NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 2/13/21 - 2/14/21

New Jersey Weekend Historical Happenings

A Weekly Feature on www.thehistorygirl.com

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

Saturday, February 13 - Holmdel, Monmouth County
Cutting, Splitting and Hewing
Adult Event

Wood heated the farmer three times - once when they gathered the wood, once when the split the wood, and final time when they burned the wood. On Saturday, visit Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel and get warmed up using a two-man saw and splitting wedge; learn how farmers used a froe to rive shingles or a broad ax to hew beams. This free events run from 12:00 noon - 2:30 pm.

Historic Longstreet Farm is located at 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ. For more information, call 732-946-3758 or visit www.monmouthcountyparks.com.

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Saturday, February 13 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County
Old-Fashioned Valentine's Day
Children Friendly Event

The air may be chilly, but Howell Living Farm's wintery landscape is the perfect setting for a heartwarming Valentine's Day ride. Couples can take a romantic spin in a two-seater sleigh or carriage pulled by a team of light workhorses. Families and groups can snuggle into a bobsled or hay wagon pulled by a handsome team of drafts. No matter the hitch, the horses will be wearing their finest bells. The site is open from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Inside the farmhouse there will be soup on the stove, and a children's craft program from 11:00 - 3:00 pm for a small materials fee.

Please note that all 2021 Saturday programs will be modified to encourage social distancing and reflect current State guidelines for public events. Visitors are required to carry masks at all times, and wear them when social distancing isn't possible.

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 - Sunday, February 13 - 14 - Cape May, Cape May County

Emlen Physick House 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 on Saturday at 12:30, 1:45, and 2:15 pm and Sunday at 12:30, and 1:45 pm. Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for children (ages 3-12). Tickets can be purchased online or at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ. Sponsored by Cape May 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, February 13 - 14 - Lower Township, Cape May County
Climb the Cape May Lighthouse
Family Friendly Site

The Cape May 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 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 $12 for adults, $8 for children (ages 3-12). Children under 3 and active military are FREE. Sponsored by Cape May MAC. For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

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Saturday - Sunday, February 13 - 14 - Atlantic City, Atlantic County
Absecon Lighthouse Open
Family Friendly

Absecon Lighthouse will be open Thursdays through Mondays, from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, with the last climb 1/2 hour before closing. 

Parking, exhibits, and Keeper’s Cottage museum are free. Admission to climb the 228 steps to the top is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and college students, $6 for children 4-12, and $5 for Atlantic City residents; active military and children under 4 are free. Dogs on leashes are welcome on the two-acre lawn and in the museum space. Masks and social distancing are required, plexi-glass shields are installed in the gift shop and Watch Room at the top for your safety, and plastic gloves will be issued to climbers. 

First lit in 1857, Absecon Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey and the third tallest in the country. It is the oldest man-made structure in Atlantic City, boasts a first-order Fresnel lens still in place at the top, and offers fabulous views of Atlantic City and Brigantine.

The Absecon Lighthouse is located at 31 South Rhode Island Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ. For more information, call 609-449-1360 or visit www.abseconlighthouse.org.

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Saturday - Sunday, February 13 - 14 - 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! Participate anytime between 12:00 noon and 4:00 pm.

Price is $5. Purchase tickets online or at the Carriage House Museum Shop. The Emlem Physick Estate is located at 1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ. 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, February 13 - 14 - 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 $20 and children (ages 3-12) $15. Tours on Saturday at 11:45 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:15 pm Sunday at 11:45 am and 1:00 pm. Sponsored by the Cape May 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 - Monday, February 13 - 15 - Tuckerton, Ocean County

Outdoor Strolling Admission: Tuckerton Seaport

Family Friendly Event

After much careful consideration and implementing enhanced safety measures, Tuckerton Seaport is open for strolling for long weekends. The Tuckerton Seaport will be open on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Reserved timed tickets will be required for everyone. This helps us limit capacity and maintain social distancing. Masks will be required at all times. Tuckerton Seaport reserves the right to make changes to the schedule or cancel at any time due to circumstances beyond our control at the discretion of the museum. Safety always comes first around here. In the event that we need to cancel any dates, guests who have pre-purchased tickets will receive a full refund.

How do you make reservations? Reservations can be made in two ways: Online or at the Welcome Booth!

Online:  Visit https://ci.ovationtix.com/35325/production/1036470

Tickets are just $5/person. Seaport Members can use the discount code Member20 for their complimentary tickets. Members will be required to bring their Membership Card with them when visiting or the discount will not be valid. Membership benefits for Seaport Family Members include two adults as well as any accompanying children under 18. Additional guests should reserve their tickets at the regular price online. Everyone needs a ticket for entry with the exception of children under age 5 who are complimentary.

The Tukerton Seaport is located at 120 W. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ. For more information, call 609-296-8868 or visit https://tuckertonseaport.org.

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Sunday, February 14

Stories of Slavery in New Jersey

Virtual Program

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Sunday, February 14 - Atlantic City, Atlantic County

“Afternoon of Romance & Renewal”

In-Person and Virtual

Absecon Lighthouse is hosting a hybrid “Afternoon of Romance & Renewal” on Valentine's Day. Couples are invited to take part in an in-person Vow Renewal ceremony by a non-denominational minister in the Absecon Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage. A maximum of 2 couples, in person, every half hour from 1:00 - 4:00 pm can have their vows renewed, for a total of 7 mini-ceremonies for 14 total couples.

Then, at 4:30, we will be going virtual with a "Virtual Vow Renewal" in an Absecon Lighthouse Zoom-Room. Once your reservation has been made, an email containing the Zoom-link will be sent to you. The Zoom-Room opens at 4:30 pm and the virtual event concludes shortly after 5:00 pm. The cost is $40.00 per couple for either an "in person" or "virtual" renewal.

You are invited to make a reservation by calling the lighthouse at 609-449-1360. Zoom Room details will follow upon reservations. The Absecon Lighthouse is located at 31 S. Rhode Island Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ. For more information, visit www.abseconlighthouse.org.

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Sunday, February 14 - River Edge, Bergen County

Pop up Walking Tour of Historic New Bridge Landing

Learn about the stone houses of Bergen County through three examples at Historic New Bridge Landing on Sunday from 1:30 - 2:45 pm. This tour will be led by Bergen County Historical Society past president Deborah Powell. Explore the history of the site's complex history beginning with the Native Americans, the history of the American Revolution at New Bridge, and the people who lived here and their livelihoods. Begin at the Meadow at the corner of Hackensack Avenue and Main Street, River Edge, NJ. Free parking at Historic New Bridge Landing Parking Lot at that corner or take the train to the New Bridge Landing stop on the Pascack Valley Line. We are limited to 25 people, masks, and distancing required. The tour is weather permitting, 45 degrees or warmer. Note, the houses are not open. BCHS Members Free. Adults, $12.00 and students, $7.00  Proceed to the Events Page to make a Reservation. For more information, visit www.bergencountyhistory.org.

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Sunday, February 14 - Morristown, Morris County

Morris County Historical Society Kicks off 75th Anniversary

The Morris County Historical Society collection of presidential inauguration invitations and state of the union addresses from Eisenhower to Obama will be presented by Motto from 1:30 - 2:00 pm on Sunday as part of the Second Sunday series at Acorn Hall. To register and receive the link for the January 27 Zoom discussion, email mchsacornhall@gmail.com or call 973-267-3465. 

MCHS will mark the 75th anniversary of its incorporation and the 50th anniversary of the Acorn Hall donation to the organization this year with exhibits, events, and celebrations to honor past achievements, current successes and continued growth. Check our website, www.MorrisCountyHistory.org, for more information about upcoming events.

MCHS is located at 68 Lafayette Avenue, Morristown, NJ and is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm and Sundays, 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Admission, which includes the exhibits and landscaped grounds, is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for students, and is free for children under 12 and MCHS members. Masks are required. For more information, visit www.MorrisCountyHistory.org.

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