NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 5/14/22 - 5/15/22

New Jersey Weekend Historical Happenings

A Weekly Feature on www.thehistorygirl.com

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

Saturday, May 14 - South Bound Brook, Somerset County
NJ Paranormal Investigations - Abraham Staats House

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Saturday, May 14 - Holmdel, Monmouth County

Piano Ballads from the Turn of the Century and 19th Century Woodworking Demonstration   
Children Friendly Site & Event

On Saturday, visit Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel and tap your feet, dance a one-step, or sing-along to popular turn-of-the-19th-century ballads as they are played on our farmhouse piano. This free events run from 1:00 - 3:00 pm.

From 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm, take pleasure in observing the carpenter demonstrating his mastery of woodworking using an assortment of traditional carpentry hand tools.

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 14 - Piscataway, Middlesex County

Middlesex County History Day

Family Friendly Event

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Saturday, May 14 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County

Sheep Shearing & Corn Planting

Children Friendly

"Shear Fun" is in store, with sheep shearing and herding, wool spinning, and weaving demonstrations throughout the day. Visitors can learn about sheep care, fleece cleaning, and wool use - with shearing demonstrations at 11:00 am, 12:00 noon, 2:00 pm, and 3:00 pm - then watch award-winning border collies herd sheep in the round pasture, and learn about whistle commands, puppy training, and more. Herding demonstrations are at 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 2:30 pm. 

Once the threat of frost is gone, farmers take to the fields to plant their last spring crop. On corn planting day, you can see them in action using workhorses and a circa-1900 planter. Head back to the barnyard to help shell and grind corn for the pigs and chickens...then make your way to the farmhouse to learn how corn is processed for baking, and sample some fresh-baked cornbread!

A children’s craft program will be available from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm for a small materials fee.

The site is open from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Please note that all 2022 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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Saturdays, May 14, 21, and 28 - Roebling, Burlington County

Walking Tour of Historic Roebling

On Saturday, join Roebling Museum guides for a walking tour of historic Roebling, the company town built in 1905 by the builders of the Brooklyn Bridge. This riverfront town on the Delaware is a virtually untouched example of worker housing from the American industrial age. Its 700 homes, company store, school, and library are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and every building has an important story to tell. The tour starts at 1:00 pm and lasts approximately 1 hour. Free with Museum admission ($7). The tour starts at the Museum, 100 Second Avenue, Roebling, NJ.

About Roebling Museum: Housed in the historic gatehouse to the Roebling mill site, Roebling Museum tells the story of the origins and growth of Roebling, NJ a company town built in 1905 by the John A. Roebling’s Sons Co. Exhibits, tours, and programs document the majority-immigrant workforce that built the iconic suspension bridges of the American industrial age. The village of Roebling, including 700 homes, is a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Open Thursday-Saturday 11:00 am - 4:00 pm.

For more information, call 609-499-7200 or visit www.roeblingmuseum.org.

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Saturday, May 14

The Blue Hills Encampment & Vermeule Fort

Virtual Program

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Saturday, May 14 - Montclair, Essex County

Happy Birthday Mr. Olmsted!

Family Friendly Event

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Saturday, May 14 - Cape May, Cape May County
Underground Railroad Trolley Tour

On Saturday at 10:30 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 how legendary anti-slavery fighter, Harriet Tubman, walked these streets, as did prominent railroad businessman and former slave, Stephen Smith, whose railroad cars carried hundreds to freedom. The trolley travels through parts of Cape May and West Cape May, with stops along the way, including the Mt. Zion Cemetery. Board the trolley at the Washington Street Mall information booth at Ocean Street for this tour. Admission is $25 per adult and $15 per child (ages 3-12). Co-sponsored by Cape May MAC and Center for Community Arts (CCA). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

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Saturday - Sunday, May 14 - 15 - Cape May, Cape May County

Welcome to Cape May Trolley Tour

This 45 minute 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 $20 and children (ages 3-12) $15. Tour on Saturday at 12:30 and 3:00 pm and Sunday at 12:15 pm. Cape May MAC membership is open to all. 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 14 - 15 - Cape May, Cape May County

Mansions by the Sea Trolley Tour

You’ll hear how the rich lived in the early 1900s in the most elegant part of town on this trolley tour that includes the eastern beachfront. You’ll see the broad streets and massive plots on Cape May’s east side – an area marketed as “New Cape May” at the turn of the 20th century. Today, new, beachfront second homeowners have continued the tradition, running the gamut from the mere wealthy to the fabulously rich. This narrated tour travels along Beach Drive through the early 20th century East Cape May Development areas. Guides discuss history and architecture. Begins and ends at the Ocean Street trolley stop.

Adults $20 and children (ages 3-12) $15. Tour on Saturday at 1:45 pm and Sunday at 1:30 pm. Cape May MAC membership is open to all. 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 14 - 15 - 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 on Saturday and Sunday at 12:30, 1:45, and 3:00 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, May 14 - 15 - 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 5:00 pm on Saturday and 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, May 14 - 15 - 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 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 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 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, May 14 - 15 - 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, 1:00 pm, and 2:15 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 - Sunday, May 14 - 15 - 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 10:00 am - 4:00 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, May 14 - 15 - 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, May 14 - 15 - Camden, Camden County

Battleship New Jersey Fire Power Tour
Family Friendly

This self guided tour of the overall view of the Battleship New Jersey takes guests five levels up and two decks below. The Main Deck features an Exhibit Museum that encompasses the 48 years in and out of service. Guides are available for questions in the Captain's Quarters and CEC.

Active Military, World War II Veterans, and former Crew Members of BB-62 are asked to stop at the Box Office in the Battleship NJ Visitor's Center. Proudly inform our Ticketing Staff of your service to our Great Nation and receive a complimentary ticket to board the "Big J".

* All guests will be screened in the Visitors Center before entering the Battleship’s Pier, must wear a face covering and practice social distancing.
* Please check your email after purchase for your ticket to either print or save to your mobile device and take with you for check-in in the Visitors Center.

Firepower tour tickets are available to use at any date and time we are open for tours. Admission: Adults are $25.00 and children ages 5-11, veterans, and seniors (62+) are $20.00. Tickets can be purchased online. Battleship New Jersey is located at 62 Battleship Place, Camden, NJ. For more information, call 856-966-1652 or visit www.battleshipnewjersey.org.

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Saturday - Monday, May 14 - 16 - Tuckerton, Ocean County

Outdoor Strolling Admission: Tuckerton Seaport

Family Friendly

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. Guests are asked to arrive before 4pm. Check in at the Lighthouse upon arrival for info on exhibits open for touring both indoors and outdoors. The Gift Shop is now located inside the Lighthouse. Masks will be required at all times. 

Tickets are $5/person. 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. Everyone needs a ticket for entry with the exception of children under age 5 who are complimentary.

The Tuckerton 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, May 15 - Holmdel, Monmouth County

Horse-Drawn Plowing Demonstration
Children Friendly Site & Event

On Sunday, visit Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel and watch the draft horses and teamsters turning the soil over in preparation for the upcoming spring planting. Stop by the field to chat with the staff about the steps needed to insure a good harvest, and maybe even get a chance to plow (with the farmer’s help). Weather dependent. This free events 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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Sunday, May 15 - Upper Freehold, Monmouth County
Walnford Day
Children Friendly Site & Event

The sights and sounds of the past come alive at Historic Walnford in Upper Freehold on Sunday between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm. Plan on spending an afternoon taking a step back to explore the past!

Activities planned for the day include:
• Quill Pen Calligraphy
• Blacksmith Demonstrations
• Old-Fashioned Games
• Dressing up in period garments
• Weaving & Spinning Demonstrations

While there, tour 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, visit www.monmouthcountyparks.com.

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Sunday, May 15 - Walpack, Sussex County

Columbia and Walpack Turnpike

The Walpack Historical Society will resume its monthly programs at the Walpack Church starting Sunday at 1:00 pm. The first program will be the Columbia and Walpack Turnpike by Sharon Spangenberg. The Walpack Historical Society is pleased to welcome the public back to its first in-person presentation in over two years. Pending unforeseen COVID restrictions, Sharon Spangenberg will present a program featuring the results of her extensive research of the Columbia and Walpack Turnpike. The 1819 Act of the New Jersey Legislature to incorporate the Turnpike and subsequent December 28, 1821 survey map will be shared at that time. Her research, photos and an interesting discovery with a surprise ending will be shared.

Please join us at the Walpack Church in Walpack Center on Sunday at 1:00 pm. For more information, visit www.walpackhistory.org.

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Sunday, May 15 - West Orange, Essex County

RAISE the ROOF- A Fundraising Party for Edison's Black Maria

Join the Friends of Thomas Edison National Historical Park to learn more about the origins of cinema in Edison's Black Maria, the very first movie studio. Sample delicious treats and beverages from our local sponsors.

We’re focusing on 3 main areas of need...

- Honoring Edison’s place in cinema history.

- Preservation of the Black Maria itself for future generations.

- Supporting the Park and (Black Maria) with engaging education programs for onsite visitors as well as our global Edison fans.

Help us by attending and being a part of saving cinema history. If you can't make make, you'll be missed, but feel free to still be a part of our mission by donating.

Schedule:

4:30 - 5:30 pm will be open tours

5:30 - 6:30 pm will be open to snacking and learning more about our mission and the amazing history of the Black Maria.

Tour the open areas of the complex, learn about the black maria’s significance to the history of cinema and sample some of the areas best treats and drinks. Most of all, know that your dollars and support are helping to preserve the birthplace of so much innovation that we appreciate in our lives today. Parking available across the street in 2 open lots. Tickets are $45 for members of Friends of Thomas Edison National Historical Park and $60 for non-members.

To attend and Learn more, visit https://friendsofedison.org/raise-the-roof-black-maria.

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Sunday, May 15 - Westfield, Union County

From Garden to Table: Celebrating the Colonial Kitchen

Children Friendly

The Miller-Cory House Museum’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations continues with an exploration of the colonial kitchen from garden…to table! Visitors will learn about herbs from the garden, beekeeping, butter-making, colonial utensils, unusual kitchen gadgets, and more. Cooks in period costume will showcase eighteenth-century colonial cuisine with authentic colonial-era open hearth cooking using period recipes and techniques. The grounds will be open for viewing and docents will be offering tours of the fully furnished c. 1740 farmhouse. The event runs from 2:00 to 4:00.

 

Admission is $5 ages 13 and older; $3 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 15 - Maplewood, Essex County

Piece by Piece: Quilting Through the Pandemic

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Through Summer 2022 - Freehold, Monmouth County

Let Us Play

In celebration of the holiday season, Monmouth County Historical Association debuted Let Us Play on November 27, the newest exhibition at the Association’s Museum and Library & Archives in Freehold, NJ. Drawing on MCHA’s extensive collection, Let Us Play traces several centuries of children’s joyful pastimes and their evolving playthings.

Let Us Play features every child related article in the Association’s collection, many on display for the very first time. From the colonial era through the 20th century, the exhibit traces the evolution of play and the effect the industrial revolution, consumerism, and the burgeoning influence of advertising had on children’s ideas of fun and their beloved toys. Childhood treasures displayed  range from dolls and dollhouses, games and cast iron banks to books, carriages and historic photos.

Let Us Play will generally be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays each week from 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm at the MCHA Museum, Library and Archives, 70 Court Street, Freehold, NJ but please check for current hours before visiting. For more information, visit www.monmouthhistory.org.

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Through June 2022 - Asbury Park, Monmouth County

“One Voice Is Not Enough: Asbury Park’s Musical Diversity Since 1871”

The Asbury Park Museum’s new pop-up exhibit, “One Voice Is Not Enough: Asbury Park’s Musical Diversity Since 1871” explores the many styles of early Asbury Park music. The exhibit is on display in the east lobby of the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, 1401 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ. It is free to visit at any time between now and June 2022.

Music historians Pamela and Charlie Horner have curated the exhibit. It covers the first 100 years of Asbury Park music – a story told through stand-up banners, wall-mounted posters, a music soundtrack with 4 hours’ worth of selected recordings, two continuously running 35-minute informative slide shows (175 slides total), and two display cases full of Asbury Park music artifacts. The exhibit covers spirituals, gospel, brass bands, marching bands, concert bands, ragtime, stride piano, jazz, blues, pop, rhythm & blues, rock & roll, doo wop, soul, and rock music from the early 1870s to the early 1970s. On display are items like Bobby Thomas’ personal 78 RPM copy of “Doll Face,” the first Rhythm & Blues by an Asbury Park group plus Bobby’s handwritten lyrics from the flip side; Stormin’ Norman Seldin’s classic cowboy hat; an 1898 wax cylinder by baritone J. W. Myers; an Arthur Pryor 78 RPM record; sheet music by Billy Terrell & Ray Dahrouge and Lenny Welch; a red vinyl 45 RPM record by Nicky Addeo & the Darchaes; an album and program from the Missionary Jubilaires; a Southside Johnny autographed harmonica; a framed autograph and print of Fats Waller; and much more. 

Funded in part by a Diversity Innovation grant from Monmouth University, the exhibit design is by Stan Cain Designs, and the exhibit is hosted by the historic Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel. For more information, visit www.AP-Museum.org.

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Through 2022 - Middletown, Monmouth County

Beneath the Floorboards: Whispers of the Enslaved at Marlpit Hall

Beneath the Floorboards: Whispers of the Enslaved at Marlpit Hall is the first exhibit to come out of the Monmouth County Historical Association's Living and Breathing initiative, which will reinterpret our Colonial-era historic houses to include the stories of the enslaved African Americans who once resided within them. The exhibition will offer a better understanding of how slavery took root in early Monmouth County, as well as the complex dynamics of daily life and relationships among the enslaved.

The telling of New Jersey’s history is often fragmented, with little remembrance of the thousands of men, women, and children living under forced servitude for more than two centuries. The curators, Bernadette Rogoff and Joe Zemla, have framed the exhibit upon the lives of seven of these individuals: Ephraim, William, Elizabeth, Clarisse, Hannah, Tom, and York, all of whom once lived at Marlpit Hall. Extensive archival documentation, archaeological evidence, and objects from MCHA’s museum collection - some on view to the public for the first time - help tell the larger story of slavery in Monmouth County and New Jersey.

Marlpit Hall is located at 137 Kings Highway, Middletown, NJ. For more information, visit www.monmouthhistory.org.

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Through January 8, 2023 - Trenton, Mercer County

New Jersey State Museum Exhibition - "Jaw Dropping World of Sharks"

Sharks are one of the most feared animals throughout the world, even though the odds of ever encountering one are highly unlikely. "Jaw Dropping World of Sharks," a new exhibition from the New Jersey State Museum, aims to dispel some of the myths and misunderstandings about sharks and their relatives by exploring their biology, fossil record, conservation and cultural significance.

The exhibition opens April 9, 2022 in the Riverside Gallery on the museum’s second floor. On display will be specimens and artifacts from the museum’s collections that demonstrate the world of sharks.

The “Jaw Dropping World of Sharks,” will be on view through Jan. 8, 2023. The New Jersey State Museum is located at 205 West State Street, Trenton, NJ. For more information, call 609-292-6464 or visit www.state.nj.us/state/museum.

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Through Early 2023 - Morristown, Morris County

From the Waist Up, 1840-1920

 

From skillfully handmade garments to those crafted by renowned European fashion houses, an incredible array of never-before-seen bodices, vests, jackets, shirtwaists, and accompanying accessories from within Morris County Historical Society’s collection will be on display in a new exhibit, “From the Waist Up: Bodices, Vests & Jackets, 1840-1920” at Acorn Hall through early 2023.

Women frequently kept several bodices to match a particular skirt, such as a casual bodice for daytime and a formal bodice for evening. Skirts also often received more wear, and as pieces were handed down, the bodice alone was preserved. Attire for men such as silk hats and military dress uniforms were also often left untouched by the passage of time. Accessories such as hats, hair pieces, cufflinks, purses and jewelry were all necessary to complete the look.

Morris County Historical Society at Acorn Hall is located at 68 Lafayette Avenue, Morristown, and is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, and Sundays, 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Admission, including 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, visit www.MorrisCountyHistory.org.

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