NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 2/10/18 - 2/11/18

 New Jersey Weekend Historical Happenings
A Weekly Feature on www.thehistorygirl.com
Want to submit an event? Use our event submission form.


Saturday, February 10 - South Bound Brook, Somerset County
Tory Jack Day 2018

The Friends of Abraham Staats House, Inc., in conjunction with the South Bound Brook Historic Preservation Advisory Commission, and in partnership with the Women's Guild of South Bound Brook, is proud to present its 16th edition of the award winning "Tory Jack Day" program.

The annual event in honor of Black History Month celebrates the contribution and sacrifices of Afro-Americans in the foundation of our nation. This year’s feature presenter is Mr. Joseph Becton. 

Mr. Becton, a retired National Park Service Interpretive Park Ranger, has been recognized with the Community Service award for setting a standard of excellence in interpretation and for his role in connecting Americans to our national parks through wonderful stories and varied media. Mr. Becton now directs Joe Becton Tours and Historical Services and most recently has been proclaimed a Certified Master Guide by the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides.

Presenting the “Music of the Underground Railroad,” Joe will explain through words and performance about the development of this truly American art form. 

Mr. Becton will present at 11:00 am on Saturday at the historic Abraham Staats House located at 17 Von Steuben Lane, South Bound Brook, NJ. Seating begins at 10:30 am. Admission is free but donations are appreciated.

Following the presentation, the public is invited to tour the historic Abraham Staats House and view an exhibit entitled “The Underground Railroad” presented by local historian and Women's Guild member, Mrs. Joyce Smith.  The building will close at 3:00 pm.


For more information, call 732-469-3198, e-mail info@staatshouse.org, or visit www.staatshouse.org.

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Saturday, February 10 - 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, February 10 - Paterson, Passaic County
Valentine Craft at Lambert Castle
Children Friendly

A little history and fun for the whole family! The Passaic County Historical Society is  offering a free craft activity for children of all ages on Saturday from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm at Lambert Castl, home of the Passaic County Historical Society.

Learn about early Valentine cards and the evolution of the holiday and also have a chance to make your own Victorian-style Valentine. This activity is free with regular museum admission. The activity will be ongoing throughout the museum's open hours.

Passaic County Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was founded to cultivate interest among individuals and the community-at-large in the rich history of Passaic County. To this end our museum in Lambert Castle showcases examples of the County's cultural and artistic diversity, as well as examples of the County's natural, civil, military, and ecclesiastical history. The Society also maintains a library and archive, which houses manuscripts, books and photographs of historical and genealogical interest.
  
Lambert Castle is located at 3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ. For more information, call 973-247-0085 or visit www.lambertcastle.org.

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Saturday, February 10 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County
Valentine Sleigh/Wagon Rides
Children Friendly

The incurably romantic can warm-up for Valentine's Day at Howell Farm from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. For our married or courtin' folks we offer the Farm's circa 1900 horse drawn sleigh (or carriage) for rides.  Families and groups will enjoy a horse drawn bobsled (or wagon) ride. Weather permitting rides are offered free, on a first come, first serve basis. Hot chocolate and a hand warming fire are among the outdoor amenities.

Visitors can purchase cakes, cookies and other delights, as well as hearty lunch fare in the Visitor Center. Valentine treats will be available for purchase to eat at the farm or to take home for that special someone.

Howell Living Farm represents typical farm life between 1890 and 1910. The farm is operated by the Mercer County Parks Commission. It is located at 70 Wooden's Lane, Lambertville, NJ. For more information. call 609-737-3299 or visit www.howellfarm.org.

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Saturday, February 10 - Cape May, Cape May County
Combination Trolley/Physick Estate Tours
Family Friendly

Enjoy a guided trolley tour of Cape May's Historic District, followed by a guided tour of Cape May's only Victorian house museum, the Emlen Physick Estate, with the house tour theme for 2017-18, "Let's Go Shopping! Victorian Consumer Culture." Tours begin and end at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth, Washington Street Mall at Ocean Street. The tour will be held Saturday at 1:00 pm. Admission is $22 for adults and $14 for children (ages 3-12). The Physick Estate is located at 1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ. Winter trolley tours are co-sponsored by the Carroll Villa Hotel, Congress Hall Hotel, the Grand Hotel and the Queen Victoria Bed and Breakfast Inn. Presented 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, February 10 - Cape May, Cape May County
Emlem Physick Estate Tours
Family Friendly

Enjoy this entertaining and educational guided tour of Cape May's only Victorian house museum, the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, with the house tour theme for 2017-18, "Let's Go Shopping! Victorian Consumer Culture." The Tour will be held Saturday at 1:45 pm. Admission is $12 for adults and $8 for children (ages 3-12). The Physick Estate is located at 1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ. 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 - Sunday, February 10 - 11 - Cape May, Cape May County
Historic District Trolley Tour

Get acquainted with Cape May on a trolley tour as knowledgeable guides present entertaining and educational stories about the nation's oldest seashore resort (tours begin and end at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth, Washington Street Mall at Ocean Street). Offered Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 pm. $12 for adults and $8 for children (ages 3-12). Winter trolley tours are co-sponsored by the Carroll Villa Hotel, Congress Hall Hotel, the Grand Hotel and the Queen Victoria Bed and Breakfast Inn. Presented 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 - Sunday, February 10 - 11 - Upper Freehold, Monmouth County
Handmade and Heartfelt

Valentines have been exchanged for centuries. See some historical examples and make one of your own to give to your sweetheart - fancy, flowery or funny during this free program at Historic Walnford from 1:00 - 4:00 pm.

While there, visit the 19th century gristmill and the farm buildings set in a beautiful landscape. Walnford is located at 62 Walnford Road, 08501. For more information, call 609-259-6275 or visit www.monmouthcountyparks.com.

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Saturday - Sunday, February 10 - 11 - 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.

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Sunday, February 11 - 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, February 11 - 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, February 11 - Montclair, Essex County
Historic House Tour: Crane House/YWCA and Family Fun Day
Family Friendly

Step back through over 200 years of American history at Montclair's historic properties at 108 Orange Road. Visit the reinterpreted Crane House to reflect the YWCA period from 1920 - 1965, check out the farm, and meet the chickens. The site is open from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. 

Spend time with your children discovering how our past presidents (and their wives and children) lived through crafts and other activities, including a Symbol of our Country scavenger hunt, making a log cabin, and play-acting George Washington’s Rules of Civility by the hearth fire.


Tours for families on the hour and the last tour begins at 3:00 pm. Admission is $10 per family. For more information, call 973-744-1796, e-mail mail@montclairhistorical.org, or visit www.montclairhistorical.org.

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Sunday, February 11 - Chatham Township, Morris County
The History of Dixiedale Farm

The History of Dixiedale Farm at River Road and Hillside Avenue will be the subject of a talk on Sunday at 2:00 pm at the Chatham Township Municipal Building, 58 Meyersville Road, Chatham, NJ. Learn about the Bonnel Family and their mills; George Shepard Page; the exotic chicken farm; and the Averett Estate. This program will be presented by Patricia Wells, Vice President, Chatham Township Historical Society.

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Sunday, February 11 - Maplewood, Essex County
If these walls could talk: researching house histories, a talk at Durand-Hedden

Maplewood and South Orange are charming older suburbs whose houses are brimming with character, style – and history. Have you been curious about uncovering your home’s past but didn’t know where to begin?

If so, join nationally known land title expert Joe Grabas at Durand-Hedden on Sunday at 2:00 pm. Grabas will share his tricks-of-the-trade for researching a building’s history, including studying its structure and architecture, and investigating county land records (deeds and mortgages) to establish the “chain of title.” House researchers can go on to uncover the genealogy of owners, explore vintage newspapers, wills, inventories, and more – even archaeology. Bring your questions for the follow-up Q & A session. Volunteers knowledgeable in Maplewood local history will be available to help visitors search atlases and databases for traces of the origins of their homes and neighborhoods.

Grabas has spent nearly four decades researching real property records, is a Certified Title Professional and forensic expert in matters relating to real estate, and has been authorized by the NJ Real Estate Commission to teach continuing education to insurance producers, realtors and lawyers. He also serves on the N.J. Title Resource Council and as a Commissioner on the Monmouth County Historical Commission. His historical research focuses on Historic Land Titles, the history of the NJ Land Recording System, Free African American communities, Colonial and State Boundary development and the Colonial and Antebellum history of New Jersey. Grabas is the award winning author of Owning New Jersey: Historic Tales of War, Property Disputes and the Pursuit of Happiness

Check out our Country Store’s historic-themed treasures: early American games, books, and toys; facsimile documents; quill pens and ink; historic cookbooks; cookie molds; tin lanterns; and reproductive decorative items and ceramics. There is local honey and the Original 1910 Chocolate Fudge Sauce. You’ll also discover the hard-to-find original Doors of Maplewood poster, Smile, the history of Olympic Park, and the new acid-free reproduction of the charming 1931 map of Maplewood.

Durand-Hedden House is dedicated to telling the history of the development of Maplewood, New Jersey and the surrounding area in new and engaging ways. It is located in Grasmere Park at 523 Ridgewood Road in Maplewood, New Jersey. For more information, call 973-763-7712 or visit www.durandhedden.org.

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Sunday, February 11 - Toms River, Ocean County
Al Stokley and the Dedication of the “Brinckmann – Stokley Railroad Collection”

Join the Ocean County Historical Society as it proudly recognizes Al Stokley, who has generously donated the Brinckmann-Stokley Railroad Collection to the Ocean County Historical Society’s Research Center. The dedication of this valuable collection along with a PowerPoint presentation, “The First Train Arrival at the Jersey Shore” by Al Stokley, will be held on Sunday at 2:00 pm at 26 Hadley Avenue, Toms River, NJ. Refreshments will be served. Reservations are required; call 732-341-1880. For more information, visit www.oceancountyhistory.org.

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Sunday, February 11 - Westfield, Union County
Vintage Valentines
Children Friendly Event

Love is in the air as the Miller-Cory House Museum presents "Vintage Valentines” on Sunday. The writing of romantic notes and letters for St. Valentine’s Day was very popular in colonial America. By the mid-1800s, the first mass-produced Valentine’s Day cards were sold, and an industry was born. 

The program features a display of vintage valentines, some dating to the 1800s, a children’s Valentine’s Day craft and light refreshments. The program also includes a tribute to Ms. Jean Groszmann, whose fascinating collections, including valentines, provided the basis for numerous programs at the museum.

The program includes tours of the fully restored circa 1740 farmhouse museum. Admission is $4 for ages 13 and older, $3 for ages 3-12, and free age 2 and younger. The Miller-Cory House Museum is located at 614 Mountain Avenue, Westfield, NJ. For more informationcall 908-232-1776, e-mail millercorymuseum@gmail.com, or visit www.millercoryhouse.org.

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Sunday, February 11 - Bridgewater, Somerset County
The Great Flu Epidemic

Think the flu has really been making news this year? It's nothing compared to the epidemic during the years of the first World War! Somerset County Historical Society is pleased to announce a free special presentation about the Great Flu Epidemic on Sunday at 2:00 pm at their headquarters 9 Van Veghten Drive, Bridgewater, NJ. Brian Armstrong, an active member of the NJ historical community will share. Light refreshments and tours of the historic Van Veghten House (circa 1725) will follow the presentation. Doors open at 1:30 pm.  RSVP to the Society at 908-218-1281. For more information, visit www.somersethistorynj.org.

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Through Sunday, March 2, 2018 - Cape May, Cape May County
Hail to the Chiefs! Exhibit

In honor of Presidents Day, The Museum of Cape May County is hosting an exhibit, “Hail to the Chiefs!” that highlights more than 15 of our nation’s leaders, including two of our nation’s finest presidents – George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

On display are artifacts from The Museum’s collections as well as from a private collector that bring these patriotic men to life. Many of the privately owned artifacts have never before been on public display.

This exhibit features original documents such as letters, ambassadorships and presidential pardons. Books bearing presidential autographs are also on display. Many pieces of artwork depicting Lincoln and Washington are showcased as part of the exhibition. Also on display are two exquisite dolls dating back to the 18th century depicting the likeness of George Washington and his wife, Martha. 

“Hail to the Chiefs!” runs through March 2, 2018. The exhibit is in The Museum’s gallery, located in the Administrative Building. Hours are Monday through Friday, from 9:30 am - 3:30 pm. Admission is free. For more information, call 609-465-3535 or visit www.cmcmuseum.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. 

This exhibit will run until March 30, 2018.  The Gloucester County Historical Society Museum hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm, and the last Sunday of the month from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. 

If interested in scheduling a private tour during non-public hours to see this exhibit, this may be organized for you and/or your group with advance 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, April 15, 2018 - Cape May, Cape May County
“Franklin Street School: From Segregation to Unification”

Until Sunday, April 15, view the Center for Community Arts (CCA) Exhibit in the Carroll Gallery on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ.

From its opening in 1928, the Franklin Street School was a symbol of segregation and separation. It stood as a reminder of a racial divide, even after school integration in 1948. For two decades the Center for Community Arts has worked to preserve, stabilize and restore the school. Now a collaborative effort by CCA and the City of Cape May aims to renew the school as a community center, offering meeting space, arts and history programs, exhibits, events and senior activities and services to bring together all the people of Cape Island. The exhibit will include photographs, artifacts and recorded oral and video histories to chronicle the history of the school, the initial efforts to preserve and rehabilitate the building, and plans for the building’s expansion and completion.

Admission to the exhibit is free. Presented by the Center for Community Arts (CCA) in association with the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For information on the exhibit, call 609-884-7525 or visit www.CenterforCommunityArts.org. For gallery hours, call 609-884-5404 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

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Through Saturday, April 28, 2018 - Haledon, Passai County
Frederick Douglass Series 2017 Exhibit

The American Labor Museum/Botto House National Landmark located in Haledon, New Jersey proudly has opened the exhibit Frederick Douglass Series 2017. Frederick Douglass Series 2017 is an exhibit of contemporary paintings and drawings about the life of Frederick Douglass, slave, abolitionist, and statesman. Artist Mark Priest states, "In the United States of America many slaves were safely carried to freedom. This monumental undertaking that has virtually gone unnoticed has been the subject of my work over the past eleven years. My current focus is on Frederick Douglass, Slavery in Maryland, and Underground Railroad Conductor, Harriet Tubman."

Mark Priest is a working artist and professor at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. Priest graduated from Yale School of Art in 1989. He is a productive artist with exhibition experience and, he continues teaching studio art to college students.

Frederick Douglass Series 2017 exhibit by Mark Priest is on view at the museum through April 28, 2018. The American Labor Museum is headquartered in the historic Botto House National Landmark, located at 83 Norwood Street, Haledon, NJ. The museum's hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Tours are offered Wednesday through Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm or by appointment. For more information, call 973-595-7953, visit www.labormuseum.net or e-mail labormuseum@aol.com.

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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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