Historic Happenings Blog

October 19 – Mercer County Scouting Archaeology & Astronomy Day at the State Museum, 205 West State Street, Trenton. Learn about the Earth’s history of human occupation from the museum’s professionals; learn about the constellations and how to find them in different seasons. Participation will help fulfill many of the requirements for badges and other scouting programs. $6 per person, advance Special Event International Archaeology Day Delve into the archaeology of the Pinelands to discover its prehistoric and colonial history. Talks by Dr. Patricia Hansell, Temple University, and Dr. Richard Viet, Monmouth University, will focus on different aspects of archaeological discoveries in the Pinelands. Both talks will be held in the "Much Moved Peoples" gallery on the Museum's lower level.  Following the talks, there will be showings of a  short film about the excavations at Raritan Landing , a bustling shipping community that existed from the early 1700s through the mid-1...

Full Moon Gazing Manasquan Res Env Ctr Tue, Feb 19 7:30-9:00 PM (ages 9 and up, under 18 with adult) Bring out your inner Werewolf as we immerse ourselves in the night environment, under the light of the Full Moon. We’ll have telescopes on hand to look at all of the visible features of the Moon, plus free hot cocoa! Please wear appropriate clothing as we’ll be outside most of the time. One Session $8.00 Per Person

Night Skies Hike and S’mores Saturday, January 5, 6:00-8:00 PM Thompson Park Ski Hut, Lincroft (ages 7 and up, under 18 with adult) New moons offer the darkest skies, especially in the winter. Ever wonder what you are looking at when you look up at the stars? Learn to navigate around the night sky from our Park System Naturalist. We will take a short hike around Thompson Park before warming up by the fire pit enjoying s’mores, warm drinks and music. Bring binoculars if you have them. Remember, to dress for the weather. Rating: Easy, some seasonal trail conditions could be challenging: ice, snow, mud. If there is snow we will be using snowshoes that we provide.

Full Moon Gazing Holmdel Pk Shelter Bldg Fri, Dec 21 8:00-9:30 PM (ages 9 and up, under 18 with adult) Bring out your inner Werewolf as we immerse ourselves in the night environment, under the light of the Full Moon. We’ll have telescopes on hand to look at all of the visible features of the Moon, plus free hot cocoa! Please wear appropriate clothing as we’ll be outside most of the time. One Session $8.00 Per Person

Geminid Meteor Shower Viewing Party Turkey Swamp Pk Shelter Bldg Fri, Dec 14 8:00-9:30 PM (all ages, under 18 with adult) Winter is the best time to view the night sky, and that includes during meteor showers! The Geminids are renowned for their high volume of shooting stars. Grab your winter gear and a chair if you’d like. Come join us as we start off in the fire-heated shelter building, sip on some hot cocoa, and then take a short walk to view the meteors. One Session $8.00 Per Person