Historic Happenings Blog

Sunday, September 29 – Somerset County       Somerset County Historical Society Explores Local Spy Story  The Somerset County Historical Society is pleased to announce the last in the 2019 series of History Talks: “John Honeyman, Washington’s Patriot Spy?” by filmmaker Tim Stollery on Sunday, September 29, 2019 for a suggested donation of $5.   The program will be at the society’s headquarters in the Historic Van Veghten house, located on the dead end of 9 Van Veghten Drive, Bridgewater.   Come and discover the story of Somerset County’s John Honeyman, a Griggstown NJ businessman, who according to legend became a spy for General George Washington. His home still stands along the D&R canal. And the story is still being written!  Tim Stollery is an Emmy-award winning filmmaker, who researched a two-part TV feature series for NJN News in 2000 called “The General and the Spy.”  Doors at the Van Veghten ...

Sunday, September 29 – Mercer County The 2019 Annual Meeting of the Hopewell Valley Historical Society Sunday, September 29, 2019, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Titusville Presbyterian Church, Heritage Room, 48 River Drive, Titusville,    The Annual Meeting will open with a business meeting for HVHS. Members will be asked to vote on a slate of officers and new trustees. After the business meeting,  Pam Cain will present a program based on her experience conducting the historical society’s House Lineage program in the 1980s and 1990s. Her presentation will discuss her methodology for doing the research, with examples, and include some of her interesting findings. The HVHS “house plaques” on more than 100 Hopewell Valley properties were a direct result of Pam’s research.     Pam served the historical society as treasurer and valued board member for many years. The society was founded in 1975 and early on planned a house tour. Pam and her husband Fred were t...

Sunday,  September 29   - Sandy Hook, Monmouth County Mortar Battery Tours Join a park ranger-guided tour of the Mortar Battery and learn about the first Endicott era (1894 - 1910) concrete gun battery that defended New York and its harbor against attack by enemy warships.  This free tours begin at 1:30 pm and runs continuously until 4:30 pm. Mortar Battery is located with the Fort Hancock Historic Post at Sandy Hook. Sandy Hook is  part of Gateway National Recreation Area. For more information, call  732-872-5970  or visit  www.nps.gov/gate .

Red Bank Guinness Oyster Festival Red Bank River Center White Street Parking Lot Entrance on White or Monmouth St. Red Bank 07701 9/29/2019 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED AGE RANGE:  All Ages COST:  Admission $5 per person, kids under 10 are free CALL:  (732) 842-4244 WEBSITE MORE DETAILS:   The Annual Red Bank Guinness Oyster Festival is a huge food & music festival which will showcase Red Bank's excellent restaurants as well as entertain thousands with great live mus ic, kiddie rides, a petting zoo, and family fun.

Sunday, September 29 -  Raritan Township, Hunterdon County Prohibition Talk at  Hunterdon Land Trust  Farmers’ Market Toast the centennial anniversary of Prohibition with a free program led by historian, researcher and author Brian Armstrong at the Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers' Market on Sunday at 10:30 am in the Dvoor Farm wagon house. Armstrong will discuss the "noble experiment" that constitutionally banned the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages a century ago. He’ll cover the back story on how Prohibition came to be passed, the problems with enforcement, and how it ultimately was repealed. He also will tell some interesting tales about New Jersey and Hunterdon County during the Prohibition era. Armstrong holds a BAs in history and political science from American University. He's the vice-president, Central Region, for the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey and past president of the South River Historical & Preserv...

Saturday - Sunday, September  28 - 29  - Pennsville, Salem County 15th Annual Historic Soldiers Weekend Historic Soldiers Weekend is a historical encampment, featuring reenactors, and their equipment, from every American conflict, spanning from the French and Indian War to the Vietnam War. In some instances, both sides of the conflicts will be present, such as the Revolutionary War loyalists and "redcoats", Civil War confederate units, and WWII German infantry units. Hours for Saturday are 10:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. Admission is free. Re-enactment units will be camping out for the weekend at Historic Fort Mott, living as their ancestors did. Journey back in time to give yourself and your children, students and guests a chance to see, hear and touch real history through the life of a typical soldier during the French & Indian War, Civil, World Wars and beyond. This event is free to the public. Fort Mott is located at 454 Fort Mott Road, Pennsvil...

Canoe Rentals at Thompson Park Thompson Park, Marlu Lake 805 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft, NJ 07738 Saturday and Sunday, September 28 & 29, 2019, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM (ages 3 and up, under 18 with adult) Rent a canoe for a relaxing paddle on Marlu Lake. All equipment provided; a limited number of canoes available. Cost: $15 per boat for 1-3 people for 2 hours of canoeing (cash or check only). Rental Available from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. All rentals must be returned by 3:00 PM.

Sunday, September 29 – Atlantic County     The Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc.;  the officially recognized friends organization (ORFO) at Batsto Village,  presents its  annual fall Antique Glass and Bottle Show.     This year’s annual event will be held on Sunday, September 29 th  at historic Batsto Village. There is no admission charge to enter the park for the day’s event.      The popular Antique Glass and Bottle Show; held both in the spring and fall, will welcome shoppers beginning at 9AM and continue until 3 PM. Bottles, glass items, antiques and collectibles will be available from a variety of vendors. Food and beverages will be available throughout day. Parking close to vendor displays will be plentiful.     The highly entertaining Michael Kane will be performing two acoustic sets of folk, country, bluegrass and oldies music on the porch of the Batsto mansion from 1PM until 3PM. ...

37th Annual Ocean County Decoy & Gunning Show September 28 and 29 @ 7:00 am  -  5:00 pm |   FREE  The 37th Annual Decoy & Waterfowling Show will take place on Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29 at Tip Seaman Park and Tuckerton Seaport.     For 2019 contest rules & 2018 Winners, click  here . For more information or if you would like to become a vendor, please call Wells Mills Park at 609-971-3085.     Come see the Dock Dogs at the Seaport! The Dock Dogs are sponsored in part by the Anderson Insurance Agency. Click the image below for more information! Two-day event highlighting the culture of the Barnegat Bay region. Demonstrations, contests, seminars, crafters, carvers, vendors, food and music. Includes the Dock Dog competition as featured on ESPN! Visit the Tuckerton Seaport Heritage Tent at the lake. Two great locations: Tip Seaman Park and Tuckerton Seaport. Free off-site pa...

Saturday, September  28   - Morristown, Morris County Cards in the Parlor Calling card game enthusiasts! Join us in the parlors of the historic Vail House on Saturday from 5:00 - 8:00 pm, and play rounds of Whist, Hearts, and Poker, all games played in the 19th century. Admission: $5/adult, $4/senior (65+), $3/child (ages 4 -16). FREE for children under age 4. Historic Speedwell is located at 333 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown, NJ. For more information, call 973-285-6550 or visit  www.morrisparks.net .

If you love the natural colors of summer into fall and have a curiosity about our NJ legend Thomas A. Edison, our Glenmont Garden Party is sure to be an amazing early evening of fun! The Friends of Thomas Edison National Historical Park (TENHP) is holding a Garden Party on the lawn of Glenmont, Edison's home in Llewellyn Park 12 Honeysuckle Ave, West Orange Saturday, Sept.28, 2019 4 pm to 6:30 pm You will be able to tour the newly refurbished gardens, enjoy local food and music, and a signature cocktail. Rain or shine under a tent! Tickets Are $45 for Friends of Edison members And $50 for non-members on  www.friendsofedison.org The Friends of Edison is a charitable organization founded in 1984 as a 501(C)3 to promote directly the historical, scientific, educational and interpretive activities of the TENHP. More information about Edison's legacy, history, other Friends of Thomas Edison National Historical Park projects and how to become a member are on  www.friendsofedison.org

Union Beach Day 2019 Borough of Union Beach @ the Beachfront Union Beach 07735 9/28/2019 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED AGE RANGE:  All Ages COST:  $prices vary for food and activities CALL:  732-264-2277 WEBSITE MORE DETAILS:   Come celebrate the "BEST LITTLE TOWN IN NEW JERSEY." Fun for the whole family, live entertainment by "White Wedding", rides and games for the kids, vendors and food trucks for the grown-ups.

Saturday,  September 28   - Morristown, Morris County Meet the Servants at the Willows and Wool for Kids On Saturday at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, discover the life of domestic help at the Foster home on a guided tour. Assist the maid with household chores and see what the cook has prepared using the wood-burning stove. Two tours times available: 1:00 - 2:00 pm and 2:00 - 3:00 pm. From 1:00 - 3:00 pm, learn about Fosterfields 100 years ago as you meet the sheep. Help clean, card, and spin wool. Try knitting, an important home-front activity that helped the troops during World War I. Admission: $6/adult, $5/senior (65+), $4/child (ages 4 -16), $2/child (2 and 3). FREE for children under age 2 and Friends members, with a current membership card. Fosterfields Living Historical Farm is located at 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ. For more information, visit  www.morrisparks.net .

Saturday, September 28   - Sandy Hook, Monmouth County Battery Potter Tours Join a park ranger-guided tour of Sandy Hook's oldest gun batteries. Completed in 1895 it was the first concrete disappearing gun battery built in the United States.  This free tours begin at 1:00 pm and runs continuously until 4:30 pm. Battery Potter is located with the Fort Hancock Historic Post at Sandy Hook. Sandy Hook is  part of Gateway National Recreation Area. For more information, call  732-872-5970  or visit  www.nps.gov/gate .

Saturday,  September 28  - Sandy Hook, Monmouth County Nike Missile Radar Site Tours Guided tours of the Integrated Fire Control (IFC) site will allow you to see the inner workings of the facility where supersonic nuclear-armed Nike Hercules missiles were controlled and guided using Cold War era computers and radars. You will have the opportunity to meet and talk with some of the veterans who actually worked on the Nike Air Defense System. Free tours from 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm. Meet at Horseshoe Cove, Parking Lot L on Sandy Hook, part of Gateway National Recreation Area. For more information, call 732-872-5970 or visit  www.nps.gov/gate .

Saturday, September 28 – Atlantic County NORTH BEACH ATLANTIC CITY TO HOST FALL PUMPKIN PATCH EVENT      Absecon Lighthouse will host North Beach Atlantic City’s First Annual Pumpkin Patch on Saturday, September 28 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., with a rain date of Sunday, September 29. North Beach AC will host a fun-filled day offering free pumpkins and activities to the residents of Atlantic City, limiting one pumpkin per household with proof of residency.  The North Beach AC partners - Ocean Casino Resort, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, Resorts Casino Hotel, Steel Pier, Made Atlantic City Chocolate Bar, The Iron Room, Rhythm & Spirits, Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, Absecon Lighthouse and Showboat Atlantic City - will also have a Pumpkin Contest via the North Beach AC Instagram page. For more information on North Beach AC’s Fall Festivities, visit  www.AtlanticCityNorthBeach.com .

Saturday, September 28 – Union County 2019 TRI-COUNTY HISTORY FAIR - SAVE THE DATE When: Saturday, September 28, 2019 11 am to 3 pm Where: Plainfield Public Library 800 Park Avenue Plainfield, NJ 07060     Plainfield Public Library is happy to announce the 2019 Tri-County History Fair for Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties. Join your colleagues, friends, and neighbors for a fun day of historical discovery, resource sharing, raffles, and more. Our featured speaker this year is Dr. Lawrence Hogan, who will present, "The Best Kept Secret in American Journalism: The Associated Negro Press."  This program is part of the Public Scholars Project sponsored by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. Register now  to reserve a table for your organization at the Tri-County History Fair. Although there is a focus on the tri-county area of Middlesex, Somerset, and Union, organizations from across New Jersey are welcome. This is a great opport...

Middletown Day Middletown Township Croydon Hall 900 Leonardville Road Port Monmouth 07758 9/28/2019 11:00 am - 5:00 pm REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED AGE RANGE:  All Ages FREE CALL:  (732) 615-2260 WEBSITE MORE DETAILS:   Middletown Day returns to Croydon Hall on Saturday, September 28th from 11AM to 5:00PM. The fall festival boasts activities for all ages including a business and community showcas e, craft fair, live local music, tournaments, children's activities, fire department demonstrations, a petting zoo, hayrides, flea market, food court and more. Middletown Day is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate all that makes Middletown special. Event is rain or shine.

Saturday, September 28 – Morris County Mount Tabor's 26th Annual Victorian House Tour       This fall, as Mount Tabor celebrates its 150th anniversary year, the Mount Tabor Historical Society's annual House Tour will take place on Saturday, September 28, 2019. The self-guided tour will be held rain or shine 11 am to 4 pm.      This walkable tour of the Mount Tabor Historic District provides visitors an inside look at the unique charm of this historic community with more than 15 private houses, plus several historic buildings open to the public.  Annual features include a furnished replica Camp Meeting Tent and the Richardson History House, a camp meeting cottage museum. Stop by the gift shop, which is stocked with Mount Tabor souvenirs and vintage items. For our visitors, lunches and beverages will be for sale.      Founded in 1869, the Mount Tabor Historic District embodies the distinctive characteristics of a p...

Saturday, September 28   - Delran, Burlington County Delran History Day

Saturday,  September 28   - Paterson, Passaic County 8th Annual Art in the Park Attention all ‘chalk’ artists!  Help us celebrate National Public Lands Day with Art in the Park at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park!  Paterson artist Mohamed Khalil and the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park are hosting the eighth annual chalk art competition on Saturday from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. The event will be held within view of the falls in Overlook Park. The program at the Great Falls will help draw attention to the national park by using art to interpret its natural, historic, and cultural stories. Each artist will be given their own ‘canvas’ and use their creativity to tell a visual story about the park and the city of Paterson. The rain date for this event is Saturday, October 5.  If you have any questions you may contact Mohamed Khalil at  mkart419@gmail.com .  Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park is located at  72 McBride Av...