NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 5/4/19 - 5/5/19

 New Jersey Weekend Historical Happenings

A Weekly Feature on www.thehistorygirl.com

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

Saturday, May 4 - Sandy Hook, Monmouth County

Secret Places of Sandy Hook: Nine Gun Battery

Explore with a park ranger, the longest concrete gun battery built by the U.S. Army in the United States for harbor defense. Constructed in stages from 1897 to 1904, the "Nine Gun Battery" was in service at Fort Hancock from 1904 to 1944. Bring a flashlight and walking shoes. The tour starts at 2:00 pm and lasts two hours. Call the Sandy Hook Visitor Center at 732-872-5970 to make a reservation. For more information, call 732-872-5970 or visit www.nps.gov/gate.

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Saturday, May 4 - Bergen County

NW Bergen History Day 2019

History Day 2019, sponsored by the Northwest Bergen History Coalition, will be held on Saturday from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. For the price of $10, you can visit as many of the twelve NW Bergen museums and historic homes as you choose.

Each historic site will feature unique textiles, artifacts and ephemera and share information that will enhance your knowledge of Northwest Bergen County’s history. The museums and historic homes on the tour include:

* John Fell House 475 Franklin Turnpike in Allendale presenting a display of historic local maps, artifacts, and memorabilia in their new exhibit, "Maps and Memorabilia of Allendale and Surrounding Areas."
* The Hermitage 335 N. Franklin Turnpike in HoHoKus showcasing their new exhibit on the life of Theodosia Prevost, who owned the Hermitage at the time of the Revolutionary War and later, married Aaron Burr.
* Mahwah Museum 201 Franklin Turnpike in Mahwah presenting an exhibit featuring citizens of Mahwah who served in the Great War including poet and soldier Joyce Kilmer who made the ultimate sacrifice.
* Van Allen House 3 Franklin Ave. in Oakland featuring a display of herbs and garden plants with a discussion of their traditional, medicinal, and historic uses.
* Old Stone House 538 Island Rd. in Ramsey opening with a special display of artifacts from a century of education in Ramsey in addition to their existing exhibits.
* Schoolhouse Museum 650 E. Glen Ave. in Ridgewood presenting an exhibit, “Here Comes the Bride,” with an exquisite collection of wedding dresses and accessories from 1780 through 1990.
* Hopper-Goetschius Museum 363 E. Saddle River Rd. in Upper Saddle River examining the earliest days in the Saddle River Valley and the lives of the Lenape Indians, the Europeans and African Americans.
* Waldwick Museum of Local History 4 Hewson Ave. in Waldwick will have as its main theme, the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the Borough of Waldwick.  During the anniversary year a number of different exhibits will be on display celebrating the Borough’s history.
* Harvey Springstead Memorial Museum, 1 Bohnert Place in Waldwick featuring a display and discussion of the role of the railroad in the growth and development of Waldwick as the borough celebrates its 100th anniversary.
* Wyckoff Historical Society at Zabriskie Pond on Franklin Ave in Wyckoff welcoming visitors to a photographic exhibition, Faces and Places of Wyckoff, displayed in their newly renovated building that was once a barbershop.
* Zabriskie House 421 Franklin Ave. in Wyckoff will open the doors of this lovely historic home dating back to 1720 with its collection of historic and rare furnishings from the 17th to the 20th century. The day will include demonstrations on spinning and weaving and children’s games.

Tickets are $10 for an adult, free for children 16 and younger and will be on sale at each of the sites on History Day. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit our historic sites.

Be a part of History Day 2019 and learn about local history at these wonderful museums and historic homes. For more information about the day email Sheila Brogan at smbrogan@aol.com.

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Saturday, May 4 - Montague Township, Sussex County
Annual Lake Clean Up

This year we're sending out a special call for volunteers! The Township of Montague will be sponsoring our Annual Lake Marcia Clean Up event at High Point State Park through the NJ Clean Communities program. This program will turn our annual event into a fund raiser! The Township will pay the Friends $12 per person, per hour. If 25 volunteers clean-up for 4 hours, it will generate $1,200 for the Friends of High Point State Park! It is funds like this that help pay for our concerts, yoga instructors, and other activities throughout the year.

All are welcome to come help raise money for the Friends of High Point State Park by joining us for this event. Meet on the Beach of Lake Marcia at High Point State Park. Wear waterproof boots or waders if you have them and clothes that can get dirty. We will be cleaning around the perimeter of the 3 lakes within the park. No swimming is permitted. 

High Point State Park is located at 1480 NJ-23, Sussex, NJ. For more information, visit www.friendsofhighpointstatepark.org.

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Saturday, May 4 - Plainfield, Union County
Getting Organized with Genealogist Beverly Yackel

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Saturday, May 4 - Toms River, Ocean County

Ocean County Historical Society’s Second Annual Spring Flea Market

On Saturday, Ocean County Historical Society is hosting their Second Annual Spring Flea Market! The event will be held in the Ocean County Parking Garage, rain or shine. The garage is located at the intersection of Hadley and Madison Avenue, Toms River, NJ across from the Ocean County Historical Society.

The hours are from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Besides vendors, our Victorian style home and museum will be open for tours. There will also be baked goods, used books for only $1.00 each, and local history books for purchase. In addition, our annual 50-50 tickets will be on sale. For more information, visit www.oceancountyhistory.org.

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Saturday, May 4 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County

Sheep Shearing
Children Friendly Event

On Saturday at Howell Living Farm, Eugene Sheninger of Rockaway Twp. will highlight the program with sheep herding demonstrations.  Sheninger will use Border Collies to work the flock and to introduce visitors to herding techniques.

Keeping with the farm's time period, shearers will use hand shears during the sheep shearing demonstrations. Throughout the day, visitors can meet twin lambs and try their hand at spinning wool. Wool products and natural fleeces will be on display and for sale. Baked goods and lunch fare will be available in the visitor center throughout the day.

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, May 4 - Bridgewater, Somerset County

An Afternoon with Gordon Thomas Ward, New Jersey's Troubadour

Before Gordon leaves New Jersey, he has consented to making The Heritage Trail Association one of his very last stops. This performance contains a variety of the very best music, inspirational experiences, historical adventures, poignant book passages, and ghostly tales that this Grammy-balloted musician, New Jersey troubadour, popular author, celebrated storyteller, and ghost researcher has to offer. No doubt, you've enjoyed this Renaissance Man's programs in the past. This one features the cream of the crop with something special for everyone!

Gordon will also be selling his books and CD's. Tickets may be purchased at the door, providing there are seats available. Space is limited. Get your tickets early for your last opportunity to experience Gordon Thomas Ward in NJ. Tickets are $15. To reserve them, go online, call 310-691-9388, or email info@heritagetrail.org. This event will be held at the Van Horne House, 941 E. Main Street, Bridgewater, NJ. Parking is available in the Target parking lot behind the house. For more information, visit www.heritagetrail.org.

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Saturday, May 4 - Holmdel, Monmouth County

Vintage Base Ball Game & Quilting Demonstration
Children Friendly Event

On Saturday, visit Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, spend a summer afternoon at Holmdel Park and enjoy one of America’s favorite pastimes to see how it started. Monmouth Furnace Boys (formerly known as the Bog Iron Boys) will be playing vintage base ball, using rules from the 19th century. Players will be dressed in uniforms appropriate to the time period, and the style and terms of the 19th century are used during the game.

From 1:00 - 3:00 pm to view traditional hand quilting demonstration in the Longstreet Farmhouse.

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, May 4 - Morristown, Morris County
Building Speedwell
Children Friendly Event and Site

On Saturday from 2:00 - 4:00 pm, transform into a preservation specialist, and use your problem solving skills to build and move a model building. Learn about the initiatives used to build the Historic Speedwell we know today and the technology needed to move historic buildings.

Admission: $5/adult, $4/senior (65+), $3/child (ages 4 -16). FREE for children under age 4 and Friends members, with a current membership card. Historic Speedwell is located 333 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown, NJ. For more information, call 973-285-6550 or visit www.morrisparks.net.

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Saturday, May 4 - Morris Township, Morris County
Hitch a Ride
Children Friendly Event and Site

Enjoy a leisurely open-air wagon ride at Fosterfields Living History Farm on Saturday around the historic farm and visit the animals, too! Wagon ride from 12:15 - 2:00 pm and included in regular admission.

Admission: $6 for adults; $5 for seniors (65+); $4 for children ages 3 – 16. FREE for children under age 3. Friends members half price with a current membership card. Fosterfields Living Historical Farm is located at 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ. For more information, call 973-326-7645 or visit www.morrisparks.net.

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Saturday, May 4 - Cape May, Cape May County
Underground Railroad Trolley Tour

On Saturday at 10:15 am, join the Center for Community Arts' (CCA) Community History Committee on a trolley tour of the places where escaped slaves sought refuge and help to continue their journeys to freedom. Hear the stories and visit some of the places connected with the Underground Railroad, including: a look at the Owen Coachman House; a walk in a historic cemetery where our earliest free Black settlers are buried; and a glimpse of the summer home of Stephen Smith, a leading businessman, abolitionist and unsung hero of the Underground Railroad. Learn how Harriet Tubman found Cape May as a resource for earning money to fund her work. Board the trolley at the Washington Street Mall information booth at Ocean Street for this 2-hour tour. Admission is $25 per adult. 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, May 4 - 5 - Cape May, Cape May County
Welcome to Cape May Trolley Tour

This tour is designed for the first-time visitor to Cape May who wants a quick introduction to the many cultural, historical, and natural attractions on the island. From Cape May Harbor to Sunset Beach, tourgoers will learn all they need to know to make the most of their Cape May visit. Tours begin and end at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth.

Adults $15 and children (ages 3-12) $8. Tours on Saturday at 12:45 and 3:15 pm and Sunday at 12:15 and 2:45 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, May 4 - 5 - Lower Township, Cape May County
Climb the Cape May Lighthouse
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 10:00 am - 4:00 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 $10 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 - Sunday, May 4 - 5 - 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 be at 11:15 am and 12:30 pm on Saturday and 12:30, 1:45, and 3:00 pm on Sunday. Admission is $15 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, May 4 - 5 - 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, May 4 - 5 - 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. Tours begin and end at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth.

Adults $15 and children (ages 3-12) $8. Tours on Saturday at 10:30 am, 11:45 am, 1:15 pm, and 2:30 pm and Sunday at 11:45 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:15 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, May 4 - 5 - 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 and Sunday from 11:00 am - 3:00 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.

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Saturday - Sunday,  May 4 - 5 - Monmouth County
Weekend in Old Monmouth
Children Friendly Sites

The Monmouth County Historical Commission's annual self-guided tour of historic sites and museums will be held on its usual first weekend in May, this year Saturday, May 4 from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sunday, May 5 from 12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m. The tour includes 46 sites and each illustrates a piece of local history. Historic sites and museums of every description are featured on the tour. 

The tours also represent several historic themes:

• Shore: While the tour includes sites on the north, (Sandy Hook), central (Ocean Grove) and southern shores, (National Guard Militia Museum) the drive along the shore is one of the best ways to feel and appreciate Monmouth County's relationship to the Ocean.
• Faith: Architectural gems of each of the last three centuries, 18th century Christ Church in Shrewsbury, 19th century All Saints Memorial in Middletown and 20th century St. Catharine's in Spring Lake. In addition, Old Tennent Church in Manalapan is closely tied to the Battle of Monmouth and the Friends Meeting House in Shrewsbury represents one of the oldest worship traditions in Monmouth County.
• The Revolutionary War: The Revolution is visited here, not only the major sites in the Monmouth Battlefield area, but in lesser known places such as the Burrowes Mansion in Matawan, Marlpit Hall and the Murray Farm, both in Middletown.
• Military: The National Historic Landmark, Monmouth Battlefield, in Manalapan and one of the more fascinating, but lesser known museums, the New Jersey National Guard Militia Museum in Sea Girt with museum exhibits and fighter aircraft and tanks.
• Preservation: Marlpit Hall in Middletown was the first restored house museum in the region, dating from its 1930s opening.

Other elements on the tour also include lighthouses, Victorian homes, agriculture, industry, education, and science. All of the sites contributed to the importance of preservation and history throughout Monmouth County.

All admission fees are waived for the weekend. The free tour book and map may be picked-up at the participating sites or previewed at https://co.monmouth.nj.us/page.aspx?ID=3464.

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Saturday - Sunday, May 4 - 5 - Upper Freehold, Monmouth County
Spring Cleaning
Children Friendly Event & Site

Experience life in the 19th century: beat a rug, scrub laundry with a washboard, dust with feathers and sweep, sweep, sweep away the dirt! If you ever thought these were the good old days, think again! Gain a new appreciation for all the labor-saving devices we can choose to employ and more respect for the energy of our ancestors as you engage in these and more (happily) forgotten household chores. 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, May 5 - Morristown, Morris County
Oh, Ship! A Talk about the SS Savannah

On Sunday from 2:00 - 4:00 pm, join this presentation on Speedwell’s contribution to transportation history. Learn about the development of steam technology in the early 19th century.

Admission: $5/adult, $4/senior (65+), $3/child (ages 4 -16). FREE for children under age 4 and Friends members, with a current membership card. Historic Speedwell is located 333 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown, NJ. For more information, call 973-285-6550 or visit www.morrisparks.net.

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Sunday, May 5 - 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 featured exhibit will be “Old Things that Hold Things”, a great variety of vintage items placed around the freshly painted Museum.

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, perfect for spring or anytime. You may be lucky enough to see some spring flowers poking through in the Museum’s lovely gardens, too.

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.

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Sunday, May 5 - Paterson, Passaic County
One Fine Tapestry: A Carole King Tribute at Lambert Castle

On Sunday at 5:00 pm in Lambert Castle, Gerard and Diane Barros will return to the summer concert series to present One Fine Tapestry: A Carole King Tribute. Join this husband and wife duo as they celebrate the career of Carole King. This tribute performance will not only include many of King's own hits but also a selection of chart toppers she composed for other musical performers including the Drifters, Beatles, Monkees, and James Taylor. Admission to the concert is $15. Seating is limited; no reservations will be taken. The doors open at 4:15 pm.

This performance is a part of the 2019 Lambert Castle Concert Series. Featuring local musicians and a variety of musical genres, all concerts are performed in the beautiful atmosphere that is Lambert Castle. Check our website for a complete listing of performances and dates.

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

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Sunday, May 5 - West Orange, Essex County
Glenmont Open House
Children Friendly Site

Step back into a time gone by as you tour the beautiful Glenmont Estate, Edison's home for 45 years. Glenmont is a shining example of architecture and style that is unmatched today. Don't miss out on your chance to tour the home of the great Thomas Alva Edison, and his beloved Mina. Entrance to the home ends at 3:30 pm.

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 for adults, and includes the Glenmont Estate and the Laboratory Complex. Children under age 16 are free. For more information, call 973-736-0550 x33 or visit www.nps.gov/edis.

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Sunday, May 5 - Westampton, Burlington County
The Art of Quilling

Kim Hanley of the American Historic Theatre will present the Art of Quilling. Quilling is an art that involves the use of strips of paper that are rolled, looped, curled, and twisted to create decorative designs. These designs are used to decorate cards, books, pictures, boxes and jewelry. This was a popular pastime for women of leisure in the late 1800s. Participants will have the opportunity to try their hand at quilling.

Program begins at 2:00 pm. Admission is $10 per person. Seating is limited; prepaid reservations are 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.

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Sunday, May 5 - Toms River, Ocean County
"A Victorian Lady’s Wardrobe"

Join Ocean County Historical Society’s members and friends at 2:00 pm on Sunday at 26 Hadley Avenue, Toms River, NJ. Learn the secrets of how Victorian women managed to create the fashionable silhouette long admired by all. Adjunct professor of art and art history, Lydia Chiappini is also an artist who will present a fascinating program, "A Victorian Lady’s Wardrobe." A resident of Blairstown, NJ, Ms. Chiappini not only creates art from fibers, acrylics, oils, watercolors, metals, and clay, but also puts her artistic talents to work as she creates and models Victorian costumes and undergarments.

There is no admission fee, but call 732-341-1880 to make a reservation to ensure seating. Refreshments will be served. For more information, visit www.oceancountyhistory.org.

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Sunday, May 5 - Westfield, Union County
May Baskets
Ages 3-8

April showers bring May flowers! From 2:00 - 4:00 pm, make a colorful bouquet of festive paper flowers, perhaps to give to a special someone. The craft is suitable for ages 3 through 8.

The museum will be open from 1:00 to 4:00 pm and includes tours of the fully restored circa 1740 farmhouse museum and demonstrations of early American open-hearth cooking. Admission is $4 for ages 13 and older, $3 for ages 3-12, and free age 2 and younger. No reservations are necessary. 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, May 5 - Pennsauken, Camden County

Colonial Earth Day

The pre-industrial world had a different relationship with nature and this was especially true in colonial America.  In those crucial days of early settlement, without a worldwide web or electronic communications of any kind, without internal combustion or even steam engines, one’s environment was the farmyard and the wider world was a rumor.  Adapting natural resources, reusing and recycling were as natural as the raising of crops and hunting of game.

Burrough-Dover House off Haddonfield Road with its several acres of cleared and wooded ground, its trail down to the South Branch of Pennsauken Creek and its wetlands, will host our annual Colonial Earth Day event on Sunday from 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm, with the live educational animals from Freedom Center for Wildlife, crafts and activities for the whole family using natural materials, colonial and native lifestyle lessons with open-fire cookery, and the beauty of rustic nature on the spring-bedecked grounds surrounding the historic English Quaker home built of natural sandstone.

Historic Griffith Morgan House, off River Road, will also be open for this “First Sunday” in May with free tours and historical hospitality from 1:00 - 4:00 pm, so both our historic houses of Pennsauken offer lots of opportunity for fun on a fine spring day.

Admission is free and there is plenty of free parking too!  Memberships and volunteer opportunities are available and donations are always welcome to help Pennsauken Historical Society sustain its own mission in our community.

Burrough-Dover House is located at 9201 Burrough-Dover Lane off Haddonfield Road near the Wyndam Road traffic light.  Griffith Morgan House is located at 243 Griffith Morgan Lane off River Road between Delair and Route 73.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/PennsaukenHistoricalSociety or e-mail pennsaukenhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.

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Sunday, May 5 - 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, May 5 - Princeton, Mercer County
In Her Footsteps: How Women Shaped Princeton Tour

Wiebke Martens and Jennifer Jang, authors of Discovering Princeton, have developed a brand new tour dedicated to the contributions of women in the community. The walk includes an overview of Princeton’s history and focuses on some of the women who have helped make Princeton – both town and its namesake University – what it is today. Stops include the new Betsey Stockton Garden, Alexander Hall, and Dorothea’s House.

Admission: $15 per person. Tour begins in front of the Bainbridge House, 158 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ. Tour begins at 1:00 pm and ends at 3:00 pm. Space is limited - register online or call 609-921-6748 x102. For more information, call 609-921-6748 or visit www.princetonhistory.org.

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Sunday, May 5 - Readington, Hunterdon County
18th Century Shoe Making Demonstration

Come visit the Eversole Hall House on Sunday from 1:00-4:00 pm as Shaun Pekar, Professional cordwainer and accouterments maker, demonstrates the trade and skills of historic shoe making. Pekar is known for his detail oriented, top quality reproductions of 18th-Century shoes and military accouterments for living historians and museums, and his work can be seen at multiple National Park Service sites, Michilimackinac State Historic Site, Fort Ticonderoga, The Old Barracks Museum, and The Museum of the American Revolution. He is currently the proprietor of “S. Pekar, Shoe and Accoutrement Maker”.

This program will be held at the Eversole-Hall House, located on 511 County Road 523, Whitehouse Station, NJ (blue house next to the Readington Twp. municipal building -where parking can be found). This house was originally built by Charles Eversole, a German immigrant and weaver by trade, in the mid-18th century. After Mr. Eversole's death, his grandson eventually sold the house and a portion of the surrounding land to Abraham Hall, a farmer and shoemaker, who enlarged the house and added the second story. The house remained occupied, without indoor plumbing until 1988, when the Township purchased it. After renovation by community volunteers, it opened as a museum in 1991.

This is a free family friendly event, although donations will be gratefully accepted. 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 https://www.readingtontwpnj.gov/visiting/museum.

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Through Sunday, May 12, 2019 - East Amwell, Hunterdon County

Florence Moonan Exhibit
Family Friendly

Florence Moonan is a New Jersey artist who is passionate about painting and music. When she was a child growing up in Lambertville, her heart was set on performing, but a set of acrylics gifted from her dad redirected her focus and she began painting at home while raising four children. Today, her home and studio are located in Stockton.

She was employed at The College of New Jersey (previously known as Trenton State College) over 30 years. During that time she began taking art courses through their tuition-waiver program. One semester she registered for a studio class with a remarkable professor who taught her to express her inner thoughts and emotions through color and texture. It was a revelation and she began working in an abstract manner. Using acrylic paints and mixed media, intuitive paintings began to spring up from bits and pieces from her memory. Family mementos, loss, travel, and above all, music, began to inform her work. It was a turning point. She was learning a new language. Today, she is known for colorful abstract venetian plaster paintings. Through this medium she learned to create bold new ways of mark making using metal scrapers and various tools. Visual surfaces of color and motion emerge after multiple layers of hand-tinted plaster were added and subtracted. The surfaces are hand burnished and the results produce a tactile texture as smooth as a stone tossed by the sea. Her paintings evoke a range of moods from playful to mysterious. A mystery waiting to be revealed to her and to be interpreted by the viewer.

Moonan advanced in her career at The College while continuing her studies and building a professional art portfolio. In December 2002 she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts summa cum laude. She retired in 2007 and began painting full time.

Her artwork was selected for the 2017-2018 New Jersey Emerging Artists Series at Monmouth Museum. Her paintings have been selected for numerous juried shows, invitationals, and group exhibitions throughout the United States including: D & R Greenway Land Trust (First Place Award); Phillips Mill, New Hope Arts Center, Prallsville Mills; Ellarslie at Trenton City Museum; 11th GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, (First Prize Award) Reading, PA; The Center for Contemporary Art, Bedminster, NJ; Hunterdon Art Museum, NJ; Maryland Federation of Art, MD; Chautauqua Institution, NY, and the Hunterdon County Cultural and Heritage Commission’s Invitational Biennial.

The East Amwell Historical Society will present the Florence Moonan Exhibit at the East Amwell Museum 1053 Old York Road, Ringoes, NJ. The opening reception will be held on Friday, April 12 from 7:00 - 9:00 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 April 6 through May 12, 2019. For more information, visit www.eastamwellhistory.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 Sunday, November 3 - Cape May, Cape May County
The Iconic Cape May Lighthouse Exhibit
Family Friendly

Illuminating the darkness over the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay for 160 years, Cape May’s lighthouse is the third beacon to guide mariners through the tumultuous waters at the confluence of the ocean and bay. Memories and historic images abound, from the keepers who dedicated their lives to maintaining the light, the MAC preservationists who restored it, and all those who’ve relied upon it for more than a century and a half.

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 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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Through December 2019 - Ridgewood, Bergen County
Here Comes The Bride - Chronicling Two Hundred Years of Wedding Customs & Traditions

Something old. Something new. Something borrowed. Something blue. Tossing the bouquet. Bride and Groom cake toppers. Putting a sixpence in your shoe. Where did these traditions originate? Why do we still honor them today? Please join us as we walk down the aisle and trace the history of Ridgewood’s wedding traditions.

The Schoolhouse Museum celebrates the opening of its current featured exhibit “Here Comes The Bride - Chronicling Two Hundred Years of Wedding Customs & Traditions.” This new exhibit features items dating from 1789-1989, showcasing many beautiful wedding gowns from the museum's collection - some of which have never been on exhibit before.

While at the museum, see the curio cabinet exhibit “50 Small Things with Big Histories.” The exhibits are open until December 2019 and are free to the public with donations suggested at the door. Museum hours are Thursdays and Saturdays from 1:00 - 3:00 pm and Sundays from 2:00 - 4:00 pm.

The Schoolhouse Museum is a historic one-room schoolhouse in Ridgewood, New Jersey, originally built in 1872, that has been turned into a gallery space which now houses the Ridgewood Historical Society. Entirely volunteer-run, the non-profit Historical Society presents annual exhibits, events and workshops in a community that values education, family and local and national history. The museum is located at 650 E Glen Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ.

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Through June 28, 2020 -  Piscataway, Middlesex County
Mid-Century New Jersey Exhibit

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