NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 8/29/15 - 8/30/15

NJ WEEKEND HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS

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Friday, August 28 - Readington Township, Hunterdon County

Readington Museums Lenape Program

On Friday, Susan Plaisted, proprietress of Heart to Hearth Cookery, a food history business based in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, will lecture about our local Native American tribe, the Lenni Lenape. She will discuss transportation, housing, village life, gardening and foodways. Plaisted holds a B.S. in food and nutrition and an M.S. in health education. Her specialty is American and Native American food during the Colonial Period.

The lecture runs from 7:00 - 8:30 pm at the Bouman-Stickney Farmstead, 114 Dreahook Road in the Stanton section of Readington Township. If using a GPS, use Lebanon, NJ 08833. The program is free but donations are gladly accepted. For more information, contact Program Director Margaret Smith at 908-236-2327 or e-mail readingtonmuseums@gmail.com. For directions, visit www.readingtonmuseums.org.

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Friday - Sunday, August 28 - 30 - River Edge, Bergen County

School of Loyalist

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NJ Weekend Estate Sales: 8/27/15 - 8/30/15

NEW JERSEY WEEKEND ESTATE SALES

Click on each link for more information on the estate sale!

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The Castle that Wasn't: The Samuel Fleming House Museum & Gardens

The Castle that Wasn't: The Samuel Fleming House Museum & Gardens

Flemington, New Jersey is known for its historic courthouse, hundreds of historic homes, and iconic downtown buildings. However, the oldest home in Flemington is not located along its main street. On Bonnell Street, tucked away a little over a block away from Main Street is the Samuel Fleming House Museum and Gardens. This diminutive two-story home, just mere feet from the sidewalk and squeezed between two others, is Flemington's oldest structure. It also happens to have been built on Samuel Fleming's land, for whom Flemington is named after. There is much lore associated with this house and even determining if Samuel Fleming built it or lived in it has troubled historians trying to decipher the home's true history. In this short piece, we will dispel a few myths and let you in on what I discovered.

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Organization of the Week: Friends of Fleming Castle

Every Monday, I highlight a non-profit related to history or the arts, a historical society, preservation group or friends group whose main objective is to promote the historical and artistic history of New Jersey and beyond.

This week, I am featuring the Friends of Fleming Castle (Samuel Fleming House). The Friends of Fleming Castle, founded in 2009, are responsible for the management and interpretation of the Samuel Fleming House Museum & Gardens, a historic house museum owned by the Borough of Flemington, New Jersey. Their mission is, "...to provide an historic interpretation of life in early Flemington through guided tours, historically accurate displays, educational programs, museum events, as well as participation in community events."

The Friends host community programs and lectures, and open temporary exhibits throughout the year. The home is open for tours on second Saturday of each month from 1:00 - 4:00 pm.

The Friends of Fleming Castle rely on memberships, fundraising, and countless volunteers to continue its mission. For more information on programs and special events hosted by the Friends of Fleming Castle or to become a member or volunteer, please call 908-782-4607 or visit www.fleminghousemuseum.org.

If you are a member of a non-profit organization or know of one that you would like to see featured on this site, please let us know in the comments or send an e-mail to kelly@thehistorygirl.com.

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NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 8/22/15 - 8/23/15

NJ WEEKEND HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS

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Saturday, August 22 - Wharton, Morris County

Wharton Canal Day Music & Craft Festival
Children Friendly

The Wharton Canal Day Music & Craft Festival is an old-time country fair that celebrates the Morris Canal and its contributions to the development of the communities along its banks. The festival is now in its 39th year. Come to a day of free family fun featuring unique craft and fine art items from 150 vendors. Learn about local history by taking a guided Morris Canal walking tour provided by the Canal Society of NJ. Visit a Civil War encampment or learn the art of blacksmithing. Experience life on the canal first-hand on a free boat or kayak ride. Take a hayride on the canal towpath or enjoy a free pony ride. The Wallaby Tales Traveling Zoo will delight children of all ages. Dress up your furry friend and enter the Pet Parade and Costume Contest for a chance to win prizes. View the high energy of Roller Derby competition or lay back and enjoy listening to 10 of New Jersey's best musical performers. The festival is held at Hugh Force Canal Park, 170 West Central Avenue, Wharton NJ from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, rain or shine. For more information, visit www.canalday.org.

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Saturday, August 22 - Ocean Grove, Monmouth County

Ocean Grove Postcard Show

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NJ Weekend Estate Sales: 8/21//15 - 8/23/15

NEW JERSEY WEEKEND ESTATE SALES

Click on each link for more information on the estate sale!

Find something neat at an estate sale? Let us know!

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Maplewood's Treasure: The Durand-Hedden House & Garden

Maplewood's Treasure: The Durand-Hedden House & Garden

Maplewood, New Jersey is known today for its many stately historic homes and neighborhoods and a strong commitment to preservation. Originally part of Newark Township, then South Orange Township and eventually Maplewood in 1922, the community has a long and storied past since the first six families of European settlers reached the area around 1675. The Maplewood Historic Preservation Commission has designated twelve properties in the township as local historic sites, one of which is the Durand-Hedden House.

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Organization of the Week: Durand-Hedden House & Garden Association

Every Monday, I highlight a non-profit related to history or the arts, a historical society, preservation group or friends group whose main objective is to promote the historical and artistic history of New Jersey and beyond.

This week, I am featuring the Durand-Hedden House & Garden Association. The Durand-Hedden House & Garden Association is responsible for the management, maintenance, restoration, and interpretation of the Durand-Hedden House, a historic house museum owned by the Township of Maplewood, New Jersey. The organization is dedicated to, "providing diverse educational exhibits and programs that foster the public’s knowledge and appreciation of the heritage and development of the Maplewood area and surrounding towns from the time of its original settlement in the late 17th century to the late 20th century."

The Association hosts reenactments on its grounds, programs and lectures, and temporary exhibits throughout the year on relevant topics such as nature, architecture, music, food, social life, and local history. The home is open for tours on Sundays and a former garage on the property serves as a gift shop with unique gifts and local history books to support the ongoing maintenance and operation of the site.

The Durand-Hedden House & Garden Association relies on memberships, fundraising, and countless volunteers to continue its mission. For more information on programs and special events hosted by the Durand-Hedden House & Garden Association or to become a member or volunteer, please e-mail info@durandhedden.org or visit www.durandhedden.org.

If you are a member of a non-profit organization or know of one that you would like to see featured on this site, please let us know in the comments or send an e-mail to kelly@thehistorygirl.com.

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NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 8/15/15 - 8/16/15

NJ WEEKEND HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS

Know about a historical event happening in your area? 

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Saturday, August 15 - Holmdel, Monmouth County

19th Century Woodworking Demonstration

Children Friendly

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NJ Weekend Estate Sales: 8/14/15 - 8/16/15

NEW JERSEY WEEKEND ESTATE SALES

Click on each link for more information on the estate sale!

Find something neat at an estate sale? Let us know!

Hosting an estate sale? Send me an e-mail to be featured in our weekly post!

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Queen of Femininity: Miss America

Queen of Femininity: Miss America

“There she is, Miss America…”

Written by Karen L. Schnitzspahn

Excerpt from Remarkable Women of the New Jersey Shore by Karen L. Schnitzspahn

Many traditions have changed during the history of the Miss America pageant which began at the dawn of the Roaring Twenties and continues today. In 1920, a member of the Business Men’s League of Atlantic City proposed a “Fall Frolic” to be held in late September. After Labor Day, business slowed down and something was needed to boost off-season tourism. The frolic didn’t happen but the International Rolling Chair Pageant held in 1920 was a big success. Then someone came up with the idea to add a beauty contest to the parade. During that same year, women achieved suffrage and Prohibition went into effect. Women’s fashions were changing. Bathing suits were more revealing, some even showing bare knees! East coast newspapers sponsored contests for readers to nominate contestants.

The young women entered in the first Miss America event in September 1921 represented cities, not states, in an Inter-City pageant (the pageant gradually transitioned to having women representing states). Some of the contestants were Miss Camden; Miss Harrisburg; Miss Newark; Miss Philadelphia; Miss Washington, DC; Miss Ocean City; and Miss Atlantic City. The young women appeared in a Rolling Chair Parade wearing elaborate costumes and a Bather’s Review, in swimsuits. A highlight of the event was the arrival of “King Neptune,” who floated onto the beach in a large shell with a bevy of sea nymphs during a spectacular entrance. The surprise winner, known as the “first Miss America,” was a petite sixteen-year-old named Margaret Gorman who represented Washington, DC.

An iconic photo of the first Miss America, sixteen-year-old Margaret Gorman, Atlantic City, 1921.
Atlantic City Free Public Library.

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Silent Art Auction to Benefit the Draft Horses at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm - September 12, 2015

Silent Art Auction to Benefit the Draft Horses at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm

Saturday, September 12, 2015

The Friends of Fosterfields and Cooper Mill extend an invitation to join them at a Silent Art Auction on Saturday, September 12 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm at the Frelinghuysen Mansion, located at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum, a facility of the Morris County Park Commission, 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morristown, NJ. The Silent Art Auction hopes to raise funds for the retirement of Calvin and Hobbes, the beloved draft horses currently at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, also a facility of the Morris County Park Commission, and the future purchase of a new draft horse team for the farm.

Calvin and Hobbes. Photo by Ralph Iacobelli.

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"Jersey Shore Food History" and "Remarkable Women of the New Jersey Shore" August Book Giveaway

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NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 8/8/15 - 8/9/15

NJ WEEKEND HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS

Know about a historical event happening in your area? 

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Friday, August 7 - Trenton, Mercer County

Summer Taptoe Concerts Return to Trenton's Old Barracks Museum

Family Friendly

The Old Barracks Museum invites you to enjoy an evening of music and history with its fourth annual Taptoe Concert Series. On the evenings of July 31 and August 7, The Fifes and Drums of the Old Barracks will perform a selection of military tunes, followed by Scottish tunes and dancing as performed by Shot of Scotch Scottish Highland Dancers. The museum will be dramatically illuminated by torches and candles, providing the perfect back drop for the evening. "Taptoe" is the 18th-century term for the time when the musick and guard would march about a garrison town, signaling the taverns to close their taps and for the soldiers to return to their barracks.

The gates open at 7:00 pm. Advanced tickets are available for purchase by calling 609-396-1776 or visiting the Old Barracks Museum Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Ticket prices are as follows: $25 reserved balcony seating with included refreshments ($20 for Old Barracks Museum members); $10 lawn seating. Proceeds from the event benefit the Old Barracks Museum and the Fifes & Drums of the Old Barracks, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

The Old Barracks Museum is located at 101 Barrack Street, Trenton, NJ. Ample free parking is available in the lot adjacent to the museum. For more information, call 609- 396-1776 or visit www.barracks.org.

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Saturday, August 8 - Hewitt, Passaic County

Long Pond Ironworks Historic District Walking Tours
Children Friendly

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NJ Weekend Estate Sales: 8/7/15 - 8/9/15

NEW JERSEY WEEKEND ESTATE SALES

Click on each link for more information on the estate sale!

Find something neat at an estate sale? Let us know!

Hosting an estate sale? Send me an e-mail to be featured in our weekly post!

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A Crowning Touch to Balboa Park: San Diego's Marston House

A Crowning Touch to Balboa Park: San Diego's Marston House

Tucked away on the northern edge of historic Balboa Park in San Diego, California is a large three story home, just a few hundred yards from a busy freeway at the bottom of a canyon. Although heavily wooded today, when the George Marston House was built in 1905, you could see snow-capped mountains on the horizon. Although not visible today, the manicured grounds and lush gardens compliment this Arts and Crafts style home, once home to a prominent citizen of San Diego and founding member of the San Diego Historical Society.

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