NJ 4th of July Weekend Historical Happenings: 7/2/22 - 7/4/22

New Jersey Weekend Historical Happenings

A Weekly Feature on www.thehistorygirl.com

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

Saturday, July 2 - Holmdel, Monmouth County

Cookstove Demonstration and Felting Demonstration
Children Friendly Site & Event

On Saturday, visit Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel and stop by the out kitchen to see what’s cooking on the wood-fired stove. Discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. This free events run from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm.

From 1:00 - 3:00 pm: Felted wool is the world’s oldest known textile – learn the process of felting wool that can be used in garments.

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, July 2 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County

Ice Cream Party

Children Friendly

Farmer Jim and his crew will use a "hit and miss" engine to churn gallons of ice cream in the shade of a maple tree...while live music by the Jugtown Mountain String Band, kids’ games, and a sailboat craft ($4.50 materials fee) add to the fun on the front lawn. Ice cream, wagon rides, and lunch fare are available for purchase.

Howell Living Farm 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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Saturday - Sunday, July 2 - 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. 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, July 2 - Cape May, Cape May County
Roots of Cape Island Trolley Tour

West Cape May has a history of farming, and much more. On Saturday at 10:00 am, learn about the roots of this area, both literal and cultural on the new Roots of Cape Island Trolley Tour. Hear about those who farmed the mighty lima bean. Learn about the Native American tribes who inhabited this land. Hear about the area’s history, including the whaling industry, and its farms and shops, with stories of the vibrant African American community who live and work here. Tour begins and ends at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth at Ocean Street and travels through West Cape May. 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, July 2 - 3 - Cape May, Cape May County

Independence Day Celebration

Celebrate all things American at Historic Cold Spring Village’s annual Independence Day Celebration, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. A variety of patriotic family activities, programs, and music will be taking place and the Village’s restored historic buildings will be open, featuring demonstrations of Early American trades and crafts.

At 12:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday at the Dennisville Inn, there will be a Militia Muster for children ages 5 to 12. This will be followed by a reading of the Declaration of Independence at 1:30 pm. On Saturday from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm the John Walter Cape Community Band will perform American heritage tunes at the Friends Pavilion. On Sunday at 2:30 pm, learn some of the history of the American Flag at the Welcome Center. Kids can also take part in the “Patriot Spy Game,” visiting Village buildings to look for clues using a real Revolutionary War cipher.

The Village is located 735 Seashore Road, 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 $12 for adults and $10 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. Visit the Country Store, Village Bakery, Ice Cream Parlor, Cold Spring Brewery and Cold Spring Grange Restaurant. For more information on events, membership, volunteering, or booking private affairs, call 609-898-2300, ext. 10, or visit www.hcsv.org.

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Saturday - Sunday, July 2 - 3 - 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 11:15 am and 1:45 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, July 2 - 3 - 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 9:00 am - 5:00 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, July 2 - 3 - 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, July 2 - 3 - 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, July 2 - 3 - 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, July 2 - 3 - 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, and Sunday at 11:45 am, 12:30 pm, 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, July 2 - 3 - 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, July 2 - 3 - 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, July 2 - 4 - Wall Township, Monmouth County

Independence Day Celebration Weekend

Children Friendly Site

Come celebrate the Fourth of July at Allaire!

Your ticket includes the Chapel to see Allaire's unique and one-of-a-kind American flag collection on display this weekend ONLY! There will be over five historic flags on exhibition (rare and one of a kind!), the oldest flag dating back c. 1850 and authenticated by the Smithsonian Institute!

To visit the historic village, experience early 19th century industrial community life, and explore the village grounds EAST of the Mill Pond, a ticket for General Admission is required for Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Advanced Purchase "General Admission" Ticket for ages 4 and up - $5 Each. In purchasing your General Admission Ticket, you will be able to see our historic trades in action including our blacksmiths and tinsmiths as well as tour our period homes to see how each class in the village lived. All of this in addition to other pop up demonstrations are all available to you when you visit The Historic Village at Allaire!

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.allairevillage.org.

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Saturday - Monday, July 2 - 4 - 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, July 3 - Cape May, Cape May County

Architectural Walking Tour

On Sunday at 9:30 am, see America’s only National Historic Landmark City up close on this one-hour walking tour that explores Cape May’s renowned historic district by foot. Put on your sturdy shoes and stroll along the sidewalks of streets such as Hughes Street, Howard Street and Columbia Avenue, with a knowledgeable guide to show and tell what makes Victorian Cape May so interesting. See where Victorian gamblers won or lost their shirts, where the Great Fire of 1878 burned, and learn why front porches were so important to Victorian social life. Tour begins at the Washington Street Mall information booth at Ocean Street. Admission is $15 per adult and $12 per child (ages 3-12). 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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Monday, July 4 - Caldwell, Essex County
Ice Cream Social
Family Friendly Event

Come one, come all to the Ice Cream Social at the Grover Cleveland Birthplace in historic Caldwell, New Jersey for a fun-filled celebration with free ice cream, free popcorn and lemonade, free entertainment, and house tours. The event will be held from from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Sponsored by the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial Association. Ice cream is provided by Gelotti's Ice Cream. Rain site, Saint Aloysius gym next door.

For bakers, there is a cookie bakeoff with prizes. This year's cookie is the lemon cookie. The rules are simple - each entry must be made using a recipe from the 19th century using ingredients available in that period and must be accompanied by two copies of the recipe. Two dozen cookies are necessary for the judges to sample. Cookies and entry forms must be presented before 1:00 on July 4th at the Birthplace. Forms can be found at the Grover Cleveland Birthplace website or at the Birthplace during open hours.

The Grover Cleveland Birthplace is located at 207 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ. Free parking is in the adjoining Saint Aloysius Church lot. While there are no admission charges and many events are free, donations are accepted. For more information, call 973-226-0001 or visit www.presidentcleveland.org.

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Monday, July 4 - Princeton, Mercer County
July 4th Jubilee
Children Friendly Event

Celebrate July 4th at Morven, the former home of Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence! This FREE family event will take place on the front lawn from 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm!

This year we are swinging back to the 1960's in celebration of our current exhibition, Ma Bell: The Mother of Invention in New Jersey, which features the original TelStar satellite and so many other technological innovations made right here in New Jersey that affected the entire world for generations.

Come by for a celebration featuring:

* A Jasper Johns American Flag activity, provided by the Arts Council of Princeton

* A meaningful 1960's Princeton adventure from the Historical Society of Princeton

* Live dancing in the gardens with the Luminarium Dance Company 

* Live music from the Green Planet Band

* Family ticket bundles available for $25 to view inside the Museum

* Food trucks will be on premises, including KonaIce and Potato Patoto

* And more!

This event is SHINE only (due to the outdoor activities, it will be cancelled if there is prolonged rain). Guests are invited to use the Princeton Theological Seminary or Monument Hall parking lots, or can park on the street. There will be no parking at Morven since so many children will be on the grounds. Morven Museum & Gardens is located at 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ. For more information, call 609-924-8144 or visit www.morven.org.

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Monday, July 4 - Holmdel, Monmouth County
Independence Day Celebration
Children Friendly Site & Event

On Monday, visit Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel to attend the Independence Day celebration. Independence Day was a festive time in the 1890s - patriotism was celebrated with music and games. Join the staff at Longstreet Farm as they celebrate the holiday with games and contests. This free event runs from 12:00 noon - 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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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 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