NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 10/3/15

NJ WEEKEND HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS

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Friday - Saturday, October 2 - 3 - Farmingdale, Monmouth County
An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe at Allaire Village

Allaire Village, Inc. is hosting a weekend of Halloween Classics at the Historic Village at Allaire. This year, nationally renowned Helen McKenna from the Edgar Allan Poe House, a national historic site in Philadelphia, will perform a dramatization from the haunting tales of Edgar Allan Poe. The performance will take place in the Allaire Village Chapel. A brief biography of this gifted, yet tragic author will give you insight into his life and renowned works.

The presentation will take place on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm. The Allaire Village Chapel is limited to 100 people so pre-registration is a must! Only ticket-holders will be admitted to the performances. This show is a must-see for Halloween devotees and is great for people of all ages. Ticket cost is $20 per person. Call 732-919-3500 for tickets, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and have your credit card ready. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.allairevillage.org.

The Historic Village at Allaire is located in Allaire State Park, 4265 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale, NJ. For more information, contact the Allaire Village office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, at 732-919-3500 or visit www.allairevillage.org.

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Saturday, October 3 - Bloomfield, Essex County

"Bloomfield Through Time" Book Signing

On Saturday, local historian and author Richard Rockwell will sign copies of his new book, Bloomfield Through Time at the Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center at 240 Belleville Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Refreshments will be served, including hors d'oeuvres from Spice Thai Cuisine in Bloomfield.

Mr. Rockwell will also be signing copies on Saturday, October 24 from 1:00 - 2:00 pm at Watchung Booksellers, 54 Fairfield Street, Montclair, NJ.

Explore Bloomfield's past through richly detailed photographs digitally repaired and enhanced from original negatives of Bloomfield scenes 100 years ago. The photos tell the story of a town that went from farms and water-powered-mills to industrial to mostly residential somewhere between urban and suburban. See how the town was shaped by transportation starting with the Morris Canal, then electric trolleys and railroads and then the Garden State Parkway. From a time when large Victorian houses with people-friendly porches fell out of favor and were either demolished to be replaced by apartment buildings or stripped of their character and covered with the latest fad in siding material. You'll find yourself wondering what defines historic character and how much of that character is worth preserving.

Proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the Friends of the Morris Canal Greenway in Bloomfield, an organization devoted to preserving the Morris Canal and the Collins House.

Richard Rockwell has been a longtime fan of historic preservation. He became interested in the history of his historic neighborhood, Halcyon Park, in 2007 because of a zoning issue. That led to researching the history of the neighborhood and the creation of a web site. That led to other projects collecting, enhancing, and interpreting historical photos from negatives and creating web sites on topics including historic sites in southwestern Pennsylvania where he grew up. Rockwell is a co-founding member and chairman of the Bloomfield Morris Canal Greenway Committee and also serves on the boards of the Historical Society of Bloomfield, Bloomfield's Historic Preservation Commission, and Zoning Board of Adjustment.

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Saturday, October 3 - West Orange, Essex County

2nd Annual Mucker's Ball

Proceeds benefit Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange, NJ. For more information, call 973-736-2916 or visit www.foedison.org.

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Saturday, October 3 - Westfield, Union County

Apple Fest - POSTPONED TO SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4

Children Friendly

It's that time of year again, when music, community spirit and lots of fun activities beckon us to the historic Reeve House to participate in Apple Fest, the Westfield Historical Society's annual fall fundraiser. This year, 1920s style festivities will be held on Saturday, October 3, from 12:00 - 4:00 pm. The rain date is Sunday, October 4.

Apple Fest is a day of activities which draws all ages with the Apple Café-fashioned this year as a "speakeasy" - serving celebrated local food, a judged apple pie-baking contest and sale, old fashioned games for kids and adults, lots of prizes, pumpkin painting, free dance lessons, house tours, showings of silent movie clips, exhibits, 1920s era antiques sale, a photo booth for taking flapper-style pictures and of course, offerings from top-tier local vendors. Entrance fee is $5 per person or $15 for a family of 4.

The Westfield Historical Society Reeve History and Cultural Resource Center is located at 314 Mountain Avenue, Westfield, NJ. For more information, call 908-654-1794 or visit www.westfieldhistoricalsociety.org.

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Saturday, October 3 - Washington Township, Morris County

"Autumn in the Valley" Historic House Tour

The Washington Township Historical Society will present homes for its 32nd annual "Autumn in the Valley" Historic House Tour. Two local cemeteries will also be one the tour - The German Valley Rural Cemetery, which is celebrating its 150th Anniversary and the Middle Valley Cemetery. The tour will be held on Saturday from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the tour and will be available at the museum at 6 Fairview Avenue, Long Valley, NJ. For more information and to reserve tickets, call 908-876-9696 or e-mail info@wthsnj.org.

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Saturday, October 3 - Trenton, Mercer County

Tavern Night at the Old Barracks

The Board of Trustees of The Old Barracks Association requests the pleasure of your company on Saturday at 7:00 pm, when they transform the Old Barracks Museum into the colonial tavern, The Sheaf of Wheat. Leave your 21st-century cares behind and get whisked away to an evening of 18th-century revelry and delights. Play colonial card games, dance to live colonial music, and enjoy many other diversions with local colonial townspeople. Be sure to keep your eyes and ears open throughout the night, as you may discover that a mystery is afoot!

Tavern Night is the annual fundraiser of the Old Barracks Museum, and proceeds from the evening go towards supporting and sustaining this unique site. Tickets are $50 - heavy hors d'oeuvres and drinks are included.

The Old Barracks Museum is located at 101 Barrack Street, Trenton, NJ. Parking for this event is free and conveniently located in the lot directly next to the museum. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 609-396-1776 or visit www.barracks.org.

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Saturday, October 3 - Clinton, Hunterdon County

Apples and Architecture

Join the Friends of the Hunterdon Art Museum for a fun and informative walking tour of Clinton with historic preservationist Michael Margulies on Saturday at 4:00 pm. The tour begins and ends at the Museum. Margulies will lead participants on a tour that will highlight the history and many interesting architectural features of the buildings in downtown Clinton. Following the event, enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and an apple tasting at the Museum.

The tour costs $25, and everyone is welcome. Reservations are suggested. Call the Museum at 908-735-8415 to reserve your space or for more information.

Margulies, a principal and co-founder of Eclectic Architecture, LLC, has over two decades of experience in architecture, historic preservation and traditional trades.

The Hunterdon Art Museum is located at 7 Lower Center Street in Clinton, NJ. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm and suggested admission is $5. For more information, call 908-735-8415 or visit www.hunterdonartmuseum.org.

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Saturday, October 3 - Princeton, Mercer County

Updike Farmstead Community Day

Children Friendly

On Saturday from 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm, spark your creative energy with a visit to Updike Farmstead in Princeton! Starting at 1:30 pm, the Princeton Photography Club will present two speakers with their photo series, Through the Lens: The World Around Us. A box lunch is available at 12:00 noon for $12 by RSVPing to ppcphotoclub@gmail.com.

All activities are included with $4 museum admission.

Updike Farmstead is located at 354 Quaker Road, Princeton, NJ. For more information, contact Eve Mandel, Director of Programs and Visitor Services, at 609-921-6748 x102 or visit www.princetonhistory.org.

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Saturday, October 3 - Cape May, Cape May County

Harvest Festival Crafts & Collectibles at the Physick Estate - CANCELLED

Celebrate the fall season with your family at the beautiful Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ. Crafters and collectibles dealers from throughout the region display and sell their wares on the lawn. Festival includes hands-on activities and games for children. Day runs from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Free admission and parking with a charge for some activities. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

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Saturday, October 3 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County

Wheat Planting

Children Friendly

On Saturday between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, visitors are invited to join farmers in the fields and on the threshing floor at Howell Living Farm as they plant and process wheat - work rewarded in the farmhouse kitchen with tastes of whole wheat bread and a take-home bag of freshly ground flour, complete with recipes.

Special maps with corresponding field markers are used to guide visitors to areas where they can watch or help with planting operations, thresh wheat for animal feed and bedding, and grind wheat for baking. Visitors who have their maps stamped at each of “Help-the-Farmer” stations will take home their share of the harvest – a bag of freshly milled whole wheat flour produced with their help.

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.com.

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Delaware & Raritan Canal Hike

At 10:00 am on Saturday, hike 5.6 miles along the Delaware and Raritan Canal from Griggstown to East Millstone (the meeting place) or choose the 3.5-mile walk to Blackwells Mills. See the villages of East Millstone, Blackwells Mills, and Griggstown as you explore the Millstone Valley National Scenic Byway. Tour will be led by Bob Barth. For more information and meeting place, call 201-401-3121 or e-mail bbarth@att.net.

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Saturday, October 3 - Chatham Township, Morris County

Lenape Day
Children Friendly

On Saturday at Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, celebrate the Lenape people with dancing, drums, vendors, and historical talks by the Ramapough Lenape People. Enjoy games, crafts, touring a replica wigwam, and more. Great fun for the entire family!

Admission: $5 per person. The Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center is located at 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, NJ. For more information, call 973-635-6629 or visit www.morrisparks.net.

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Saturday, October 3 - Wyckoff/Franklin Lakes, Morris County

Open Doors - An Autumnal Romp Through Time

On Saturday, tour eight beautiful, private historic to present-day homes in Wyckoff and Franklin Lakes. The Trustees of Wyckoff's Van Voorhees-Quackenbush-Zabriskie House present "Open Doors-An Autumnal Romp Through Time" from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Proceeds will benefit this historic house. Cost: $40 for advance purchase tickets and $45 on day of the tour. For more information, call 201-891-9409 or visit www.zabriskiehousewyckoffnj.org.

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Saturday, October 3 - Manalapan, Monmouth County

Archives and History Day

Join over fifty history organizations who will have exhibit tables for this annual event at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters in Manalapan that began in 1996. Stop by on Saturday between 8:45 am and 3:00 pm and learn about New Jersey's fascinating history and the interesting work and programs offered. The day will include a keynote address by historian Melissa Ziobro who will present a talk on “Fort Monmouth and Monmouth County in World War I”, the Monmouth County History Forum, tours of the Monmouth County Archives, a history Game with many free prizes, and award presentations.

This event is free to attend. The Monmouth County Library Headquarters is located at 125 Symmes Road, Manalapan, NJ. For a program of events on Saturday, visit http://co.monmouth.nj.us/page.aspx?Id=4517.

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Saturday, October 3 - Pennington, Mercer County

Pennington, NJ Historic House Tour

As part of Pennington’s 125th Anniversary celebration this year, the Hopewell Valley Historical Society is sponsoring an historic house tour on Saturday, October 3, 2015. The tour, which takes place from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, features some of a diverse group of some of Pennington’s most historically and architecturally significant homes.

The architectural diversity of houses on the tour is represented by eight houses dating from the late 18th century to the early 20th century. Over a half dozen architectural styles can be seen including the Federal style, most common in early Pennington, and later styles such as Greek Revival, Italianate, Colonial Revival, Craftsman, Queen Ann, Shingle, and American Four Square. As a bonus, tour goers can also visit the recently restored Gothic Revival Alumni House at the Pennington School and view the impressive Neo-Classical Sun National Bank building.

The interior of tour homes feature original detailing and materials with many of the homes having eye catching modern additions and remodeled kitchens which showcase contemporary tastes.

Of particular historical interest are homes built by two of Pennington’s earliest and most prominent developers, Col. John Kunkel and William Howe, around the turn of the 20th century. Col. Kunkel initiated the first major expansion of Pennington to its northeast and William Howe, founder of Pennington’s most well known business and former mayor, developed most of the southern part of the borough.

Tickets for the tour can be purchased online prior to the tour at the Historical Society website, www.hopewellvalleyhistory.org or at one of two stores in Pennington: The Front Porch at 24 South Main Street or the Twirl Toy Shop at 10 North Main Street. Tickets may also be purchased at Gloria Nilson Real Estate in the Windsor Crossing Shopping Center on Denow Road. Tickets purchased in advance are $20.

On the day of the tour, house tour booklets, which will serve as tickets, can be purchased for $25 at either the Sun National Bank at E. Delaware Avenue and N. Main Street or at the Pennington School Alumni House on W. Delaware Avenue. Advance ticket purchasers will also need to check in at either location for their house tour booklet before going on tour.

While tour goers are encouraged to walk between houses on tour, a loop shuttle bus service will be provided with stops along the tour route. Parking for tour check-in is available at The Pennington School and Pennington Borough Hall.

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Saturday, October 3 - Mount Holly, Burlington County

Colonial Life

Children Friendly

On Saturday at 11:00 am, through hands-on show-and-tell methods, get a feeling for what day-to-day life was like for colonists in the Burlington County area in the days before the American Revolution. Both 18th-century reproductions and actual period artifacts will be used. Suitable for ages 4 to 12. Adults are welcome as well. Presented by Jeff Macechak of the Burlington County Historical Society.

Program is free and open to the public. It will take place at the Burlington County Lyceum, 307 High Street, Mount Holly, NJ. Pre-registration is requested. For more information and to register, call 609-267-7111, or e-mail bclhns@bcls.lib.nj.us.

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Saturday - Sunday, October 3 - 4 - Rahway, Union County

Ghosts of the Past Cemetery Tour Weekend

This year, the hour-long cemetery tour will feature stops at some of Rahway Cemetery’s most famous residents. You will hear stories from over a dozen costumed characters from Rahway’s Past; meet Abraham Clark, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Captain Walter Bramhall, a Civil War soldier who served at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia, The Unknown Woman, who’s unsolved murder still sparks theories and interest, and many more!

Tours begin at 1:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday and leave every 15 minutes. The last tour leaves at 4:00 pm. Tours last approximately 90 minutes. Reservations are recommended but not necessary. $10 for adults and $5 for students. Call the Merchants & Drovers Museum to reserve your spot - 732-381-0441. The Merchants & Drovers Tavern is located adjacent to the cemetery at 1632 St. Georges Avenue (Route 27), Rahway, NJ. For more information, visit www.merchantsanddrovers.org.

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Saturday - Sunday, October 3 - 4 - Millville, Cumberland County

Festival of Fine Craft

Children Friendly

See over 130 juried artists from across the country present studio art glass, stained glass, creative jewelry designs, unusual metal sculptures, innovative wearables and accessories, intricate baskets, sculptural and functional clay pieces, wood carvings and turned vessels, handcrafted furniture, and two-dimensional art and photography at the Festival of Fine Craft on Saturday and Sunday at WheatonArts. Also see artist demonstrations, participate in family activities, entertainment, food, vendors and a glass pumpkin patch.

Visit the WheatonArts Travelling Volunteer Glassblowers outdoors, and discover the arts of jewelry making, silk painting, spinning and weaving, chair caning, woodturning, intaglio etching, wheel-thrown pottery, broom making and more.

The Folklife Center will be open from 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm with a marquetry and a woodcarving demonstration.

The event will be held from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm both days, rain or shine. WheatonArts is located at 1000 Village Drive, Millville, NJ. Admission $10.00 Adults, $9.00 Seniors (62+), and $7.00 students. Children 5 and under are free.

On 55 wooded acres in southern NJ, WheatonArts is home to the Museum of American Glass, the CGCA International Fellowship Program, the largest folklife center in NJ, a hot glass studio, traditional craft studios, five museum stores and an event center. For more information, call 856-825-6800 or visit www.wheatonarts.org.

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Saturdays and Sundays through October 25, 2015 - Ringwood, Passaic County

Child’s Life Tour at Ringwood

Children Friendly

The “A Child’s Life” tour was developed for children and is all about the Hewitt children. The program uses first-hand accounts to help younger visitors understand what it was like to spend summers at the Ringwood estate 150 years ago. If you thought living without modern entertainment like television, DVDs, and computers was boring, think again! Designed to be fun and amusing, these tours are great for families and visitors of all ages!

Like any family, the Hewitt children were full of energy. With 22,000 acres of property, they could often be found fishing, hunting, swimming, and horseback riding. The large, rambling mansion provided plenty of indoor fun with activities like hide-and-go-seek and sliding down the staircase banisters. In addition, Eddie and his brother Cooper were getting into all sorts of trouble at their summer home, going on adventures and playing many practical jokes on their guests. So, if you’d like to hear about the family’s pet bear, or how the Hewitt boys played a prank using a raccoon and a suitcase, this tour is for you!

“A Child’s Life” tour is approximately 45 minutes long and takes visitors through the historic house while these amusing stories are being told. All thirty of the rooms open to the public are shown, but the tour proceeds at a faster, more energetic pace. Scavenger hunts are provided to encourage visitors to look for some of the unusual features in the manor. At the end of the tour, children and adults are invited to play with reproduction 18th and 19th century toys on the front lawn of Ringwood Manor.

“A Child’s Life” tours will be offered to the public at 1:00 pm every Saturday and Sunday through October 25th. Tours are $3 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-12, and children 5 and under are free. Ringwood Manor is located at 1304 Sloatsburg Road, Ringwood, NJ, within Ringwood State Park. For more information, call 973-962-2240 or visit www.ringwoodmanor.org.

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Sunday, October 4 - Perth Amboy, Middlesex County

Perth Amboy History

On Sunday at 2:00 pm, a lecture and slide show will take place at the Proprietary House in Perth Amboy, NJ. Donald Johnstone Peck, author and historian, will speak about Perth Amboy. His talk will be based on his book, An American Journey of Hope, Perth Amboy - The Capital and Port City on Raritan Bay, 1683-1790 and will be illustrated with original copies of paintings by Francis J. McGinley.

Mr. Peck is a preservationist, historian, and a direct descendant of the founders of Perth Amboy. He is the author of many historical articles, monograms, and books. Mr. Peck tells the story of colonial Perth Amboy from 1683 to 1790 and connects Perth Amboy to larger events taking place in America and the world. Guests will come away with a new appreciation for the rich heritage of the Bay City after listening to this interesting and entertaining talk.

The fee for this event is $7.00. Light refreshments will be served and tours offered. The gift shop will be open. The Proprietary House is located at 149 Kearny Avenue, Perth Amboy, NJ. For more information, call 732-826-5527 or e-mail info@proprietaryhouse.org.

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Sunday, October 4 - Jefferson Township, Morris County

Open House

The Jefferson Township Museum, also known as the George Chamberlin House, will have an open house on Sunday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Learn about the Jefferson Township Historical Society. Costumed docents will be available to talk about this Victorian home. The Museum Curator has decorated the museum with charming vintage items. Admission is free.

The Jefferson Township Museum is located at 315 Dover-Milton Road, Jefferson Township, NJ. Visit Miss Elizabeth's Shoppe located in the original kitchen of the museum, where small antiques, collectibles, handmade, handcrafted and seasonal items will be offered for sale. For further information, call 973-208-8601 or visit www.jthistoricalsociety.org.

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Sunday, October 4 - Haledon, Passaic County

"Embroidered Stories: Interpreting Women's Domestic Needlework from the Italian Diaspora"

On Sunday at 2:00 pm, the American Labor Museum/Botto House National Landmark honors National Arts and Humanities Month and Italian-American Heritage Month by proudly presenting a book talk and signing for the recent book "Embroidered Stories: Interpreting Women's Domestic Needlework from the Italian Diaspora." Editors Edvige Giunta and Joseph Sciorra and contributing writers Rosette Capotorto, Maria Mazziotti Gillan, Lucia Grillo, and Joanna Clapps Herman will lead a question and answer session following their presentation. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. Light refreshments will be served.

"Embroidered Stories" is a collection of creative works by authors of Italian origin and academic essays. The creative works include memoir, poetry, and visual arts. The book explores the experiences and approaches to needlework and immigration from a transnational perspective, spanning the late-19th to the late-20th century. Over 30 illustrations represent Italian immigrant women's needlework.

The exhibit, "The Workers and Their Parade" by Gary Schoichet will be on display at the museum through December 31, 2015. Tours of the Museum will be available and the Museum Store will also be open to the public.

The Botto House National Landmark, home of the American Labor Museum, located at 83 Norwood Street, Haledon, NJ. It was the meeting place for over 20,000 silk mill workers during the 1913 Paterson Silk Strike. The Museum offers a free lending library, restored period rooms, changing exhibits, Museum Store, Old World Gardens, educational programs and special events. The museum's hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Tours are offered Wednesday through Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm or by appointment. For more information, call 973-595-7953, e-mail labormuseum@aol.com or visit www.labormuseum.net.

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Sunday, October 4 - Westampton, Burlington County
The Poet and The Patriot

George Washington was a man who afforded dignity and respect to all those who deserved it, regardless of their sex. Throughout his public life, he remained friends and corresponded with several women of note, including Annis Boudinot Stockton of Princeton, NJ.

Mrs. Stockton, the wife of Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was a rare figure for her time, a Poet. Her works were published and her peers read that women indeed possessed keen and educated views, both social and political, of the world in which they lived.

This engaging program will explore the friendship between General Washington and Annis Boudinot Stockton as well as the Patriotic side of the Poetess, and the lighter side of the Patriot.

Program runs from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. Admission is $10.00 per person; Friends of Peachfield admitted free of charge. Prepaid reservations required to guarantee seating. Peachfield is located at 180 Burrs Road, Westampton, NJ. For more information and to register, call 609-267-6996, e-mail colonialdamesnj@comcast.net, or visit www.colonialdamesnj.org.

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Sunday, October 4 - Cranford, Union County

Open House at Crane-Phillips House
Children Friendly

The Cranford Historical Society will be hosting tours of the Crane-Phillips House Museum, located at 124 North Union Avenue, Cranford, NJ on Sunday from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. Admission is free.

The Cranford Historical Society was founded in 1927 with a mission to preserve the unique history of Cranford, New Jersey. The Society maintains the Crane-Phillips House Living Museum, an important costume collection, and archives. For more information, call 908-376-0082 or visit www.cranfordhistoricalsociety.com.

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Sunday, October 4 - Morristown, Morris County

Colonial Games

Children Friendly

Have some old-fashioned fun as you take on the same games that the soldiers and the Wick Family played. Try your hand at nine-pins, quoits, trap-ball, nine-man morris, fox & geese, and other 18th century games. Program runs from 1:30 - 3:30 pm at the Wick House at Jockey Hollow, within Morristown National Historical Park, 580 Jockey Hollow Road (approximate), Morristown, NJ. Cost: Free. For more information, call 973-543-4030 or visit www.nps.gov/morr.

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Sunday, October 4 - Piscataway, Middlesex County

Founders Day at East Jersey Old Town Village

Family Friendly

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Sunday, October 4 - Manalapan, Monmouth County

Guided Walking Tour of Monmouth Battlefield

On Sunday, meet at the Monmouth Battlefield visitor center at 1:30 pm for a free guided walking tour of the battlefield with Friends of Monmouth Battlefield President, Dr. David Martin. Appropriate hiking apparel is encouraged. Tour is weather permitting. Monmouth Battlefield State Park is located at 16 New Jersey Business 33, Manalapan, NJ. For more information, visit www.friendsofmonmouth.org.

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Sunday, October 4 - Eatontown, Monmouth County

Gravestone Art and Symbolism

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Sunday, October 4 - Montclair, Essex County

House Tours

Family Friendly

Step back through over 200 years of American history at Montclair's historic properties at 108 Orange Road. Visit the newly reinterpreted Crane House to reflect the YWCA period from 1920 - 1965, watch open hearth cooking in the kitchen, check out the farm, and meet the chickens. The site is open from 1:00 - 4:00 pm.

Free-will donation. Free admission for members! For more information, call 973-744-1796, e-mail mail@montclairhistorical.org, or visit www.montclairhistorical.org.

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Sunday, October 4 - Whippany, Morris County

15th Annual Pumpkin Festival

Children Friendly

Spend the day at the Whippany Railway Museum and celebrate the Fall Harvest and the Season of the Witch, during the museum's 15th Annual Pumpkin Festival. The local area's highly anticipated family event will be held on Sunday from 12:30 - 5:30 pm, rain or shine.

Bring the whole family and join in the fun! Walk among the pumpkins, corn shocks, and grinning scarecrows, as you enjoy the wares of local craft merchants and railroad memorabilia dealers at the popular Pumpkin Market Place Crafts Fair, where you'll be sure to find that perfect autumn gift for family and friends.

Select a pumpkin from the Farmer's Market. With so many to choose from, you'll be sure to find one that's just right...It's Pumpkin Pick'n Time! You can also purchase a bounty of fall harvest and produce items at the festival.

Walk through a railroad yard, lost in time, where you'll see the finest collection of restored, historic railroad locomotives and cars in the state of New Jersey - some dating back well over 100 years!

The kids will enjoy having their picture taken in front of our haunted house, and they will delight at the indoor and outdoor model train layouts that will be in operation throughout the day.

You'll see a unique collection of antique farm tractors. The museum has assembled an outstanding assortment of vintage, American-built, gas-powered agricultural tractors, which help to tell the story of how the railroads delivered the crops that fed a nation, to market.

Add even more fun to your day by climbing aboard the Pumpkinliner for a relaxing excursion train ride that follows the route of the Historic Whippanong Trail. The train will feature restored, antique cabooses that passengers can ride in. Make your day extra special by riding aboard the museum's elegantly restored 1927-era Central Railroad of New Jersey (CNJ) Club Car, Jersey Coast. The car has the look and feel of a private club with individual leather chairs, mahogany interior accented with stained glass, built-in tables, and period ceiling fans. The Jersey Coast recalls the 1930s when the CNJ operated its deluxe coach train, the Blue Comet, between Jersey City and Atlantic City, NJ. The striking paint scheme of cream and blue reminds one of a comet streaking through space. It is the only car of its type operating in New Jersey.

Train Fare: Caboose seating: Adult: $14.00, Child (under 12): $9.00, Infants (1 year and under): Free. Club Car seating: Adult: $17.00, Child (under 12): $12.00, Infants (1 year and under): Free. Pre-order ticket online using a credit card at www.whippanyrailwaymuseum.net. The Whippany Railway Museum is located at 1 Railroad Plaza at the intersection of Route 10 West & Whippany Road in Whippany, NJ. For more information, call 973-887-8177 or visit www.whippanyrailwaymuseum.net.

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Through October 4, 2015 - Paterson, Passaic County
Patriotism and Propaganda in American Posters From the Great War 1917-1918

The Passaic County Historical Society would like to announce the opening of its newest exhibit, “Can the Kaiser”: Patriotism and Propaganda in American Posters From the Great War 1917-1918. When one thinks about America’s great promotional posters of the First World War, Uncle Sam’s “I Want You” springs to mind. Posters were used to incite patriotism and aid the war effort, promoting everything from the purchase of liberty bonds and Red Cross sponsorship to enlistment, hard work, and frugal lifestyles.

This exhibit of original World War I posters from the Society’s collection will be on display until October 4 in the third floor gallery at Lambert Castle (home of the Passaic County Historical Society) at 3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ. Visitors can access the exhibition during regular museum hours (Wednesday - Sunday). General museum admissions apply.

The Passaic County Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was founded to cultivate interest among individuals and the community-at-large in the rich history of Passaic County. To this end our museum in Lambert Castle showcases examples of the County’s cultural and artistic diversity, as well as examples of the County’s natural, civil, military, and ecclesiastical history. The Society also maintains a library and archive, which houses manuscripts, books and photographs of historical and genealogical interest.

For more information, call 973-247-0085 or visit www.lambertcastle.org.

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Through October 30, 2015 - Morristown, Morris County

“Canals of New Jersey” Exhibit

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum (MHHM) has partnered with the Canal Society of New Jersey (CSNJ) to present their traveling exhibit “Canals of New Jersey”. The exhibit was created in 1985 in part to commemorate the Society’s 25th anniversary. The display consists of panels that tell the story of New Jersey’s two towpath canals, the Morris and the Delaware and Raritan. In 1824, the Morris Canal & Banking Company was chartered to build a canal that would carry coal to developing markets along the eastern seaboard. The Morris Canal would pass through the heart of New Jersey’s iron district and provide the long-needed transportation system that would promote commercial activity and enable rustic settlements to grow into thriving industrial towns. The canal extended 102 miles from Pennsylvania, across varied terrain through New Jersey, ending at Newark. By the early 1900s the canal had become obsolete. Today, the Morris Canal Greenway, a partnership between local communities and the Canal Society of New Jersey, seeks to preserve the surviving historic remains of the canal, interpret canal sites, and offer recreational opportunities to the public.

For the installation at MHHM the exhibit has gotten a facelift, with new titles and new art work. The CSNJ’s display is supplemented by objects including some from MHHM’s collection and information about Macculloch Hall founder George Macculloch who had the idea for the Morris Canal. In the early 1820s, George Macculloch had a vision of a waterway to connect the Delaware River to the Hudson River in Northern New Jersey. This exhibit in part celebrates Macculloch’s part in the vision, promotion, and impact that the Morris Canal had on New Jersey. The canal would become an engineering feat of its day, using locks and inclined planes to climb the elevation differences in the land. The canal was a technical marvel of its time and helped to spur the economy in New Jersey by allowing goods to reach further afield than ever before. The exhibit shares some of the stories of the workers and families who lived and worked on the canal, as well as other details about its construction using photographs and drawings, as well objects including model canal boats and images. The “Canals of New Jersey” exhibit will be on display in the second floor gallery during touring hours from March 15th through October 30, 2015.

MHHM 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. MHHM is open for house and exhibit tours on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. The last tour ticket is sold at 3:00 pm. Adults $8; Seniors and Students $6; Children 6 – 12 $4. Members and children under 5 are free. Macculloch Hall is located at 45 Macculloch Avenue, Morristown, NJ. For more information, call 973-538-2404 ext. 10 or visit www.maccullochhall.org.

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Through December 17, 2015 - Trenton, Mercer County

John A. Roebling's Sons Company

At Ellarslie, the City Museum of Trenton, the second floor exhibit features art, artifacts and memorabilia from the world-renowned John A. Roebling's Sons Company, makers of steel and wire rope, most famous for the wire cable used in the suspension bridge over the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn - the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.

The John A. Roebling's Sons Company, the largest employer in Trenton and a world leader in the construction of suspension bridges had its beginnings when John Roebling started making wire rope in 1841 in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, and moved his factory to Trenton in 1848. His sons built the steel and wire mill and town of Roebling, NJ, in 1905. In 1953, the family sold the Trenton and Roebling plants to the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company (CF&I). CF&I closed the Trenton plants in 1973 and the Roebling, NJ, plant in 1974.

As the largest employer in Trenton for many decades, John A. Roebling's Sons Company had a major impact on the city and its workers and citizens. It had an international reputation for wire and wire rope making and bridge building, and its wire was used in hundreds if not thousands of industrial, commercial and consumer products.

The business was owned by four generations of the Roebling family over 112 years, a remarkable and rare achievement. John A. Roebling was the world's foremost builder of suspension bridges in the 19th century and his bridges spanned major rivers when people said it couldn't be done. His son Washington A. Roebling completed the most famous Roebling bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge, in 1883, and today it is an iconic national landmark.

The Roebling Company built suspension bridge cables for many bridges over the next 80+ years, from Canada to South America, including the George Washington Bridge connecting New York and New Jersey and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

The Roebling Company manufactured wire rope for many other uses - elevators, cable cars, tramways, airplanes, shipping, mining, construction and ski lifts - and it made wire for electrical lines, telegraphs and telephones, wire cloth and screens, and pre-stressed concrete.

The exhibit includes five large paintings from the Roebling Company's exhibit at the 1939 New York World's Fair depicting the Brooklyn and George Washington Bridges and interior factory scenes. These paintings are part of the museum's collection but are rarely exhibited.

The exhibit includes a bronze plaque from the 1933 Chicago World's Fair that commemorates the Skyride, an innovative and popular ride at the fair that the Roebling Company helped engineer and for which it supplied the wire ropes. Also on display from the museum's collection but rarely seen are three boards showing dozens of types of electrical wire made by the Roebling Company. Artifacts in the display will include sections of wire rope, tools, artwork depicting Roebling bridges, and wooden forms used to make parts for the company's machinery, as well as advertisements, photos, books and company catalogs

The exhibit was curated by Richard Willinger, Chair of the Museum Society's Collections Management Committee. Items are being loaned to the exhibit by the Roebling Museum in Roebling, NJ, and several individuals.

Talks and a tour of remaining buildings of the Roebling complex in Trenton will be conducted by Clifford W. Zink, the foremost expert on the Roebling family and company who authored the book The Roebling Legacy. Ellarslie is located in Cadwalader Park in Trenton, NJ. Visit www.ellarslie.org for dates and times.

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Through December 31, 2015 - Ridgewood, Bergen County

"Hemlines" Exhibit

The Ridgewood Historical Society and the Schoolhouse Museum are pleased to announce their new exhibit, Hemlines, open through December 2015. This exhibit features women's hats, shoes, handbags, jewelry, furs, wedding attire, and fabulous dresses from 1900 to 1969. Hemlines will run through the end of July. The Schoolhouse Museum is open Thursdays and Saturdays from 1:00 - 3:00 pm and Sundays from 2:00 - 4:0 pm. Hemlines is a "must see" exhibit for anyone interested in fashion! The Schoolhouse Museum is located at 650 East Glen Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ. For more information, call 201-447-3242 or visit www.ridgewoodhistoricalsociety.org.

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Through December 31, 2015 - Morristown, Morris County

Morristown: 1865-2015: Identity, Tradition and Enterprise

Morristown once comprised territory stretching from Mendham to Chatham until 1865 when, amidst the chaos of the Civil War, mysterious forces acted to separate it from Morris Township.

The Morristown & Morris Township Library invites you to explore an exhibit that details the lives of those who came to Morristown seeking wealth, redemption, conflict, or a new beginning. Utilizing rare and previously unseen archival materials, visitors will witness the development of the Green as the center of commerce, public affairs, and leisure, and how nearby houses of worship focused residents' spiritual and social lives.

Long a center of commerce and trade, early settlers struggled with the limitations of dirt roads until residents developed interstate canals, rail and trolley lines, and sophisticated highway systems. Changes in criminal behavior and law enforcement will be explored, as well as efforts to educate productive upstanding citizens through forward-thinking private and public schools.

In addition to the generations of innovators and immigrants who built Morristown's many businesses and infrastructure, we will take a look at those who celebrated cultural and religious events, grieved over shared disaster and commemorated war dead, and fought to make Morristown a place where everyone could gather in peace.

The exhibit will be on display through December 31 and is sponsored by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission and by funding from the Friends of the Library. The Morristown and Morris Township Library is located at 1 Miller Road, Morristown, NJ. For more information, call the Library’s North Jersey History & Genealogy Center at 973-538-3473 or visit www.jfpl.org/NJHistoryHome.cfm.

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Through December 31, 2015 - Ocean Township, Monmouth County

Ocean Township High School at 50

Early in September 1965, the doors of Ocean Township High School (OTHS) opened for the first time. It was a momentous day - the culmination of an impassioned campaign and a turning point for both Ocean Township and Asbury Park, the district that up to then had educated most of the township's teens.

Fifty years later, almost to the day, a mini-exhibit opened at the Eden Woolley House commemorating the milestone. "OTHS at 50," uses photographs, press clippings, and artifacts to demonstrate how the school's history mirrors five decades of social and political change.

The campaign for a high school:

Ocean Township's commitment to education is long standing. Between 1784 and 1960, it built at least nine schools. None was a high school.

Graduating eighth graders had a choice:

Asbury Park or Long Branch. Most chose Asbury. By 1962 Ocean students at Asbury High outnumbered city students 713 to 558. Ocean was booming and more than 1,000 high school-age students were projected by 1966. Asbury High, on split session since 1959, was already overcrowded. Something had to be done.

Asbury asked Ocean to sign a 20-year contract with the city as a condition for its undertaking a building expansion. Ocean refused. There was talk of regionalization, at first rejected and later revisited by the city. But it was too late. A full-blown campaign for an Ocean Township high school, spearheaded by the PTAs, was underway. On June 12, 1962, by a nearly 3-to-1 margin, the voters of Ocean approved a $2,969,000 bond to built their own school.

OTHS changes with the times:

Ocean High opened in 1965 without a senior class. Ocean seniors had returned to Asbury to graduate with their class. The next year, OTHS held its first graduation and published its first yearbook, The Sandpiper.

A look through almost a half century of yearbooks reveals more than changing hair styles and hemlines. Here's a sample:

* In the 1960s, Industrial Arts were just for boys, Home Economics, just for girls (who also have a "Homemaking Club").

* Title IX (prohibiting discrimination in federally funded programs) shaped the 1970s: for the first time girls had golf, tennis, and soccer teams; girls fixed cars, boys baked cakes.

* The technology revolution is evident. Keypunch machines of the 1970s give way to desktops in the late 1980s and electronics redefine the classroom in the new millennium.

Proof of the pudding:

In recent years, OTHS has made its share of "best high school" lists. Its own list of notable alums is impressive: Academy Award, Emmy, and Pulitzer Prize winners; distinguished educators, journalists, authors, and scientists; a fashion designer, a network news anchor, innovative entrepreneurs, and more.

The Township of Ocean Historical Museum is open to the public on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (1:00 - 4:00 pm), Thursday evenings (7:00 - 9:00 pm) and the first and second Sundays of each month (1:00 - 4:00 pm). The Township of Ocean Historical Museum is located at 703 Deal Road, Ocean, NJ. For more information, please call 732-531-2136 or visit www.oceanmuseum.org.

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Through January 6, 2016 - Woodbury, Gloucester County

Gloucester Abbey: Downton Style Fashions Exhibit

Gloucester Abbey: Downton Style Fashions is currently on display at the exhibit at the Gloucester County Historical Society Museum in Woodbury, New Jersey. The exhibit will conclude on January 6, 2016. This remarkable exhibit features ladies’ fashions from the society's collection from the time period covered by the popular PBS Masterpiece Theater series Downton Abbey. Over 100 vintage dresses/ensembles from the museum’s collection dating from 1910 through the 1930s are showcased, including period wedding gowns. Also on display are ladies accessories, including hats, shoes, purses, jewelry, and lingerie. Don’t miss this fantastic exhibit!

The Gloucester County Historical Society Museum hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm, and the last Sunday of the month from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Private tours may be booked for days/times other than our regular public hours. Adult admission $5; children 6-18 years $1; children under 6 free. The Gloucester County Historical Society Museum is located at 58 N. Broad Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096. For more information, call 856-848-8531 or visit www.rootsweb.com/~njgchs.

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Through June 26, 2016 - Piscataway, Middlesex County

The Icons of American Culture: History of New Jersey Diners Exhibit

Children Friendly

When was the last time you ate at a diner? If you are like millions of New Jerseyans, the answer is not too long ago. Dubbed “the land of diners,” New Jersey has forged a unique relationship with these casual eateries. Stainless steel, neon, and menus that go on for days are part of the Garden State landscape. Come explore their rich history with us! This seven-room exhibit tells the story of some of the of the Garden State’s most iconic eateries. This exhibit runs from April 12, 2015 - June 26, 2016 and is free of charge.

The exhibit is open Tuesday – Friday from 1:00 – 4:00 pm and Sundays from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Closed Mondays, Saturdays, and Holidays. The Cornelius Low House Museum is located at 1225 River Road, Piscataway, NJ. For more information, call 732-745-4177 or visit www.co.middlesex.nj.us.

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

NJ Weekend Historical Happenings: 10/3/15 - 10/4/15

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