special event-themed children’s take-home crafts.

Historic Cold Spring Village is located on Route 9, three miles north of Victorian Cape May and a mile and a half west of the southern terminus of the Garden State Parkway. 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.

-----------------------------------

Every Sunday through September 3 - Walpack Center, Sussex County
Rosenkrans House and Museum and Van Campen Inn - Open House

Visit the Rosenkrans House & Museum, one of the oldest buildings in Walpack Center. Volunteers from the Walpack Historical Society will be present to answer any questions you may have about the area and its history.  The grounds at Walpack Center are open from dawn to dusk. 

The open houses are made possible by volunteers from the Walpack Historical Society, and may be subject to their volunteer schedule. Call 973-948-4903 for any updates on their scheduled Sunday open hours. The Rosenkrans House & Museum and the Van Campen Inn are part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/dewa.

-----------------------------------

Every Sunday through September 3 - Hardwick, Warren County
1800's Village Life at Millbrook Village

Stroll at your leisure through Millbrook Village on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Several buildings will be open and staffed with rangers and volunteers demonstrating traditional skills and reminiscing about 1800's life in the village. By 1875, Millbrook had reached a peak of 75 inhabitants and about nineteen major buildings. Today's Millbrook Village does not replicate the Millbrook of 1832 or 1900. Rather, it evokes the feeling of countryside hamlets where most of the nation's people lived until the end of the 19th century. Please take a step back in time and see how things have (or haven't) changed! Millbrook Village is free to tour. Millbrook Village is part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Millbrook Village is located in Hardwick Township, NJ at the intersection of Old Mine Road and Millbrook Road, County Route 602N. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/dewa.

-----------------------------------
Sunday, July 23 - Waldwick, Bergen County
Waldwick Signal Tower Open House

The Erie Signal Tower in Waldwick will be open for tours on Sunday from 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm. The tower is located at 3 Bohnert Place, Waldwick, NJ. It can also be accessed via the Waldwick Museum of Local History via a pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks and a short walk. For more information, visit www.allaboardwaldwick.org.

-----------------------------------
Sunday, July 23 - Waldwick, Bergen County
Waldwick Museum of Local History Open House

-----------------------------------
Sunday, July 23 - Fair Lawn, Bergen County
Garretson Forge and Farm Open House

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

-----------------------------------
Sunday, July 23 - Somerville, Somerset County
Summer Concert at the Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage: Songs of Nature

On Sunday beginning at 1:30 pm, balladeer Linda Russell will perform historical music at the Old Dutch Parsonage historic site.

Celebrate summer’s cheer with songs of the American colonies! When colonists first set foot in the New World, they found a rich, raw landscape. Colonists saw nature as bounteous and beautiful but also dangerous, a savage wilderness. Join balladeer Linda Russell as she performs music celebrating nature’s harmonies with poetic depictions of birds and flowers. Playing the hammered and mountain dulcimers, penny whistle and guitar, Linda sings and plays ballads, love songs, dance tunes, and working songs written in early America and brought over from the Old World.

Linda Russell is a balladeer who brings America’s past to life through song. She has served for many years as musical historian for the National Park Service at Federal Hall National Memorial and has performed at historic sites throughout New York and New Jersey.

There is suggested ten dollar per-person donation fee to attend this program. All visitors must register for this program in advance. Call 908-725-1015 or e-mail whouse3@verizon.net to register. Please register early, as seating is limited.

The Wallace House, built in 1776, served as George Washington’s winter headquarters during the Middlebrook Cantonment of 1778-1779. The house was the country residence of retired Philadelphia merchant John Wallace; Washington rented the use of half the house for himself and his staff and paid Wallace $1,000 for the use of his house and furniture. During his stay, the General hosted foreign dignitaries and planned strategies for the spring military campaign. The house is fully restored and furnished with period furniture.

The Old Dutch Parsonage was constructed in 1751, by the congregations of three local Dutch Reform Churches. The house was occupied by the Reverend John Frelinghuysen and his family until his death in 1754. His successor, the Reverend Jacob Hardenberg was the principal founder and first president of Queens College in New Brunswick, now Rutgers University.

Both sites are administered by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, and are open to visitors Wednesday through Sunday. The Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage are both listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.

The parking lot entrance and interpretive center for the sites is located at 71 Somerset Street, Somerville, NJ. For directions and more information about the sites, visit www.wallacehouseassociation.org or call 908-725-1015.

-----------------------------------

Sunday, July 23 - Morris Township, Morris County
Hook, Line, and Sinker!
Children Friendly Event & Site

On Sunday from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, cast a fishing line at the pond to see if any fish respond. Catch of the day is tossed back.

Admission: $6/adult, $5/senior (65+), $4/child (ages 4 -16), $2/child (2 and 3). FREE for children under age 2 and Friends members, with a current membership card. Fosterfields Living Historical Farm is located at 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ. For more information, visit www.morrisparks.net.

-----------------------------------

Sunday, July 23 - Paterson, Passaic County

An Afternoon of Italian Opera Plus

On Sunday at 5:00 pm, Annamaria Stefanelli and Rory Angelicola return to the Lambert Castle Concert Series and present An Afternoon of Italian Opera Plus. Lyric Soprano Annamaria Stefanelli returns to Lambert Castle with Tenor Rory Angelicola in a program filled with a variety of operatic and classical favorites, including arias and duets by Puccini and Verdi. Admission to the concert is $15. Seating is limited - no reservations will be taken.

This performance is a part of the 2017 Lambert Castle Concert Series. Featuring local musicians and a variety of musical genres, all concerts are performed in the beautiful atmosphere that is Lambert Castle. Lambert Castle is located at 3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ. For more information, call 973-247-0085 or visit www.lambertcastle.org.

-----------------------------------
Sunday, July 23 - Park Ridge, Bergen County
Star-Spangled Banner History

It took 116 years for the Star-Spangled Banner to be officially recognized as our national anthem. Hear the reasons why when the Pascack Historical Society welcomes local historian and author Edmund Moderacki who will present, "The Star-Spangled Banner: A Military and Musical History," on Sunday at 2:00 pm

The talk will concern the events leading up to the British burning of Washington in 1813, the attack of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, Francis Scott Key's penning of the poem that became The Star-Spangled Banner and the adoption process of the song as our national anthem. Some music will be performed during the talk. A few flags from the society's militaria collection will be on display. A question & answer period will follow Moderacki's presentation. 

Moderacki, a resident of the Township of Washington, who retired as a music teacher in River Vale, received his BA from Montclair State College and an MA from Hunter College (CUNY). He remains active in the musical community as a member of the Bergen County Teen Arts, Music Educators of Bergen County, Inc., conductor of the Waldwick Band and assistant conductor of the Ridgewood Symphony orchestra. He is River Vale's Municipal Historian and author of Images of America: River Vale and many other historical articles.

The Pascack Historical Society is located at 19 Ridge Avenue, Park Ridge. Admission is free to the barrier-free museum, and children are welcome when accompanied by an adult. Complimentary coffee and homemade cake will be served. For more information, call 201-573-0307 or visit www.pascackhistoricalsociety.org.

-----------------------------------
Sunday, July 23 - Stockton, Hunterdon County
A Bridge Builder in Petticoats: An Afternoon with Emily Roebling

The historic Prallsville Mills in partnership with the D&R Canal State Park will host the esteemed Emily Roebling aka historical interpreter Carol Simon Levin at 1:00 pm on Sunday to talk about Roebling's unique role in bridge engineering and architecture in the late 1800s. Roebling was called "one of the most noted women in the country" and "the most famous woman in New Jersey"...yet today few people even know her name!

On December 12, 1881, people in New York City would have witnessed a strange sight. High above the East River, a line of men in business suits were cautiously walking along a narrow path of wooden boards laid down across the open steel frame of a huge unfinished bridge. Strangest of all, the line was led by a woman, her long skirt billowing in the wind as she showed them details of the construction. When they reached the New York side, everyone toasted her with champagne. It was the first official crossing of what would be called the Brooklyn Bridge.

Many books and films have featured the Brooklyn Bridge and millions of people have crossed it. Built between 1869 and 1883, without modern machines or even electric light, it was the one of the most amazing technological achievements of its time. Yet few people know that a woman helped supervise much of its construction.

Users of the D&R Canal State Park, and area residents, are familiar with the pedestrian bridge that connects Bulls Island on the NJ side of the Delaware River, to Lumberville in PA. Built in 1947, sixty years after the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge, it is also a Roebling bridge. This mid-twentieth century structure was constructed by the John A. Roebling's Sons Company using post-WWII era innovations of cable stiffening and pre-stressed concrete. The technique greatly reduced the amount of steel needed to complete the project.

Carol Simon Levin is a Youth Services Librarian, author, storyteller and program presenter based in Bridgewater NJ. Whether she is impersonating the woman who helped to build the Brooklyn Bridge, telling the amazing stories of early women in aviation, engaging families in a rousing Halloween Hootenanny of songs and stories, expanding on the mathematical and artistic possibilities of a simple square, or sharing the story of a dolphin who learned to swim with an artificial tail (along with activities to help children understand what it is like to live with a disability), she always strives to create exciting programs that engage her audience's interests and expand their horizons. Prallsville Mills are located at 33 Risler Street, Stockton, NJ. For more information, visit www.prallsvillemills.org.

-----------------------------------
Sunday, July 23 - Morristown, Morris County
Jacksonian New Jersey

In this talk on Sunday from 2:00 - 4:00 pm, we discuss Andrew Jackson, his presidency, and how it changed New Jersey and the Vail family. We also discuss the democratization of education during the 1820s. Admission: $7/adult, $6/senior (65+), $5/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.

-----------------------------------

Sunday, July 23 - Montague, Sussex County
Montague Open Houses

MARCH, the Montague Association for the Restoration of Community History, is pleased to announce that both its museum sites will be open on Sunday. The Foster-Armstrong House and the Nelden-Roberts Stonehouse will be open to the public from 1:00 - 4:00 pm for museum house tours. Tours will be held every 30 minutes and docents will be available at both sites to guide you through our local history and artifact collections.

The Foster-Armstrong House, circa 1790, a two story Dutch colonial, is located on SC521/ 320 River Road, about 1 mile north of the Milford/Montague Bridge. It is listed on the State Historic Register of NJ and is a National Historic Register Site. Ten rooms are set up with local history displays in each room. Rooms contain an original bee hive oven, native Indian artifacts, Duke Mortimer's Dramatic Art Workshop collection, a military room, a quilt room and to scale model covered bridges of the northeast United States. 

The Nelden-Roberts Stonehouse, circa 1820, is located at 501 Route 206 North, about 1 mile south of the Milford/Montague Bridge. It is listed on the State Historic Register on New Jersey. The first floor is set up as a schoolhouse, which is what the building was originally built for. The second floor has a schoolmaster's bedroom and native Indian artifacts.

Both museums are located within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/MontagueNJHistory.

-----------------------------------

Sunday, July 23 - 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.

-----------------------------------

Sunday, July 23 - Sparta, Sussex County
Photographers Eye the Van Kirk Homestead

-----------------------------------

Sunday, July 23 - Morristown, Morris County
Documents of the Revolution

Discover the true importance of some small pieces of paper displayed in the Lloyd Smith Gallery. Join a Park Ranger for a gallery tour and trace the history of the American Revolution as you hear about how stamps, broadsides and books helped start and end the Revolutionary War.

This program will be held at the Washington Headquarters Museum Building, 30 Washington Place, Morristown, NJ. This program runs from 1:30 - 2:00 pm. Admission to the program is included in the $7 entrance fee. No reservations necessary. For more information, call 973-539-2016 x 204 or visit www.nps.gov/morr.

-----------------------------------

Sunday, July 23 - West Orange, Essex County
Geothermal Tour at the Glenmont Estate

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

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

-----------------------------------

Sunday, July 23 - Sandy Hook, Monmouth County

Going Bunkers: Battery Lewis

Battery Lewis is the largest gun battery ever built in New Jersey and one of only several built along the east coast to defend against enemy warships during WWII.  Please wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring a flashlight and insect repellent. This program runs from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. Sandy Hook is part of Gateway National Recreation Area. For more information on the meeting place and to make reservations, call 732-872-5970 or visit www.nps.gov/gate.

-----------------------------------
Sunday, July 23 - Chester, Morris County
Sail, Sail Your Boat
Children Friendly Event & Site

Decorate boats and sail them in the tail-race at the Cooper Gristmill in Morris County from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Please wear closed-toe shoes or boots. Cost: FREE. Boats can be purchased for $10 (Friends members $5), or borrowed for FREE. The Cooper Gristmill is located at 66 Route 513, Chester, NJ. For more information, call 908-879-5463 or visit www.morrisparks.net.

-----------------------------------

Through Sunday, July 30, 2017 - Morristown, Morris County
Sabers, Swords, Guns, and Glory: Militaria in Morris County

Experience rarely seen weaponry from Morris County Historical Society's extensive militaria collection in Sabers, Swords, Guns, and Glory: Militaria in Morris County, on display at Acorn Hall through Sunday, July 30, 2017.

The exhibit spans more than two centuries of American military history and features a Revolutionary War saber, 1862 Springfield rifle, 19th-century Kentucky long rifle, Civil War munitions and accoutrements, military uniforms from the 20th century, and numerous medals and commendations earned by local soldiers and veterans. The exhibit also highlights the weapons and technology used in World War I and II, and the new forms of warfare introduced during the Cold War. 

The Morris County Historical Society at Acorn Hall is located at 68 Morris Avenue in Morristown, NJ. It is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, and on Sundays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. For a tour of Acorn Hall and to see both exhibits is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for students, and Free for children under age 12 and MCHS members. To see the exhibits, only, is one half of the price of admission. For more information, call 973-267-3465 or visit www.morriscountyhistory.org.

-----------------------------------

Through Sunday, August 13, 2017 - Morristown, Morris County

Unfurling Femininity

In the many centuries pre-air conditioning – or even electric fans, woman relied on their own energy to cool themselves. But their “appliances” of choice were far more eye-catching than any electric air cooler invented since: fans and parasols.

Beginning Sunday, July 16, and running through August 13, Morris County Historical Society’s (MCHS) Unfurling Femininity exhibit at Acorn Hall will display a variety of 19th and 20th century fans, parasols, and feminine accouterments decorated in American, European, and Asian motifs.

Originally designed to help beat the heat of the ancient world, fans and parasols later became symbols of fashion, grace, elegance, and wealth, a role they proudly maintained through the early 20th century. Displayed parasols and fans highlight craftsmanship and the wide variety of styles, materials, and sizes often employed in creating these genuine works of art.

Timely for the hot and sunny summer season,  Unfurling Femininity will present a wide variety of classy commodities made of silk, satin, lace, wood, papers, feathers, mother of pearl, ivory, and whale bone.

In addition to seeing these treasures, visitors also will learn more about how women often used these items to enhance their feminine wiles.

The Morris County Historical Society is located at Acorn Hall and is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, and on Sundays from 1:00- 4:00 pm. For a tour of Acorn Hall and to see the exhibit is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for students, and Free for children under age 12 and MCHS members. To see the exhibit, only, is one half of the price of admission.

The Morris County Historical Society, founded in 1946, is a member-supported, 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Acorn Hall, an Italianate Villa, is located at 68 Morris Avenue, Morristown, NJ. For more information, call 973-267-3465 or visit www.acornhall.org.

-----------------------------------

Through Sunday, September 3, 2017 - Madison, Morris County
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.

-----------------------------------
Through Monday, September 4, 2017 - Morristown, Morris County
Art in the Park: Students Celebrate "Ingenuity in the Face of Adversity" with Dream Rocket Collaboration
Family Friendly

Morristown National Historical Park debuts its first collaboration with Dream Rocket Project (DRP), a project of the International Fiber Collective, Inc (IFC), to collect thousands of artworks from kids around world and use those works to wrap a 385-foot Space Launch System (SLS) rocket replica. DRP's aim is to expose kids to the importance of collaboration and the multi-disciplinary learning that inspires youth to "DREAM big, THINK big, and make a difference." Launched in 2009, this project hopes to collect over 9,000 submissions and estimates over 36,000 people will participate.

For its part, Morristown NHP's participants focused on the theme of 'Ingenuity in the Face of Adversity," a nod to Morristown's storied history of endurance, inventiveness, and survival.

In total, 73 works of art by 763 participants were created and are on display in the Jockey Hollow Visitor Center. The participants are from 59 classes throughout 17 schools in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. See a sampling of the artwork and photos of it on display at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thedreamrocket/sets/72157660798869378.

The exhibit is in the Jockey Hollow Visitor Center until September 4, 2017. The Visitor Center is located 580- 600 Tempe Wick Road, Morristown, NJ. The days of the week that it is open varies throughout the season. For more information and for hours, call 973-539-2016 ext. 210 or visit www.nps.gov/morr.

-----------------------------------
Through Sunday, September 17, 2017 - Trenton, Mercer County
Cadwalader Park: An Olmsted Vision

The Trenton Museum Society, along with the Cadwalader Park Alliance, is pleased to announce an exciting summer exhibit highlighting Cadwalader Park and its world-famous designer, Frederick Law Olmsted. Exhibitions on both floors of the museum will run from July 8 through September 17 with various complementary events, lectures and tours. Frederick Law Olmsted (FLO) is widely regarded as the Father of Landscape Architecture in America.

Born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1822, Frederick Law Olmsted spent many years experiencing various professions and touring the world seeking and absorbing knowledge before honing in on landscape design as his life's passion. He first studied surveying, engineering, chemistry and farming and toured Europe visiting numerous parks and private estates. He published books on his travels and used his literary activities to oppose slavery and to argue for abolition of slavery in the southern United States. By the time FLO began his work in landscape architecture, he had developed a belief in community and understood the importance of public institutions. Olmsted believed that the public realm should be a respite; a place to retreat from the stress of urban life, and that public open space should be accessible to all people. In 1857 he took the position of superintendent of Central Park in New York City and, along with architect Calvin Vaux, won the design competition for the park the following year. He then spent the next seven years as the primary administrator in charge of the construction of Central Park. Olmsted's success in park-making in NYC led to his renowned career designing and creating some of our nation's most important urban parks. By the time FLO began to design Cadwalader Park in 1890, he had been planning parks in this country's leading cities for over 30 years. Cadwalader Park in Trenton is Olmsted's last great urban park.

Cadwalader Park has the distinction of being the only New Jersey park designed personally by Frederick Law Olmsted. While many other New Jersey parks and spaces were designed by the Olmsted firm in the years following the creation of Trenton's largest park, Cadwalader is the only New Jersey park to be designed by FLO himself. Trenton is fortunate to possess one of these urban treasures which still preserves many of the landscape and spatial qualities of the original plan. Cadwalader Park is beloved by many of Trenton's residents who nostalgically recall pony rides, picnics, concerts, and the balloon man and, also, by many who come today to experience tennis matches, baseball games, and family outings not to mention those who flock to the various exhibits offered at the Trenton City Museum. In addition, Mercer County is privileged to accommodate Olmsted's greatest campus design, the grounds of Lawrenceville School. Olmsted's core design principles are evident at Lawrenceville School in the rolling landscape and curving paths throughout.

For more information and tour times, call 609-989-3632, visit www.ellarslie.org, or e-mail tms@ellarslie.org.

-----------------------------------

Last Sunday of the month through September 29, 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!

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.

-----------------------------------
Through Sunday, October 1, 2017 - Paterson, Passaic County
From the Photographic Archives, The Men Who Served: 1861-1964 Exhibit

The Passaic County Historical Society would like to announce the opening of its newest exhibit, From the Photographic Archives, The Men Who Served: 1861-1964. On exhibit until Sunday, October 1, 2017, the display showcases some of the military photographs from the Society's permanent collection. Over thirty photographs have been selected for this exhibit to demonstrate the common experience of American servicemen, from the American Civil War to the conflict in Vietnam. Their uniforms, equipment, and weapons changed over time, but their fears, triumphs and trials remained constant.

Visitors can access the exhibition, which is on display in the changing exhibit gallery on the 3rd floor, during regular museum hours (Wednesday - Sunday, July 12 - Sept 3: 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm; September 6 - October 1: 1:00 - 4:00 pm). General museum admissions apply (adults $5, seniors $4, children $3, and members free).

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 is located at 3 Valley Rd, Paterson, NJ. For more information, visit www.lambertcastle.org or call 973-247-0085.

-----------------------------------

Through June 2018 - Ocean Township, Monmouth County
New Jersey and the Great War: Local Stories of World War I 

Opening - Sunday, June 25, 2017 - 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm 

Bringing World War One Home
Though overshadowed by its sequel, World War One had profound and lasting effects on politics, social order, and individual lives. “New Jersey and the Great War: Local Stories of World War One,” the exhibit opening to the public at the Eden Woolley House, Sunday, June 25, sets out to make that case—with particular emphasis on the people and happenings of our state.

The Big Picture
The Great War reshaped the world. The U.S. emerged a world power. The seeds were sown for the rise of fascism and the spread of communism. Middle Eastern national boundaries were redrawn, fueling ethnic conflicts that continue to threaten.

At home, the scope and power of the U.S. government grew. A national army took over state militias. National security clashed with civil rights. Ethnic tensions grew--as did opposing organizations that either fed or defended against them. Women entered the work force in unprecedented numbers—and developed a irreversible taste for independence.

New Jersey’s Role
New Jersey was an industrial powerhouse that supplied the Allies even before we entered the war—and for that drew the attention of saboteurs. Once in the war, we boosted our manufacturing output. The army built facilities here that played major roles in the war effort, including Camps Dix, Merritt (a major embarkation base), and Vail (later Fort Monmouth).

New Jersey supplied two high-profile figures of the war era, most notably, the President himself. Wilson was a former New Jersey governor who ran his presidential campaigns from right here in Monmouth County. His nemesis during the war years, Alice Paul, was a militant suffragist from Burlington County who labelled the president “Kaiser Wilson.” Her White House picketing and arrest drew national attention and in large part led Wilson to reverse his opposition to the 19th Amendment.

One Man’s Story 
Behind the headlines are the stories of people. The exhibit tells, among others, of Joe Marino (born Giuseppe Maranaccio). Joe ended up in Asbury Park, U.S. citizen, father of four, and owner of Marino’s Bar on Main St. But he started life in Accadia, Italy. 

Italy, originally allied with Germany, remained neutral at the onset of war, then sided with the Allies. Nearly 6 million Italians served—including a teenaged Joe Marino. He was captured and imprisoned for years in Austria. Near the end of the war, he escaped and walked under cover of darkness the hundreds of miles back to his village. His sweetheart, assuming him dead, had married. Heartbroken, Joe moved to Rome where he worked three years to save the money to immigrate to the states.

This exhibit runs through June 2018. 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.

-----------------------------------

Some event listings courtesy of the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey