NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 12/30/17 - 12/31/17
New Jersey Weekend Historical Happenings
A Weekly Feature on www.thehistorygirl.com
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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.
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 30 - Trenton, Mercer County
Saturday's Patriots Week Events
Family Friendly Events
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In 1776, the tide turning Battles of the American Revolution were waged on the streets and in the fields of downtown Trenton. Join the salute to Trenton’s past, commemorate the passion of the patriots who fought for American Independence, and honor the spirit of revolution and patriotism that flourishes today. Concerts, tours, performances, presentations, exhibits, hands-on activities, and book signings bring Colonial history into the modern age and draw a dynamic mix of families, history buffs, reenactors and culture seekers to New Jersey’s Capital.
Patriots’ Week is produced by the Trenton Downtown Association, in partnership with the Old Barracks Museum, which has been staging the Battle of Trenton Reenactments for more than 20 years. A collaboration of both city and state cultural and history organizations, Patriots’ Week programming reflects the quality of the Capital’s resources and provides a public showcase and interactive opportunities to experience its many treasures. For information and additional details for all events, visit www.destinationtrenton.com.
The Old Barracks Museum will be open on Saturday and is located at 101 Barrack Street, Trenton, NJ. Parking is free, close, and plentiful, available in the small lot next to the museum as well as the lot next to The War Memorial. Entrance onto the museum grounds is $5 per person (children 5 and under are free).
1st Battle of Trenton - 11:00 am
N. Warren St. Battle Monument Park to Mill Hill Park
After the crossing of the Delaware River and marching to Trenton, the American rebel forces-exhausted, dressed in rags, ill from the cold and lack of sleep and decent food had accomplished the impossible by inflicting a crippling blow to the world's greatest British army. Follow the action from the symbolic first cannon shot fired at the Battle Monument to Mill Hill Park. No admission fee.
The Trouble with Trenton Puppet Show - 12:00 - 2:00 pm
Warren Street Plaza, Trenton, North Warren and West Hanover Streets
A "mini" historical look at an amazing piece of our history presented with marionettes & rod puppets - and lots of help from the audience! Watch the battle unfold before your eyes, and see the action as it has never been seen before. Show includes live music, large puppets and props, and plenty of "revolting" action. No admission fee.
Musket Demonstrations - 12:30 pm
Old Barracks Museum, 101 Barrack Street
Soldiers of the 17th Regiment of Infantry will drill and fire their muskets on the Parade ground of the Old Barracks Museum. Included in $5 admission with unlimited re-entry.
Hogmanay Celebration - 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Trent House, 15 Market Street
What is Hogmanay? Hogmanay is a celebration of the new year in Scotland, celebrated at the Trent House because of William Trent's Scottish heritage. Traditionally, friends and neighbors cross the threshold and receive food and drink, and good luck, too. Join us for hot mulled cider, Scottish sausage rolls, shortbread, and other light refreshments while listening to bagpipers. Tour the Trent House decorated for the holidays. End your visit by tossing your wishes for 2018 into the bonfire! No reservations required, donations accepted.
Civil War Flag Unveiling - 2:00 pm
New Jersey State Museum, 205 West State Street
Enjoy a gallery talk and ceremony unveiling the latest rotation of historic flags from the Civil War Flag Collection, one of the largest collections of its kind in the nation. No admission fee.
Capital Singers of Trenton - 2:00 pm
The Corner Historic, 1 West State Street
Enjoy a selection of choral songs performed by the Capital Singers of Trenton in one of the most historic locations in the city. No admission fee.
Colonel Rall Grave Rededication - 2:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church, 120 East State Street
In conjunction with the Trenton Downtown Association, the Old Barracks, and First Presbyterian Church, Assemblyman Reed Gusciora will be hosting an event during Trenton Patriots Week to commemorate the life and leadership of Colonel Johann Rall during the American Revolution. There will be a rededication of Col. Rall's grave-side plaque, with Colonial and Hessian reenactors! The Ceremony is open to the public, and light refreshments will be provided before and after. No admission fee.
2nd Battle of Trenton - 3:00 pm
East State Street to North Warren Street to Mill Hill Park
After a commemorative ceremony at First Presbyterian Church (at 120 East State street), the action commences at 3:00 pm at East State Street and heads to Mill Hill Park for the second Battle, which pits the American forces against General Cornwallis and his numerous attempts to take the Assunpink Creek Bridge. After slipping away, Washington’s troops were able to head north to Princeton, sealing the fate of the 10 Crucial Days. No admission fee.
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Saturday's Patriots Week Events
Family Friendly Events
In 1776, the tide turning Battles of the American Revolution were waged on the streets and in the fields of downtown Trenton. Join the salute to Trenton’s past, commemorate the passion of the patriots who fought for American Independence, and honor the spirit of revolution and patriotism that flourishes today. Concerts, tours, performances, presentations, exhibits, hands-on activities, and book signings bring Colonial history into the modern age and draw a dynamic mix of families, history buffs, reenactors and culture seekers to New Jersey’s Capital.Patriots’ Week is produced by the Trenton Downtown Association, in partnership with the Old Barracks Museum, which has been staging the Battle of Trenton Reenactments for more than 20 years. A collaboration of both city and state cultural and history organizations, Patriots’ Week programming reflects the quality of the Capital’s resources and provides a public showcase and interactive opportunities to experience its many treasures. For information and additional details for all events, visit www.destinationtrenton.com.
The Old Barracks Museum will be open on Saturday and is located at 101 Barrack Street, Trenton, NJ. Parking is free, close, and plentiful, available in the small lot next to the museum as well as the lot next to The War Memorial. Entrance onto the museum grounds is $5 per person (children 5 and under are free).
1st Battle of Trenton - 11:00 am
N. Warren St. Battle Monument Park to Mill Hill Park
After the crossing of the Delaware River and marching to Trenton, the American rebel forces-exhausted, dressed in rags, ill from the cold and lack of sleep and decent food had accomplished the impossible by inflicting a crippling blow to the world's greatest British army. Follow the action from the symbolic first cannon shot fired at the Battle Monument to Mill Hill Park. No admission fee.
The Trouble with Trenton Puppet Show - 12:00 - 2:00 pm
Warren Street Plaza, Trenton, North Warren and West Hanover Streets
A "mini" historical look at an amazing piece of our history presented with marionettes & rod puppets - and lots of help from the audience! Watch the battle unfold before your eyes, and see the action as it has never been seen before. Show includes live music, large puppets and props, and plenty of "revolting" action. No admission fee.
Musket Demonstrations - 12:30 pm
Old Barracks Museum, 101 Barrack Street
Soldiers of the 17th Regiment of Infantry will drill and fire their muskets on the Parade ground of the Old Barracks Museum. Included in $5 admission with unlimited re-entry.
Hogmanay Celebration - 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Trent House, 15 Market Street
What is Hogmanay? Hogmanay is a celebration of the new year in Scotland, celebrated at the Trent House because of William Trent's Scottish heritage. Traditionally, friends and neighbors cross the threshold and receive food and drink, and good luck, too. Join us for hot mulled cider, Scottish sausage rolls, shortbread, and other light refreshments while listening to bagpipers. Tour the Trent House decorated for the holidays. End your visit by tossing your wishes for 2018 into the bonfire! No reservations required, donations accepted.
Civil War Flag Unveiling - 2:00 pm
New Jersey State Museum, 205 West State Street
Enjoy a gallery talk and ceremony unveiling the latest rotation of historic flags from the Civil War Flag Collection, one of the largest collections of its kind in the nation. No admission fee.
Capital Singers of Trenton - 2:00 pm
The Corner Historic, 1 West State Street
Enjoy a selection of choral songs performed by the Capital Singers of Trenton in one of the most historic locations in the city. No admission fee.
Colonel Rall Grave Rededication - 2:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church, 120 East State Street
In conjunction with the Trenton Downtown Association, the Old Barracks, and First Presbyterian Church, Assemblyman Reed Gusciora will be hosting an event during Trenton Patriots Week to commemorate the life and leadership of Colonel Johann Rall during the American Revolution. There will be a rededication of Col. Rall's grave-side plaque, with Colonial and Hessian reenactors! The Ceremony is open to the public, and light refreshments will be provided before and after. No admission fee.
2nd Battle of Trenton - 3:00 pm
East State Street to North Warren Street to Mill Hill Park
After a commemorative ceremony at First Presbyterian Church (at 120 East State street), the action commences at 3:00 pm at East State Street and heads to Mill Hill Park for the second Battle, which pits the American forces against General Cornwallis and his numerous attempts to take the Assunpink Creek Bridge. After slipping away, Washington’s troops were able to head north to Princeton, sealing the fate of the 10 Crucial Days. No admission fee.
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Saturday, December 30 - 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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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.
Saturday - Sunday, December 30 - 31 - Sandy Hook, Monmouth County
History House
An 1898 lieutenant's quarters on "Officers Row" overlooking Sandy Hook Bay is furnished to resemble the WWII era, the busiest time in the fort's history. This free event takes place Saturday and Sunday 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.
History House
An 1898 lieutenant's quarters on "Officers Row" overlooking Sandy Hook Bay is furnished to resemble the WWII era, the busiest time in the fort's history. This free event takes place Saturday and Sunday 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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