NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 6/22/19

New Jersey Weekend Historical Happenings

A Weekly Feature on www.thehistorygirl.com

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Saturday, June 22 - Princeton, Mercer County

Vintage Base Ball in Princeton

Calling all baseball-lovers and history-buffs: the Historical Society of Princeton will present its annual 19th century "base ball" game on Saturday starting at 11:00 am at Greenway Meadows Park, 275 Rosedale Road, Princeton, NJ. The event is free and open to all; spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

Part game, part show, part history lesson and ALL fun, the Flemington Neshanock and Diamond State Base Ball Club will play a competitive match of bare-handed baseball, wearing period uniforms and using rules from 1864 or 1873. The event will also include a short lesson on the history of the game and a recitation of "Casey at the Bat" by Brad "Brooklyn" Shaw. For more information, call 609-921-6748 or visit www.princetonhistory.org.

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Saturday, June 22 - Holmdel, Monmouth County
Cookstove Demonstration
Children Friendly Site & Event

On Saturday, 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.

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Saturday, June 22 - Forked River, Ocean County

Adult Tea Party

On Saturday, the Lacey Historical Society will host an extravagant grown-up avant-garde Tea Party with an historical flare at the Old Schoolhouse Museum, 126 Main Street, Forked River, NJ. Guests are encouraged to dress in period Regency, Victorian, or Edwardian fashion. Prizes will be awarded for the best costume and best hat. For your entertainment, a staged mini historical vignette will be presented. In addition, for your pleasure a live concert featuring the enchanting sounds of the Dulcimer will be performed.

Two seatings are available: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm and 2:00 - 4:00 pm. The price is $25 per person, payable at the door. Reservations are required. Please call 609-971-0467 or e-mail Laceytwphistoricalsociety@gmail.com leaving your name, phone number, the number of people in your party as well as the seating time you select. If you call to and leave a message, please speak clearly. Your reservation will be acknowledged.

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Saturday, June 22 - Byram Township, Sussex County

Canal Day at Waterloo Village
Family Friendly

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Saturday, June 22 - Sandy Hook, Monmouth County

Nike Missile Radar Site Tours

Guided tours of the Integrated Fire Control (IFC) site will allow you to see the inner workings of the facility where supersonic nuclear armed Nike Hercules missiles were controlled and guided using Cold War era computers and radars. You will have the opportunity to meet and talk with some of the veterans who actually worked on the Nike Air Defense System. Free tours from 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm. Meet at Horseshoe Cove, Parking Lot L on Sandy Hook, part of Gateway National Recreation Area. For more information, call 732-872-5970 or visit www.nps.gov/gate.

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Saturday, June 22 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County

Ice Cream Party & Picket Fence Art Show
Children Friendly Event

On Saturday, between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, at Howell Living Farm, farmer Jim and his crew will use a "hit and miss" engine to churn gallons of ice cream in the shade of the maple tree while live music, lawn games, and farmhouse tours add to the fun. Ice cream, surrey rides, and a children's craft program are available for purchase. Music is by the Jugtown Mountain String Band.

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, June 22 - Montclair, Essex County

Erwin Park Walking Tour

On Saturday from 10:00 am - 12:00 noon, wander through this beautiful turn-of-the-century commuter suburb in Montclair with Mike Farrelly, member of the MHC Board of Trustees and Town Historian. You’re guaranteed to learn a lot about this history of this beautiful town. $10/person. Register here.

About the Montclair History Center: The Montclair History Center, formerly the Montclair Historical Society, is an independent not-for-profit organization that has been dedicated to preserving, sharing, and educating others about Montclair’s history since 1965. For more information, call 973-744-1796, e-mail mail@montclairhistorical.org, or visit www.montclairhistory.org.

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Saturday, June 22 - Cape May, Cape May County
Cape Mayhem & Victorian Oddities Trolley Tour

They Did What??!! Headless Photography? Electric Corsets? Coffin Torpedoes? Explore some of the strange beliefs, superstitions, oddities, fads, curiosities, and mysteries from the end of the 19th century - the Victorian era - in this half hour trolley tour through the gaslit streets of Cape May. Hear stories from Cape May’s history that are bizarre, unexplained or just downright weird! This Saturday tour at 8:30 and 9:30 pm begins and ends at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth at Ocean Street. Adults $15 and children (ages 3-12) $8. 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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Saturdays through August 31, 2019 - Cape May Point, Cape May County
The Keeper's on Duty
Children Friendly Event

What's it like to be a Lighthouse Keeper? If you’d like the answer to this question and others, join us for The Keeper's On Duty, at the Education Center at Cape May Point State Park (adjacent to the Cape May Lighthouse) on Saturday at 1:15 pm. The Keeper of the Cape May Lighthouse presents an informative and entertaining half hour talk on the history and lore of the famous 1859 Cape May Lighthouse. Suited for everyone from children to lighthouse buffs, it’s the perfect introduction to your lighthouse climb! All Keeper's on Duty are free and open to the public. Cape May Point State Park is located at 215 Light House Avenue, Cape May Point, NJ. Co-sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) and Cape May Point State Park. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

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Saturdays through August 31, 2019 - Cape May Point, Cape May County
Lighthouse Storytime
Children Friendly Event

Bring your young children to the Education Center in Cape May Point State Park (adjacent to the Cape May Lighthouse) to listen to nautical tales and lighthouse adventure stories on Saturday at 12:30 pm. Free admission. Cape May Point State Park is located at 215 Light House Avenue, Cape May Point, NJ. Co-sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) and Cape May Point State Park. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

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Saturday - Sunday, June 22 - 23 - 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 11:00 am, 1:30 pm, and 5:00 pm and Sunday at 1:30, 3:30, and 6:30 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, June 22 - 23 - Lower Township, Cape May County
Climb the Cape May Lighthouse
Family Friendly Site

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 9:00 am - 8:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. 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, June 22 - 23 - 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, June 22 - 23 - 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 11:45 am, 1:00 pm, 2:15 pm, and 6:15 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, June 22 - 23 - Lower Township, Cape May County
World War II Tower Lookout Museum and Memorial Open
Family Friendly Site

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 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.

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Saturday - Sunday, June 22 - 23 - Cape May, Cape May County
Quilt and Fiber Arts Show
Children Friendly Event & Site

Historic Cold Spring Village is featuring fiber arts at the 29th annual Cape May Quilt and Fiber Show, Saturday and Sunday. The event will be held from 10:00 am - 4:30 pm both days and will feature Viewer's Choice quilt show, speakers, demonstrations and vendors.

On Saturday, visitors may vote for their favorite quilts in the Welcome Center at the Viewer's Choice Quilt Show or visit the Cold Spring Brewery and vote on their favorite entries. On Sunday continue to enjoy the display and see the winners.

Kathleen Lindsey, a founding member of the Seven Sisters will present a collection of memoirs that depict various experiences in her life symbolizing lifelong stories and events pieced together in an imaginary quilt on Saturday at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm at the Gazebo.

Throughout the weekend enjoy dyeing and spinning demonstrations from Erin Lewis. Visit with Chris Russell and learn about wagon wheel weaving. Embroiderer’s Guild of American, Jersey Cape Atlantic Chapter, Quilts of Valor, South Shore Stitcher’s and Ryan’s Cases for Smiles will also be demonstrating.

A rare wedding quilt, c. 1714, handmade by Cape May Countian Sarah Spicer, will be on display both Saturday and Sunday. The quilt was restored in 2012 through a grant from the Cape May County Culture and Heritage Commission. A HCSV staff member will be available to discuss the restoration process and care of your textiles at home.

Shop for quilting and sewing fabrics, supplies, and equipment to help inspire the creation of an heirloom project with regional vendors. While here, visit the Country Store, have a snack at the Bakery, indulge your sweet tooth at the Ice Cream Parlor, experience a taste of history at Cold Spring Brewery or enjoy lunch at Cold Spring Grange Restaurant or the Village Eatery.

The Village is located on Route 9, three miles north of Victorian Cape May and a mile and a half west of the southern terminus of the Garden State Parkway. Admission during the season is $14 for adults and $12 for children ages 3 to 12. Children under 3 are admitted free. Unlimited free admission is available with Village membership. The Village Nature Trail at Bradner's Run is open to the public for free self-guided tours. For more information, call 609-898-2300, ext. 10, or visit www.hcsv.org.

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Saturday - Sunday, June 22 - 23 - Sandy Hook, Monmouth County

Battery Potter and Mortar Battery Tours

Meet with park staff to tour two historic batteries at Sandy Hook this weekend.

Battery Potter: Explore and tour Sandy Hook's oldest disappearing gun battery. This is also the first concrete gun battery that was built in America, completed in 1895.

Mortar Battery: Join a park ranger guided tour of the Mortar Battery and learn about the first Endicott era (1894 - 1910) concrete gun battery that defended New York and its harbor against attack by enemy warships.

These free tours begin at 1:00 pm for Battery Potter and at 1:30 pm for Mortar Battery. All tours run continuously until 4:30 pm. They are located with the Fort Hancock Historic Post at Sandy Hook. Sandy Hook is part of Gateway National Recreation Area. For more information, call 732-872-5970 or visit www.nps.gov/gate.

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Saturday - Sunday, June 22 - 23 - Manalapan, Monmouth County
Battle of Monmouth Reenactment
Children Friendly Event

Monmouth Battlefield State Park will be filled with Gen. George Washington's Continental Army troops and British Redcoats as they prepare to skirmish this weekend for the annual re-enactment of the pivotal Battle of Monmouth.

Cannons and muskets will fire during the reenacted battle, which historians have long considered a strategic turning point in the American Revolution. The story of the Battle of Monmouth is also dramatically recounted through the groundbreaking musical Hamilton in the song "Stay Alive."

This weekend, encampments will open at 9:00 am to the public and close at 5:00 pm on Saturday and at 3:00 pm on Sunday. Skirmishes are scheduled each afternoon. Various presentations are planned both days. Children may participate in a cannon drill and musket drills. Battle re-enactments begin at 2:00 pm on Saturday and at 1:30 pm on Sunday.

The story of Molly Pitcher, the legendary heroine of the battle, also will be told each day. Pitcher, whose real name is believed to have been Mary Hays McCauley, reportedly loaded cannons and carried pitchers of water to aid soldiers, leading to her nickname. Legend holds that Molly Pitcher took her husband's place in a cannon crew after he either collapsed or was wounded.

A food vendor will be on site and parking for people with disabilities will be available. Monmouth Battlefield State Park has an award-winning visitor center that includes windows framing a panoramic view of the rolling farmland upon which the Battle of Monmouth unfolded. Fascinating and engaging exhibits track the battle's progression and are complemented by park interpretive specialists who bring the battle to life.

The weekend is co-sponsored by the reenactment community, the Friends of Monmouth Battlefield, and the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry. The Friends of Monmouth Battlefield will be requesting an $10 per vehicle donation to defray the costs of the weekend. Monmouth Battlefield is located at 16 Highway 33-Business Route, Manalapan, NJ. For more information, directions, and a full schedule of events, visit http://www.friendsofmonmouth.org/reenactment.html.

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Saturday - Sunday, June 22 - 23 - Browns Mills, Burlington County

36th Annual Whitesbog Blueberry Festival
Family Friendly

The Whitesbog Blueberry Festival is back for its 36th year! Please join us as we celebrate the blueberry in a family (and dog!) friendly, country fair atmosphere. As always, blueberries will be the star of the show. Enjoy fresh, locally made blueberry pies, donuts, muffins, fritters and more from the bake shop. Fresh blueberries will be available for purchase by the pint, case, or to pick your own. White Dotte will be offering Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream! For those who want to try growing their own berries, visit our plant sale, located in front of the General Store.

Whitesbog Historic Village
GPS: 799 Lakehurst Rd., Browns Mills, NJ 08015
Pemberton Township, Burlington County
Hours: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Saturday and Sunday

The General Store will be open, offering locally made crafts, Pine Barrens memorabilia, old-fashioned toys and candy, snacks, chocolate covered blueberries, cold drinks, and much more. On the porch, you’ll find jams and honey, festival T-Shirts, ice cream, and a plant sale.

Wander through our historic worker’s cottages. Visit the Makers Workshop for hands-on activities like screen printing. Pinelands Basketry Center will be weaving recreations of blueberry picking baskets and the Gallery will be open with an art exhibit of local makers.

Stop by the Cranberry and Blueberry Museum, located in the former barrel storage barn, for a history of the village and its agricultural roots. The Barrel Factory will be open for a series of talks covering topics such as the history and ecology of Whitesbog and the Pinelands.

Browse the wares of over 40 Vendors, including Simons Berry Farm and Blueberry Fields Artisan Soaps. There will even be face painting and airbrush tattoos!

Enjoy mouth-watering food from Slab House BBQ, Big Daddy’s BBQ, Chef Dan’s Famous Waffles, Maison Crepes, America’s Kettle Corn, Sherri’s Crab Cakes, and DiMatteo Vineyards.

On our new stage, hear the local sounds of musicians including The Accidental Jug Band, Dave Falcone, The Libby Prison Minstrels, Bad Dogz, Cranberry Jam, NJ Sea Dogs, The Flim Flam Band, Warm Hearted Country, and the Greater Pinelands Dulcimer Society.

Be sure to take a tour of Suningive, the home of Elizabeth Coleman White and her Gardens and Blueberry Field. Workers Cottages, the Ice House, the Cranberry Substation, and other historic buildings will be open for visitors to catch a glimpse of life in a 1900’s farm town. Visitors can also hop on a guided wagon tour that loops through the village, cranberry bogs, reservoirs, and blueberry fields.

Back by popular demand, entry is only $5.00 per car load! Pedestrians, bicycles, and motorcycles are likewise $5 each. Admission is cash only. Handicap and motorcycle parking is available in the main village lot. Parking is remote, but complimentary shuttles are available. Please be advised that the roads and trails of the village can be sandy and uneven. There is no ATM in the village, however the General Store and many stations can accept credit cards. All proceeds benefit the preservation and programs of Whitesbog Historic Village, a cranberry and blueberry farm town started in 1857, part of Brendan T. Byrne State Forest.

For more information, visit our website or Facebook Page:
http://whitesbog.org/the-blueberry-festival
https://www.facebook.com/events/2001816546600867

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Sunday, June 23 - 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 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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Sunday, June 23 - Paterson, Passaic County
Sophia Agranovich at Lambert Castle

On Sunday at 5:00 pm in Lambert Castle, the Passaic County Historical Society welcomes back internationally acclaimed soloist, chamber musician, recording artist, and educator, Sophia Agranovich. Sophia is “a bold, daring pianist in the tradition of the Golden Age Romantics…A tigress of the keyboard” - Fanfare. Her performances are captivating audiences by the “orison of uncommon beauty” - Audiophile, “the ideal balance she achieves between the intellectual and the emotional” - Fanfare, “interpretation that dares to be different”, “magnificent shading and superior musicianship” - American Record Guide.

In the program are some the most profound and challenging pieces in the piano repertoire. Beethoven’s Sonata op. 27 No.2 ‘Sonata quasi una fantasia’, popularly known as ‘Moonlight Sonata’, is beloved for its mysterious, hypnotic first movement, ‘a flower between the two abysses’ - in Liszt’s words - second movement, and ferocious storm of the last movement. Scherzo No. 4 in E major by Chopin is saturated with contrasts of fleeting emotions from pure joy to passion, drama and nostalgia in a trio in C-sharp minor that is based on a Polish folk song. Chopin’s Polonaise in A-flat Major has ‘Heroique’ nickname given by George Sand, as she believed it to be a symbol of the 1848 Revolution because of its heroic, noble and majestic character. In addition, there will be selections of Transcendental Etudes by Liszt, works by Mendelssohn, and Debussy.

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

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Sunday, June 23 - Upper Freehold, Monmouth County
Roots of Root Beer
Children Friendly Event & Site

Health inducing tonic or sweet refreshment? Either way root beer has a history as long and varied as the many ingredients used to create its unique flavor. Drop-in on Sunday to sample our brew, see how many ingredients you can identify, and raise your glass to a bit of family-friendly history, enhanced by the fascinating history of entrepreneur Charles Hires and his wife Emma Waln. This event runs from 1:00 - 4:00 pm.

While there, visit the large, elegant Walnford home built in 1774, 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, June 23 - 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, June 23 - Sparta, Sussex County
"Curt E. Engelbrecht: Views through his Lens"

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Sunday, June 23 - Sparta, Sussex County
New Kitchen Permanent Gallery

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Sunday, June 23 - Sparta, Sussex County
"Victorian Jewelry Curiosities"

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Sunday, June 23 - Plainfield, Union County
Annual Meeting & “Tea and Other Meals in Victorian America"

The Historical Society of Plainfield Annual Members’ Meeting will be held on Sunday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. At 2:00 pm after the meeting, a lecture by Judith Krall-Russo, Food Historian and Certified Tea Expert, will begin entitled, “Tea and Other Meals in Victorian America."

"The years after the Civil War ushered in many changes in the eating habits of Victorian America. Etiquette around the table became very important, tea parties were popular, and soda fountains became a social center. Come and learn more about food and drinks in the 19th century," says Ms. Krall-Russo.

Judith Krall-Russo has enjoyed a lifelong love of foods, especially embracing the rich agriculture of her home state, New Jersey. She began studying customs and traditions of tea, a universal beverage, 30 years ago, and has earned certifications as a Tea Specialist by the Tea School in Pomfret, Connecticut, and The Specialty Tea Institute of New York. Krall-Russo is currently studying the Japanese Tea Ceremony at Boukakuan Tea House in New Jersey, and has studied at the Urasenke Chanoyu Center in New York City.

As a result of her independent studies and knowledge of history and trends surrounding many popular New Jersey foods and beverages, Ms. Krall-Russo is a frequent lecturer and seminar organizer across the state at local libraries and historical societies.

This program is made possible by the Historical Society of Plainfield/Drake House Museum, and is in honor of the City of Plainfield’s sesquicentennial celebration. Seating is limited and is on a first-come first-serve basis. Light refreshments will be served. The program is free for members, and for non-members: a nominal donation would be appreciated.

The event will take place at The Drake House Museum, 602 West Front Street, Plainfield, NJ. For more information, call 90-755-5831 or visit www.drakehouseplainfieldnj.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 Saturday, July 13 - Lebanon, Hunterdon County
The Stars and Stripes: Fabric of the American Spirit

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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 Sunday, January 5, 2020 - Parsippany, Morris County
The American Arts and Crafts Chair: “A Message of Honesty and Joy”

The exhibition will feature thirteen exemplary examples of side chairs by handicraft-oriented furniture manufacturers--among them Gustav Stickley’s Craftsman Workshops, the L&JG Stickley Company, the Charles P. Limbert Company--as well as smaller, craft-oriented workshops such as Charles Rohlfs, the Roycroft Shops, Byrdcliffe Arts Colony, and Rose Valley Association. The exhibition will explore the usefulness and appealing designs of these vital products of the American Arts and Crafts movement and show how these chairs brought a message of honesty and joy to their makers and their possessors. Guest curator is David Cathers.

On view from: Saturday, June 1, 2019 to Sunday, January 5, 2020. Thursdays through Sundays 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm. Admission varies depending on the type of tour. Free to Members. Craftsman Farms is located at 2352 Route 10 West, Morris Plains, NJ. For more information, call 973-540-0311, email info@stickleymuseum.org, or visit www.stickleymuseum.org.

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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

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