Historic Happenings Blog

A Grand Tree Lighting Asbury Park Convention Hall and Paramount Theatre Grand Arcade at Convention Hall 1300 Ocean Avenue Asbury Park  07740 11/30/2019 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED AGE RANGE:  Babies, Preschoolers, Elementary, Tweens FREE CALL:  732-897-6500 EMAIL     |     WEBSITE MORE DETAILS:   One of the most memorable events of the 2019 season will be the Boardwalk's 12th annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration, which will take place on Saturday, November 30th, in th e Grand Arcade located at 1300 Ocean Avenue. Award-winning NBC New York journalist Brian Thompson will act as emcee. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for this spectacular event, which is free and open to the public; attendees are encouraged to come early as space is limited. During this awe-inspiring event, at 6:45 p.m., the Boardwalk's 35-foot Douglas Fir tree ' the tallest live indoor tree in the state ' will come alive, bathing the Grand Arcade in ligh...

11th Annual Shrewsbury Christmas Tree Lighting Borough of Shrewsbury 419 Sycamore Avenue Shrewsbury Borough Hall Gazebo Shrewsbury  New Jersey  07702 11/30/2019 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED AGE RANGE:  All Ages FREE CALL:  (732) 741-4200 WEBSITE MORE DETAILS:   Come one! Come all! Let us welcome the beginning of the 2019 holiday season together! Festivities include'€¦ '€¢ Cold-weather refreshments, baked goods, treats, face painting, and DJ '€¢ Caroling led by the SBS Kindergartners & First Graders & the SBS Chorus. '€¢ Holiday Performance from Dance Plus '€¢ Petting Zoo '€¢ Special visit by Santa Claus arriving on the Fire truck! '€¢ Pictures with Santa (so bring your camera, and don'€™t be late!) Rain or Shine. **Lunch Break Food Drive **help lunch break and donate can food Festivities include'€¦ '€¢ Cold-weather refreshments, baked goods, treats, face painting, and DJ '€¢ Caroling led by the SBS Kindergartners ...

Santa Wood Carving Class November 30 @ 10:00 am  -  4:00 pm $85 – $95 Instructor: Mark Bair Date/Time: Saturday, November 30, 2019 10am – 4pm Fee: $85 members/ $95 nonmembers Ho! Ho! Holiday Carving Class!  Join carver Mark Bair for this one day Santa Carving class – all levels welcome! Students will learn how to transform simple basswood into an heirloom Santa Claus. Carving safety and techniques, tool sharpening, as well as painting and finishing techniques will also be studied. Fee (includes instruction, materials, and use of tools): $85 for Seaport Members; $95 for Non-members Please call 609-296-8868 to register.

Saturday, November 30   - Hopewell Township, Mercer County Thanksgiving Hayrides/Wreath/Sleighbell Sale Sleighbells will ring when Howell Living Farm holds its annual Thanksgiving program featuring free horse-drawn hayrides, a wreath and sleigh bell sale, and a special children's craft program. Horse-drawn hayrides (or sleigh rides!) will be offered throughout the day. There is no charge for the rides, but everyone is encouraged to bring non-perishable foodstuff to donate to local area food banks as a thank you for the wagon ride. Monetary donations to the food bank are also welcome. Sleighbells will be sold throughout the day by The Friends of Howell Farm to benefit the Farm's restoration projects. The bells are made by the farm's harness maker, who makes the harnesses and sleigh bells worn by the Farm's workhorses. Brass and nickel-plated bells will be sold in straps of six, twelve, and twenty bells. Reproduction cast bells, bell door ringers, and bell ornaments will ...

Friday,  November 29   - Bedminster, Somerset County Liberty Tree Lighting The Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House are hosting a tree lighting on Friday at 6:30 pm to kick off the 17th Annual Colonial Christmas celebration, which will be held Saturday and Sunday, December 7 - 8. The tree lighting is free to the community and features caroling with the Harmonium Choral Society and hot chocolate. The Jacobus Vanderveer House is located at 3055 River Road (in Bedminster’s River Road Park), Bedminster, NJ. For more information,  call 908-396-6053 or  visit  www.jvanderveerhouse.org .

Annual Holiday Express Concert & Town Lighting! Red Bank River Center Red Bank Red Bank Train Station & 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm REGISTRATION:  No AGE RANGE:  All FREE CALL:  (732) 842-4244 WEBSITE    Festivities and entertainment will begin at 5:30 PM at the Little Silver & Red Bank Train Stations as families await the arrival of the "big guy" on the Santa Express from Little Silver. Santa Express is scheduled to arrive at 6:44PM. There will be entertainment and one and all can join in! After his arrival in Red Bank, Santa will board a firetruck and head over to the Holiday Express Concert & Tree Lighting in Downtown Red Bank. Rock and Roll with Holiday Express in concert at 7PM and see the town of Red Bank light up for the holidays! Red Bank Holiday Express will be rocking the streets with all of your favorite tunes with plenty of special guests. Broad and Canal Streets. The Red Bank Fire Department will be handing out hot chocolate and there will be ...

"The Story of Sandy Hook - Fighting the Cold War (Part 6)" JERSEY BAYSHORE COUNTRY

Thomas Nast Follows Giuseppe Garibaldi  (August -November 2019) In 1860, Thomas Nast (1840-1902) followed Giuseppe Garibaldi’s campaign to liberate and unify Sicily and the southern Italian states. The young artist, just 19 when he embedded with Garibaldi’s forces, gained valuable experience drawing soldiers and battle scenes. Nast’s experiences in Italy ultimately led to his position as the illustrator of the Civil War for  Harper’s Weekly . This exhibition explores Nast’s early development as a war correspondent and his images of Garibaldi and the Italian campaign through a portfolio Nast created while following Garibaldi and images he published in  New York Illustrated News  and  The Illustrated London News  in 1860. Museum Hours Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday 1:00-4:00pm. Group tours welcome by appointment Sunday-Friday.

"Deal Test Site: 100 Years of History ”  Our Town Gallery, Eden Woolley House, 703 Deal Road, Ocean, NJ 07712  Deal Test Site exhibit premieres The mini-exhibit opening December 1 features the story of the Township’s most historically significant site. Bounded by Deal Road, Whalepond Road, and Dow Ave., the 208 acres we know today as Joe Palaia Park were once the Deal Test Site, an internationally renowned research facility. The same buildings that park visitors pass by today once held scientists from AT&T’s Western Electric research arm (later known as Bell Labs) working on telecommunication breakthroughs that made history. Later in those same buildings, the U.S. Army Signal Corps ran satellite tracking operations that attracted scientists from around the world. The exhibit traces the site’s history from prehistoric times to today, focusing on the 100 years since AT&T chose rural Ocean Township as an ideal spot to conduct its experiments in wireless communications. Th...

Sunday, November 24 – Union County 2:00 to 4:00     “Thanksgiving Dinner Demonstration & 18th-Century Table Customs” Miller-Cory House Museum, 614 Mountain Avenue, Westfield       A special day of thanks has been part of the American tradition since 1621. The Miller-Cory House Museum cooks will demonstrate the preparation of an early American Thanksgiving feast over the museum’s open-hearth fire, using colonial recipes and seasonal ingredients.  (Please note that this is a demonstration only; dinner is not being served.) Proper colonial dining also requires proper table customs.  The program includes a presentation on authentic early American manners, place settings, and other interesting “table-top traditions.”  Docents will be available to guide visitors through the restored, fully furnished colonial-era farmhouse. Admission is $5 ages 13 and older; $3 ages 3-12, and free age 2 and younger. 908-23...

The Gristmill in Action Historic Walnford 62 Walnford Rd, Allentown, NJ 08501 Weekends & Holidays, April 6-November 24, 1:00-4:00 PM Now that we have tightened our belts, greased the pulleys and cleaned the elevators, we are ready for another season of milling demonstrations: grinding corn in cornmeal in Waln’s Mill. This 19th c. mill brings historical technology, ingenuity and hard work to life right before your eyes, ears and noses. Come and experience this amazing historical process. Other days and times may be available by request.

Sunday, November 24  - West Orange, Essex County Harry's Magical Invention Bag Learn about invention and the important role Edison played in taking invention from a cottage/hobby activity to a full commercial activity - practiced by all major corporations. Hear Harry Roman as he discusses the major role New Jersey plays in the national invention scene-and all the great inventions New Jersey inventors have brought into our world. Harry, a nationally known inventor, was a critical player in establishing the New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame in 1989, and later went on to chair the organization from 1996-2004. The Hall of Fame honored him with an Inventor of the Year award in 2005 for his pioneering work in robotics and honored him again in 2012 with a special achievement award for his dedication to the organization. The program, held from 1:00 - 2:00 pm and 3:00 - 4:00 pm, is included with regular admission. Tickets must be purchased at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park Labor...

Sunday, November 24  - Farmingdale, Monmouth County Early 19th Century Thanksgiving Celebrate an early 19th Century Thanksgiving with the villagers of James P. Allaire's Howell Iron Works Company on Sunday between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm! The historic homes, craft shops, and retail buildings will be open to welcome you for a special "Day of Thanks." Starting at 11:00 am, a special program at the historic chapel, craft demonstrations (blacksmith, tinsmith, carpentry, leather-making, and more), cooking at the Manager's House over its 18th-century open hearth, and other special activities for adults and children. The Bakery, General Store, and Enameling Building's Museum Store will be open for early holiday shopping. Additional early 19th century period cooking and other activities to "give thanks" will be spread throughout the village! This event is FREE. Tractor and wagon rides will also be happening at the event from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. The rides will be bo...

CBI 3rd Annual Holiday Boutique Join Congregation B’nai Israel on Sunday, 11/24/19 (9am-3pm) for its 3rd Annual Holiday Boutique featuring vendors from near and far.  This event is FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and offers a wide range of gift items for everyone on your shopping list. Bring the kiddos along to do some crafts while you shmooze, shop and support.  A portion of the proceeds will benefit CBI, the religious school, and the preschool.   We hope to see you there! Sponsor & support the 3rd Annual Holiday Boutique - We need YOUR help to Make this Year's event that much more profitable for Gan & SHMA!   click here  to help us make the day MAGICAL!   Facebook Listing for Event:  https://www.facebook.com/events/2353032514957982/?ti=icl Confirmed vendors include  APPAREL: Sadie James, Sweetest Sin, Physhion, Design Girl NJ, Frostings by Venee, Swimming in Sprinkles, JL McLaughlin, Soluagua Vida, JLB, Swelle x...

Kids Create! STEM Saturdays at Roebling Museum Roebling Museum 100 2nd Ave, Roebling, NJ 08554 Saturday, November 23, 2019, at 11 AM – 4 PM Let's explore the world of STEM! Children and families can visit the Roebling Museum for just $5 per person for a day filled with fun and interesting learning activities that make science, technology engineering and math come to life. Build something! Make something! Try something new! Learn about structures, and try your hand at becoming Junior Engineer!  Learn how the Roebling history and legacy can inspire young minds and imaginations today.  Museums are cool! History is Cool!  STEM/STEAM is cool!  Join us! Call 609-499-7200 or visit roeblingmuseum.org for advanced tickets and registration.  This is an excellent activity for scouts, youth groups and STEM clubs.  Children ages 5 and under admitted FREE of charge. Tips for a Successful Kids Create! STEM Saturday event: > Arrive as early as 11am or whenever you like....

Saturday,  November 23  - Morristown, Morris County Creating Color - Natural Dyeing Demonstration How did the colonists create color from plants for their clothing and household fabrics? Stop by the Wick House at Jockey Hollow to see a demonstration of natural dyeing using plant materials. Throughout the day (11:00 am - 3:00 pm), we will be preparing the dyebaths using various natural materials and transforming white wool yarn into various colors. Come and see what colors can be made! Jockey Hollow at Morristown National Historical Park is located at 580 Tempe Wick Road, Morristown NJ (address is approximate). This is a  FREE event. For more information, call 973-543-4030 or visit  www.nps.gov/morr .

Saturday, November 23   - Hopewell Township, Mercer County Logging & Firewood Cutting Join farmers at Howell Living Farm who are using horses to skid saw logs out of the woods, and who are using oxen to haul firewood to the sap house in preparation for maple sugaring season. Visitors can help by cutting and chopping firewood, splitting locust logs into fence rails, and making barn pegs for use in our barn frame. At lunchtime, visitors can enjoy fare suitable for lumberjacks, including pancakes made with the farm's whole wheat flour...drenched in homemade maple syrup. 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.org .

Roving Naturalist @ Perrineville Lake Park Saturday, November 23, 20019, at 9:00 AM Perrineville Lake Park (meet in the Agress Rd. parking area) 21 or 23 Agress Road, Millstone, NJ 08535 (all ages, under 18 with adult) Join a Park System Naturalist for a leisurely walk on well-maintained trails in our parks. We will explore a different park each session as we discuss seasonal points of interest, search for signs of wildlife and identify a bird or two. This is a free 1.5 to 2-hour program, but feel free to join in or drop out at any point during the walk. Dress for the weather as light rain is not a deterrent. Explore nature with us on Saturdays at 9:00 AM.

Saturday, November 23 Register now for this trip to Tenement Museum and Little Italy Trip    The Ocean County Historical Society invites you to join us as we visit the New York Tenement Museum and Little Italy on Saturday, November 23 rd . See how immigrants lived on the Lower East Side in the 1800s and early twentieth century. Walk the streets of Little Italy, shop and dine at classic Italian eateries.     The bus will depart the Ocean County Historical Society, 26 Hadley Ave., Toms River, NJ at 7:30 AM and should return at approximately 6:30 PM. The fee is $40.00 for students 18 and under, $50.00 for members and $60.00 for the general public. This includes a charter bus, admission to the Tenement Museum with a one hour guided tour, and the bus driver’s gratuity. Lunch will be on your own in Little Italy. Please note that the Tenement Museum is not handicapped accessible. There will be no refunds after November 13 th .     For addi...

Guns Blazing: War of 1812 Exhibit Drops Anchor at Twin Lights Museum   Historic Single-Ship Victories Captured by Renowned Maritime Artist Maarten Platje A new, multi-gallery exhibit of historic maritime paintings is open to the public at the Twin Lights Museum. “Guns Blazing! The War of 1812 and the New Jersey Shore” features 15 dramatic works in oil by Maarten Platje, whose bold brushwork and attention to detail brings to life a game-changing chapter in American naval history. The exhibit, in Galleries II and III of the museum, also features historic artifacts and a short video on the 32-month conflict between the United States and Great Britain.  “Guns Blazing!” is the product of a partnership between two highly active local groups—Twin Lights Historical Society and Navesink Maritime Heritage Association—as well as Cavalier Galleries in New York City and the Twin Lights National Landmark. The exhibit has drawn wide acclaim at two previous U.S. stops this year and will ...