NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 12/9/17

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.

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Friday and Saturday, December 8 and 9 - Brick, Ocean County

Christmas in Brick – Post Civil War
Children Friendly Event

The Brick Township Historical Society will sponsor its annual holiday event called “Christmas in Brick – Post Civil War” on Friday from 3:00 - 7:00 pm and on Saturday from 3:00 - 7:00 pm at its Havens Homestead Museum, 521 Herbertsville Road, Brick, NJ. Special decorations will add a festive atmosphere. There will be entertainment and refreshments. A Santa Claus will be present for picture taking. Tickets are $5.00 each for adults, and children under 12 and first responders are free. Tickets can be purchased upon arrival.

The Lizzie Herbert Gift Shop will be open with holiday specials. The other three buildings will be open for viewing. Parking is in a lot 150 feet east of the museum building. The sign by the driveway to the lot says “Robert Anstett Cultural Arts Center." For more information, call 732-785-2500 or visit www.bricktwphistoricalsociety.com.

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Friday, December 8 - Newton, Sussex County

Sussex County Historical Society Annual Holiday Open House

On Friday evening, visit the Hill Memorial Museum and view the oldest building continuously operating as a museum in the State of New Jersey, beautifully decorated for the holidays. The Hill Memorial Building was constructed for the Sussex County Historical Society in 1916 and dedicated June 8, 1917. This year’s theme will focus on the Hill Memorial Building’s 100th year celebration. The open house will take place from 6:30 - 8:00 pm at the Hill Memorial Museum, 82 Main Street, Newton, NJ. Free admission and refreshments. For more information, call 973-383-6010 or visit www.sussexcountyhistory.org.

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Saturday, December 9 - 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 9 - Camden, Camden County
Breakfast with Santa on the Battleship
Children Friendly Event

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Saturday, December 9 - Toms River, Ocean County
Santa’s Coming to Ocean County Historical Society!
Family Friendly Event

Bring your children and grandchildren to Ocean County Historical Society on Saturday between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm, and take their photo (bring your own camera) with Santa Claus. Our Victorian home at 26 Hadley Avenue, Toms River, NJ is beautifully decorated for the holidays and docents will be available for a guided tour of each of the rooms. There is no charge, but donations will be accepted. For more information, call 732-341-1880.

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Saturday, December 9 - Mount Laurel, Burlington County
Paulsdale Holiday Open House

Paulsdale is open to the public for a Holiday Open House from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Paulsdale is the birthplace of Quaker suffragist Alice Paul. The home will be decorated in Quaker fashion by The Garden of Mount Laurel and guests can peruse the gift shop,enjoy free tours of the house, refreshments and more. Learn about Alice Paul's life and work and the site's present day use as a girl's leadership center. Admission is free. Bring the kids! Santa will be here for photographs! A $10 donation for the Rotary Club of Mt. Laurel is requested.

Paulsdale is located at 128 Hooton Road, Mt. Laurel. For information about group tours or future tour dates, contact the Alice Paul Institute at 856-231-1885, e-mail info@alicepaul.org, or visit www.alicepaul.org.

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Saturday, December 9 - Somerville, Somerset County
Candle Light Tours at the Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage

On Saturday from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm, there will be hourly group tours by candle-light, featuring costumed interpreters, hearthside cooking presentations, and refreshments, at the Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic sites.

Join Mrs. Mary Wallace when she steps out of her portrait frame on the evening of December 9 to guide groups of visitors around her home, taking them back in time to the memorable winter of 1778. She will talk about the simple ways in which she and her husband, John Wallace, plan to celebrate the upcoming holidays, the inconveniences she anticipates when General George Washington and his entourage return from Philadelphia to stay at her house, and provide insight into the disruptions of the Revolution and how they have affected her family life. Moving on to the Wallace House kitchen wing, visitors will see re-enactor Kathy Ormosi presenting hearthside cooking, and discussing the foods of the season. Finally they will adjourn to the nearby Old Dutch Parsonage, where they can enjoy light refreshments.

There is $10 per-person fee to attend this program. All visitors must register for this program in advance. Visitors may register for the 6:00 pm, 7:00 pm or 8:00 pm tour. Each hourly tour will be limited to ten visitors per group. Call 908-725-1015 to register. Please register early.

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.

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Saturday, December 9 - 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 9 - 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 9 - South Bound Brook, Somerset County
Madrigal Singers at the Abraham Staats House

The Abraham Staats House will be decked out in festive finery and offer seasonal music and tours, on Saturday from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Join us for the fabulous Franklin Township HS Madrigal Singers, directed by Tim Walton. The performance will start promptly at 1:00 pm. Afterwards, tour the house rooms featuring seasonal decorations by local organizations. House closes at 3:00 pm. Free admission, donations accepted. For more information, visit www.staatshouse.org.

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Saturday - Sunday, December 9 - 10 - Hampton, Hunterdon County
Holiday Open House

Please join the Union Forge Heritage Association in celebrating the Holiday Season at the 1760 Historic Joseph Turner House and history museum. Enjoy holiday cheer and the company of family and neighbors. Hours on Saturday are 2:00 - 7:00 pm and Sunday from 1:00 - 5:00 pm. Saturday's open house includes a special harp concert at 3:00 pm by Mary Cruz of Harp Time. Suggested donation $10. The 1760 Joseph Turner House is located at 117 Van Syckles Road, Hampton, NJ. For more information and to RSVP, e-mail ufhanj@hotmail.com or visit www.unionforgeheritage.org.

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This year’s Old Fashioned Holidays theme is “The Nutcracker Suite” and we invite you and your family to visit the beautifully decorated rooms of the historic Foster Armstrong House. Tours of the circa 1790’s house will be held Saturdays and Sundays, November 25th and 26th, and December 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 10th from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.

This year guests will be greeted by a multitude of gingerbread men in our front keeping room, not to eat, but to look at, smell, and enjoy! Our next room features “The Nutcracker Suite”, a display of nutcrackers will surround a tree which is filled with the characters from the ballet story. A Victorian themed tree will grace our Montague Township Room with old glass ornaments from the past. The “Winter Wonderland”, a dazzling white tree decorated with and the beloved holiday story “The Night Before Christmas” in mind waits in the center hallway.

Model railroad trains will be running in the front Armstrong Room with many vintage train pieces and a special silver tree will be on display. Our always popular annual scavenger hunt will be scattered throughout all of the displays for the delight of both children and adults! This year it will be based from the children’s story, “The Gingerbread Man”.

There will also be three special musical presentations this year. On Sunday, November 26 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm, the Skylands Dulcimer String Band, a five person acoustical band that plays a mix of Folk, Celtic, Appalachian and Classical music. This is a new special holiday program for our historical society. Students from the Bell Choir at the Montague Elementary School, directed by music teacher Mrs. Jody Taylor, will host their annual performance on Saturday, December 9th at 2:00 pm. Our finale is a forte from the very popular “Harmony in Motion” group who will be caroling on our closing day, Sunday, December 10th from 1:00 - 3:30 pm. Please do not miss these exclusive dates at the Foster Armstrong House!

Our gift shop, The Foster General Store, will be open during tours with handmade items for sale from our historic crafters and local artisans. Also available for purchase will be a number of rare and limited edition books from our collection.

The Foster-Armstrong House is located on CR521/320 River Road, about 1 mile north of Route 206 and the Milford/Montague Bridge and within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Snow dates, pictures, and more information about M.A.R.C.H. can be found online at www.facebook.com/MontagueNJHistory or by calling 973-293-3106.

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Saturday - Sunday, December 9 - 10 - Walpack, Sussex County
Walpack Christmas

Join the Walpack Historical Society for a "Walpack Christmas" at the Rosenkrans Museum, Main Street, Walpack Center, NJ within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The celebration and open house will take place on Saturday and Sunday, December 2 and 3 and Saturday, December 9 from 12:00 - 4:30 and Sunday, December 3 -4:30 pm .

The Rosenkrans Museum will be decorated in the old-fashioned style and refreshments will be served. The museum, a circa 1850 one and a half story frame building with eyebrow windows, was once the typical style of home in the Delaware River Valley. In addition, the Walpack Methodist Episcopal Church will be open and decorated for the holiday. The church was built in 1871 and was once the hub of religious and social activities in Walpack Township. The interior of the church was painted by an unknown artist in 1872 in the tromp-l'oeil or "fool the eye" style. The church is not heated so dress accordingly.

The event is free and the public is invited. All ages are welcome. For more information, call 973-948-4903 or visit www.walpackhistory.org.

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Saturday - Sunday, December 9 - 10 - Nutley, Essex County
Santa and Mrs. Claus at Kingsland Manor
Children Friendly Event (Ages 2-10)

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will host a holiday story time at Kingsland Manor in Nutley. Children will leave with a small token from Santa and everyone will leave with memories for years to come. Don't forget your camera! Recommended for children up to 10 years old. Admission by reservation.

Saturday - 10:00 am (suggested ages 2 -5)
Saturday - 12:00 noon (suggested ages 2 -5)
Saturday - 2:00 pm (suggested ages 5-10)
Sunday - 11:00 am (suggested ages 2-5)
Sunday - 1:00 pm (suggested ages 5-10)

Space is limited to 30 guests per session. Refreshments for children and adults. Cost: $15.00 for one parent and child. Additional adults and children, $5 each. you may reserve and pay online here.

The Kingsland Manor is located at 3 Kingsland Street, Nutley, NJ. For more information, call 973-661-3410, e-mail KingslandManorRestorationTrust@gmail.com, or visit www.kingslandmanor.org.

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Sunday, December 10 - Titusville, NJ and Washington Crossing, PA
Washington Crossing the Delaware: Dress Rehearsal
Children Friendly Event

Each December, thousands gather on the banks of the Delaware River to watch the reenactment of George Washington’s daring Christmas Day 1776 river crossing. During the event, several hundred reenactors in Continental military dress listen to an inspiring speech by Washington and then row across the river in replica Durham boats.

The public has two opportunities to view the reenactment. The first is on Sunday, December 10, 2017 when the park will hold a full dress rehearsal from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm (actual crossing at 1:00 pm).

On this day, in addition to the crossing reenactment, special colonial-era activities and demonstrations throughout the historic village will provide families with a full day of fun and learning. Also on hand that day will be author Jenny L. Cote, who will sell and sign her newest book, The Voice, the Revolution, and the Key, from 10:00 am - 12:00 noon and 2:00 - 4:00 pm. The youth book, the first in a trilogy, covers the events from 1743 through the eve of the Revolution in March 1775.

Cost to attend the dress rehearsal on the Pennsylvania side is $8 for adults, $4 for children age five to 11, and free for those under five. Proceeds from the dress rehearsal support future programs in the park. There is no cost to watch the crossing from the New Jersey side in Titusville.

The annual Christmas Day crossing will take place from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm on December 25, 2017 (actual crossing at 1:00 pm). The Christmas Day crossing is free.

River crossings are contingent upon safe conditions for participants. However, even if conditions do not allow for crossing, ceremonies, speeches, and commemorative activities still occur. It is recommended that visitors arrive before 1:00 pm on Christmas Day to ensure a good place along the viewing line.

Washington Crossing Park is located at the intersection of Routes 32 and 532 in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.washingtoncrossingpark.org.

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Sunday, December 10 - 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 10 - 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 10 - Maplewood, Essex County

Celebrate the Holiday Season at Durand-Hedden
Children Friendly Event

Celebrate the season at the Durand-Hedden House & Garden on Sunday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm with gingerbread houses, a paper ornament activity, treats, and shopping. Gingerbread House Contestants must enter by Saturday, December 9. Visit www.DurandHedden.org for details and to enter. Kids, families, and adults are welcome. Note that we have a Little Ones category this year. Children can also visit with our Victorian Santa on the Sunday – be sure to have your camera ready.

The creative entries of the 2016 Durand-Hedden Gingerbread House competition will be on display as well as on December 17 and 18 (at the Country Store) and at the Hilton Library December 19 through January 17.

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 10 - Piscataway, Middlesex County
Story-Telling and Sing-a-Long with Santa at Lambert Castle
Children Friendly Event

On Sunday from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at Lambert Castle, the Passaic County Historical Society will be welcoming children and their families to the Castle for story-telling and sing-a-long with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Join Santa and Mrs. Claus as they read holiday stories and sing holiday songs. Refreshments will also be served.

Admission is $15 for one child and one adult. Additional children and adults are $5 each. This program is recommended for children under 10 years of age. Reservations are required in advance, please be advised there is a limit of 45 children for this program, so please book early. Visa and Mastercard are accepted. All proceeds to benefit the Passaic County Historical Society.

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

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Sunday, December 10 - Franklin Township, Somerset County
Candlelight Christmas Tours

During the American Revolution, many men (and some women) gave their blood, sweat and tears to defend our unalienable rights for liberty and self-determination. Many of these "heroes" served in the Continental Army and helped our troops to ultimately achieve the impossible-the surrender of the British Army and the concession of our independence from British rule. Some of these men gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives and others survived to enjoy the peace. Some are well known today, others forgotten over time, but no less important for their service.

With an emphasis on the military campaigns in New Jersey, a few of these heroes will be remembered during the annual Candlelight Holiday Tours at Rockingham, on Sunday from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. Visitors will be led around the rooms of the historic house by 18th-century-clad members of the Montgomery Township Live Historians club and hear tales of these brave few, which may include men such as General Washington, Alexander Hamilton and lesser-known John Glover. The candlelight tours will also feature period music by John Burkhalter of Practitioners of Musick. Partake of holiday goodies and warm drinks in the Children's Museum and visit our Museum Store to shop for items such as period toys, our own honey, books, our Rockingham DVD, quills and tricorn hats.

Advance tour reservations are REQUIRED for admission with a suggested donation of $5 per person or $10 per family and must be made by calling 609-683-7136. Tours will be offered at least every half-hour with the last tour beginning at 3:30 pm.

Rockingham is located at 84 Laurel Avenue, Franklin Township, NJ between Route 518 in Rocky Hill and Route 27 in Kingston. For more information, call 609-683-7132 or visit www.rockingham.net.

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Sunday, December 10 - 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 10 - Holmdel, Monmouth County
Blacksmith Demonstration
Children Friendly Event

On Sunday, visit Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel to take a step back in time to watch blacksmiths perform their craft. They will be shaping iron into everyday products. Blacksmiths were as common as an auto mechanic in towns and on farms of the 1890s. This free event runs from 1:00 - 3:00 pm.
Historic Longstreet Farm is located at 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ. For more information, call 732-946-3758 or visit www.monmouthcountyparks.com.

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Sunday, December 10 - Westampton/Burlington Township, Burlington County
Candlelight Holiday House Tour

On Sunday, West Hill Manor, together with Peachfield, will hold a Candlelight Holiday House Tour. Both historic homes will be decorated for the holiday season. Admission to both houses is $10 per person and the tours run from 5:00 - 7:00 pm.

Begin at either house and tour both houses for $10. Cash only, no photographs please.

West Hill, is located at 1114 Oxmead Road, Burlington Township, NJ and Peachfield is located at 180 Burrs Road, Westampton, NJ. For more information, call 609-267-6996, e-mail colonialdamesnj@comcast.net, or visit www.colonialdamesnj.org.

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Sunday, December 10 - 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 10 - Piscataway, Middlesex County
Seasonal Traditions Holiday Program
Children Friendly Event

Sunday, December 10 - Morristown, Morris County
An Afternoon with Thomas Nast

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (MHHM) partners with the Morristown & Morris Township Library to celebrate Thomas Nast on the 115th anniversary of his death on Sunday at 1:30 pm. This walking tour starts at the Library in the Kirby Gallery with a guided tour of the Nast exhibit led by James Lewis, Head of the North Jersey Genealogy Center; continues down Miller Road past Villa Fontana, Nast’s family home; and concludes at MHHM with a tour of A Thomas Nast Christmas in the Upstairs Gallery by Ryan Hyman, F.M. Kirby Curator of Collections.

This event is free and requires no pre-registration. Come dressed for the weather and walking. For more information, e-mail Executive Director, Patricia Pongracz at ppongracz@maccullochhall.org or call 973-538-2402, ext. 11.

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Sunday, December 10 - Ledgewood, Morris County
Museums at Drakesville Open House

On Sunday between 1:00 and 4:00 pm, the Roxbury Historical Trust will host an open house at the eighteenth century Silas Riggs Saltbox House, the historic King House and the King Store Museums. The sites are located at 213 Main Street in the Ledgewood Village section of Roxbury Township. Tours are free and historic interpreters will be on hand. For more information, call 973-927-7603 or visit www.roxburynewjersey.com.

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Sunday, December 10 - West Orange, Essex County
Harry's Magical Invention Bag
Children Friendly Event

Learn about invention and the important role Edison played in taking invention from a cottage/hobby activity to a full commercial activity - practiced by all major corporations. Hear Harry Roman, a Thomas Edison National Historical Park volunteer, retired engineer, as well as inventor and patent holder, as he discusses the major role NJ plays in the national invention scene-and all the great inventions NJ inventors have brought into our world.

Harry, a nationally known inventor, was a critical player in establishing the NJ Inventors Hall of Fame in 1989, and later went on to chair the organization from 1996-2004. The Hall of Fame honored him with an Inventor of the Year award in 2005 for his pioneering work in robotics, and honored him again in 2012 with a special achievement award for his dedication to the organization.

The program runs from 1:00 - 2:00 pm and 3:00 - 4:00 pm and 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, and includes the Glenmont Estate and the Laboratory Complex. Children under age 16 are free. For more information, call 973-736-0550 x11 or visit www.nps.gov/edis.

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Sunday, December 10 - Sparta, Sussex County
Van Kirk Homestead Holiday Open House

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Sundays, December 10 and 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 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

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