NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 12/16/17 - 12/17/17

 New Jersey Weekend Historical Happenings

A Weekly Feature on www.thehistorygirl.com

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

Friday - Saturday, December 15 - 16 - Wall Township, Monmouth County

Christmas Lantern Tour
Children Friendly Event

The weather is cold, but the scent of Christmas is in the air! Come celebrate the holidays with a stroll through Allaire's lantern lit village, and learn about Christmas in 1836! 

Music, history and a little bit of theater, the Historic Village at Allaire should be your new (or continuing) holiday tradition. Advance purchase recommended. $15.00 per person (not recommended for children under 5 as it is a walking tour and strollers are not permitted in buildings). Group rates are available to parties over 25 individuals, please call the office to book your group tour 732-919-3500.

Spaces are limited, so advanced ticket purchasing is highly recommended! Lantern tours begin at 5:00 pm and leave the visitor center every 15 minutes until 8:00 pm. This year to help keep everything moving smoothly, we are selling timed tickets to access the historic village for the Lantern Tours. Tours will still be on a first come, first serve basis. The tours take about 90 minutes to complete and are both indoor and outdoor.

The Historic Village at Allaire is located in Allaire State Park at 4263 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale, NJ. Tickets are available at the gate or can be purchased through their web site. For more information, call 732-919-3500 or visit www.allairevillage.org.

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Every Friday - Sunday through January 7, 2018 - West Orange, Essex County
Holidays at Glenmont
Children Friendly

The sights and sounds of the season will greet visitors when they come to Thomas Edison's home in Llewellyn Park during "Holidays at Glenmont." Glenmont will be decorated much as it was while the Edison family lived there. Greenery and red poinsettias will deck the mantles above the fireplaces. Staircases will be ringed with boughs and red ribbon bows and wreaths will hang in every window. In the den, the majestic ten foot tree will be set and the presents underneath will be waiting as if the Edison children Madeleine, Theodore, and Charles, will soon come running down the stairs from their rooms - after they've checked their stockings in the upstairs living room! Family china will be displayed on the dining room table and the scene will be completed with holiday cards that were received by the family.

The Edison home, Glenmont, is located on a fifteen-acre estate in Llewellyn Park, the country's first private residential community. Built in 1880, the twenty-nine room mansion contains the original furnishings and family items used by the Edisons. The estate grounds include gardens, a greenhouse, barn, and the poured concrete garage containing the family's automobiles. Thomas and Mina Edison are buried on the grounds of the estate.

Car passes and tour tickets must be purchased at the Laboratory Complex Visitor Center at 211 Main Street, West Orange, NJ. Admission is $10.00 and includes the Glenmont Estate and the Laboratory Complex. Children 15 and under are free. For more information, call 973-736-0550 x11 or visit www.nps.gov/edis.

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Saturday, December 16 - Titusville, Mercer County

The Christmas Night Crossing Lecture

Come to the Visitor Center Museum at Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville on Saturday at 2:00 pm to listen to this spellbinding lecture about a seminal moment in our nation's history. Using diaries and letters of the participants, Resource Interpretive Specialist Mark Sirak will give a lecture on the significance of the Christmas Night Crossing and the Battle of Trenton. This program is open to all ages. The park is located at 55 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville, NJ. For more information, call 609-737-0623.

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Saturday, December 16 - Atlantic City, Atlantic County
Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus and their Lighthouse Elves - Crafts and Climbs
Children Friendly Event

Absecon Lighthouse will light up the holidays on Saturday from 12:00 noon - 3:30 pm. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus and their Lighthouse Elves will host kids of all ages for holiday crafts in the museum, and a climb to the top to meet Santa Claus. Guests will enjoy the official lighting of our Holiday Tree at 1:00 pm, and have a chance to do some holiday shopping in our charming gift shop. Tickets are just $7 for adults and $5 for kids ages 4-12 and can be reserved by calling Absecon Lighthouse at 609-449-1360. All proceeds benefit the education programs at Absecon Lighthouse.

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, it is open to visitors Thursdays through Mondays, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. For more information, call 609-449-1360 or visit www.abseconlighthouse.org.

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Saturday, December 16 - Union Township, Union County
Gingerbread House Workshop
Children Friendly Event

Liberty Hall is hosting a gingerbread house workshop on Saturday. Two sessions will be held from 10:00 - 11:30 am or 1:00 - 2:30 pm. Children will get into the holiday spirit when they decorate their own gingerbread house with candy canes, gumdrops, and more at this popular, annual Liberty Hall event. A tour of Liberty Hall decorated for holidays will follow the workshop. Program Fee: $25.00 for each child and adult, all additional adults $5.00. Reservations are required. Call 908-527-0400. Liberty Hall is located at 1003 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ. For more information, call 908-27-0400 or visit www.kean.edu/libertyhall.

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Saturday, December 16 - Holmdel, Monmouth County
Cookstove Demonstration
Children Friendly Event

On Saturday, visit Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel to see what is cooking on the woodstove in the out kitchen. Discover how food, recipes, cooking techniques and the kitchen itself has changed since the 1890s. This free event runs from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. 

Historic Longstreet Farm is located at 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ. For more information, call 732-946-3758 or visit www.monmouthcountyparks.com.

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Saturday, December 16 - Sandy Hook, Monmouth County
Christmas at Fort Hancock, 1943

Experience Christmas as officers, soldiers, and families of Fort Hancock would have experienced in 1943 in an officer's house, authentically decorated for the season. This free event takes place Saturday from 12:00 noon - 4:30 pm at History House, No. 1 Officers Row, within Fort Hancock on Sandy Hook, part of Gateway National Recreation Area. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/gate.

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Saturday, December 16 - Cape May, Cape May County
44th Annual Christmas Candlelight House Tour
Family Friendly

This self-guided walking tour, the main attraction of Cape May's festive holiday season, features homes, inns, hotels and churches decorated for the holidays, plus caroling, strolling musicians, and good old-fashioned cheer. Hospitality centers offer warm beverages and traditional treats. Includes admission to the Physick Estate and "An Old-fashioned Christmas Exhibit" in the Carroll Gallery. Limited shuttle service. The tours will be 5:30 - 8:30 pm on Saturday. Admission: Adults $35, children $20 (ages 3-12). Purchase tickets at the Emlen Physick Estate, located at 1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ or the Washington Street Mall Information Booth. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

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Saturday, December 16 - Cape May, Cape May County
Santa's Trolley Ride
Children Friendly Event

Bring the kids to the Physick Estate on Saturday for a trolley ride around Cape May with stories and songs led by Mrs. Claus. Then, Santa will greet children with a sweet in the Carriage House. Adults $10 and children (ages 3-12) $8. Trolley rides at 11:00 am, 11:45 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:15 pm. Advance reservation strongly recommended. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information and to reserve tickets, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

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Saturday, December 16 - Little Egg Harbor, Ocean County
The Tuckerton Railroad

On Saturday, attend a program on historical information about the Tuckerton Railroad. This program will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at the Giffordtown Schoolhouse Museum, 35 Leitz Blvd., Little Egg Harbor, NJ. For more information, call 609-294-1547 or visit www.tuckertonhistoricalsociety.org.

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Saturday - Sunday, December 16 - 17 - River Edge, Bergen County
34th Annual Colonial Christmas Concerts and Tavern Fare

The Bergen County Historical Society celebrates their 34th Colonial Christmas Concerts, featuring Linda Russell & Companie, in the Steuben House, by reservation. At the Colonial Christmas Concerts at Historic New Bridge Landing, you won’t hear any music written after 1815, but you will be able to hear and join in the carols of your childhood played on hammered dulcimer and fiddle. Let Linda Russell and Companie regale you with tales of Christmases past when sleighs did have jingle bells and neighbors caroled at your door. Enjoy the smell of fresh pine amid authentic colonial decorations in a house that has celebrated 265 Christmases, wander through the candlelit site to an eighteenth century tavern for a light meal or dessert, and visit the ladies cooking by the fire in the out kitchen or Sinter Klaas checking his list. Step into the eighteenth century to ease your mind and refresh your spirit in the Christmas of Bergen long ago. BCHS volunteer Ariel Woll will be lighting the menorah to celebrate the 5th and 6th night of Hanukkah and give a brief presentation.

 You must make reservations. Tickets are already selling fast, as many people make it part of their holiday celebration every year. There will be two concerts each night: Saturday night at 6:00 and 7:45 pm and Sunday at 6:00 and 7:45 pm (Saturday 7:45 pm and Sunday 6:00 pm shows are SOLD OUT). The gift shop, out-kitchen, and Demarest House will be open. A walking path connects all 3 houses by candlelight.

The Black Horse Tavern in the Campbell-Christie House will be open for light tavern fare. Choose from butternut squash soup & herb biscuit from the Rolling Pin Cafe, Westwood, shepherd pie, fruit pie, hot mulled cider, coffee, tea. Additional cost. The tavern will be open from 5:00 - 8:00 pm each night. From 8:00 - 9:30 pm desserts will be served. Seating is limited.

Tickets for the concert are $34 per person (BCHS members, $27) - purchase online. Seating is limited. Also this weekend see open-hearth cooking in the Dutch out kitchen, browse the gift shop, and tour the Demarest House. Concerts in the Steuben House are a separate admission. No refunds or exchanges. Parking can be found in parking area at the corner of Main Street and Hackensack Avenue, River Edge. An ADA compliant stonedust path connects the three houses and parking area! No parking will be available at the Steuben House. Historic New Bridge Landing is located at 1201 Main Street, River Edge, NJ. For more information, call 201-343-9492 or visit www.bergencountyhistory.org.

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Saturday - Sunday, December 16 - 17 - Maplewood, Essex County

Celebrate the Holiday Season at Durand-Hedden
Children Friendly Event

Celebrate the season at the Durand-Hedden House & Garden on Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm with gingerbread houses, a paper ornament activity, treats, and shopping. 

The Country Store has special inexpensive gifts for family, friends and teachers, while benefiting the Durand-Hedden House. The historic-themed selection includes such items as 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. The hard-to-find original Doors of Maplewood poster and 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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Sunday, December 17 - Morristown, Morris County
Peter Toth Piano Performance

Celebrated Hungarian pianist Peter Toth returns to the Washington’s Headquarters Museum auditorium for another series of performances. He’ll be playing on the park’s 1873 Steinway Grand Piano.

Hungarian pianist Peter Toth is one of the most recognized artists of his generation. He has concertized in most countries in Europe, South America, and Asia. His first released CD recording won the Grand Prize of the Hungarian Liszt Society (2006). Mr. Toth is a regular guest artist at various piano festivals and has been member of the American Liszt Society since 2011.

The performance will be held at the Museum Building, 30 Washington Place, Morristown, NJ. It begins at 1:00 pm. Admission to the program is free. No reservations necessary. For more information, call 973-539-2016 x 204 or visit www.nps.gov/morr.

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Sunday, December 17 - Cape May, Cape May County
Santa's Trolley Ride
Children Friendly Event

Bring the kids to the Physick Estate on Sunday for a trolley ride around Cape May with stories and songs led by Mrs. Claus. Then, Santa will greet children with a sweet in the Carriage House. Adults $10 and children (ages 3-12) $8. Trolley rides at 11:45 am, 1:00 pm, and 1:45 pm. Advance reservation strongly recommended. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information and to reserve tickets, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

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Sunday, December 17 - Montclair, Essex County
Come See the Holiday Decorations!
Children Friendly Event

Self-guided tours at the Montclair Historical Society, 108 Orange Road and the Charles Shultz House-Evergreens, 30 North Mountain Avenue, Montclair, NJ on Sunday between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm. See the Crane House & Historic YWCA decorated by the Garden Club of Montclair, then visit the hearth to learn about holiday food traditions. Move forward in history to the Shultz House featuring Molly Shultz’s own collection on Christmas decorations, mantle decorations from Bartlett's Greenhouses & Florist of Clifton antique toys, and children’s book exhibit.

Suggested donation: $5 per person. Members free! For more information, call 973-744-1796 or visit www.montclairhistorical.org.

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Sunday, December 17 - 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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Sunday, December 17 - Morristown, Morris County
Grover Kemble to Recall Holidays and His Music Therapy Career at Greystone Park

Mention the name Grover Kemble and area music-lovers immediately think guitar and jazz – or perhaps Jimmy Durante. Few know of his career as a talented music therapist at Greystone Park, which gained him similar accolades. Kemble will reminisce about his career and accomplishments as an innovative music therapist and the holiday celebrations at Greystone during a special Morris County Historical Society presentation on Sunday at 2:00 pm at Acorn Hall, 68 Lafayette Avenue, Morristown, NJ. Kemble’s creative occupational therapy, the holiday programs and work done by Greystone staff perpetuated Greystone physician Thomas Kirkbride’s philosophy of creating a warm and caring environment to improve the health of the mentally ill.

For example, patients performed annually in staff-assisted talent shows. “In each production,” Kemble has written, “expressive, emotive processes take place that aid in healing and restoring psychiatric patients’ sense of personal wholeness and well-being.”

The son of a Greystone psychiatrist, Kemble began his career in therapy as a young volunteer at Greystone in the 1960s. By the 1980s, following his formal education and with a career as a professional musician, Kemble returned to Greystone and spent over 20 years leading, growing and broadening the hospital’s occupational therapy program.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $7 for students, and free for MCHS members and children. As seating is limited, advance ticket purchases are encouraged through the MCHS website www.morriscountyhistory.org, or by calling 973-267-3465.

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Sunday, December 17 - Farmingdale, Monmouth County
Christmas at Allaire
Children Friendly

Join the members of the Howell Iron Works Co as they celebrate the holiday season. Each historic home will be decorated according to a different Christmas traditions. As visitors explore the village they will learn how our holiday traditions developed. There will be story telling in the Enameling Building, Horse and Wagon rides, silhouette cutting demonstrations, music programs in the Historic Chapel, hearth cooking demonstrations, craft demonstrations and much more. St. Nicholas will be wandering the village giving out candy canes to the good boys and girls. This is a wonderful family friendly activity!

You can also bring your holiday cards to be sent from the historic post office located in the General Store. Bring your addressed envelopes with a stamp, and they will receive a special Allaire cancellation showcasing a historic building.

The event runs from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. Admission: $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for children under the age of 12. Horse and Wagon rides are an additional fee of $7 adults, $5 children under 12 years old. The Historic Village at Allaire is located in Allaire State Park at 4263 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale, NJ. Tickets are available at the gate or can be purchased through their web site. For more information, call 732-919-3500 or visit www.allairevillage.org.

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Sunday, December 17 - Pennsville, Salem County
Annual Christmas Open House
Children Friendly Event

The Pennsville Township Historical Society will hold its Annual Christmas Open House on Sundays, December 3, 10, and 17 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm, at the Church Landing Farm House Museum in Pennsville.

The 1850 Farm House will be beautifully decorated, inside and out, with Victorian Christmas trimmings and decorated trees, as well as special Christmas decorations throughout seven outbuildings.

Our Townsend Building Annex will also be open and feature displays of “Christy" Dickens Carolers, Victorian Christmas Postcards, and our collection of miniature carriages handcrafted by Tom Githens.

Visitors are welcome to linger in the relaxing atmosphere of a Victorian era Christmas and enjoy refreshments. The Church Landing Farm Museum is located at 86 Church Landing Road, Pennsville, NJ. Admission is Free. Donations are always welcome and gratefully accepted. For more information call Don at 856-381-2510 or e-mail historyofpennsville@gmail.com.

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Through Sunday, January 1, 2018 - Cape May, Cape May County
An Old-Fashioned Christmas Exhibit
Family Friendly

An exhibit of holiday traditions through the years complete with model trains, toys, and much more! At the Carroll Gallery at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ. The exhibit will be available for viewing from Friday, November 17, 2017 through Sunday, January 1, 2018. The Gallery is open daily (except Thanksgiving and Christmas); hours vary. Free admission. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information or gallery hours, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

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Sundays through January 7, 2018 - Morristown, Morris County
Christmas at Acorn Hall

At Acorn Hall, the trees are trimmed and the table elegantly set, ready for holiday guests to arrive. But before they do, members of the community are invited to visit the Morris County Historical Society’s Italianate mansion to enjoy its festive décor.

The decorated, upside-down Christmas tree in the dining room not only is a traditional centerpiece of Acorn Hall’s holiday décor, but this year is a tribute to and celebration of the lives of the late Bill and Jean Watson. Mrs. Watson was the first MCHS Executive Director, from 1980 until her retirement in 1996, and was the first to recreate the Victorian custom of displaying a Christmas tree in this unusual way.

Acorn Hall’s annual Christmas Celebration will be on view through January 7, 2018.

An exhibit also is on view now at Acorn Hall. The Cutting Edge: Medicine in Morris County, 1876-1976 explores the history of Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital, The Seeing Eye, Morristown Medical Center, local pharmaceutical giants, impacts of diseases, such as tuberculosis and Spanish Flu, and the medical professionals who treated Morris County residents.

The exhibit features Christmas at Greystone Park, where Dr. Britton D. Evans, Medical Director at Greystone from 1890 until his death in 1920, dressed as Santa Claus and made sure that every patient at the hospital received a Christmas present. He and the Greystone staff collaborated to perpetuate Greystone physician Thomas Kirkbride’s philosophy of creating a warm and caring environment to improve the health of the mentally ill.

Acorn Hall visitors also are invited to stop by the Gallery Gift Shop to find perfect presents for everyone on their gift list. MCHS recently added acorn- and oak-themed jewelry, made in New Jersey by Otis B. Jewelry, to its selections. Bangle bracelets and necklaces are available in gold or silver, making them the perfect accessory for any outfit.

Handmade stained-glass stars, fused glass stars, snowflakes, and Christmas trees from Laura of Garden State Glassworks add sparkle to any room and are perfect for trees or windows. Seasons Olive Oil and Vinegar Taproom in Morristown has created special gift packages just in time for preparing holiday meals. The packages include Seasons’ Tuscan Herb Olive Oil and 18-year Balsamic Vinegar. Holiday-themed repurposed barn wood signs made by Kozs Korner Vintage signs are ideal for adding a sense of history to seasonal décor.

The seasonal decorations are on view Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, Sundays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm, and by appointment. Closed Christmas and New Year's Day. The regular admission to tour Acorn Hall and the exhibit is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for students, and Free for children under age 12 and MCHS members. Acorn Hall is located at 68 Morris Avenue, Morristown, NJ. For more information, call 973-267-3465 or visit www.acornhall.org.

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Saturdays and Sundays through January 7, 2018 - Princeton, Mercer County
Festival of Trees

Morven Museum and Garden's annual Festival of Trees has become a must-see Princeton holiday tradition. Enjoy the museum’s elegant galleries decorated for the holidays and adorned with trees artfully decorated by local businesses, garden clubs, and non-profit organizations.

This year’s Festival of Trees museum decorators include: Contemporary Garden Club, Dogwood Garden Club, Garden Club of Princeton, Grounds for Sculpture, Homestead Princeton, KA Signature Interior Design LLC, Keris Tree Farm & Christmas Shop, McCarter Theatre Center, Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton Public Library, Stony Brook Garden Club, Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed, VanDerveer Design, and West Trenton Garden Club.

No reservations necessary. Morven is open to the public on Wednesdays through Sundays from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Morven Museum & Garden is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Admission $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (60+)/students/active military personnel, and children 6 and under are free. Friends of Morven, free. Please note that during the Festival of Trees in December and early January, no formal tours are given, but docents are available to answer any questions. Morven Museum and Garden is located at 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ. For more information, call 609-924-8144 or visit www.morven.org.

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Through Mid-January 2018 - Cape May Court House, Cape May County
"Bank on It!" Exhibit

More than 40 Victorian mechanical banks will be on display in The Museum of Cape May County’s gallery through mid-January as part of its newest exhibition, “Bank on It!” 

These exquisite mechanical marvels will take visitors back to a time when a penny saved was a penny earned and children were taught the lesson of thrift by a depositing their coins into a toy bank. Now highly collectible, the metal banks on display feature the “newest” technology of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Banks on display offer a child’s view of the Victorian world. Banks depicting animals, magicians, birds, people and places are depicted throughout the exhibition.

In addition to the collection of banks visitors will also be able to feast their eyes on a hand-crafted scale model of Cape May’s Queen Victoria. This dollhouse, completely electrified and filled with miniature period-piece furniture, is a delight to see.

“Bank on It!” may be enjoyed at The Museum Monday through Friday, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm. This exhibition, made possible by the generosity of John and Sarah Turner, is free and open to the public. The Museum of Cape May County is located at 504 U.S. 9, Cape May Court House, NJ. For more information, call 609-465-3535 or visit www.cmcmuseum.org.

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Through Sunday, January 28, 2018 - Morristown, Morris County

A Presidential Collection: W. Parsons Todd Collects Washington, Lincoln, and More!

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (MHHM) presents A Presidential Collection: W. Parsons Todd Collects Washington, Lincoln, and More!, featuring a selection of correspondence, art, and artifacts related to our past presidents. This exhibition is on view through January 28, 2018 in the Schoolroom Gallery.

Items on view include a silhouette locket of George Washington rumored to contain his hair, china from Presidents Lincoln, Grant, Pierce, Hayes and more, as well as one of five known existing copies of George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation from 1789.

The exhibition also anticipates the interest of children in history, and includes a special children's component titled Eating & Working in the President's House. Through interactive displays, children learn about the day-to-day lives of famous presidents and their families.

Macculloch Hall is located at 45 Macculloch Avenue in Morristown. More information, please call the MHHM at 973-538-2404 or visit www.maccullochhall.org.

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Through Sunday, March 25, 2018 - Paterson, Passaic County

Urban / Rural: Landscapes of Passaic by William P. Campbell (1943-1992) Exhibit

The Passaic County Historical Society would like to announce the opening of its newest exhibit Urban / Rural: Landscapes of Passaic by William P. Campbell (1943-1992). This exhibit is a career spanning retrospective, featuring the landscape paintings of local artist William P. Campbell (1943-1992). A Paterson native formally trained at Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts and the School of Fine Arts at William Paterson College, Campbell spent his life painting the landscapes of Northern New Jersey, while working as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service in Passaic.

This exhibition of Campbell’s work focuses on the urban landscape of the City of Passaic. Many of the pieces reflect Campbell's interest in how industry and urban development mingle with, and sometimes overwhelm, the natural beauty of the Passaic River.

The paintings will be on display in Lambert Castle through March 25, 2018. The exhibit is located on the 3rd floor of the museum and can be viewed as a part of the self-guided museum tour. Regular admission applies (adults $5, seniors $4, and children $3).

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 regarding museum hours and admission, visit the Passaic County Historical Society’s website at www.lambertcastle.org or call 973-247-0085.

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Through Friday, March 30, 2018

All Aboard…Trains! Exhibit at the Gloucester County Historical Society Museum

All Aboard…Trains!, our new exhibit at the Gloucester County Historical Society Museum, will be a hit for the whole family! The main attraction will be the running train displays throughout the museum. Also featured will be the extensive Tyco Train collection which was once the private collection of the Tyler family, founder of Tyco. Railroad memorabilia from throughout the years will also be on display, in addition to vignettes from Victorian times to the 1950’s. The museum will be decked out for the holiday season as well.

The museum is offering FREE ADMISSION for the entire month of December! We will also be adding the following evening hours to our regular hours: Wednesday, December 6 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm, and Tuesday, December 12, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.  We will also be open Saturday, December 2, from 1:00 - 4:00 pm.  This exhibit will run until March 30, 2018.  Following are our regular hours: 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. The museum will be closed on December 25 and December 31.

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 notice. Regular admission from January - March: 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.gchsnj.org.

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Through Sunday, May 13, 2018 - Morristown, Morris County
The Cutting Edge: Medicine in Morris County, 1876 - 1976

Morris County Historical Society will feature the many contributions Morris County doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and veterinarians have made to the field of medicine at both the local and global levels at its upcoming exhibit, "The Cutting Edge: Medicine in Morris County, 1876-1976." The exhibit will open on Sunday, September 10 and run through Sunday, May 13, 2018.

Morris County is a hub of innovation in the medical field. The "Grandfather of the Epidural," James Leonard Corning, MD, lived at Acorn Hall, now the MCHS headquarters; the country's first Doctor of Veterinary Medicine was born in Mount Olive; the biggest studies disproving the benefits of lobotomies took place at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital; and the Right-to-Die controversy first made national headlines through the case of Karen Ann Quinlan in the 1970s and 1980s.

Morris County also is home to The Seeing Eye, Bayer's North American Headquarters, and Morristown Medical Center, a nationally-ranked hospital in the fields of cardiology and orthopedics.

The exhibit will honor the 125th anniversary of Morristown Medical Center, include stories and photos of and objects from Greystone Park never before exhibited, and commemorate the 100th anniversary of the burning of the original All Souls' Hospital. It also will explore the history of The Seeing Eye, right-to-die cases, veterinarian medicine, local pharmaceutical giants, impact of diseases, such as tuberculosis and Spanish Flu, and notable medical professionals who treated Morris County residents.

A formal Exhibit Opening will be held on Thursday, September 21 at 6:00 pm. Morris County Historical Society is located at Acorn Hall, 68 Morris Avenue, Morristown, NJ and is open Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, and Sundays, 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Admission, which includes the exhibits and landscaped grounds, is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for students, and is free for children under 12 and MCHS members. For more information, call 973-267-3465 or visit www.MorrisCountyHistory.org.

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

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.

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Through December 30, 2018 - Piscataway, Middlesex County
Over There, Over Here: New Jersey During orld War I 

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