NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 3/9/19 - 3/10/19

 New Jersey Weekend Historical Happenings

A Weekly Feature on www.thehistorygirl.com

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

Saturday, March 9 - Mount Laurel, Burlington County
Tour Paulsdale & "Suffrage Speak" Afternoon Program

Paulsdale is open to the public for Second Saturday Tours at 12:00 noon and 1:00 pm. Paulsdale is the birthplace of Quaker suffragist Alice Paul. Tours include a 15-minute presentation about Alice Paul's life and work and a guided tour of the first floor of the property where visitors learn about the Paul family's daily life in the house and its present day use as a girl's leadership center. Tours are $5.00 per person.

From 2:00 - 4:00 pm, join us for a presentation entitled:  "For the Work of a Day, We Want Something to Say: Social Class and Suffrage," presented by Dr. Lara Vapnek, Professor of History at St. John’s University (NY).

The Alice Paul Institute is delighted to present “Suffrage Speak,” a series of presentations and discussions by leading women’s history scholars designed to celebrate the upcoming centennial in 2020 of women winning the right to vote in the United States. This dynamic speakers series will engage audiences and explore the issues in both past and present women’s movements. Speakers will draw parallels from the struggles of a century ago to current events in the U.S., and make history relevant to today’s audience.

“Suffrage Speak” will highlight topics central to contemporary discourse, including the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements, and hold the important and difficult discussions necessary to bring about a balanced and realistic concept of what “equality” looks like for women and for all Americans. As the United States prepares to celebrate the passage of the 19th Amendment, the Alice Paul Institute is proud to invite audiences to join us for this important speakers series. This event is FREE, made possible with the generous support of the New Jersey Historical Commission.

Paulsdale is located at 128 Hooton Road, Mount Laurel, NJ. 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, March 9 - Farmingdale, Monmouth County
Allaire Village's Early Spring Flea Market

Hunt for hidden treasures amid furniture, books, art work, bottles, knick knacks, and so much more at Allaire Village's Early Spring Flea Market! The event runs from 8:00 - 3:00 pm. $2 admission for adults and children under 12 get in free. The rain date is March 10. The Historic Village, General Store, and Bakery will be open as well.

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.

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Saturday, March 9 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County

Work Horse Rides
Children Friendly Event (Ages 5 - 12)

On Saturday, join us at Howell Living History Farm for their Workhorse Rides program. Riders will not sit on saddles, nor will they ride bareback, but will sit atop fully harnessed, three-quarter-ton workhorses. The program is intended to give children a taste of early 20th-century farm life. So, in order to get a ride, children must first do their farm chores. The rides will be offered from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm on a first-come, first-served basis. Riders must be between the ages of 5 and 12 years old, without exception.

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, March 9 - Middletown, Monmouth County
“The War at the Shore - Whaleboats, Tories, and Massacres”

You might believe that everything fascinating, unusual, and shocking is already known about the Revolutionary War in New Jersey. But, many dreadful realities of warfare in the Garden State have been forgotten. Join Bob Mayers, author and historian as he rediscovers NJ battle and encampment sites, lost or neglected by history. It’s an exciting adventure as described in his latest book Revolutionary New Jersey. Program begins at 2:00 pm at the Middletown Public Library Community Room. The Middletown Public Library is located at 55 New Monmouth Rd, Middletown, NJ. For more information, visit www.revolutionarydetective.com.

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Saturday, March 9 - Holmdel, Monmouth County
Spinning and Knitting Demonstration
Children Friendly Event

On Saturday, visit Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel and be inspired to learn an old craft. Jodey Forbes will be demonstrating the art of spinning fleece and then demonstrating various stitches in knitting. 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, March 9 - Princeton, Mercer County
Pi Day Event
Children Friendly

In celebration of Pi Day, award-winning children’s author Wil Mara will read from his recently published biography of Albert Einstein, part of the DK Life Stories series. The book for young readers ages 8-12 and covers Einstein’s family and education, his travels and troubles, and the special compass he was given as a young boy that first set him on the path to questioning the world around him. Books will be available for sale and signing.

A native of Southern New Jersey, Mara has written extensively for children, including “The Story of Civil Rights” from the DK Readers series. He has also written more than 50 titles in the Rookie Biographies and Rookie Read-About series, as well as five titles for the best-selling The Boxcar Children series.

This program takes place at the Princeton Public Library, from 2:00 - 3:00 pm. The Princeton Public Library is located at 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ.

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Saturday, March 9 - Lower Township, Cape May County
Cape May Lighthouse Open
Children Friendly

On Saturday, the Cape May Lighthouse, Oil House and Museum Shop reopens for the season. The lighthouse is an 1859 structure with 199 steps to the watch gallery for a panoramic view of the Jersey Cape and Atlantic Ocean. For those who choose not to climb, the Oil House contains a fully-accessible Visitors' Orientation Center and a Museum Shop stocked with maritime accessories and lighthouse memorabilia. Open 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm on Saturday. Cape May Point State Park is located in Lower Township, NJ. Admission to the Visitors' Orientation Center and the ground floor of the lighthouse is free. Tower admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children (ages 3-12). 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, March 9 - 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. Tours will start at 12:30 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.

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Saturday - Sunday, March 9 - 10 - Cape May, Cape May County
Physick Estate Scavenger Hunt
Family Friendly

Have an adventure the whole family will enjoy at the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate! Use our map to explore the grounds and find the answers to questions about the Physick family and life in Victorian times on this educational scavenger hunt. Turn in your answer sheet at the Carriage House Museum Shop and receive a prize!

$5 includes map and clues. Maps and clues available at the Hill House office or the Carriage House Visitors Center at the Emlen Physick Estate. The Emlem 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 and to reserve tickets, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

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Saturday - Sunday, March 9 - 10 - Cape May, Cape May County
Cape May Historic District Trolley Tour

Enjoy a 45 minute guided tour with entertaining and enlightening stories about the nation's oldest seaside resort and how it survived. Accessible trolley available with advance notification. Tour begins at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth. Tours begin and end at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth.

Adults $12 and children (ages 3-12) $8. Tours on Saturday at 11:45 am and Sunday at 1:00 pm. 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 - Sunday, March 9 - 10 - Upper Freehold, Monmouth County
Garden Dreams

Garden catalogues offered a tempting array of plants both edible and elegant in the 19th century and still do today, especially as heirloom vegetables and flower varieties return to our gardens. Visit Walnford to thumb through historical garden catalogues, plant history research, and heirloom seed sources to learn what was grown here in the past and how this landscape has changed across the centuries: what is native, what is invasive and what you may wish to grow again today. This free program runs from 1:00 - 4:00 pm each day.

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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Sunday, March 10 - Flemington, Hunterdon County
A Proud Heritage

The Hunterdon County Historical Society is pleased to present “A Proud Heritage” on Sunday at 2:00 pm at the Flemington Presbyterian Church, 10 East Main Street in Flemington, NJ. The lecture explores the fascinating history of African Americans in the Sourland Mountain Region of New Jersey that was almost lost to time. As research partners, Elaine Buck and Beverly Mills co-authored the book, “If These Stones Could Talk,” (2018), based on over a decade’s worth of research on the contribution of African Americans who lived in this region. It was through this research that Beverly has been able to trace her ancestry to African Americans who were enslaved in Hopewell Township prior to the Revolutionary War! 

Elaine Buck and Beverly Mills are founders of the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum and serve on the Advisory Board. Both are trustees of the historic Stoutsburg Cemetery Association which is a cemetery for people of African descent located in Hopewell, New Jersey. Both women have served as consultants for schools, museums and historic sites to better interpret African American history.

The illustrated lecture will last about 45 minutes followed by questions. Copies of the book will be for sale. The spring membership meeting and lecture is open to the public and refreshments will be served. No registration required. For more information, visit www.hunterdonhistory.org.

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Sunday, March 10 - Westfield, Union County
18th Century Weeks of Want
Children Friendly Event

Pickled pork and cornmeal mush! The last weeks of winter brought a very monotonous diet of preserved and dried products to the colonial farm family. Fresh food had been long consumed, and the green sprouts of spring seemed far away. Learn all about the way the colonists managed their meals over these long days, described as "weeks of want." The colonial cooking specialists of The Miller-Cory House Museum will provide a fascinating look at this time as they prepare typical late-winter dishes over the museum's open hearth.

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 information, call 908-232-1776, e-mail millercorymuseum@gmail.com, or visit www.millercoryhouse.com.

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Sunday, March 10 - Park Ridge, Bergen County
Robert Erskine F.R.S: Minemaster and Mapmaker for the American Revolution

During the Revolutionary War, the work of Robert Erskine was one of the closest things to George Washington’s heart. Actually, Washington carried many of General Erskine’s maps in his breast pocket. Erskine’s detailed maps skillfully guided Washington and his army throughout the northeast and beyond.

Erskine arrived in the colonies as an industrial loyalist to manage the iron mines of Ringwood. However, he died as an ardent defender of American freedom. His ascent from British minemaster to the general in charge of mapmaking for the American Revolution may sometimes be forgotten. But today his work is alive as his maps continue to reveal incredible information about our heritage, our land and our roads.

Learn more about Robert Erskine and his legacy at the Pascack Historical Society on Sunday at 2:00 pm, when William “Billy” Neumann presents his talk, “Robert Erskine F.R.S: Minemaster and Mapmaker for the American Revolution.”

The museum is located at 19 Ridge Avenue, Park Ridge, NJ. Admission to the program is free, and complimentary refreshments will be provided by the Society’s volunteers. A Q&A will follow the talk.

William “Billy” Neumann is a popular historian with three books on local history. Billy is the current chair of Bergen County’s Historic Preservation Advisory Board and heads the Outreach Committee of Preservation New Jersey. He is the third generation to haunt his family’s 1870s farmhouse in Rutherford. For over 30 years Neumann has worked in New York City and New Jersey as a commercial photographer. He is a beekeeper and a longtime volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.

For more information, visit www.pascackhistoricalsociety.org or email info@pascackhistoricalsociety.org.

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Sunday, March 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, March 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 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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Sunday, March 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.

The program, held from 1:00 - 2:00 pm and 3:00 - 4:00 pm, 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 $15.00 per person 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, March 10 -  Greenwich, Cumberland County
George Agnew Chamberlain and South Jersey Stories

On Sunday from 2:00 - 4:00 pm, come and discover the thirteen forgotten novels about South Jersey by George Agnew Chamberlain, plus his one other South Jersey novel published under the pseudonym Michael Brandon. These forgotten novels have a historical basis. They range from horse stories to a psychological thriller. Having written eleven previous novels and one non-fiction book, he wrote his first South Jersey novel in 1923. Highboy Rings Down The Curtain was published by the Bridgeton Evening News. His last South Jersey novelette was Lord Buff and The Silver Star in 1955. Several of these novels were made into Hollywood movies with famous actors. Chamberlain’s writings of South Jersey and its Barrans are colorful, descriptive and paint a vivid picture of the area where he lived for thirty-seven years. His characters portray the people as they were at the time he wrote their story. There are several other published and unpublished South Jersey stories to be discussed plus exhibits. This program will be presented by F. James (Jim) Bergmann.

This program will be held at the Warren and Reba Lummis Genealogical & Historical Library, located at 981 Ye Greate Street, Greenwich, NJ. Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call 856-455-8580 or visit www.cchistsoc.org.

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Sunday, March 10 - Pennington, Mercer County
Life in Hopewell Township in the 1870s

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Sunday, March 10 - Eatontown, Monmouth County
“How to Navigate the FamilySearch Website”

Volunteer genealogy specialists Richard and Angela Wood, on leave from their regular duties in the Seattle, Washington area, will explain “How to Navigate the FamilySearch Website” at the March meeting of the Monmouth County Genealogy Society. The meeting will begin at 1:30 pm at the Community Center, 72 Broad Street, Eatontown, NJ. Admission is free and the public is welcome.

As Family Search is the largest genealogy organization in the world, having digitized their 2 billionth record, it is no wonder even experienced researchers need a little help navigating the site. The Woods answered the call of their church almost 18 months ago, shuttered Richard Wood’s business law practice, and have been in New Jersey and New York providing help to volunteers and visiting researchers at Family History Centers of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (LDS). They have also been volunteering to assist visitors at the American Family Immigration Center at Ellis Island. They will be returning to the Northwest in April.

In addition to access of digital images of genealogical records and a number of databases, FamilySearch.org also contains the catalog of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. The library holds genealogical records for over 110 countries, territories, and possessions, including over 2.4 million rolls of microfilmed genealogical records; 742,000 microfiche; 310,000 books, serials, and other formats; and 4,500 periodicals. FamilySearch also offers research help through the Family History Research Wiki, forums, digitized books, and online free family history courses through the Learning Centre.

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Sunday, March 10 - Boonton, Morris County
The Boonton Police Room Exhibit Opening

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Sunday, March 10 - Woodstown, Salem County
Daguerreotypes and the Robert Cornelius Database Project

Join us for the March Quarterly Meeting of the Salem County Historical Society with a presentation by Rachel K. Wetzel entitled, "Daguerreotypes and the Robert Cornelius Database Project." Rachel joined the staff at the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in 2007 where she currently holds the position of Senior Photograph Conservator. Prior to coming to Philadelphia, she completed the Andrew W. Mellon funded, post-graduate Advanced Residency Program in Photograph Conservation at the George Eastman Museum and the Image Permanence Institute in Rochester, New York (2007). She holds a Master of Arts degree in Art Conservation from the State University of New York, Buffalo State College (2005) and a Bachelor of Art from the University of Pittsburgh (1997), where she majored in the History of Art & Architecture.

Rachel Wetzel has been cataloging and photographing all of the known works of Robert Cornelius through a Research and Development Grant funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. She will be presenting the works of Robert Cornelius and explaining the profound impact his work had in the American photography scene and how Philadelphia played a major role in the development of early photography. 

The meeting will take place at 1:30 pm at the Friends Village, 1 Friends Drive, Woodstown, NJ. For more information, visit www.salemcountyhistoricalsociety.com.

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Sunday, March 10 - Galloway, Atlantic County
Lines on the Pines
Family Friendly

On Sunday, attend the 14th Annual Lines on the Pines - a gathering of artists, authors and artisans whose passion is the Pine Barrens of New Jersey! Enjoy a wonderful day meeting Pine Barrens authors, artists and artisans! Over fifty talented Pine Barrens People will be on hand to sign their books, display their artwork or craft, play their music and in general, share their love of the Pine Barrens! The event runs from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm at the Stockton University Campus Center, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, NJ. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.linesonthepines.org.

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Sunday, March 10 - Morristown, Morris County
Civil War Women of Compassion, Courage and Grit

Join us in the library’s lower level meeting room on Sunday at 2:00 pm, for a story of wartime survival—not from cannons and bullets—but from life itself.

Rich Rosenthal, president of the North Jersey Civil War Round Table, has lectured on numerous historical subjects. He was a founding member of the North Jersey American Revolution Round Table, along with pre-eminent New Jersey historian, the late John T. Cunningham.

Mr. Rosenthal will tell us about New Jersey’s own Cornelia Hancock, who defiantly goes to Gettysburg after being rejected as a nurse for being too pretty; Mary Ann Bickerdyke, who set up hospitals and kitchens and even followed General Sherman through the mountains of Georgia on the way to Atlanta; and Sara Pryor, who lived through privation and destruction of the south, but still had the courage to defy General Sheridan and demand rations for the starving families in her community.

This program will be held at the Morristown and Morris Township Library, 1 Miller Road, Morristown, NJ. For more information, contact James Lewis at 973-538-3473 or email njhgc@jfpl.org. This program is supported by the Friends of the Morristown and Morris Township Library.

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Through Sunday, March 31 - East Amwell, Hunterdon County

Mary Ackerman Buckwalter Exhibit: 1918-2017
Family Friendly

Born in Paterson New Jersey, Mary spent the bulk of her adult life in Hunterdon County, raising a family while pursuing her artistic endeavors. She was educated at NYU (Washington Square Studios) and studied under area artists including, Sigmund Kozlo and Leo Russell. She spent nearly 50 years honing her craft here in Hunterdon mainly painting still life and landscapes. Taking a cue from both the New Hope School and PA Impressionists, her work reflects an influence from Pre-war European Impressionism but with an American aspect.

Mary exhibited throughout NJ and Eastern PA and was a member of the Hunterdon Art Center of Clinton. Her work has found permanent homes in the Hunterdon Medical Center, Hunterdon hospice, the County Seat in Flemington, and also The Three Bridges Public Library.

The East Amwell Historical Society and the Sourland Conservancy will present the Mary Ackerman Buckwalter Exhibit at the East Amwell Museum 1053 Old York Road, Ringoes, NJ. The opening reception will be held on March 15 at 7:00 pm. Admission to the East Amwell Museum and exhibit will be free and open to the public on weekends from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. The exhibit will be on display from March 9 through March 31, 2019. For more information, visit www.eastamwellhistory.org and www.sourland.org.

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Through Sunday, April 14 - Cape May, Cape May County
Collecting History: Personal Collections of Cape May's African American Community
Family Friendly

Collecting is a lifelong passion for many individuals who hunt, preserve, and curate items of importance and interest. It's not just the object that holds curiosity, but the story it has to tell. Never before seen personal collections of dolls, stamps, postcards, hats, books, art, and pocket watches will be exhibited along with John Nash's collection. Mr. Nash was a beloved community historian whose dedication to collecting Cape May's African American history formed the basis for Center for Community Arts' Nash African American History Archives.

This exhibit will be held at the Carroll Gallery on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate. Admission to the exhibit is free. Visit www.capemaymac.org/carriage-house-hours for exhibit hours. The Emlem 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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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.

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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.

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Through November 11, 2019 - Woodbury, Gloucester County
War to End Wars: Centennial of WWI & Veterans’ Day

War to End Wars: Centennial of WWI & Veterans’ Day, our new exhibit at the Gloucester County Historical Society Museum, honors the centennial of World War I and its veterans.  Come view uniforms worn by local, youthful doughboys as well as original liberty bond and enlistment posters carefully preserved by our librarians for over one hundred years! The exhibit also honors veterans of all wars since World War I as Americans now celebrate the day the war ended as Veterans’ Day. The exhibit is now open and will run through Veterans’ Day. The exhibit will be open on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. The museum is also open on the last Sunday of each month September through April from 2:00 - 5:00 pm as well as Saturdays April 6 and May 4 from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. 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.

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