NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 11/3/18 - 11/4/18

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


Saturday, November 3 - Harmony Township, Warren County
Fall Open House at the Historic Van Nest-Hoff-Vannatta Farmstead
Children Friendly Event

The Harmony Township Historical Society and the Historic Preservation Commission of Harmony Township invite the public to attend their annual Fall Open House at the historic VanNest-Hoff-Vannatta Farmstead on Saturday, from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Admission is free. The farmstead is located at 3026 Belvidere Road, Route 519, just north of the Municipal Building in Harmony Township.

Come see the progress being made at the farmstead. The event will include tours of the circa 1750s main house, the restored wagon house, and the one of a kind Dutch style barn, and war reenactors, live demonstrations, and hearth cooking in the summer kitchen. Children's activities include embroidery, candle making, and weaving.

For more information, contact Ruth at historicalcomm@aol.com or visit www.hoffvannattafarm.org.

-----------------------------------
Saturday, November 3 - Holmdel, Monmouth County
Cookstove Demonstration
Children Friendly Event & Site

On Sunday, visit Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel to see what is cooking on the woodstove in the out kitchen. Discover how food, receipts, 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, November 3 - Montclair, Essex County
Biking Tour of the Montclair Art Colony

By the late 1800s, a “colony” of artists had flocked to Montclair, taking advantage of the beautiful and inspiring landscape that was within an easy commute to New York. The most famous artist was George Inness, Sr., but he was soon joined by other painters like Lawrence Carmichael Earle, sculptors William Couper and Jonathan Scott Hartley, stained glass artists Emilie and Walter Greenough, and engraver Harry Fenn. This eight-mile bike ride takes you past many of their homes and studios. Registration required at www.montclairhistory.org, $10/person. In Partnership with Bike Walk Montclair and the Montclair Art Museum. After the tour, visit the Montclair Art Museum to see works by George Innes (admission additional, free for members). Tour is a total of 8 miles, lasting about two hours. Starting location at the Crane House & Historic YWCA, 110 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ. For more information, call 973-744-1796, e-mail mail@montclairhistorical.org, or visit www.montclairhistory.org.

-----------------------------------
Saturday, November 3 - Princeton, Mercer County
Historical Society of Princeton 2018 House Tour

The Historical Society of Princeton is pleased to host its 17th annual House Tour from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm on Saturday. This signature event celebrates significant architecture and design in the homes of HSP's supportive community. This year's tour features six unique homes, each one a distinct example of its own time and style. Visitors will marvel in the modifications, redesigns, furnishings, and personal art collections in a self-guided tour of the homes throughout the day.

This year's tour will feature:
86 Mercer Street: This stunning Italianate and Gothic style house is the official residence for the President of the Princeton Theological Seminary. The noted architect, John Notman, also responsible for Prospect House, Lowrie House, and Guernsey Hall in Princeton, designed the original portion of the house, circa 1851. Built on land owned by the Stockton family, the house was presented by Commodore Robert Field Stockton to his son, probably as a wedding present. The house has enjoyed a recent major renovation, with much of the magnificent original cast ironwork restored and with modifications to make the building comfortable as a modern family home. 

50 Random Road: This stucco contemporary architectural specimen was designed by Hillier Studio in 2012. The house represents a growing wave of modern and sustainable design in Princeton, featuring a sedum-covered green roof, rain cistern, bamboo flooring, smart thermostats, solar panels, and an electric car charging station. The house boasts large, open common spaces to encourage togetherness. Beechwood Landscape Architecture and Construction developed the relaxing outdoor space, through which Harry’s Brook gently flows. 

34 Cleveland Lane: This classic early twentieth-century stone house, one of the earliest residences on Cleveland Lane, enjoyed a recent top-to-bottom renovation by A+B Architectural Design Lab, blending a contemporary addition with original historic features. A large, sun-soaked eat-in kitchen was added during the renovation and the backyard was luxuriously re-landscaped. An extended sunroom with cork flooring opens toward a sleek new pool. Dutch Masters art graces the home’s walls.

117 Library Place: This grand Georgian Revival home was built on the former Morven Tract in 1905 by the Matthews Construction Company, which later built many of the notable stone buildings on the Princeton University campus. The house has had a number of distinguished owners, including Judge William Clark, Chief Justice of the Allied Appeals Court in Nuremburg, Ambassador Ann Martindell, and Nicholas Katzenbach, Attorney General of the United States under President Lyndon Johnson. The current owners impressively renovated the expansive dwelling. Some exuberant features from when the house served as a Junior League showhouse remain, including a vibrantly hued staircase personally painted by architect Michael Graves. The house contains an exciting collection of 19th and 20th century art from around the world.

72 Library Place: Prolific Princeton builder-architect Charles Steadman built this house in 1836 at 26 Library Place. The house was moved to its current location in 1889, where Woodrow Wilson, then a Princeton University faculty member, made his first home in Princeton, before becoming Governor of New Jersey and President of the United States. Maps, prints, and African sculpture pepper the home’s comfortably-appointed rooms. Classic Steadman details, such as elegant transoms, molding, and fireplaces, remain preserved. A formal garden sits adjacent to the house. 

52 Arreton Road: Also known as Rothers Barrows, this house, designed by famed Philadelphia architect Wilson Eyre. Jr. of Eyre and McIlvaine, was built in 1919 as part of a large Princeton equestrian estate. Comfortable American country houses, like 52 Arreton Road, define Eyre’s legacy. One of New Jersey's finest examples of the American Arts and Crafts style, Rothers Barrows is on both the New Jersey and National Register of Historic Places. The current owners extensively renovated and restored the home, preserving important period features such as original Moravian tile, windows, and woodwork. Publications have featured the intricate foyer ceiling.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please call 609-921-6748 x 105. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.princetonhistory.org. Advance tickets are $45 for HSP members and $50 for non-members. All tickets purchased the day of the tour are $50. On the day of the event, all tickets must be purchased at the Updike Farmstead, 354 Quaker Road, Princeton, NJ before venturing to any of the houses on the tour.

-----------------------------------
Saturday, November 3 - Farmingdale, Monmouth County
Weekend Themed Tours at Allaire

Two tours to choose from! At 12:15 pm, our "Iron Works Tour" invites you to explore the village history by learning about the iron making process and touring the historic sites that played a part in the Howell Iron Works production. Includes visits to the Visitor Center/Museum, Foreman's Cottage, Blast Furnace, Blacksmith Shop, Carpenter's Shop, Carriage House, Enameling Building, and General Store.

At 2:15 pm, "The Lifestyle Tour" visit the homes and trade shops of the people who lived and worked at the Howell Iron Works. Discover everyday life of an 1830's industrial worker and their families. Includes visits to the Museum, Chapel, Foreman's Cottage, Manager's House, Bakery, Blacksmith, Carpenter, Enameling Building, and General Store.

Tickets for each tour are $5 and can be purchased online.

The Historic Village at Allaire is located at 4263 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale, NJ. For more information, contact the Allaire Village office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, at 732-919-3500 or visit www.allairevillage.org.

-----------------------------------
Saturday, November 3 - Sunday, December 2 - Paterson, Passaic County
31st Annual Lambert Castle Holiday Boutique

From November 3rd through December 2, Lambert Castle, home of the Passaic County Historical Society will present the 31st annual Lambert Castle Holiday Boutique. Open Wednesday through Friday from 10:00 am - 8:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, the boutique invites you to enjoy shopping for this year's assortment of festive holiday gifts, jewelry, seasonal decorations, crafts, collectibles, and gourmet food in the historic atmosphere and ambiance of Lambert Castle.

Admission to the Boutique is $7 for opening weekend, November 3rd - 4th and $6 for the duration of the show. All admission fees include two return visits. Children under 12 years are admitted free of charge. No child strollers or carriages are permitted inside the Castle. Visa and Mastercard are accepted for purchases. The café will return to the third floor serving a variety of soups, sandwiches, as well as hot and cold drinks. All proceeds from this fundraiser benefit the Passaic County Historical Society.

The 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.

-----------------------------------
Saturday, November 3 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County
Cider Making
Children Friendly Event and Site

An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but pressing them, peeling them and "stomping" them can be healthy too...as you’ll find by visiting Howell Farm on Saturday.

The techniques used on the Farm to make apple cider, applesauce and apple pie are healthfully reminiscent of those used a century ago, when people - not motors - powered the cranks, handles and other appliances used to process food. From 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, visitors to this 130 acre working farm can sample the work, fun and tastes of a circa-1900 apple harvest.

Visitors of all ages will be invited to use the Farm's old fashioned presses, peeler-corers, and "stomper-strainers" to help the farmers process apples. For the hungry, there will be apple pie and other apple treats.

Unusual, ingenious antique apple peelers and corers will be demonstrated by Coles Roberts of Vincentown, NJ, who is a 3rd generation apple grower as well as collector of antique farm machinery. His collection includes an industrial size peeler that processes many apples at once. Demonstrations of the peelers will be held every hour, on the hour, from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm.

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

-----------------------------------
Saturday, November 3 - Cape May, Cape May County
Underground Railroad Trolley Tour

On Saturday at 10:15 am, climb aboard our newest trolley tour to hear true tales of Cape May’s connection to the Underground Railroad. Hear how enslaved people in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia braved strong currents and stormy seas to free themselves, guided by the beacon of the Cape May Lighthouse. Hear why the legendary Harriet Tubman walked these streets before her freedom runs to the Eastern Shore. See the summer refuge of the formerly enslaved Stephen Smith, one of America’s wealthiest businessmen whose railroad cars ferried hundreds to freedom. Includes a tour of the Owen Coachman house, a meticulously restored antebellum home of a free Black family whose relative was kidnapped and sold into slavery. Board the trolley at the Washington Street Mall information booth at Ocean Street for this 2-hour tour. Admission is $20. 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.

-----------------------------------
Saturday, November 3 - Lower Township, Cape May County
World War II Tower Lookout Museum and Memorial Open
Family Friendly

Fire Control Tower No. 23 on Sunset Boulevard is New Jersey's last freestanding World War II tower, part of the immense Harbor Defense of the Delaware system known as Fort Miles. After an award-winning restoration in 2009, visitors can climb to the 6th floor spotting gallery while learning about the homeland defense efforts during World War II. The ground floor of the tower, the All Veterans Memorial, and boardwalk interpretive panels are fully accessible. Open Saturday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children (ages 3-12) (One child free with paying adult). The World War II Lookout Tower is located on Sunset Boulevard in Lower Township, near Cape May Point. 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.

----------------------------------
Saturday - Sunday, November 3 - 4 - Cape May, Cape May County
Emlen Physick Estate Tour
Family Friendly Tour

Take a guided tour of Cape May's Emlen Physick Estate, the magnificent Stick Style mansion attributed to renowned Victorian architect Frank Furness. A tour of the 15 beautifully restored rooms gives you a glimpse into the lifestyle of this Victorian-era Cape May family. Physick Estate Tours take approximately 45 minutes and end with a visit to the 1876 Carriage House where you can see the current exhibit in the Carroll Gallery. On Saturday, tours will start at 11:15 am, 12:30, 1:45, and 3:00 pm. On Sunday, the tours start at 12:30 and 1:45 pm. Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for children (ages 3-12). Tickets can be purchased at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ. 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.

-----------------------------------
Saturday - Sunday, November 3 - 4 - Harding Township, Morris County
Harding Township Historical Society Antiques Show and Sale


-----------------------------------
Sunday, November 4 - Montclair, Essex County
Rosedale Cemetery Tour

Founded over 175 years ago, Rosedale Cemetery marked the beginning of a new movement in how America took care of its deceased. We’ll talk about grave imagery as well as the people who are buried in the oldest section of the cemetery. Led by Executive Director, Jane Eliasof, and Assistant Director, Angelica Diggs.

Admission is $10 per person and registration is required. To register, call 973-744-1796, email mail@montclairhistorical.org, or register online. Tour will begin at the Rosedale Chapel for a brief introduction at 408 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ. Carpooling is suggested due to limited parking on site and driving to distant parts of the cemetery. Tour is from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, about 2 miles of walking.

For more information, call 973-744-1796, e-mail mail@montclairhistorical.org, or visit www.montclairhistory.org.

-----------------------------------
Sunday, November 4 - Westampton, Burlington County
First Sunday at Peachfield - Patience the Cook Makes Catsup

Catsup in colonial times was quite different than what we call catsup today.  Patience the Cook whips ups catsups made from a variety of ingredients, including walnuts.  Share this unique culinary experience and enjoy an informative presentation on the colonial appetite.  The presentation will be given by Ingrid Sceusi who portrays Patience the Cook, an 18th century farmer's wife.

Program runs from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. Admission is $10.00 per person; Friends of Peachfield admitted free of charge. Prepaid reservations required to guarantee seating. Peachfield is located at 180 Burrs Road, Westampton, NJ. For more information and to register, call 609-267-6996, e-mail colonialdamesnj@comcast.net, or visit www.colonialdamesnj.org.

-----------------------------------
Sunday, November 4 -  Flemington, Hunterdon County
For Citizens and Strangers: New Jersey Taverns During the Early American Period

Architectural historian Dennis Bertland is the guest speaker at the Hunterdon County Historical Society’s fall meeting on Sunday at 2:00 pm. The meeting and lecture will be held at the United Methodist Church, 116 Main Street in Flemington, directly adjacent to the Historical Society Library and headquarters.

The presentation on tavern history in colonial America by Mr. Bertland is based on the extensive research that he conducted for the Merchants and Drovers Tavern Association. The findings were used for an interpretive exhibit at its tavern museum in Rahway, New Jersey. The exhibit script and book based on his research and authored by Mr. Bertland, is pending publication.

Over his forty-year career, Mr. Bertland has studied and written extensively about New Jersey’s early architecture. His firm, Dennis Bertland Associates, is based in Stockton, New Jersey and specializes in historic preservation.

The talk will last about 50 minutes, followed by questions; refreshments will be served.
For more information visit www.hunterdonhistory.org.

-----------------------------------
Sunday, November 4 - Princeton, Mercer County
Historic Princeton Walking Tour
Children Friendly Tour

Enjoy a 1.9 mile, two-hour walk around downtown Princeton and the University campus as you learn about historic sites in the area, including Bainbridge House, Nassau Hall, the University Chapel, and Palmer Square. The early history of Princeton, the founding of the University, and the American Revolution are just some of the stories from Princeton’s history that you will learn on your tour.

Admission: $7 per adult; $4 children ages 6 to 12; free for children age 5 and under. Tours begin in front of the Bainbridge House, 158 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ. Tour begins at 2:00 pm and ends at 4:00 pm. Walk up ticket sales are cash only; guides cannot provide change. Space is limited. For more information and to reserve tickets, call 609-921-6748 or visit www.princetonhistory.org.

-----------------------------------
Sunday, November 4 - Chester, Morris County
"Charles E. Tippett -- The Bottles and the Man"

The Chester Historical Society and the Chester Library will present "Charles E. Tippett -- The Bottles and the Man" at the Chester Library on Sunday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Historian Edward Ng will recount the fascinating story of how Charles Tippett came to Chester and created a successful business at the turn of the century (1888-1923). As reflected in his bottles, the story recounts his fascinating life in Chester – brewer, saloon keeper, tax assessor, grand juror, police-judge, and arguably alleged arsonist.

The program will feature a selection Tippett bottles from the CHS archives, highlighting the markings and manufacturing techniques that differentiate the bottles over the years they were produced. Since Tippett Bottles were meant to be reused, they were robustly made. Many have survived the last hundred years and are a memorable keepsake of that era.

Old bottle enthusiasts and collectors are encouraged to participate by sharing their knowledge of Tippett, his bottles, and related information. Light refreshments reminiscent of flavors of drinks Mr. Tippett bottled, ginger ale, root beer, and lemon and strawberry soda will be served (sorry, no "porter or lager beer").

The program will be presented at the Chester Library, 250 West Main Street, Chester, NJ. There is no fee for this program. All are welcome and attendees are asked to register for the program on the Chester Library website at http://host6.evanced.info/chester/evanced/eventcalendar.asp.

-----------------------------------
Sunday, November 4 - Paterson, Passaic County
Native American Heritage Month at Paterson Great Falls NHP
Children Friendly Event

Join the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park on Sunday for a Native American Heritage Month Celebration. At 11:00 am and 1:00 pm the Silver Cloud Dancers will perform in the outdoor amphitheater at Overlook Park, located at 72 McBride Avenue, Paterson, NJ.

At 2:00 pm, Historian Tony DeCondo will lead a tour of the Lenape Exhibit at the Paterson Museum, located at 2 Market Street, Paterson, NJ.

Please note that in case of inclement weather or low temperatures, the dancers will perform in the Paterson Museum. For more information and updates, visit www.nps.gov/pagr.

-----------------------------------
Sunday, November 4 -  Westfield, Union County
The West Fields Boudinot Wedding of 1778…Ties to Hamilton, Washington & Lafayette Exhibit and Lecture at Westfield’s Reeve House

The Westfield Historical Society invites guests to attend a presentation by Ken Ward, President of the Historical Society of Elizabeth, held at the Reeve House, 314 Mountain Avenue, Westfield on Sunday from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. Mr. Ward will show and discuss a collection of items which are on loan to the Westfield Historical Society from the Historical Society of Elizabeth. These artifacts are from the Belcher-Ogden Mansion of Elizabeth and many are associated with a wedding that took place in 1778 in Westfield.

News stories often include some revelation that commonly accepted historical stories connected with artifacts may not be true. The artifacts from the Belcher-Ogden Mansion in Elizabeth illustrate the difficulty in being absolutely sure that the stories connected with artifacts are indeed true.

Ken Ward, president of the Historical Society of Elizabeth will speak about several artifacts cared for by the Westfield Historical Society. Ken has had 40 years experience with these artifacts, now as President of the Historical Society of Elizabeth and previously as a Trustee of the Historical Foundation of Elizabeth, the former owners of the Belcher Ogden Mansion and the Nathanial Bonnell homestead, now owned by The Historical Society of Elizabeth. Ken was previously Secretary of the NJ Historical Society, Newark.

Ken’s talk will focus on the items connected to the 1778 Wedding of Elisha Boudinot to Catherine Peartree Smith, daughter of William Peartree Smith, Elizabeth Mayor and a founder and trustee of Princeton University. For perhaps 150 years the accepted story about the artifacts was about an Elizabeth Wedding and reception in 1778. Alexander Hamilton was thought to be the Master of Ceremonies and both Washington and Lafayette were in attendance. A wonderful historical story it might have been, except for the records of the Westfield Presbyterian Church indicating that the wedding actually took place in Westfield. 

Considering the proximity of 30,000 of King George’s soldiers on Staten Island and an existing bridge from there to Elizabeth a reasonable caution would be expected and would explain why the wedding wasn’t in Elizabeth. Elisha and his brother Elias (later president of the Continental Congress) were active spy masters for Washington. Their spy organizations were financed with Lafayette’s gold.

After the 1778 wedding, the Soldiers of King George did indeed raid Elizabeth and destroyed the contents of the Belcher-Ogden Mansion. The wedding punchbowl may well have survived because it was not in Elizabeth.

Reservations are required and space is limited. To reserve, please email: westfieldhistoricalsociety@gmail.com or call 908-654-1794. A $5.00 donation per person is suggested.

-----------------------------------
Sunday, November 4 - Toms River, Ocean County
Early Baseball at the Jersey Shore

Join us on Sunday at 2:00 pm at the Ocean County Historical Society, 26 Hadley Avenue, Toms River, NJ, as Captain Russ Mclver, entertains us with his presentation, "Early Baseball at the Jersey Shore." A history buff and captain of the Monmouth Furnace, a vintage baseball club that plays by rules used during the 1860s, Mr. Mclver will take us back to the time when players sported not only different uniforms, but also played without helmets and sometimes mitts! Admission is free but donations are welcomed. Refreshments are served. Please call 732-341-1880 for reservations. For more information, visit www.oceancountyhistory.org.

-----------------------------------
Sunday, November 4 - Jefferson Township, Morris County
Open House

The Jefferson Township Museum, also known as the George Chamberlin House, will have an open house on Sunday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Learn about the Jefferson Township Historical Society. Costumed docents will be available to talk about this Victorian home. Admission is free.

The special exhibit on display is “Time for a Shave” featuring a display and demonstration of shaving implements and accessories used in the Victorian Era

Be sure to visit Miss Elizabeth’s Shoppe located in the original kitchen of the Museum. The Shoppe is packed with new and vintage items for sale. Even if you’ve been in Miss Elizabeth’s Shoppe recently, a return visit may add something special to your home. Also stop in to view the lovely gardens at the Museum.

The Jefferson Township Museum is located at 315 Dover-Milton Road, Jefferson Township, NJ. For further information, call 973-697-0258 or visit www.jthistoricalsociety.org.

-----------------------------------
Sunday, November 4 - Pennington, Mercer County
Take the Trolley

In the early decades of the 20th century, more than one million passengers each year rode the two trolley lines that connected Trenton with Princeton. Trolley tracks also extended as far as Pennington and Hopewell.

On Sunday at 3:00 pm, Dennis Waters will be at the Hopewell Township Branch of the Mercer County Library to discuss a time when the roads were bad, the automobile was not yet dominant, and for a few cents the trolley was the cheapest, fastest, and generally safest way to get from point A to point B in Mercer County.

Waters, the Lawrence Township Historian, will explain the dynamics of the trolley system in Princeton-Trenton-Lawrence-Hopewell, with particular attention paid to the Hopewell and Pennington lines. He will tell participants where they can discover relics of the trolley lines that still exist in our landscape and how Mercer County residents used to commute by trolley

The program will be presented by the Hopewell Valley Historical Society, Hopewell Museum, and Mercer County Library System at the Hopewell branch, located at 245 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington, NJ. This event is free, but seating is limited and registration is required. Reserve space by calling 609-737-2610 or online at: bit.ly/HVHStrolley.

-----------------------------------
Sunday, November 4 - South River, Middlesex County
Open House

Stop by the South River Historical & Preservation Society on Sunday from 1:30 - 3:30 pm and view exhibits on all aspects of Borough history including: schools; churches and houses of worship; local businesses and organizations; daily life; events and celebrations; and more. While you are there, see the cemetery located behind the building, ask questions, drop off donations, or exchange hometown stories with the docents. The museum is located at 64-66 Main Street, South River, NJ. For more information, visit http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~njsrhps/museum.html.

-----------------------------------
Sunday, November 4 -  Chatham, Morris County
History of the Houses of Worship in Chatham Township and Green Village

Early residents of what is today Chatham Township had to travel to other towns to go to church. Even Green Village Methodist Church was actually over the border. It was only after WWII that township congregations began to form and build houses of worship, often after using borrowed spaces.

Through the years nine congregations have called the township home. Some were home-grown, some transplanted themselves here and some were temporary. Please join us for a tour through the history of worship in Chatham Township and Green Village on Sunday at 2:00 pm. The program will take place at the Chatham Township Municipal Building, 58 Meyersville Road, Chatham, NJ.

-----------------------------------
Sunday, November 4 - Farmingdale, Monmouth County
Election Day of the 1830s
Children Friendly Event & Site

The Historic Village at Allaire presents Election Day of the 1830s from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm on Sunday. Join the villagers of the Historic Village at Allaire as they cast their ballots. Debates, speeches, picnic lunch, and band organ! Cooking at the Manager's House over the 18th century hearth - making gingerbread used to "bribe" voters. The Temperance and Sufferage Society women will be making their rounds and speeches! Fire pit cooking near the Carriage House and "Field Day Games" for the children (sack races, games of skill, horeseshoes and more!).

The other historic buildings including Mr. Allaire's home, the blacksmith shop, carpenter shop, Manager's House, Enameling Building, General Store, and Bakery are open for tours. Visitors are more than welcome to engage in debates. Admission - $5 adults and $3 children ages 5 to 12.

The Historic Village at Allaire is located in Allaire State Park, 4265 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale, NJ. For more information, contact the Allaire Village office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, at 732-919-3500 or visit www.allairevillage.org.

-----------------------------------
Sunday, November 4 - Readington Township, Hunterdon County
Eighteenth Century Smokehouse Demo at the Bouman-Stickney Farmstead

On Sunday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm, Susan McLellan Plaisted MS RD CSP LDN, will demonstrate and discuss methods and traditions for smoking pork during the 18th century. At that time, most homes had a smokehouse in their backyard, and the Bouman-Stickney Farmstead has become no exception. Thanks to Eagle Scout, Derek Scott, the farmstead is proud to showcase his recent Eagle Scout project, the smokehouse, as Plaisted demonstrates the art of smoking meat.

This program will be held at the Bouman-Stickney Farmstead in the Stanton section of Readington, NJ. GPS address: 114 Dreahook Road Lebanon NJ 08833. Although there is no fee, donations are gladly welcome. In case of inclement weather please call the Museums to find out the status of the program. For more information, call 908-236-2327 or visit www.readingtontwpnj.gov/community/readington-museum.

-----------------------------------
Sunday, November 4 - Hackensack, Bergen County
36th Annual Toy Soldier Show & Sale
Children Friendly Event

On Sunday, attend the 35th Annual East Coast Toy Soldier Show and Sale - the largest and best attended Toy Soldier Show on the East Coast. It is the largest show of its kind with over 300 exhibitor tables. Find millions of antique and collectible toy soldiers, military miniatures, gaming figures, railroad, Christmas, zoo, farm, diecast, G.I. Joe and action figures, militaria, and antique and collectible toys. This will be the sixth year of the Hess Toy Truck "Meet and Greet." You will have the opportunity to informally hobnob with other collectors and see many rare and scarce Hess trucks and Hess-related memorabilia. It’s an event where you can bring your Hess Trucks for appraisals or just hang out and chat with other Hess Collectors.

The show is held from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at the Rothman Center at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Hackensack, NJ. Parking is free. Admission: $7.00 per adult and children under 12 are free. The show is sponsored by Vintage Castings. For more information, call 973-831-8900 or visit www.eastcoasttoysoldiershow.com.

-----------------------------------
Sunday, November 4 - Freehold, Monmouth County
The Monmouth County Historical Association Launches Two Exhibits & Reception

The Monmouth County Historical Association will host a reception on Sunday at the Association’s museum in Freehold to celebrate the opening of two new exhibits. Attendees will have the opportunity to view “A Family Reunited: The Conover Portraits” and “Polite and Useful Education: Pictorial Needlework Embroidery” and hear curatorial remarks on the background and significance of each installation.

“A Family Reunited: The Conover Portraits” features seven portraits from one of the earliest Monmouth County families. The Conover portraits, ranging in date from 1819 to 1855, have not been seen together since 1902. They depict Tunis V. Conover of Marlboro, his wife Rebecca Crawford Conover, and their three children Hendrick S., Anne B., and William I. Conover. The display has been augmented with a nineteenth century painting of the family residence in Marlboro, and an exceptional pictorial sampler worked in 1824 by Rebecca at the age of twelve.

In earlier eras, the education of women was often limited in scope and acceptability. However, families would many times invest in the instruction of girls and young women in the art of needlework, sometimes enrolling them in schools or hiring instructors to provide what was believed to be a “polite and useful education”. Many of the intricate designs created by women over the centuries have been passed down through generations, sharing stories and glimpses of earlier life with a million stitches. “Polite and Useful Education: Pictorial Needlework Embroidery” will spotlight works of embroidery from the MCHA permanent collection, many on display to the public for the very first time. Included are a fire screen panel dated 1706, mourning memorials, and scenes from the Old and New Testament. A number of the pieces were created by women in Monmouth County including a rendering of Locustwood, a large Middletown residence built in 1830-1832, created in 1985 by a descendant of the first residents.

Bernadette Rogoff, former Curator and current Curatorial Consultant to MCHA will discuss the history and importance of the needlework as well as the unique effort required to prepare the pieces for display. Joseph W. Hammond, Director of Collections for the Association, will share the story of the Conover portraits and their journey that began over 100 years ago and culminated in the special exhibit.

Both exhibits will be on view through January 2019.

Guests will also be able to visit the recently reinstalled Battle of Monmouth gallery. Along with representations of the legendary Molly Pitcher and landmarks associated with the battle including Covenhoven House, Revolutionary era items carried by Monmouth County Colonial soldiers, and artifacts recovered from the battlefield have been incorporated into the display.

The MCHA reception is free and open to the public and will take place on Sunday from 2:00-4:00 pm at Monmouth County Historical Association, 70 Court Street, Freehold, NJ. For more information visit www.monmouthhistory.org or call 732-462-1466.

Since its founding in 1898, the Association has enriched the quality of life in Monmouth County by preserving our heritage for future generations. The largest history focused private non-profit organization in New Jersey, MCHA operates a museum, archives, and research library at its headquarters in Freehold in addition to five historic house museums located throughout the county. The Association brings history to life and engages thousands of residents and businesses in the community each year through its insightful and meaningful programs and exhibitions.

-----------------------------------
Through December 28, 2018 -  Morristown, Morris County
George Washington’s Headquarters: Photographs by Xiomáro

Morristown National Historical Park (NHP) invites the public to view the exhibition George Washington’s Headquarters: Photographs by Xiomáro. The 22 large images of the Ford Mansion – Washington’s base of operations during the Revolutionary War winter of 1779-1780 – are on view in the museum until December 28, 2018. The exhibition of Xio’s photographs of Washington’s Revolutionary War headquarters highlights the house’s dual role as a residence. 

Xiomáro (pronounced “SEE-oh-MAH-ro”) is an internationally-recognized artist and speaker whose photography has been covered by The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and CBS Eyewitness News. His work has been widely exhibited at venues such as Harvard University and New York City’s Fraunces Tavern Museum. Next year, Arcadia Publishing is releasing Xio’s photo book, Weir Farm National Historic Site, about Julian Alden Weir, the father of American Impressionist painting.

A free eBook of the photographs is available at www.xiomaro.comThe exhibit is at the Morristown National Historical Park’s Washington Headquarters Museum, 30 Washington Place, Morristown, NJ. Admission is free. For more information. visit www.nps.gov/morr.

-----------------------------------
Through 2018 - Woodbury, Gloucester County
Out of the Box: Rare & Unusual Objects

Intrigued about what might lie behind closed doors in a museum? Out of the Box: Rare & Unusual Objects, our new exhibit at the Gloucester County Historical Society Museum, will give visitors a peek into some of our most exceptional artifacts. Objects that have not been on view to the public for years will be out on display for all to see. We have chosen an array of unique items from every category imaginable in the museum’s collection. Most of these artifacts are between 100 – 200 years old, and haven’t seen the light of day in decades. Come to experience the rare, odd, quirky, beautiful, and even creepy treasures just waiting to be revealed. The exhibit opens on Sunday, April 29 when admission will be free that day! The exhibit will be closed on Mondays, and summer Sundays, but open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm from May 2 through the summer months. Monday hours will resume on September 5, 2018, along with last Sunday of the month hours. Please visit www.gchsnj.org for further details. The Gloucester County Historical Society Museum is located at 58 N. Broad Street, Woodbury, NJ. For more information, call 856-848-8531 or visit www.gchsnj.org.

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


----------------------------------
Through January 11, 2019 - Trenton, Mercer County
Changing Face/Changing Place: A Look at the Architectural History of the Trenton Area

The Trenton Museum Society and FVHD Architects - Planners are proud to announce an exhibit celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of the full service architectural design firm founded in Trenton by PL Fowler in 1918. The exhibit, displaying historical and architectural photographs, drawings and artifacts from the FVHD - Architects Planners firm's history is on view in the second floor galleries at the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie in Cadwalader Park from September 15, 2018 through January 11, 2019.

The firm is proud of its long history of design excellence in the Trenton area starting in 1918 and continuing today as FVHD Architects. The work of the firm and its predecessors has made a significant impact on the built environment in Mercer County.

The long project history includes many original school buildings for Trenton, Lawrence, and Ewing Township School Districts; the restoration of the 1719 William Trent house; the GM Fisher Body Plant; Mercer Hospital; Waterfront (now Arm & Hammer) Stadium; Ewing Township Municipal/Police Facility; several Trenton City branch library buildings; Trenton public housing and numerous others.

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

----------------------------------
Through June 2019 - Ocean Township, Monmouth County
"Wet as the Atlantic Ocean: Prohibition in New Jersey”

The 18th Amendment—the measure that made the manufacture, sale, or transport of alcoholic beverages a federal offense for the 13 years, 10 months, 19 days, and 17 hours of Prohibition—was repealed in 1933. It is the only Constitution Amendment ever to be undone. And its doing and undoing were the results of a tug-of-war between the “Wets” and the “Drys” that played out across the country.

A new exhibit opening to the public Sunday, in the Richmond Gallery of the Eden Woolley House reveals where New Jersey stood in that tug-of-war. “Wet as the Atlantic Ocean: Prohibition in NJ” brings the debates, glamour, and violence of the Roaring Twenties home.

How did it happen?
The prohibition debate had been argued across the country for nearly a century before the 18th Amendment outlawed alcohol nationwide. Maine passed the first state prohibition law in 1846 and by the Civil War, several other states had followed suit.

So what happened in the first decades of the next century to elevate debate into a campaign for a Constitutional Amendment—that took the fight national?

• Drunkenness was a real problem. The proliferation of saloons fueled a drinking culture, and between 1900 and 1913, beer and alcohol consumption soared. Women and families suffered.
• Women had been campaigning for abstinence since the early 1800s, By the turn of the century they were finding their voice, stridently advocating for the vote-— and increasingly for prohibition. Organizations like the Women’s Christian Temperance Union were gaining ground.
• Many Americans felt threatened by the influx of immigrants whose cultural norms around alcohol threatened prevailing white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant values.
• On the global scene, the unthinkable carnage of the First World War and the alarming success of the Russian Revolution fueled a nostalgic longing for control and order.

Under these conditions, pro-prohibition sentiment grew. By 1919 more than half the country lived in dry states, counties, or towns. If the 18th Amendment were to be passed, it needed to happen before the 1920 census, the results of which would give greater power to the anti-prohibition cities.

The last state to Ratify
Ours was the last state to ratify the 18th amendment and it did so in 1922, two years after the measure was in effect. (Rhode Island and Connecticut never ratified.) We fought Prohibition in court. New Jersey joined Rhode Island in a losing challenge before the Supreme Court (1920). And we were back in 1931, when the Supreme Court overruled a New Jersey federal judge’s decision invalidating the 18th Amendment.

New Jersey’s Resistance
It’s no surprise, then, that Prohibition enforcement in New Jersey was lax. Local fishermen and boaters shuttled bootlegged liquor to shore from rum-running ships lined up just outside the legal limit. Speakeasies thrived with little risk of raid. The state underfunded enforcement. Corruption was rampant. Local police turned a blind eye. Even the teetotaling and incorruptible Ira Reeves, the man put in charge of federal enforcement in New Jersey, resigned after eight months and took up the anti-Prohibition cause!

This exhibit runs through June 2019. 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.

----------------------------------
Through June 2019 - Morristown, Morris County
Iconic Culture: From Little Black Dress to Bell Bottoms

Morris County Historical Society’s upcoming exhibit, Iconic Culture: From Little Black Dress to Bell Bottoms, promises to be a one-stop spot for a stroll down memory lane.

From the timeless designs of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel to the trend-setting bell bottoms of Sonny and Cher, MCHS explores more than 50 years of cultural history through a retrospective featuring nearly 100 pieces from its historic textile collection. Iconic Culture will examine how changes in clothing styles mirrored the social climate of their time and the seminal moments and people who defined their decade – with a focus on New Jersey history.

In addition to the fashions, Iconic Culture will highlight cultural milestones in local, state, and national history that coincided with the Roaring 20s, Great Depression, World War II, Civil Rights Movement, and Vietnam Era.

This multimedia exhibit features music, television shows, and radio broadcasts. Visitors will also have an opportunity to share personal recollections about significant events, such as the assassination of President Kennedy.

The exhibit is available through Sunday, June 16, 2019. Morris County Historical Society is located at Acorn Hall, 68 Morris Avenue, Morristown, NJ and is open Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11:000 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.

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

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Birth and Death of a Ski Area: Craigmeur

Tobacco Town: The George W. Helme Snuff Mill

The Golden Age of Shopping: Downtown Newark