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New Jersey Weekend Historical Happenings
A Weekly Feature on www.thehistorygirl.com
Saturday, October 23 - Franklin Township, Somerset County
Apple Butter Making
Apple Butter Making
Children Friendly
Three years ago, Heart to Hearth Cookery presented their Apple Butter Making program at Rockingham. While the day was blustery and chilly, many visitors came by to watch the process, help stir the pot and breath in the lovely spicy/sweet aroma. This fall, on Saturday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, Heart to Hearth returns once again to demonstrate apple butter making from start to finish on the grounds of Rockingham. A large cauldron will be set up over an outdoor hearth to accommodate this process. Visitors can observe the ongoing preparation throughout the day and help with the stirring.
Rockingham originally included two large apple orchards on its 360-plus acreage. More than likely, the Berriens, Rockingham’s owners, or a close neighbor would have had a large apple press to wring the juices from the fruit for cider and vinegar. In the eighteenth century, throughout New Jersey there were a large number of apple trees and cider (hard/alcoholic) was a prevalent drink of the time. Vinegar would have been used in recipes and food preservation, important in a time before refrigeration. Apples would also have been used for desserts and preserves and could be kept whole in cool, dry storage or cut into rings to dry for later use.
The event is free, but donations to Rockingham are always welcome! Rockingham is located on Rte. 603 (Laurel Avenue/Kingston-Rocky Hill Road), one mile north of Route 27 in Kingston and one mile south of Route 518 in Rocky Hill. For more information, call 609-683-7132 or visit www.rockingham.net.
