Historic Happenings Blog

Publick Dance, Period music and Frivolity Saturday, April 18, 2020, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm This 18th-century publick dance will feature live music by Anne and Ridley Enslow and the dances will be called by the Van Horne's dance master, Lazarus Turner. Open to reenactors and local and not so local friends alike, Colonial attire is welcome but NOT mandatory. Dances will progress from simple to more complex as the evening progresses. 25.00 pp goes toward the musicians! Questions? Call Cindy directly at 310-691-9388 or email at info@htanj.org. Event Details

Enjoy a Prohibition-Era cocktail tasting, guided by master bartender Chris Asay, complete with period finger foods, live music, and dancing. This isn't just any Prohibition party - this one is hosted at a historic tavern that experienced its own liquor raids! Period Dress Encouraged! $100 Donation Per Person Purchase tickets online or call for more information at 732-381-0441 All proceeds from this event help support the nonprofit Merchants and Drovers Tavern Museum, including the preservation of our two historic 18th century structures. Click for Info or to Reserve Online

Saturday, January 4 -- Mercer County GIRL SCOUT BADGE WORKSHOPS: 18TH & 19TH C. DANCER, SCRIBE, & SOCIAL BUTTERFLY  Three different workshops in one day for Brownies and Juniors! Saturday, January 4 from 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. $18 including all supplies, snacks, and badge; $10 per parent. Includes admission into museum and grounds following or before the workshop. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER MORE INFO Brownies earn the Dancer badge with Morven's talented Horticulturist/Historic Dancer Louise Senior where many fancy steps were taken throughout history. Girls will learn fun warm-ups, perform steps from new dances, and make a dance of their very own. Juniors earn the Social Butterfly badge practicing social style and good manners and may also join the Curator of Education Debra Lampert-Rudman, M.Ed. for a writing workshop to earn the Scribe badge. Reservations may be made on Eventbrite however paid registration is through www.gscsnj.org or email dlampertrudman@morven.org for details...

Twelfth Annual Armistice Ball Saturday, November 9, 2019 Celebrating the centennial of the end of World War I, the Metropolitan Vintage Dance & Social Club will hold its Twelfth Annual Armistice Ball on Saturday, November 9, from 8:00 - 11:00 pm in the historic Great Hall at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 121 South Street, Morristown, NJ. The Metropolitan Club Orchestra will provide hot dance tunes of the early 20th century. A workshop in dances of the era will be held at the Morristown Masonic Center, 39 Maple Avenue, from 2:00 - 4:00 pm that day. Ball tickets are $40 per person in advance or $45 at the door ($20 in advance/$25 at the door with a student ID). They may be purchased online at  www.armisticeball.com , where additional information may be found as well. The Met Club is also sponsoring a Sunday morning tea brunch at the Cosy Cupboard Tea Room in Convent Station at 11:00 a.m. The cost per person is $34.00 complete, and reservations should be made directly with the Cos...

Saturday, October 19 – Bergen County Calico Frolic at Historic New Bridge Landing 6:30 - 9:00 pm     Join the Tricorne Dancers under the direction of dance mistress Denise Piccino in the great parlor room of the Steuben House in an evening of dancing and music from the colonial period with live music by Ridley and Anne Enslow on the fiddle and hammered dulcimer.  Basic dance steps and instruction will be provided throughout the evening. Enjoy seasonal refreshments and cider in the Dwelling Room between sets.     Period dress is welcome but not required.Admission: $15 for non-members and $12 Students and BCHS members.     For additional information visit the society’s website www.bergencountyhistory.org, email them at contactBCHS@bergencountyhistory.org, or call 201-343-9492 and leave a message.

Saturday-Sunday, April 13-14 – Somerset County Battle of Bound Brook weekend The British have high-tailed it back to New Brunswick, Lord Cornwallis has vacated the home of Philip Van Horne on his quest to capture General Lincoln to no avail- What do we colonials do? Party at Convivial Hill of course!     Join the Middlebrook Theatrical Society for an evening of pleasant 18th century English and Scottish Country dances with live music by the amazing Anne and Ridley Enslow!   Beginners are most welcome. The series of dances are structured to progress from the very simple, allowing full participation by all attendees. This is a rare opportunity to learn country line dancing in the colonial style!    "Light refreshments served in the manner of Coffee including coffee, chocolate, biscuits, and toast."   Come smartly dressed in shoes for dancing and if you have it, Colonial attire is encouraged. Van Horne House 941 E. Main St., ...

Sunday, February 24 – Bergen County Washington's Birthday 287th Anniversary - A Country Ball    Dance mistress Denise Piccino  and the Tricorne Dancers will give two one-hour public performances in the Steuben House at 1:30 and 3:00 pm.  Ridley & Anne Enslow  will provide musical accompaniment on fiddle and hammered dulcimer. Throughout the afternoon, Rodger Yaden  will portray General George Washington. Hot cider and crullers will be served in the restored 18th-century tavern in the Campbell-Christie House, where our gift shop is also located. Visitors may also see open-hearth cooking demonstrated in the Out-Kitchen featuring items that General Washington might have eaten during his stay at New Bridge in 1780 and recipes from Martha's cookbook. Re-enactors from the 3rd New Jersey Regiment will demonstrate military life. Activities for children include soldier drills, sewing take-away project & scavenger hunt.      The Needl...

Friday, December 28 – Mercer County Colonial Ball     Trenton, NJ—  Have you ever watched the ball dancing in Pride and Prejudice and imagined yourself dancing in such a romantic setting? Dance like our founding fathers along with reenactors in Revolutionary War dress, to live music of the time. You needn’t know the dances – we’ll teach you! Enjoy light refreshments as you mingle with people from the past and the present. This is a one-of-a-kind experience not to be missed!     The ball will be held the evening of Friday, December 28, at 7 pm. It will take place at the Historic Trenton Masonic Temple, located at 100 Barrack Street, Trenton, NJ. Parking for the event is free, close, and plentiful, available in the lot across from The War Memorial and the small lot next to The Old Barracks Museum. Advanced ticket pricing: $25-General Public; $20-Old Barracks Association Members. Tickets available at  www.barracks.org  or 609-396-...