Historic Happenings Blog

Music at the Mansion hosted by Audra Mariel featuring Mike Flannery Thursday, October 31, 2019 $15 at the door Bring a dish or drink to share Strauss Mansion Museum 27 Prospect Circle Atlantic Highlands, NJ, 07716

Thursday, October 31 – Mercer County Halloween Storytime: Trick or Treat At Morven Thursday, October 31 at 11:00 a.m. $10 for two adults with up to 3 children; Free with Morven’s  Family Membership Ages 3 to 6 Ticket price includes admission into the museum. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/storytime-at-morven-tickets-53099381680 More info: https://morvenmuseum.squarespace.com/storytime     Join us on Halloween for a special reading of  The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree , a popular 1970s children’s book when Morven was the NJ Governor’s mansion. Create a take-home craft in honor of Morven’s historic trees; every child will receive a Halloween treat.

Casual Birder @ Manasquan Reservoir Thursday, October 31, 2019, at 9:00 AM at Manasquan Reservoir (meet in the Environmental Center parking area) 331 Georgia Tavern Rd, Howell Township, NJ 07731 (ages 8 and up, under 18 with adult) Join a Park System Naturalist for these laid-back morning bird walks. We’ll meander through the parks for about an hour or so to see what birds we can find. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy these walks. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. Join us at 9:00 AM

Tuesday, October 29 – Mercer County    At 7 PM  Hal Taylor will present a lecture on his book  Before Penn: An Illustrated History of The Delaware River Colonies 1609-1682 .  The book provides the little known but fascinating history of the European settlement of the Delaware River Valley prior to the founding of Philadelphia by William Penn. The background tells of a legendary visit to North America by Irish monk St. Brendan in the seventh century and continues with a litany of European explorers searching for a short cut through the North American continent that will lead to the treasures of the Far East. During the process, abundant natural resources are discovered, leading to competition among major powers.     All lectures are free of charge. Books can be pre-ordered online at:  www.barracks.org . Old Barracks, Barrack Street, Trenton

Howl-O’ween Hike Thompson Park 3 Barns Parking Lot 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738 Tue, Oct 29, 2018, 5:30-7:30 PM. (ages 10 and up, families, with adult) Join us for some tail-waggin' family fun this Halloween on the trails of Thompson Park! Wear your favorite Halloween costume to get your family into the Fall spirit. All dogs must have up-to-date vaccinations, wear an identification tag and of course be people & dog-friendly. This is a trail hiking program so proper footwear for wet, muddy, and/or icy trails expected and Leashes must be no longer than three-feet long. Rating: Easy One Session $32.00 Per Family Families consist of a max of three family members and their dog

Fall Foliage Walk Manasquan Res Env Ctr 331 Georgia Tavern Road, Howell 07731 Tue, Oct 29, 2019, 10:00-11:00 AM. (all ages) Enjoy colorful foliage at its seasonal peak, hike through autumn’s fiery colors with a park naturalist. We will look at some of these colorful leaves along the way to identify different trees along the trail. This program is free; however, pre-registration is required. One Session FREE!

Wednesday, October 23 and Tuesday, October 29 -- Middlesex County The American Jewish Experience Lecture Series , presented by the Jewish Historical Society of Central Jersey, continues for its 22nd consecutive year with a presentation by  Dr. Marcia Midler,  entitled  "Gertrude Berg: Broadcasting Pioneer/Creator of Molly Goldberg; the Original Jewish Mother."   Gertrude Berg, “Molly” of "The Goldbergs" (per the NY Times obituary) was the creative force behind a "Goldbergs" media empire spanning over 30 years. As Molly, she was the Oprah of her day, welcomed into the homes of millions.  "The First Lady of Radio," she was the second-most admired woman in the country. (The first was Eleanor Roosevelt, the actual First Lady.) She raised millions of dollars selling war bonds, and writing scripts supporting the war effort. Join us on to learn why the most famous female writer/performer and beloved media character of their time remains largely unknown ...

Noyes Museum of Art, Kramer Hall 30 Front Street, Hammonton, NJ 08037 Phone: (609) 626-3420 The Noyes Galleries at Kramer Hall add vibrancy to the Arts District in downtown Hammonton with exhibitions that change seasonally.  The Noyes showcases the work of a wide range of artists including those from New Jersey, the Mid-Atlantic region, nationally and internationally prominent artists as well as Stockton faculty and students.  The space allows the Noyes Museum to better serve the populations of western Atlantic, Burlington, Cumberland, Salem and Camden Counties. Kramer Hall Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 5 pm Saturday & Sunday: Closed Closed: April 21st, May 27th, July 4th, September 2nd, November 28th, December 25th

F riday-Sunday, October 25-27 – Morris County The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms All Hallows’ Evenings As Spiritualism surged in popularity in the 19 th  and early 20 th  century, people, from the curious to the grieving, found comforting and entertaining ways to connect with their deceased loved ones. Believers would meet in private homes for séances, or at larger halls, conventions or camps hoping to make a connection. The Halloween, 1913 Tour Join us for an after-hours tour, where this October it’s 1913! In the 1910s, Halloween was not yet the holiday for children it is today. For some, October 31st was a night for matchmaking and fortune-telling, and for others, reaching beyond the veil.  Friday, October 25 at 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, October 26 & 27 at 5:30 p.m. $10 Member; $15 Nonmember Friday-Sunday, October 25-27 – Morris County Demonstration of Mediumship Following in the tradition of evidential mediumship that was a popular pastime at the turn of t...

Sunday, October 20 and 27 – Union County The Charles Addams Walking Tour  - 2 dates: Sunday, October 20 and Sunday, October 27 (3-5pm).      Join local architect Greg Blasi on a walking tour past Charles Addams’ home, his favorite haunts, and the house said to have inspired his Addams Family creations. Hosted by the Westfield Historical Society.  Two tour times are available (rain or shine): Sunday, October 20th from 3-5pm and Sunday, October 27th from 3-5pm. Tour begins at the corner of Lawrence Avenue and Dudley Avenue.      Please meet architect and Westfield Historical Society Trustee Greg Blasi at 3pm at the corner of Dudley & Lawrence.  Tour cost is $5 for Westfield Historical Society members and $10 for non-members. Advance reservations and payment are required. Space is limited, so register soon. Names will be checked at the start of the tour. Register/Pay online at  this link .

Sunday, October 27 – Monmouth County 2 PM      Lisa from Laird’s Applejack will join us to share the history of this famed Monmouth County family business. You can read more about Laird’s, America’s oldest distiller, here:  https://lairdandcompany.com/our-history/    The talk starts at 2 in the barn, the house will be open from 1-4. The Parker Homestead, 235 Rumson Road, Little Silver, NJ;  https://www.parkerhomestead-1665.org/ *** And we are now open for tours Sundays from 1-4! Please check our webpage and/or social media for changes to our operating status before visiting, though. We hope to see you soon! The Parker Homestead, 235 Rumson Road, Little Silver, NJ;  https://www.parkerhomestead-1665.org/  

Sunday, October 27 – Monmouth County Rick Geffken is a popular speaker on historical topics and has appeared at dozens of historical societies and libraries throughout New Jersey. His  Hidden History of Monmouth County , co-authored by Muriel J. Smith, is an eclectic combination of stories about Monmouth County people and places. The book was recently published by Arcadia Publishing. Geffken, who has written several other history books highlighting a variety of fascinating facts focusing on different areas of Monmouth County, is also a regular contributor to the  Two River Times  and numerous other local and statewide newspapers. For further information contact Geffken at  rickg0817@yahoo.com       Union Landing Historical Society, 2pm, Curtis House, 644 Union Lane, Brielle

Sunday, October 27 – Hunterdon County HALLOWEEN WALKING TOUR OF LAMBERTVILLE   Sunday, October 27 - 2 p.m.      A special walking tour of Lambertville will highlight our town’s favorite holiday - Halloween! Join Lambertville residents Bambi Kuhl and Lou Toboz, who is also Lambertville's town historian, as they share famous Lambertville tales and lore and stroll past homes decorated for Halloween.   FREE to members! Suggested donation of $5.00 for non-members. Meet at 2 p.m. at the Marshall House Museum 60 Bridge St. The Halloween tour takes approximately 1 ½ hours.  Become a member of Lambertville Historical Society!

Fall Foliage Cruise on the Navesink River Atlantic Highlands Municipal Marina Parking Lot 2 Simon Lake Drive, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716 Sun, Oct 27. 2019, Board: 10:30 AM. Return: 1:30 PM (approx.) or Sun, Oct 27. 2019, Board: 2:30 PM. Return: 5:30 PM (approx.) (ages 10 and up, under 18 with adult) Cruise the Navesink River aboard a boat. There’s no better way to enjoy fall foliage than on the water as we cruise along the calm waters of the Navesink River. The setting is picturesque and peaceful as leaves begin to display their brilliant fall colors. We’ll follow the river as she meanders under bridges, past Twin Lights Lighthouse, and see the rolling tree-filled hills and shores of Hartshorne Woods, Highlands, Rumson, Fair Haven, and the Navesink and Locust sections of Middletown Township. During the cruise, you’ll enjoy a narrated tour provided by a park system naturalist. Bring binoculars, a camera and something warm to wear as it can get chilly on the open water. Light snacks av...

Sunday, October 27 – Essex County Rosedale Cemetery Tour Montclair, NJ - Sunday, October 27 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Founded over 175 years ago, Rosedale Cemetery marked the beginning of a new movement in how America took care of its deceased. We’ll venture into the old section for this guided tour, discussing grave imagery as well as the people who are buried there. Led by Executive Director Jane Eliasof.  Admission is $10/person, registration required online at  www.montclairhistory.org . The tour begins at the Rosedale Chapel for a brief introduction at 408 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ. Carpooling is suggested due to limited parking on-site and driving to distant parts of the cemetery. Tour is from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, about 1 mile of walking. Register online.     About the Montclair History Center: The Montclair History Center, formerly the Montclair Historical Society, is an independent not-for-profit organization that has been dedicated to preserving, sharing,...

Here Lies... Historical Headstone Carving Historic Walnford 62 Walnford Road, Upper Freehold, NJ 08501 Saturday & Sunday, October 26 & 27, 1:00-4:00 PM Weeping willow, angel, thoughtful sentiments or simply birth and death dates carefully carved in to a headstone carry a message from the past for all to remember. Watch skilled craftsman Tom Kelleher from Old Sturbridge Village as he carves a traditional slate headstone while sharing some early American social history on customs for passing from this life to the next. Add a side trip to one or more of the historic cemeteries in this area to view many early expressive headstones.

Saturday - Sunday, October 26 - 27 - Morris Township, Morris County The Time to Mourn On Saturday and Sunday at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm at 1:00 and 2:00 pm, tour the Foster family home, The Willows, to explore the unique death and mourning traditions of the Victorian period. Customs, now considered strange, influenced loved ones for months and years after the deceased had passed. Admission: $6 per adult, $5 per senior (65+), $4 per child age 4 - 16, $2 per child age 2 & 3. FREE per child under age 2. Friends members are half price with a current membership card. Fosterfields Living Historical Farm is located at 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ. For more information, visit  www.morrisparks.net .

Sunday, October 27 -  Morris Township, Morris County Historic Halloween Happenings at  Fosterfields Living Historical Farm On Sunday from 1:00 - 3:30 pm, play special Halloween games, decorate cookies, and try on old-fashioned costumes. At 3:30 pm, take a guided walk to see how many pumpkins are hiding in the nearby woods. Afterward, board the open-air wagon for a ride. Admission: $6 for adults; $5 for seniors (65+); $4 for children ages 4 – 16; and $2 for children ages 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 .

Sunday, October 27 - Piscataway, Middlesex County A Historical Halloween Celebration

Image credit: Playing baseball at Madison, New Jersey, c. 1910. Underwood & Underwood (copyright September 30, 1911). Stereograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress. New Jersey Baseball: From the Cradle to the Major Leagues, 1855–1915 Open June 7 - October 27, 2019 Opening Reception, Thursday, June 6 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.  Reception is free and open to the public Perhaps more than any other American sport, the history, and origins of baseball are shrouded in myth and mystery.  While a game called baseball was played in this country as early as the colonial period, organized baseball, the direct ancestor of today’s game, began in New York City in the 1840s.  About 1855, baseball began a growth spurt, especially in New Jersey where population density along with relatively sophisticated transportation and communication systems greatly facilitated the game’s expansion. During that period some notable baseball firsts, including the founding of the first African-Americ...

Saturday - Sunday,  October 26 - 27   - Cape May, Cape May County Scarecrow Alley at the Physick Estate Once again, the grounds of the Physick Estate will be transformed for a spooky Halloween, and Scarecrow Alley showcases homemade scarecrows -- from the ghoulishly gruesome to the foolishly funny!  VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE!  Visit the Carriage House Gallery at the Physick Estate during hours of operation and cast your vote for your favorite scarecrow. The Emlem Physick Estate is located at 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 .