NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 3/13/21 - 3/14/21

New Jersey Weekend Historical Happenings

A Weekly Feature on www.thehistorygirl.com

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

Saturday, March 13 - Holmdel, Monmouth County
Backyard Chickens
Children Friendly Site

It’s all about chickens as we discuss Longstreet’s fine-feathered flock. We’ll cover basic poultry needs such as feed, water, shelter, and routine care, as well as general anatomy and egg production. This is a great source of information if you’re considering getting chickens of your own, or if you just want a little more knowledge about our winged residents. This event run from 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm.

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

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Saturday, March 13 - Holmdel, Monmouth County
Accordion Melodies of the 1890s
Children Friendly Site & Event

On Saturday, visit Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel and stop in the farmhouse to hear melodies from the 1890s played on the accordion. This free events run from 1:00 - 3:00 pm.

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

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Saturday, March 13
Women in Politics: A Women's History Month Panel
Virtual Program

On Saturday from 2:00 - 3:15 pm, join the Alice Paul Institute in observing Women’s History Month with a special panel discussion featuring female elected officials from across New Jersey. Panelists will converse on gender parity in politics and speak on their own experiences in government.

Alyssa Hunt, the Alice Paul Institute’s Program Director, will moderate the conversation. Panelists include Assemblywoman Carol Murphy (District 7), Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera, (District 4), Assemblywoman Aura Dunn (District 25), and Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (District 15). Don’t miss what will be an invigorating conversation on the importance of political representation. For more information and to register via Zoom, visit www.alicepaul.org.

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Saturday, March 13 - Wall Township, Monmouth County

St. Patrick's Day Tours at Allaire Village

James P. Allaire’s Howell Works of 1836 consisted of workers from many ethnic backgrounds, including people from Ireland who likely made up the majority of the population. Migrating down to New Jersey from New York, the Irish workers at the Howell Iron Works primarily served as molders for the furnace operation, but also were blacksmiths, farmers, and other skilled furnace workers. They brought with them their customs and traditions as well as their religion, which was, in some cases, Catholic.

One of the most famous Irishmen to have lived in the Howell Iron Works was John Roach. Having started his career at the Howell Iron Works as a common laborer, he eventually went on to build the largest and most productive shipbuilding empire in the United States!

Take a 90-minute guided tour of Allaire Village on Saturday from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm and experience the history and culture of Ireland. A period-dressed interpreter will escort you to all of our historic buildings and trade shops where villagers are waiting to welcome you and demonstrate traditional Irish cooking, folklore and music! Listen to the Ballycastle Band perform a variety of traditional Irish songs in our historic Chapel, smell the delicious Irish meals and treats prepared by our talented hearth cooks, learn about the history of the holiday and much more! Tickets are limited so get them before they are gone!

Tickets are $15 per person and are NOT refundable. We ask that children 5 and under do not attend this event. Children over 5 years may attend, however, the tour is not recommended for children under 10. Strollers are not permitted inside the historic buildings.

Tours begin at 11am and depart from the Allaire Community Hall (at the head of the Parking Lot) every 15 to 20 minutes until 3pm. Tickets MUST be purchased in ADVANCE according to tour type and time block. Ticketed patrons on guided tours ONLY will be allowed in the Historic Homes, Chapel, and Trade Shops this day!

For the safety and protection of all, visitors MUST wear masks. Social distancing guidelines will be outlined and enforced during the Tour. All CDC and Local Heath Guidelines must be followed.

The Historic Village at Allaire is located in Allaire State Park at 4263 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale, NJ. For more information, call 732-919-3500 or visit www.allairevillage.org.

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Saturday, March 13

Passing the Time with Major William Trent: Video Premiere and Talk

Virtual Program

The Trent House Association presents the premiere of a video on the life of William Trent, Jr., who served with George Washington in the French and Indian War. Jason Cherry, Trent reenactor from the Pittsburgh area and author of "Pittsburgh's Lost Outpost: Captain Trent's Fort,” will describe his research on the Trent family and his upcoming biography of Trent’s youngest son. The program will begin at 1:00 pm on Saturday via Zoom at https://bit.ly/3dxCl7B. A pay-as-you-wish donation of $10 is suggested and can be made by PayPal at www.williamtrenthouse.org/donation.html.

The younger William Trent was still a child when his father died suddenly on Christmas Day 1724. After a mercantile apprenticeship in Philadelphia, Trent followed in his father’s footsteps as a man of business, trading with Native Americans for furs. But unlike his father he was also a military man. Jason Cherry developed the script and portrays Trent in the video, based on his extensive research on the Trent family. As a research consultant to the William Trent House, he also provided much of the information presented in the Museum’s recently released video about his mother, “Mary Coddington Trent Reflects – 1726.” He speaks frequently on the French and Indian War and is working on the complete biography of Major William Trent.

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Saturday, March 13 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County

Visit from the Horse Doctor, Dentist & Shoer

Children Friendly Event

Shots, worming medicine, dental exams, and hoof trimming are in store for Howell Farm’s six workhorses when the veterinarian and dentist come for their spring visit. Join them in the barns where they will be at work all day ensuring that horses, sheep, chickens, and farm cat, Bushy, are fit and ready for spring. Visitors can listen to a horse’s heart through a stethoscope, watch an equine dentist at work, and learn about old and new veterinary instruments and techniques. The farrier will be shoeing, and the blacksmith working in the forge. This program will be available from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.

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, March 13 - 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 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, March 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. 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, March 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, March 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 9:00 am and 3:00 pm on Saturday and 10:00 am - 3:00 pm on Sunday.

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, March 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 and 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, March 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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Some event listings courtesy of the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey