Historic Happenings Blog

Thursday, February 27 – Mercer County              Princeton Preservation Group to Meet on February 27 about Papyrus     Ask anyone on the street in Princeton what the Princeton Preservation Group is and you are likely to get a raised eyebrow and a guess that they are people who want to preserve the town.  Actually, the Princeton Preservation Group (PPG) has been meeting several times per year since 1983 to hear lectures on a wide range of topics relating to the preservation of cultural artifacts, including books, manuscripts, artwork, furniture, photographs, tombstones, Lucy the Elephant, quilts, costumes, videotapes, and buildings, just to name a few.       The “Princeton” in PPG’s name derives from its founder, the late Susan Swartzburg, Preservation Librarian at Alexander Library at Rutgers. Swartzburg, a Princeton resident, taught a class in the Rutgers graduate librar...

Saturday, February 29 – Passaic County Free Historical Program in The honor of Black History Month      Join us on Saturday, February 29 th  at 1pm at the Paterson Museum as we welcome Public Historian Sue Kozel. A researcher whose area of study focuses on the areas of power and equality, Kozel will present Why Wench Betty’s Story Matters: The Murder of an NJ Slave in 1784. Learn about Betty, her murder and the court proceedings that followed. How does her story fit into the larger picture of slavery in New Jersey in the 1780s? What can it tell us about the life of America’s enslaved populations? This program is free and open to the public. This program is funded by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, an independent non-profit and state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.     The program will take place at the Paterson Museum, located at 2 Market Street (on the corner of Market and Spruce Streets) in the hea...

From Sap to Maple Syrup Huber Woods Environmental Center 25 Brown's Dock Road, Locust (Middletown Twp.), NJ 07760  Sat, Feb 29, 2020, 1:00-3:00 PM (all ages, under 18 with adult) Winter is winding down and the sap is running in the trees which means its time to make maple syrup! Bring the whole family for some old-fashioned fun as we learn the history, technique and some of the science behind this delicious treat. Highlights include a syrup taste test, tree tapping demonstration and instruction, and winter tree identification. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes or boots. One Session $12.00 Per Person

Saturday, February 29 – Mercer County African American History in Quilts – The Sankofa Stitchers Meet members of the quilting guild, see their work, and learn about their inspiration in the African American experience      The Trent House Association presents  African American Artistry in Quilts,  a talk by members of the Princeton Sankofa Stitchers Modern Quilt Guild whose work is currently on display at the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie. The Trent House program, which will include displays of additional quilts accompanied by poetry, will begin at   1 pm on Saturday, February 29, 2020, at the William Trent House   Museum, 15 Market Street  (across from the Hughes Justice Complex) , Trenton, NJ 08611.      Mada Coles Galloway, Juandamarie Gikandi, and Gail Mitchell, members of the Sankofa Stitchers, will speak about the art and craft of quilting, the history of the Guild and their personal background in quilting, a...

Saturday, February 22 and 29 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County Maple Sugaring Sugaring time arrives in late winter at Howell Farm and operations are in full swing. Visitors are invited to join the work and fun with sap collection, firewood cutting, syrup making, butter making, flour milling, and pancake eating. The trees are tapped beginning in early February. School groups, visitors and farm staff collect and boil down sap for several weeks. The sugar maple tree stores starch in their trunks and roots before the winter; the starch is then converted to sugar that rises in the sap in the spring. Freezing nights and thawing days make for heavy sap flow. The trees are tapped by boring holes into their trunks and collecting the exuded sap beginning in early February. The sap is then processed by heating to evaporate much of the water, leaving the concentrated syrup. Sap gathering will take place at 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm. Tree tapping demonstrations will be held at 11:00 am 1:00 pm and 3:...

Iris photo is in the public domain: MTB, 20″ (51 cm), Midseason bloom. Standards yellow; falls lavender, edged yellow; yellow beard. ‘Topsy Turvy’ X ‘Floridor’. Redstone Nursery 1984. High Commendation 1979, 1981; Honorable Mention 1986; Williamson-White Award 1988. Celebrate Leap Day! Signs of Spring Walk with Horticulturist Louise Senior Saturday, February 29 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. $10; Free for Friends of Morven CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Join Morven’s Horticulturist Louise Senior as she tours the grounds and gardens looking for signs of Spring. As she says, the earth is waking up, can tree buds, birds, nests, and bugs be far behind? Get outside and enjoy hunting for the first signs of springtime at Morven. Tour begins at Morven's 19th century Carriage House.

From Sap to Maple Syrup Huber Woods Environmental Center 25 Brown's Dock Road, Locust (Middletown Twp.), NJ 07760  Sat, Feb 29, 2020, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM (all ages, under 18 with adult) Winter is winding down and the sap is running in the trees which means its time to make maple syrup! Bring the whole family for some old-fashioned fun as we learn the history, technique and some of the science behind this delicious treat. Highlights include a syrup taste test, tree tapping demonstration and instruction, and winter tree identification. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes or boots. One Session $12.00 Per Person

Daytime Owl Prowl Thompson Pk Estate Grounds Parking Lot 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738 Sat, Feb 29, 2020,  9:00 AM-3:00 PM (adults) Have you ever seen an owl in the wild? Join a Park System Naturalist as we search for local owls. Owls are very active at night but can often be observed roosting during the day. We will take a mini-bus and hike a few trails looking for these wonderful and mysterious raptors. Wear suitable boots and dress for the weather. Bring a snack or lunch and something to drink. Seating is limited, so register early. One Session $30.00 Per Person

Stockton Coast Day Pop-Up Gallery January 21 - February 29, 2020 Closing Reception: February 20, 6:00 - 8:00 pm 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

Front Line Gallery January 21 - February 29, 2020 Closing Reception: February 20, 2020, 6:00 - 8:00 pm 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

"The Story of Sandy Hook -  "Train Wreck Disaster of 1951" JERSEY BAYSHORE COUNTRY

Thursday, February 27 - Morris County 7:14 p.m.    NORTH JERSEY CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE  presents Historian and Author JOHN HAYWARD   The 5 th  New Jersey Regiment at The Battle of Gettysburg The 5th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry was one of four regiments formed by Governor  Charles Olden  upon the requisition of President  Abraham Lincoln  on July 24, 1861. Fighting in battle on the eastern front, from the siege of Yorktown, the Seven Days Battles, Chancellorsville, the Second Battle of Bull Run and the Battle of Gettysburg  the regiment was then commanded by Col. William J. Sewell, who was wounded on July 2nd. Sewell was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Chancellorsville in May two months before Gettysburg and went on to become a State and U.S. Senator. Capt. Henry H. Woolsey took command for the rest of the battle, even though he was slightly wounded on July 2nd. The 5th brought 221 men to the field and lost 1...

Thursday, February 27 -- Somerset County 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Mary Jacobs Memorial Library Foundation, 64 Washington St, Rocky Hill, New Jersey 08553. Join Jim Amon and the Van Harlingen Historical Society at the Mary Jacobs Memorial Library as he shares his favorite stories of Seeing the Sourlands.

Thursday, February 27 -- Mercer County Signature Grand Homes & Gardens  Distinguished Speakers Series 2020 Event Warms Up Winter PRINCETON, NJ. This February and March, Morven Museum & Garden’s  Grand Homes & Gardens Distinguished Speakers Series  travels the Eastern seaboard from the Rockefeller estate and gardens in Maine to Henry Flagler’s Whitehall mansion in Florida, warming up winter with acclaimed speakers and outstanding visuals of grand homes and impressive gardens. We are delighted to announce Baxter Construction is the Series Sponsor. “Launched just last year, this series quickly became a favorite with armchair travel to some of the most sumptuous estates in the country. Each speaker brings the inside story to our guests with visuals that will make you long to see them in person,” said Morven’s Executive Director Jill Barry. The series launches on  Thursday, February 27,  6:30 p.m. with a presentation on  Dumbarton Oaks: Hom...

Casual Birder @ Crosswicks Creek Park  Thursday, February 27, 2020, at 9:00 AM at Crosswicks Creek Park Province Line Road Parking Area 350 Province Line Rd, Wrightstown, NJ 08562 (ages 8 and up, 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 1/2-2 hour program, but feel free to join in or drop out at any point during the walk. Dress for the weather as light rain and snow are not deterrents. Hit the trails with us at 9:00 AM

Materials and Techniques for Historic Restoration and Rehabilitation This course offers an overview of different materials commonly used in this region and the techniques for their repair. Materials to be examined are: masonry (stone, brick, concrete, terra cotta, mortar), wood, finishes, plaster, and metals. The class will discuss techniques utilized to read historic evidence in buildings and be introduced to rehabilitation codes.  Instructor: Bob Russell  Date(s): Wednesdays, February 26 - April 29, 2020 Time: 6:30PM - 8:30PM Cost: $275 Click for more information and to register! 

Nature Story Time Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell 331 Georgia Tavern Road, Howell 07731 Wed, Feb 26, 2020, 11:00-11:30 AM  (ages 2-5, with adult) Something fun for your little ones! Enjoy some of our staff’s favorite stories. Nature-themed items related to each story will be presented at that just-right level for your child. Sessions are free, but pre-registration is required.

Wondrous Winter Walks @ Hartshorne Woods Hartshorne Woods  Rocky Point Parking Lot 1402 Portland Road, Highlands, NJ (Rocky Point Entrance) 07732 Thursday, February 26, 2020, from 10:00-11:30 AM  (all ages, under 18 with adult) Nature walks are like snowflakes, each one is unique in its own way. Tag along with a Park Naturalist as you explore the serenity that is nature in the wintertime. Please wear appropriate Winter clothes and sturdy footwear.

Protect Your Organization from Cyber-Attacks! Hear from Colleagues in the Arts Community Who Experienced the Recent Ransomware Attack Tuesday, February 25, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Grounds for Sculpture 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, NJ Cost: Free If you have any questions, please contact Mary Eileen Fouratt at  MaryEileen.Fouratt@sos.nj.gov .  A number of arts institutions in northern NJ were victims of a recent ransomware attack that spanned the nation. The common factor for all was the fact that they were all clients of the same IT firm.  Learn more about that attack and why these organizations were vulnerable.  Hear how they are battling back to restore their systems after the “invasion”, dealing with the many side effects of the attack, and how they are attempting to attain compensation and protect their information going forward. A brief presentation will be followed by a Q&A with a goal that the shared information will help fellow institutions take the n...

Sunday, February 23 – Somerset County SEANCE WITH JANE DOHERTY - the last seance we had with Jane was spectacular!  Limited to 20 people.  Tickets available on EventBrite.com The Meadows Foundation is pleased to present an afternoon with noted psychic Jane Doherty. She will address the spirits connected with each attendee, including loved ones who have passed on. Jane acts as a contact point to aid in communication between the earthly and spirit worlds. Beginning at 2:30pm, this 3-hr event will take place at the Wyckoff-Garretson house, a historic home stewarded by The Meadows Foundation. Listed on the state and national registries of historic places, the museum house dates to 1709, and has an established history of spiritual activity. This event is LIMITED TO 20 PARTICIPANTS. The cost is $60 per person, and light refreshments will be served. For more information or a flyer for this event. go to www.TheMeadowsFoundation.org, and look on our Upcoming Events page. For more infor...