WEEKEND HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS
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Friday - Sunday, October 18 - 20 - Jersey City, Hudson County
Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings at 7:00 pm, enjoy a special benefit performance by the Hudson Shakespeare Company of Shakespeare's lamentable tragedy "Titus Andronicus" at and for The Historic Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery, located at 435 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ.
Dress warm for the show! Seating is limited so feel free to bring a comfy lawn chair or blanket! Suggested donation of $10 per adult and $5 for children/seniors at entrance gate. Immediately after, stay for a 10:00 pm Ghosts and Legends Tour, including the mysterious underground crypts and bunker (separate $10 donation requested). For more information, call 201-707-0738 or visit www.jerseycitycemetery.org.
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Friday - Saturday, October 18 - 19 and 25 - 26 - Haddonfield, Camden County
On Friday and Saturday October 18, 19 and 25, 26 please join local author Bill Meehan as regales us with ghost stories and legends from his popular paperback, Haunted Haddonfield. The tour begins at 7:00 pm at Greenfield Hall (343 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield, NJ) and winds past the cemetery and familiar houses along the way. The tour lasts about 90 minutes and can be enjoyed by everyone - couples, groups, and families! Adults are $10 and children (3-12) are $5. Tickets can be purchased at the door (cash only) or ahead of time at Greenfield Hall, the public library, or the Haddonfield Visitor Center. There are no rain dates but tickets can be used on any of the tour dates. Please remember to wear comfortable shoes, bring a flashlight and wear somewhat reflective clothing as a safety precaution.
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Friday - Saturday, October 18 - 19 - Farmingdale, Monmouth County
Haunted Hayride at Allaire Village
Children Friendly
Children Friendly
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Historic Allaire Village, presents Halloween Hayrides on Friday, and Saturday from 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm. The Halloween Hayride starts in front of the General Store and enters the foreboding woods for a trip into Halloween horror. Hayrides are approximately twenty minutes in length and wagons leave every fifteen minutes from the General Store. If you make it through the Hayride alive, take a stroll through our Haunted Village. Scary story-telling will be held in the Carriage House and special Halloween performances will be held in the Allaire Mansion. All are welcome...if you dare! Stop by the Allaire Bakery for hot cider and spooky snacks or visit the General Store and Museum Gift Shop for limited edition Halloween souvenirs and merchandise.
The cost for the hayride is $10 for child under 12 and $15 for adults. Tickets are limited so advance purchase is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Tickets are for sale by calling 732-919-3500 - please have your credit card ready. You can also purchase tickets via PayPal at www.allairevillage.org/tickets
Historic Allaire Village is located in Allaire State Park at 4263 Atlantic Ave. in Farmingdale. For more information, contact Allaire Village during business hours, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at 732-919-3500 or visit www.allairevillage.org.
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Saturday, October 19 - Little Egg Harbor, Ocean County
Tuckerton Wireless
On Saturday, the Tuckerton Historical Society presents "Tuckerton and Tuckerton Wireless" presented by Pete Stemmer and John Yates. Come hear about the most powerful transatlantic transmitter in America. This presentation will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at the Giffordtown Schoolhouse Museum, 35 Leitz Blvd., Little Egg Harbor, NJ. For more information, call 609-294-1547.
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The Flemington Speedway Historical Society's 3rd Annual Car Show takes place on Saturday from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at South County Park on Route 179 South, Lambertville, New Jersey. The home of the Hunterdon County 4-H and Agricultural Fair, it is near the Ringoes, New Jersey intersection of Routes 202 and 179.
The 2012 show featured over 500 show cars and dozens of flea market vendors. 2013 preregistration predicts a much larger event, again featuring antique race cars, modern race cars, all types of show cars, trucks, motorcycles, military vehicles, tractors, and farm equipment.
There will be live entertainment on the Main Stage and various types of refreshments. "Family Fun!" is on tap for children of all ages in Building 1. Building 2 is home for the Flemington Speedway Historical Society's display and the Awards Ceremony. "Tailgate Games" will be played in Building 3.
Fifteen People’s Choice and five FSHS Special Recognition awards have been etched in glass. Event t-shirts, posters, and sweatshirts have been printed in limited quantities.
Spectator admission is $5 per person or $10 per carload. Parking is free. Show car registration is $10. Vendor registration is $25. For more information, visit flemingtonspeedwayhistoricalsociety.com.
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Saturday, October 19 - Lambertville, Hunterdon County
Flemington Speedway 3rd Annual Car Show
The 2012 show featured over 500 show cars and dozens of flea market vendors. 2013 preregistration predicts a much larger event, again featuring antique race cars, modern race cars, all types of show cars, trucks, motorcycles, military vehicles, tractors, and farm equipment.
There will be live entertainment on the Main Stage and various types of refreshments. "Family Fun!" is on tap for children of all ages in Building 1. Building 2 is home for the Flemington Speedway Historical Society's display and the Awards Ceremony. "Tailgate Games" will be played in Building 3.
Fifteen People’s Choice and five FSHS Special Recognition awards have been etched in glass. Event t-shirts, posters, and sweatshirts have been printed in limited quantities.
Spectator admission is $5 per person or $10 per carload. Parking is free. Show car registration is $10. Vendor registration is $25. For more information, visit flemingtonspeedwayhistoricalsociety.com.
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Saturday, October 19 - Union Township, Union County
Open House & Paranormal Presentation
On Saturday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sunday from 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm, the Caldwell Parsonage, located at 909 Caldwell Avenue, Union, NJ, will serve as one of the historic sites participating in Union County's annual Four Centuries in a Weekend.
The museum is maintained by the Union Township Historical Society, a non-profit organization, and is a part of the Crossroads of the Revolution National Heritage Area. Scenes commemorating the upcoming 350th anniversary of Elizabethtown and New Jersey will be performed. Docents will offer on-going tours of the 18th century house and barn, including new exhibits in both buildings; souvenirs and refreshments will be available. Admission is free. For more information, please call Barbara La Mort at 908-687-0048.
On Saturday even from 6:45 - 7:45 pm and again, from 8:00 - 9:00 pm, NJ Paranormal will present the results of its investigation conducted in the Parsonage and barn on July 13. To purchase tickets, $10 each, please call 908-591-9161. Leave a message-including your phone number-and your call will be returned promptly.
During each session, the NJ Paranormal staff will:
*explain how a paranormal investigation is conducted;
*demonstrate some of the equipment used during an investigation;
*show video evidence from the Parsonage and barn investigation and their other investigations;
*lead a tour through the buildings, during which visitors will be allowed to take pictures with their own digital cameras or cell phones to potentially capture any orbs;
*conduct mock evp (electronic voice phenomena) sessions, during which visitors may use their own recording devices or record the sessions on their phones.
For more information, visit www.unionhistory.org and www.uniontwphistoricalsociety.webs.com.
Saturday, October 19 - Princeton, Mercer County
Sampler Discover Day
If you think you may have a sampler or silk embroidery that falls into this category we'd be interested to hear from you! Live in the area? Bring your historic needlework to Morven for a Sampler Discovery Day between 12:00 noon and 4:00 pm.
Experts on hand to identify examine, and photograph examples of New Jersey needlework include:
*Amy Finkel of M. Finkel and Daughter in Philadelphia, a nationally known expert in antique samplers and needlework
*Exhibition co-curators, Dan and Marty Campanelli, authors of A Sampling of Hunterdon County Needlework
*Exhibition co-curator, Daniel Scheid, noted needlework collector
Can't make the date or live too far away? Please send the museum photos and any documentation you have about your New Jersey needlework made before 1860. Send to Elizabeth Allan, Curator of Collections & Exhibitions at eallan@morven.org. All information should be received before October 19, 2013 and will be kept for future research.
Morven Museum & Garden is located at 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ. For more information, visit www.morven.org.
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Saturday, October 19 - Somers Point, Atlantic County
Somers Parade
Children Friendly
Somers Point will honor local Barbary War hero Richard Somers on Saturday beginning at 10:00 am with a full-fledged parade along Shore Road in Somers Point. Many units not previously in their parades will participate. Following the parade at 11:00 am, a dedication ceremony will take place at 801 Shore Road, the newly named Richard Somers Memorial Park. Guest speakers will recount the story of Somers' heroism against the Barbary pirates as part of the unveiling ceremony. A commemorative coin and Intrepid t-shirts will be available following the ceremony as well as a book signing by author Chipp Reid of Intrepid Sailors. For more information call 609-927-2900 or visit www.somerspointhistory.org.
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Saturday, October 19 - River Edge, Bergen County
Harvest Homecoming
At 2:00 pm, join Kevin Wright on a walking tour from Historic New Bridge Landing to the French Cemetery in New Milford, (one mile each way). Visit http://www.bergencountyhistory.org/Pages/Cemetery.html to see more information about the French Burying Ground. The cemetery is located behind New Milford Boro Hall, 930 River Road, New Milford, NJ. Turn onto Patrolman Ray Woods Drive. The gate to the cemetery is normally locked. Many residents from New Bridge are buried here including John J. Zabriskie who lived at the Steuben House.
Admission to the programs are $7 adult, $5 children, BCHS members free. Historic New Bridge Landing is located at 1201 Main Street, River Edge, NJ. For more information, call 201-343-9492 or visit www.bergencountyhistory.org.
Saturday, October 19 - Trenton, Mercer County
International Archaeology Day
Children Friendly
It's a full day of activities for all ages at the New Jersey State Museum on Saturday from 10:00 am - 4:30 pm! Older kids and adults can experience tours of the New Jersey's "Original People" exhibit, curatorial talks focused on archaeology in New Jersey, and a film about archaeology. Kids of all ages can participate in a pottery "reconstruction" activity, a scavenger hunt, and a sandbox archaeology program. Everyone will enjoy speaking with experts at a prehistoric artifact identification table.
The New Jersey State Museum is located at 205 West State Street in Trenton, NJ. On weekends, free parking is available in lots adjacent to and behind the Museum. For more information, visit www.statemuseum.nj.gov or call the recorded information line at 609-292-6464.
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The New Jersey State Museum is located at 205 West State Street in Trenton, NJ. On weekends, free parking is available in lots adjacent to and behind the Museum. For more information, visit www.statemuseum.nj.gov or call the recorded information line at 609-292-6464.
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Saturday, October 19 - Cape May, Cape May County
Pumpkin Festival at Historic Cold Spring Village
Children Friendly
Children Friendly
throughout the day. A variety of crafters will sell their wares along the Village’s shell-paved lanes. Vendors will be selling hot dogs, funnel cake, and other snacks. Visit the Boy Scout Troop 87 haunted house at the Village Barn and hop on a fall hayride through the farm. Don't miss the Children's Halloween Parade at 12:00 noon. Please call the Lower Township Recreation Department at 609-886-7880 for parade registration information.
Historic Cold Spring Village is located on Route 9, three miles north of Victorian Cape May and a mile and a half west of the southern end of the Garden State Parkway. For more information, call 609-898-2300, ext. 10 or visit the Village www.hcsv.org.
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Saturday, October 19 - Upper Township, Cape May County
AppleFest at the Gandy Farmstead
Children Friendly
AppleFest at the Gandy Farmstead
Children Friendly
Stop by the Gandy Farmstead on Saturday for their annual AppleFest. There will be an Apple Pie Baking Contest judged by 'Johnny Appleseed' and Tyson Merryman, owner-operator of the Tuckahoe Inn. There are separate contests for children and adults. Ribbons and prizes will be awarded. Crafters will be demonstrating old-time traditions with a modern twist. The blacksmith will make decorative items; as will the decoy carvers. At the smoke house, enjoy meat prepared for today's tastes. An alpaca farmer will show how the fleece goes from animal to wool; and a spinner will demonstrate how the wool becomes yarn. Rag-rug making and bee keeping also will be shown. And don't forget live music, apple and autumn inspired food to eat or take home, and the old farm house to tour. The Gandy Farmstead is located at 26 Tyler Road in Greenfield. www.uppertwphistory.org
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Saturday, October 19 - Haddonfield, Camden County
Timothy Matlack Reenactor
As clerk to the secretary of the 2nd Continental Congress, Timothy Matlack penned the official version of the Declaration of Independence on display in the National Archives. Although known for his neat penmanship, Matlack was also a political leader in America’s Revolution including being at the trial of Benedict Arnold and serving as a colonel during the war. The Indian King will be hosting reenactor Bob Gleason portraying the colorful leader, who was born in Haddonfield, NJ, on Saturday at 2:00 pm. Admission is free but seating is limited. The Indian King Tavern is located at 233 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield, NJ. For more information, call 856-429-6792 or visit www.indiankingfriends.org.
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Saturday, October 19 - Plainfield, Union County
African-American Genealogist Panel
Please join Plainfield Public Library's Local History Department in October to celebrate American Archives Month! On Saturday, attend an African-American Genealogist Panel from 10:00 am - 12:00 noon. This panel discussion will feature speakers from the New Jersey Chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS). Topics include DNA research and personal experiences in genealogical research.
Pre-registration is encouraged, so please call 908-757-1111 ext. 136. The Plainfield Public Library is located at 800 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ. www.plainfieldlibrary.info
Pre-registration is encouraged, so please call 908-757-1111 ext. 136. The Plainfield Public Library is located at 800 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ. www.plainfieldlibrary.info
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Saturday, October 19 - Morristown, Morris County
Feeding the Army
Children Friendly
Though turkey and stuffing is the choice next month, Washington's army did without. Join a Park Ranger at the Wick House to observe the gourmet meal a soldier was issued. Yum! Program from 1:00 - 4:00 pm at the Wick House at Jockey Hollow, within Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown, NJ. Cost: Free. http://nps.gov/morr
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Saturday, October 19 - Morristown, Morris County
What Happened Next?
Children Friendly
What happened to the Ford Mansion after the American Revolutionary War? Join a Park Ranger to explore how the grounds changed over the years until becoming a national park site. Programs at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm, and :30 pm at the back steps of the Ford Mansion, within Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown, NJ. Cost: $4 per adult. http://nps.gov/morr
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Saturday, October 19 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County
Quilting Program
Children Friendly
Howell Farm quilters invite the public to join them on Saturday for a quilting bee, quilt display, demonstrations, and other old fashioned fun from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Throughout the day, visitors of all ages can experience the stages of quilt making from piecing scrap fabric on a treadle-type sewing machine to joining the Farm staff around an antique quilt frame. In this process experienced quilters from Mercer County will share techniques in hand quilting with all visitors who join them at the quilting bee.
A special children’s "scavenger hunt" on the farm for the sources of traditional quilt names will be ongoing from 1:00 - 3:30 pm and will include farm chores, rail-fence making, and visits to the blacksmith.
Also for children, is a craft program, "Quilted Picture", ongoing from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm; cost $3. Groups of 8 or more must pre-register.
Throughout the day, visitors of all ages can experience the stages of quilt making from piecing scrap fabric on a treadle-type sewing machine to joining the Farm staff around an antique quilt frame. In this process experienced quilters from Mercer County will share techniques in hand quilting with all visitors who join them at the quilting bee.
A special children’s "scavenger hunt" on the farm for the sources of traditional quilt names will be ongoing from 1:00 - 3:30 pm and will include farm chores, rail-fence making, and visits to the blacksmith.
Also for children, is a craft program, "Quilted Picture", ongoing from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm; cost $3. Groups of 8 or more must pre-register.
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 or to register for the program, call 609-737-3299. www.howellfarm.org
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On Saturday and Sunday evening, costumed reenactors in historic dress will portray former residents that lived and worked in the East Brunswick and Old Bridge areas, with displays and narrative about their life in the Historic Village of Old Bridge. Over 500 Luminaries (candle bags) outline the walking path for the tour. Light refreshments will be available at the end of the tours.
The tours will take place at Chestnut Hill Cemetery on Old Bridge Turnpike between 5:30 and 8:00 pm. Admission fees for this special event are $8 for adults and $2.00 for children under 12 years of age. Free parking. It is recommended that you bring your own flashlight. Since this event takes place in a hilly cemetery, it is not recommended for persons with walking problems or for strollers. This is a family-friendly event and children are encouraged. For more information, call 732-257-1508 or visit www.eastbrunswickmuseum.org.
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New Jersey Lighthouses, museums and life saving stations will host a "Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey" weekend on Saturday and Sunday. The public is invited (and challenged) to visit all participating lighthouses over the weekend and help raise funds for continued lighthouse preservation. The lighthouses participating in the Challenge encourage the public to take advantage of this special weekend to financially support and preserve the maritime history of our state. Begin the Challenge at any of the participating lighthouses. Hours of operation for every participating lighthouse can be found at www.lighthousechallengenj.org.
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Experience Union County's rich heritage! The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, staff, and volunteers at 26 house museums, historic sites, and history organizations join together to invite the public to come and discover nearly 350 years of history during the annual "Four Centuries in a Weekend, A Journey Through Union County's History."
The Historic Fanwood Train Station Museum and Westfield's Reeve History & Cultural Resource Center have been added to the weekend event, increasing the number of sites on tour to 26. The two-day, free event is scheduled for 10:00 am - 5:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm.
"Four Centuries in a Weekend" began in 1994 when 16 historic sites and the County of Union organized a weekend event to tell the story of how Elizabethtown of 1664 evolved into the 21 municipalities of today's Union County.
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Saturday - Sunday, October 19 - 20 - East Brunswick, Middlesex County
Candlelight Tours of Chestnut Hill Cemetery
Children Friendly
The tours will take place at Chestnut Hill Cemetery on Old Bridge Turnpike between 5:30 and 8:00 pm. Admission fees for this special event are $8 for adults and $2.00 for children under 12 years of age. Free parking. It is recommended that you bring your own flashlight. Since this event takes place in a hilly cemetery, it is not recommended for persons with walking problems or for strollers. This is a family-friendly event and children are encouraged. For more information, call 732-257-1508 or visit www.eastbrunswickmuseum.org.
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Saturday - Sunday, October 19 - 20 - Across the NJ Shore and Delaware Bay/River
New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge
Children Friendly
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Saturday - Sunday, October 19 - 20 - Union County
Four Centuries in a Weekend
Children Friendly
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The Historic Fanwood Train Station Museum and Westfield's Reeve History & Cultural Resource Center have been added to the weekend event, increasing the number of sites on tour to 26. The two-day, free event is scheduled for 10:00 am - 5:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm.
"Four Centuries in a Weekend" began in 1994 when 16 historic sites and the County of Union organized a weekend event to tell the story of how Elizabethtown of 1664 evolved into the 21 municipalities of today's Union County.
Special family-friendly highlights of Four Centuries in a Weekend include:
- Liberty Hall Museum of Union will have on view "Ring for Service: The Role of Servants in a Country House," a special exhibit about the role of slaves and servants at Liberty Hall from the time of Governor William Livingston.
- Historic Cannon Ball House in Springfield will feature a Civil War Encampment on Saturday; Revolutionary War reenactors on Sunday, and relics of the 1780 Battle of Springfield.
- The Oswald J. Nitschke House, operated by the Kenilworth Historical Society, will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the town's Volunteer Fire Department with a display of photos chronicling the history of Kenilworth.
- Crane-Phillips House Museum in Cranford will present "Clean as a Whistle," an exhibit about the beginnings of healthy living and sanitation including early indoor plumbing, the Civil War Sanitary Commission, and Cranford's role in the first Federal Food and Drug Act.
- Reeve History & Cultural Resource Center in Westfield celebrates the restoration of the 1870s Victorian Italianate home, and exhibits work by famed local artists John Brunner, Harry Devlin and Sigmund Ivanowski.
Journey on to Boxwood Hall in Elizabeth, the 1772 home of Elias Boudinot, President of the Continental Congress; tour the restored Revolutionary War burial grounds at the First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth, the oldest English-speaking congregation in New Jersey; and visit the Caldwell Parsonage at Connecticut Farms in Union, an American Revolutionary site that was home to the "Fighting Parson," James Caldwell and his wife, Hannah.
A visit to Hillside will bring you to the Woodruff House/Eaton Store, built in 1735; and the historic Evergreen Cemetery, a virtual museum of funerary art. In Rahway you'll be welcome at the Merchants and Drovers Tavern, a restored early 19th century hotel, and you can tour the Union County Performing Arts Center, a beautifully restored classic Vaudeville venue.
When you stop at the Dr. William Robinson Plantation in Clark, you'll discover a post-medieval English-style house where Dr. Robinson practiced healing with plants and herbs.
At the Abraham Clark House, home to a signer of the Declaration of Independence, you'll learn about Early American life and the history of Roselle. In the Roselle Park Museum, housed in the Charles E. Stone Store, you'll be standing in the first electrically-lighted store in the world.
Three authentic 18th century farmhouses are open for touring: the Miller-Cory House in Westfield; the Salt Box Museum in New Providence; and the Nathaniel Drake House in Plainfield, which was used as George Washington's headquarters during the Revolutionary War.
Venturing into the Watchung Mountains, you'll find the Deacon Andrew Hetfield House in Mountainside, home to the Hetfield family for 186 years; stroll through the Deserted Village of Feltville-Glenside Park in the Watchung Reservation, an 1845 town created by businessman David Felt; visit the Littell-Lord Farmstead in Berkeley Heights, a reminder of the County's agricultural past; and explore Summit, with its Twin Maples, a stately neoclassical mansion; the Carter House, the city's oldest house, built in the 1740s; and the Summit Playhouse, a Richardsonian Romanesque structure with a 120-seat auditorium.
Children can earn a Time Traveler's Certificate and a Four Centuries Patch by visiting and obtaining a Time Traveler Passport at any of the sites, having it stamped and returning the completed form to the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs. For free copies of the Four Centuries in a Weekend tour booklet, map and further information visit http://ucnj.org/community/community-renewal/cultural-and-heritage-affairs/four-centuries.
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Saturday - Sunday, October 19 - 20 - Holmdel, Monmouth County
Corn Harvest
Children Friendly
Corn Harvest
Children Friendly
On Saturday and Sunday, visit Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel to take a step back in time to harvest feed corn. Stop by to gain an understanding of the process involved in harvesting corn. This free event runs from 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm both days, weather permitting. 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 - Sunday, October 19 - 20 - Matawan, Monmouth County
Rose Hill Cemetery Tour
The Matawan Historical Society in conjunction with Rose Hill Cemetery is sponsoring its third annual guided walking tour of Rose Hill Cemetery in Matawan, including new stories! Local Historian Al Savolaine will lead the tours, sharing fascinating stories about those buried in the cemetery, including the victims of the Great Matawan fire of 1901, the 1916 shark attack in Matawan, as well as some unusual ghost sightings at the cemetery, considered to be one of the most haunted sites in New Jersey. Tours will be held on Saturday at 10:00 am and Sunday at 2:00 pm. Tours are approximately two hours long. Tickets are $10 per adult, with proceeds benefitting the Burrowes Mansion in Matawan and the beautification of Rose Hill Cemetery. Rose Hill Cemetery is located on Ravine Drive in Matawan. Park will be available at the cemetery and at the school lot across the street. Tickets can be purchased the day of the tour or by contacting savolaine@hotmail.com.
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Sunday, October 20 - Hammonton, Burlington County
Country Living Fair
Children Friendly
Children Friendly
The committee has invited over 100 exhibitors to participate in this quality day-long event. Visitors will have an opportunity to see and purchase a variety of country, Colonial and Victorian crafts. They will also be able to meet talented crafters demonstrating their artistry in a wide assortment of materials. Pre-World War II cars will be on display. Old-time steam engines, antiques, and pony rides will help make this an event of special interest to people of all ages. The Renegade Cloggers will again perform during the day. Several quilting groups will be raffling their handmade quilts. Local service organizations will sell a variety of foods and drinks. Various 4-H groups will be available. They will display their animals and discuss their experiences as a member of a 4-H club.
In addition, the 1808 Pinelands (Batsto-Pleasant Mills) United Methodist Church will be open to visitors from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm. Members of the congregation will be available to talk about the history of their church and the programs that they offer. Batsto is located in the Pinelands of Burlington County, South Jersey approximately 7 miles east of Hammonton on Route 542 and about 15 miles west of Exit 50 on the Garden State Parkway. Further information may be obtained by calling the Batsto Visitor Center at 609-561-0024 or visit www.batstovillage.org.
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Sunday, October 20 - Morristown, Morris County
Soldier's Knapsack
Children Friendly
Have you always wondered what types of things soldiers carried throughout the war? Join a Park Ranger at the Wick House to discover what would have been inside a soldier's knapsack. Program runs continuously from 1:30 - 4:00 pm in the Wick House at Jockey Hollow, within Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown, NJ. Cost: Free. http://nps.gov/morr
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Sunday, October 20 - Lambertville, Hunterdon County
2013 Autumn House Tour
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The tour is self-guided and this year will be on Sunday from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. Tickets are $20 in advance ($25 on the day of the tour) and may be purchased online at www.lambertvillehistoricalsociety.org and through Eventbrite, www.lambertvillehousetour.eventbrite.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the Marshall House, 60 Bridge Street (weekends 1:00 - 4:00 pm) or directly from some local merchants (Blue Raccoon, City Market, Homestead Farm Market, Lambertville Trading Company, River Queen Artisans Gallery, Phillips' Fine Wines in Stockton and Farley's Bookshop in New Hope).
The event is held rain or shine. Free parking and shuttle bus service will be available on the day of the tour. The bus will continuously loop from the Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead on Route 29, just north of the city limits to Lambertville City Hall every 30 minutes from 10:30 am - 5:25 pm. Visitors can also park in residential areas or at parking meters that are in effect on Sunday from 1:00- 9:00 p.m. For more information, contact the Society at 609-397-0770 or e-mail lhs1816@verizon.net.
The event is held rain or shine. Free parking and shuttle bus service will be available on the day of the tour. The bus will continuously loop from the Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead on Route 29, just north of the city limits to Lambertville City Hall every 30 minutes from 10:30 am - 5:25 pm. Visitors can also park in residential areas or at parking meters that are in effect on Sunday from 1:00- 9:00 p.m. For more information, contact the Society at 609-397-0770 or e-mail lhs1816@verizon.net.
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Sunday, October 20 - Ocean Township, Monmouth County
Sunday, October 20 - Ocean Township, Monmouth County
5th Annual History Ghost Walk
Children Friendly
Children Friendly
On Sunday, the Ocean Township Historical Museum will hold its fifth annual History Ghost Walk, this year featuring the characters from its exhibit, "Asbury Park: The History of a Jersey Gem." It is a ghost walk designed to delight, not fright--and well, yes, to share some history, too.
The event has two parts.
1) Outside, guests are guided along the path east of the Woolley House to meet and interact with the talented young actors who bring the spirits of Asbury back to life. You never know for sure who will turn up - we are dealing with the other side, after all. But as we go to press, we have reason to expect the likes of James Bradley (Asbury's founder), Arthur Pryor (Asbury's "Music Man"), Lorenzo Harris, Sr. (Asbury's gifted "Sand Man" artist and civil rights leader), Barbara Samaha (lingerie peddler who opened Dainty Apparel and became the city's leading woman business owner), Agnes Frick (an usherette at the Mayfair), and more!
2) Inside the library's Terner Gallery, guests enjoy performances from Asbury's Victorian, jazz, and pop eras. Here they are hosted by the spirit of Evelyne Kane, a member of Queen Titania's court in the 1924 Baby Parade. Guests sing along with turn-of-the century tunes, swing to numbers from the '30s and '40s, and meet "our own" Connie Francis.
The Ghost Walk is known to sell out. Call the museum at 732-531-2136 to make your reservation. Come shop at Museum Store, enjoy free refreshments, and spend a fun and informative Sunday afternoon. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for children. The Township of Ocean Historical Museum is located at 703 Deal Road, Ocean, NJ. www.oceanmuseum.org
The event has two parts.
1) Outside, guests are guided along the path east of the Woolley House to meet and interact with the talented young actors who bring the spirits of Asbury back to life. You never know for sure who will turn up - we are dealing with the other side, after all. But as we go to press, we have reason to expect the likes of James Bradley (Asbury's founder), Arthur Pryor (Asbury's "Music Man"), Lorenzo Harris, Sr. (Asbury's gifted "Sand Man" artist and civil rights leader), Barbara Samaha (lingerie peddler who opened Dainty Apparel and became the city's leading woman business owner), Agnes Frick (an usherette at the Mayfair), and more!
2) Inside the library's Terner Gallery, guests enjoy performances from Asbury's Victorian, jazz, and pop eras. Here they are hosted by the spirit of Evelyne Kane, a member of Queen Titania's court in the 1924 Baby Parade. Guests sing along with turn-of-the century tunes, swing to numbers from the '30s and '40s, and meet "our own" Connie Francis.
The Ghost Walk is known to sell out. Call the museum at 732-531-2136 to make your reservation. Come shop at Museum Store, enjoy free refreshments, and spend a fun and informative Sunday afternoon. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for children. The Township of Ocean Historical Museum is located at 703 Deal Road, Ocean, NJ. www.oceanmuseum.org
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Sunday, October 20 - Walpack, Sussex County
Van Campen Day
Children Friendly
A highlight of the day will be a special presentation of a replica of the fireback that is believed to be original to the inn. A fireback is a heavy cast iron plate installed at the back of a fireplace wall. It protects the back wall from deterioration caused by intense heat. It also reflects heat into a room, continuing to radiate heat even after the fire goes out. The year of casting of the original fireback was 1746; 1746 may also be the year when part of the inn was built. The fireback is also a very decorative piece. It shows the coat of arms of the royal family of England, including the lion and the unicorn rampant. The original fireback was cast at Oxford Furnace, Warren County, NJ and is one of the oldest dated firebacks manufactured there. It was donated to the National Park Service by Bernice and Joseph Haydu in September 1972. The fireback was conserved by the National Park Service in 1987, sent to Harpers Ferry Center for stabilization. It was put in a frame at that time and cleaned and waxed.
The exact replica to be installed by National Park Service on Van Campen Day was cast by the Wollaston Foundry of Taunton, MA. The National Park Service made the decision to retire the original fireback to its storage facility several years ago, due to concerns for its safety. In the approximately 250 years it was at the Van Campen Inn, the fireback witnessed visits by John Stark, hero of the battle of Bunker Hill, Benedict Arnold, traitor, and Count Casimir Pulaski and his legion of men, who spent most of the winter of 1778 at the inn.
The Van Campen Inn is located on the unpaved section of Old Mine Road, Walpack Township, NJ within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Van Campen Day is free and the public is invited. For more information, call 973-948-4903.
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Sunday, October 20 - Pennington, Mercer County
"Hello London, Mercer is Calling"
On Sunday at 2:00 pm, the Lawrence Historical Society presents Dennis Waters and an updated version of his lecture, "Hello London, Mercer is Calling," complete with new pictures and information about the AT&T Pole Farm. Stop by and learn more about the area now known as Mercer Meadows. Refreshments will be served. The program will be held at the library, 245 Pennington-Titusville Road in Pennington, NJ. For more information, call 609-895-1728 or visit www.thelhs.org.
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Sunday, October 20 - Andover Borough, Sussex County
Historical Society of Andover Borough
Andover Borough has a very fascinating and interesting historical past. The Andover Museum's historical displays will be changed regularly throughout the year in order to highlight and showcase some of the prominent residents, important events, and significant properties and buildings of the area. In addition to the historic displays, the society also has a nice collection of gift items for sale, including the Andover Borough Afghan, glass ornaments, and note cards, all depicting scenes and buildings of this historic town. This month's exhibit will feature school and harvesting.
The Andover Museum is open to visitors from 1:00 - 4:00 pm this Sunday. It is located upstairs in the Andover Borough Municipal Building at 137 Main Street/Route 206, Andover Borough, NJ. There is ample parking located behind the building and the museum entrance is on Smith Street.
The museum is open to the public. For additional information please call 973-786-7833 or e-mail historyandovernj@aol.com.
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Sunday, October 20 - Upper Saddle River, Bergen County
Harvest Festival & Petting Zoo
Children Friendly
Take time to celebrate the "bounty of the harvest" on Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Hopper-Goetschius House Museum's Annual Harvest Festival. The event is free to members; $3.00 per person for non-members. Young persons age 16 and under are free.
Enjoy a variety of activities for children and adults. A petting zoo with goats and lambs, donkeys, ducks, chickens, and bunnies, as well as pony rides will be in perfect company with demonstrations of colonial crafts - spinning, chair caning, quilting, bobbin lacemaking, crocheting, and rug braiding. Watch the cider pressing in the old Dutch barn and enjoy a taste of fresh cider. Taste one of yesteryear's recipes cooked over the open-hearth fire in the out kitchen. Come for lunch. There will be delicious grilled hot dogs and soda to purchase.
Enjoy a variety of activities for children and adults. A petting zoo with goats and lambs, donkeys, ducks, chickens, and bunnies, as well as pony rides will be in perfect company with demonstrations of colonial crafts - spinning, chair caning, quilting, bobbin lacemaking, crocheting, and rug braiding. Watch the cider pressing in the old Dutch barn and enjoy a taste of fresh cider. Taste one of yesteryear's recipes cooked over the open-hearth fire in the out kitchen. Come for lunch. There will be delicious grilled hot dogs and soda to purchase.
Did you know that the gypsies used to camp in this area? This year be sure to visit our fortune teller and find out what your future holds. There will be old-fashioned games and activities for children and a special area featuring antiques and crafts.
The museum and barn will be open for special tours. The Hopper Goetschius House Museum is located at 363 East Saddle River Road, Upper Saddle River 07458. It is on the corner of East Saddle River Road and Lake Street. www.usrhistoricalsociety.org
Enjoy a great day for Halloween Celebrations at the "Not So Scary Halloween Party" at the DAR Elias Van Bunschooten Museum, 1097 Rt. 23, Wantage, New Jersey on Sunday at 1:00 pm. Rain date is Sunday, October 27.
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Sunday, October 20 - Wantage, Sussex County
Not So Scary Halloween Party
Children Friendly
Admission is $5 per Child (no charge for adults). Pumpkins, hay maze, fun activities, games, prizes, a haunted barn for kids that like a little spook, a costume contest, food for sale, and much more! This event is even suited for young children.
For recommended advanced registration (Family name, number of kids and ages) or more information, please call 973-948-5299. The Chinkchewunska Chapter of the DAR preserves and restores the house and outbuildings on our property as a living reminder of Sussex County history from the late 1700s to the present. They open their doors mid-May through mid-October for tours on Thursdays and Saturdays in addition to school and group tours by appointment, and host special events throughout the year.
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For recommended advanced registration (Family name, number of kids and ages) or more information, please call 973-948-5299. The Chinkchewunska Chapter of the DAR preserves and restores the house and outbuildings on our property as a living reminder of Sussex County history from the late 1700s to the present. They open their doors mid-May through mid-October for tours on Thursdays and Saturdays in addition to school and group tours by appointment, and host special events throughout the year.
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Sunday, October 20 - Canton, Salem County
Farm Day
Come out for a day on the farm with the Lower Alloways Creek Historical Museum from 1:00 - 4:00 pm! There will be antique tractors and farm equipment on display. Learn about sausage and butter making. The Lower Alloways Creek Historical Museum is located at 736 Smick Road, Canton, 08079. For more information, visit www.lowerallowayscreek-nj.gov.
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Sunday, October 20 - Fairfield, Cumberland County
Colonial Church Service
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The afternoon's activities is a joint undertaking of the Presbyterian churches in Fairton, Bridgeton, and Greenwich, and is open to the public. The church is located at Route #553 and New England Crossroad, Fairfield Township, NJ. For more information, visit www.fairfieldpca.org.
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Sundays Through November 30, 2013 - Lakehurst, Ocean County
Pittis - Doctor - Mayor - Postmaster
The Borough of Lakehurst Historical Society announces a special exhibit about an important resident - "PITTIS - Doctor - Mayor - Postmaster". Dr. Pittis was the local physician for Lakehurst and Manchester from the turn of the 19th century until World War II. He would make house calls all the way to Whiting in his horse-drawn buggy. Later in life, he became a physician at the Jersey City Medical Center. Dr. Harold Pittis was the son of Thomas Kearn Pittis and Susan null Henrietta Collins. Harold was the fourth of ten children; eight brothers and one sister, all from Plainfield, New Jersey.
Dr. Harold received his MD in 1901 from McGill University, Montreal, Canada, where he met his wife Ruth. He and Ruth were married on January 8, 1900 at St. Mark's Church in Malone, New York. In the 1910 census, Dr. Pittis was living on Union Avenue, Lakehurst, with his wife and son Harold, who had received his MD from McGill University in 1937.
Dr. Harold Pittis was not only the town physician, but also Lakehurst's first postmaster, beginning in November 1918. He was reappointed twice and served until August 16, 1929. He financed the construction of the first post office.
The museum is open Wednesdays and Sundays from 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm. The Lakehurst Historical Society Museum is located at 300 Center Street, Lakehurst, NJ. For more information, call 732-657-8864 or click here.
Dr. Harold received his MD in 1901 from McGill University, Montreal, Canada, where he met his wife Ruth. He and Ruth were married on January 8, 1900 at St. Mark's Church in Malone, New York. In the 1910 census, Dr. Pittis was living on Union Avenue, Lakehurst, with his wife and son Harold, who had received his MD from McGill University in 1937.
Dr. Harold Pittis was not only the town physician, but also Lakehurst's first postmaster, beginning in November 1918. He was reappointed twice and served until August 16, 1929. He financed the construction of the first post office.
The museum is open Wednesdays and Sundays from 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm. The Lakehurst Historical Society Museum is located at 300 Center Street, Lakehurst, NJ. For more information, call 732-657-8864 or click here.
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Saturdays and Sundays Through October 27, 2013 - Ringwood, Passaic CountyGrounds and Garden Tour
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Through June 30, 2014 - Piscataway, Middlesex County
Got Work? Exhibit
View the exhibit "Got Work? New Deal/WPA in New Jersey" at the 1741 Cornelius Low House Museum in Piscataway. The museum is open Tuesday - Friday, 8:30 - 4:00 pm and Sunday afternoons from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. The exhibit will run through June 30, 2014.
The Cornelius Low House, built in 1741, was the home to its namesake and is only one of two remaining buildings from historic Raritan Landing. This high-style Georgian mansion is listed on the National Register and operated by the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission. Admission to the museum is FREE. The museum is located at 1225 River Road, Piscataway, NJ . For more information, visit
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The Museum of Early Trades and Crafts presents "Ghosts, Ghouls, & Gravestones: The Trades of Burial," which will examine the progression of the burial trade. Passing away from this world was once a family affair, but over time, the process spread through the social and economic ties of the community. By 1900, a robust funeral industry had developed that saw to a family's every need. The exhibit will also explore the strict protocols that dictated mourning and the artistry in gravestones.
Regular Museum admission is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors, students & children (ages 6 and older), and free for members and children under 6. Family maximum admission $13.00. The Museum is open Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm and Sunday 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm. The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts is located at 9 Main Street in Madison, NJ just two blocks from the Madison train station. For information, please call 973-377-2982 x10 or visit www.metc.org.
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Often overlooked as a decorative art form, maps are ideal artifacts for exploring New Jersey history. Stories of New Jersey’s social, economic, military, environmental and political history – as well as the state’s role in the history of American transportation – can be told through the visual splendor of the Garden State’s historic maps.
Opening on September 7 and running through February 23, 2014, “Where in the World is New Jersey? Historical Maps of the Garden State” is comprised of nearly 100 maps depicting the colony and state of New Jersey from 1635 through 1950 on display at the New Jersey State Museum.
This unprecedented exhibition provides the visitor with an introductory survey of historical maps depicting the colony and state of New Jersey from 1635 until 1950. The nearly 100 maps on display – most of which are original hand-colored copperplate engravings or chromolithographs – come from the collections of four public institutions – the New Jersey State Museum, State Archives, State Library, and Special Collections and University Archives at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. They were selected for their rarity, their ability to convey aspects of New Jersey history, and their artistic merit – underscoring the dual role of maps as both works of art and utilitarian tools essential to the human experience.
The New Jersey State Museum, located at 205 West State Street in Trenton, NJ is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 am - 4:45 pm. The Museum is closed Mondays and all state holidays. The NJ State Museum has a “suggested” admission fee. For more information, visit www.statemuseum.nj.gov or call the recorded information line at 609-292-6464. On weekends, free parking is available in lots adjacent to and behind the Museum. Please visit www.trentonparking.com for a number of options for parking in downtown Trenton during the week.
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The Harrison Township Historical Society's fall exhibition, Under the Sea: Our Prehistoric Past is on display through Saturday, December 14, 2013.
This new installation, which features rare fossil specimens on loan from the New Jersey State Museum, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, and private collections, explores how fossil discoveries at 19th century marl mining operations around Mullica Hill attracted the interest of such notable early paleontologists as Yale's Othniel Marsh and Philadelphia's Charles Lyell, Timothy Conrad and William Gabb. As guest curator, Shirley S. Albright, retired Assistant Curator of Natural History, New Jersey State Museum has written, the historic significance of the classic Mullica Hill fossil locality cannot be underestimated. The exhibits show the diversity of prehistoric faunal life inhabiting the ancient ocean that covered Harrison Township, as well as Pleistocene fossils transported southward by melting glaciers.
The exhibition also discusses the area's geology and native stone deposits with photos of buildings constructed of limonite, or Jersey sandstone, that survive in the area from the 18th and 19th centuries.
With over sixty specimens, an introductory video, and activities for children in the gallery and to take home, Under the Sea offers insights into the area's ancient past for the entire family, and admission is free.
The Harrison Township Historical Society's Old Town Hall Museum is located at 62-64 South Main Street, Mullica Hill, NJ. The Museum is open Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00 - 4:00 pm, through December 14, 2013. For more information, call 856-478- 4949 or visit www.harrisonhistorical.com.
Through February 2014 - Madison, Morris County
Ghosts, Ghouls, & Gravestones Exhibit
Children Friendly Site
Regular Museum admission is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors, students & children (ages 6 and older), and free for members and children under 6. Family maximum admission $13.00. The Museum is open Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm and Sunday 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm. The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts is located at 9 Main Street in Madison, NJ just two blocks from the Madison train station. For information, please call 973-377-2982 x10 or visit www.metc.org.
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Through Sunday, February 23, 2014 - Trenton, Mercer County
Historic Maps of the Garden State Exhibit
Children Friendly Activities
Opening on September 7 and running through February 23, 2014, “Where in the World is New Jersey? Historical Maps of the Garden State” is comprised of nearly 100 maps depicting the colony and state of New Jersey from 1635 through 1950 on display at the New Jersey State Museum.
This unprecedented exhibition provides the visitor with an introductory survey of historical maps depicting the colony and state of New Jersey from 1635 until 1950. The nearly 100 maps on display – most of which are original hand-colored copperplate engravings or chromolithographs – come from the collections of four public institutions – the New Jersey State Museum, State Archives, State Library, and Special Collections and University Archives at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. They were selected for their rarity, their ability to convey aspects of New Jersey history, and their artistic merit – underscoring the dual role of maps as both works of art and utilitarian tools essential to the human experience.
The New Jersey State Museum, located at 205 West State Street in Trenton, NJ is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 am - 4:45 pm. The Museum is closed Mondays and all state holidays. The NJ State Museum has a “suggested” admission fee. For more information, visit www.statemuseum.nj.gov or call the recorded information line at 609-292-6464. On weekends, free parking is available in lots adjacent to and behind the Museum. Please visit www.trentonparking.com for a number of options for parking in downtown Trenton during the week.
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Through December 14, 2013 - Harrison Township, Gloucester County
Under the Sea: Our Prehistoric Past
Children Friendly
This new installation, which features rare fossil specimens on loan from the New Jersey State Museum, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, and private collections, explores how fossil discoveries at 19th century marl mining operations around Mullica Hill attracted the interest of such notable early paleontologists as Yale's Othniel Marsh and Philadelphia's Charles Lyell, Timothy Conrad and William Gabb. As guest curator, Shirley S. Albright, retired Assistant Curator of Natural History, New Jersey State Museum has written, the historic significance of the classic Mullica Hill fossil locality cannot be underestimated. The exhibits show the diversity of prehistoric faunal life inhabiting the ancient ocean that covered Harrison Township, as well as Pleistocene fossils transported southward by melting glaciers.
The exhibition also discusses the area's geology and native stone deposits with photos of buildings constructed of limonite, or Jersey sandstone, that survive in the area from the 18th and 19th centuries.
With over sixty specimens, an introductory video, and activities for children in the gallery and to take home, Under the Sea offers insights into the area's ancient past for the entire family, and admission is free.
The Harrison Township Historical Society's Old Town Hall Museum is located at 62-64 South Main Street, Mullica Hill, NJ. The Museum is open Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00 - 4:00 pm, through December 14, 2013. For more information, call 856-478- 4949 or visit www.harrisonhistorical.com.
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Through June 2014 - Morristown, Morris County
"Controversies: The More Things Change..." Exhibit
Currently on display at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum is an exhibition about topics that helped shape our world. "Controversies: The More Things Change..." opens new territory for the Museum, presenting challenging subject matter that may not be suitable for casual dinner conversation. This new exhibit explores topics that helped shape our world through local history events which had national significance:medical experimentation, immigration, and the right to die.
"Controversies: The More Things Change..." inspires people to consider, even reconsider, the ways in which they think about these important, frequently debated issues. The exhibit explores local history events which had national significance: the 1833 Antoine LeBlanc murder trial and public execution; the immigration issues of the late nineteenth century as depicted by political cartoonist Thomas Nast, a Morristown resident, and the 1976 Karen Ann Quinlan "right to die" case.
The museum is making a major departure in exhibit presentations with "Controversies." Where most exhibits typically provide detailed information about the objects on view, "Controversies" offers limited information about the objects, essentially forcing personal thought, and inspiring discussion, about the areas represented. Each object and concept in the exhibit represents a part of New Jersey's history - specifically Morris County's history. The ideas expressed through the historical objects in the exhibit, however, are not confined to New Jersey boundaries- the significant concerns raised by the important and controversial issues showcased in this exhibit continue to be debated throughout the United States and the world.
"We wanted to give our visitors a chance to participate in an exhibit in a new way - to have a reaction without being guided by the institution's interpretation of what the objects represent, which labels typically provide," said Executive Director Carrie Fellows. Instead, curator's books of supplementary information will be available within the exhibit, should the visitor want to learn more, drawn from primary sources like news articles, contemporary commentary, and images. Visitors are encouraged to leave comments about the themes presented.
The exhibition was inspired when Fellows and Ryan C. Hyman, the Museum's curator, heard Burt Logan, Executive Director of the Ohio Historical Society speak at a conference about the organization's groundbreaking "Controversy: Pieces You Don't Normally See" exhibit, and its sequel, "Controversy 2: Pieces We Don't Normally Talk About". During his talk, Mr. Logan strongly encouraged other museums to adapt the concept and develop similar exhibits. Inspired by the presentation, Hyman and Fellows began discussing how they might create an exhibit using themes from the Morris area's rich history.
"Controversies: The More Things Change..." will be on view during Museum touring hours through June 2014. Please note the subject matter may not be suitable for all audiences. Visitor discretion advised. Recommended for visitors 12 years of age and older.
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum preserves the history of the Macculloch-Miller families, the Morris area community, and the legacy of its founder W. Parsons Todd through its historic site, collections, exhibits, and educational and cultural programs. The Museum is open for house and exhibit tours on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. The last tour leaves at 3:00 pm. Adults $8; Seniors & Students $6; Children 6 - 12 $4. Members and children under 5 are free. For more information, call 973-538-2404 ext. 10 or visit www.maccullochhall.org. Macculloch Hall Historical Museum is located at 45 Macculloch Avenue, Morristown, NJ.
"Controversies: The More Things Change..." Exhibit
Currently on display at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum is an exhibition about topics that helped shape our world. "Controversies: The More Things Change..." opens new territory for the Museum, presenting challenging subject matter that may not be suitable for casual dinner conversation. This new exhibit explores topics that helped shape our world through local history events which had national significance:medical experimentation, immigration, and the right to die.
"Controversies: The More Things Change..." inspires people to consider, even reconsider, the ways in which they think about these important, frequently debated issues. The exhibit explores local history events which had national significance: the 1833 Antoine LeBlanc murder trial and public execution; the immigration issues of the late nineteenth century as depicted by political cartoonist Thomas Nast, a Morristown resident, and the 1976 Karen Ann Quinlan "right to die" case.
The museum is making a major departure in exhibit presentations with "Controversies." Where most exhibits typically provide detailed information about the objects on view, "Controversies" offers limited information about the objects, essentially forcing personal thought, and inspiring discussion, about the areas represented. Each object and concept in the exhibit represents a part of New Jersey's history - specifically Morris County's history. The ideas expressed through the historical objects in the exhibit, however, are not confined to New Jersey boundaries- the significant concerns raised by the important and controversial issues showcased in this exhibit continue to be debated throughout the United States and the world.
"We wanted to give our visitors a chance to participate in an exhibit in a new way - to have a reaction without being guided by the institution's interpretation of what the objects represent, which labels typically provide," said Executive Director Carrie Fellows. Instead, curator's books of supplementary information will be available within the exhibit, should the visitor want to learn more, drawn from primary sources like news articles, contemporary commentary, and images. Visitors are encouraged to leave comments about the themes presented.
The exhibition was inspired when Fellows and Ryan C. Hyman, the Museum's curator, heard Burt Logan, Executive Director of the Ohio Historical Society speak at a conference about the organization's groundbreaking "Controversy: Pieces You Don't Normally See" exhibit, and its sequel, "Controversy 2: Pieces We Don't Normally Talk About". During his talk, Mr. Logan strongly encouraged other museums to adapt the concept and develop similar exhibits. Inspired by the presentation, Hyman and Fellows began discussing how they might create an exhibit using themes from the Morris area's rich history.
"Controversies: The More Things Change..." will be on view during Museum touring hours through June 2014. Please note the subject matter may not be suitable for all audiences. Visitor discretion advised. Recommended for visitors 12 years of age and older.
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum preserves the history of the Macculloch-Miller families, the Morris area community, and the legacy of its founder W. Parsons Todd through its historic site, collections, exhibits, and educational and cultural programs. The Museum is open for house and exhibit tours on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. The last tour leaves at 3:00 pm. Adults $8; Seniors & Students $6; Children 6 - 12 $4. Members and children under 5 are free. For more information, call 973-538-2404 ext. 10 or visit www.maccullochhall.org. Macculloch Hall Historical Museum is located at 45 Macculloch Avenue, Morristown, NJ.
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Some event listings courtesy of the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey
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