Historic Happenings Blog

Sunday, March 31  - Sandy Hook, Monmouth County Holly Forest Walk Some of the oldest American Holly trees in the country can be found among Sandy Hook’s nearly 300 acres of holly forest. We will hike through the restricted 64-acre maritime forest area and get to see an undisturbed holly forest with some of its oldest, rarest, and largest trees. Waterproof footwear is recommended. Please call 732-872-5970 to make reservations. This event is FREE and begins at 4:00 pm and lasts approximately two hours. Meet at Spermaceti Cove, between Lots D & E. For more information, visit  www.nps.gov/gate .

Sunday, March 31 – Union County Open 2:00 to 4:00; presentations at 2:30 and 3:30 Maple Sugar Sunday Miller-Cory House Museum, 614 Mountain Avenue, Westfield       The production of syrup and sugar from the sap of the maple tree was known in America long before the first European colonists arrived. The Native Americans taught the settlers how to collect the sap, and sugar making became one of the most important seasonal tasks of farm life.      The museum’s presenter will talk about the technique of maple sugaring, explaining how the maple sap rises and flows, how it is collected using wooden buckets and handmade spiles, and how sugar and syrup are made from the sap. (Please note that no tree will actually be tapped.) Two presentations are scheduled, one at 2:30 and one at 3:30, each lasting about one-half hour.          The museum will be open from 2:00 to 4:00 and will also offer tours of th...

Sunday, March 31 – Morris County You Would Have Known Them: Township Residents of the Past Presentation by Pat Wells and New Gallery Exhibit Opening March 31, 2 PM Chatham Township Municipal Building 58 Meyersville Road On Sunday, the Chatham Township Historical Society welcomes Pat Wells as she presents "You Would Have Known Them: Township Residents of the Past." There will also be a n ew gallery exhibit opening. The program will take place at 2:00 pm at the Chatham Township Municipal Building, 58 Meyersville Road, Chatham, NJ.

Sunday, March 31 - Princeton, Mercer County Historic Princeton Walking Tour Enjoy a 1.9 mile, two-hour walk around downtown Princeton and the University campus as you learn about historic sites in the area, including Bainbridge House, Nassau Hall, the University Chapel, and Palmer Square. The early history of Princeton, the founding of the University, and the American Revolution are just some of the stories from Princeton’s history that you will learn on your tour. Admission: $7 per adult; $4 children ages 6 to 12; free for children age 5 and under. Tours begin in front of the Bainbridge House, 158 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ. Tour begins at 2:00 pm and ends at 4:00 pm. Walk up ticket sales are cash only; guides cannot provide change. Space is limited. For more information and to reserve tickets, call 609-921-6748 or visit  www.princetonhistory.org .

Through Sunday, March 31  -  East Amwell , Hunterdon County Mary Ackerman Buckwalter Exhibit: 1918-2017 Born in Paterson New Jersey, Mary spent the bulk of her adult life in Hunterdon County, raising a family while pursuing her artistic endeavors. She was educated at NYU (Washington Square Studios) and studied under area artists including, Sigmund Kozlo and Leo Russell. She spent nearly 50 years honing her craft here in Hunterdon mainly painting still life and landscapes. Taking a cue from both the New Hope School and PA Impressionists, her work reflects an influence from Pre-war European Impressionism but with an American aspect. Mary exhibited throughout NJ and Eastern PA and was a member of the Hunterdon Art Center of Clinton. Her work has found permanent homes in the Hunterdon Medical Center, Hunterdon hospice, the County Seat in Flemington, and also The Three Bridges Public Library. The East Amwell Historical Society and the Sourland Conservancy will present  the...

Saturday - Sunday, March 30 - 31  - Lower Township, Cape May County Climb the Cape May Lighthouse On Saturday, the Cape May Lighthouse, Oil House and Museum Shop reopens for the season. The lighthouse is an 1859 structure with 199 steps to the watch gallery for a panoramic view of the Jersey Cape and Atlantic Ocean. For those who choose not to climb, the Oil House contains a fully-accessible Visitors' Orientation Center and a Museum Shop stocked with maritime accessories and lighthouse memorabilia. Open 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm on Saturday. Cape May Point State Park is located in Lower Township, NJ. Admission to the Visitors' Orientation Center and the ground floor of the lighthouse is free. Tower admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children (ages 3-12). 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 .

Saturday - Sunday, March 30 - 31   - Lower Township, Cape May County World War II Tower Lookout Museum and Memorial Open Fire Control Tower No. 23 on Sunset Boulevard is New Jersey's last freestanding World War II tower, part of the immense Harbor Defense of the Delaware system known as Fort Miles. After an award-winning restoration in 2009, visitors can climb to the 6th floor spotting gallery while learning about the homeland defense efforts during World War II. The ground floor of the tower, the All Veterans Memorial, and boardwalk interpretive panels are fully accessible. Open Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children (ages 3-12) (one child free with paying adult).  The World War II Lookout Tower is located on Sunset Boulevard in Lower Township, near Cape May Point.  Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit  www.cape...

Saturday - Sunday,  March 30 - 31   - Cape May, Cape May County Emlen Physick Estate Tour Take a guided tour of Cape May's Emlen Physick Estate, the magnificent Stick Style mansion attributed to renowned Victorian architect Frank Furness. A tour of the 15 beautifully restored rooms gives you a glimpse into the lifestyle of this Victorian-era Cape May family. Physick Estate Tours take approximately 45 minutes and end with a visit to the 1876 Carriage House where you can see the current exhibit in the Carroll Gallery. Tours will start at 11:15 am on Saturday and 12:30 pm on Sunday .   Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for children (ages 3-12). Tickets can be purchased at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information and to reserve tickets, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit  www.capemaymac.org . ---------------------------------- Saturday - Sunday...

Volume 3, Issue 3 Lt. James Costello (1920 - 194) Photographic Print Monmouth County Historical Association, Library and Archives Collection 120th Anniversary Series 1938 - 1948 The War Years and The End of an Era While the fifth decade of the Association's existence began quietly, the coming years would see a second World War, the death of the museum's most devoted supporter, the loss of its first director, and the post-war challenge of gathering new members and reinventing its relevancy to the community and to the region. Mrs. Haskell continued to be a driving force within the Association, attending every Board meeting and adding to the collections with donations of everything from important pieces of furniture, paintings, and decorative arts to interesting and quirky items. She funded everyday necessities for the Association, from newspaper notices advertising the museum's new 10 cent admission fee to coal to heat the building in the winter months. "I'm Counting...

Click here to purchase tickets online! Enjoy a Three-Course Meal Paired with a Selection of Wines, all while supporting a wonderful cause: The Merchants and Drovers Tavern Museum. If you ever wanted to go to France but aren’t able to make the trip this season, we’ve got a solution for you! Please join us at the Museum for an evening in France for a fraction of the cost. Presenting –  How to Drink (and Eat) French Fluently  Your donation of $100 to the Merchants and Drovers Tavern Museum includes a seat at the table to enjoy a selection of 5 wines, as well as a 3-Course Gourmet dinner. This intimate event, limited to only 35 people, will have a professional sommelier to help with pairing and answer any and all questions about the wines you will be tasting. It will be a delicious and enlightening dinner experience, and you can enjoy it knowing you are also supporting our Museum, and helping us to keep our history alive. Space is very limited. You can reserve your seat via Paypal...