Historic Happenings Blog

Tuesday, October 22 -- Middlesex County Join the New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance on Tuesday, October 22nd at 4:15 pm for a showing of the new documentary film "Farming in the Millstone Valley." There will be a discussion afterward with filmmaker Brad Fay.  It will be shown in the Pane Room, first floor of the Alexander Library, Rutgers-New Brunswick, 169 College Avenue. The NJSAA business meeting will precede the film at 3 pm and both are free and open to the public. The Millstone Valley of central New Jersey, settled by Dutch farmers three centuries ago, helped NJ earn its Garden State nickname, and became the breadbasket of a booming New York City metropolis.  That story, culminating in today’s farm-to-table movement, is told in this 35-minute film. It is based on a historic account by Jessie Lynes Havens of Montgomery Township, and made by the Millstone Valley Preservation Coalition of Rocky Hill, in association with the Van Harlingen Historical Society of Montgomery....

See attached flyer for more details.    The "Dream Lady of Wanalasset" film will be shown accompanied by a discussion by Dr. Stanley Blair of Monmouth University. The film is based on a 1915 novel  "Why Not?"   authored by Asbury Park native Margaret Widdemer.   Wanalasset is a fictional community based on the Wanamassa section of Ocean Township.    Saturday, October 12, 2PM at the Ocean Township Library.

Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Join us for a screening of the documentary  Under the Great Oak  from director Michael Reynolds. This documentary celebrates the life of the Great Oak tree, which stood on the grounds of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church and was a member of the Basking Ridge community for six hundred years. It was the oldest white oak in America. Sadly, one summer, the leaves turned brown, the tree died and had to be taken down. This documentary explores the impact this mighty oak had on the community at large through interviews and the Great Oak Art Celebration, which brought together artists and members of the community to honor the tree and its place in history. The Center is hosting two screenings. Each screening will be followed by an informative panel discussion from important members of the community and the team which made the documentary. Attendees will also be treated to a live performance by Gordon Thomas Ward, whose song ...

Friday, July 12 – Mercer County What Does it Mean to be an American? A Community Conversation https://morvenmuseum.squarespace.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-an-american-a-community-conversation    Friday, July 12 from 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Free and open to the public, including lunch; limited to first 50 registrants    Register here:   https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-does-it-mean-to-be-an-american-a-community-conversation-tickets-60480744535     Morven is honored to collaborate with the National Writing Project and Rider University for a screening of the film "American Creed" in Morven’s Stockton Center and a community conversation on what it means to be an American.    Film screening from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. followed by a quick “write and share” facilitated by Dr. Heather Casey of Rider University and Morven’s Curator of Education & Public Programs Debra Lampert-Rudman.    Small group conversation...

Sunday June 23rd - 3pm – 6pm “Blues on a Sunday Afternoon” A  screening  of Lackawanna Blues, music by Chuck Lambert A Lil Taste of the Blues in celebration of Black Music Month America gave birth to the Blues in the Mississippi Delta Bayou and it’s the foundation for all the music we love.

A JUNETEENTH Event 19 June, 2019 6:30pm - 8:30pm As part of the Monmouth County Freedom Story Oral screening of a short documentary: "Racing for Freedom," will be shown that puts a spotlight on the horse racing industry and how black jockeys, pre Civil War, bought their freedom and the economic impact, particularly in Monmouth County, the industry had on the Black community. Followed by a discussion with former jockey, Ronald Tanner, former handler, Rodney Noel and Clocker: Gatha Artis.

Saturday, February 9 – Somerset County Film & Discussion:  Hidden Colors 4: The Religion of White Supremacy  (2016) at Franklin Library (Somerset)      Join us at the Franklin Township Public Library on Saturday, February 9 at 2 pm for a film screening of  Hidden Colors 4: The Religion of White Supremacy (2016 ) followed by an opportunity for discussion.       Hidden Colors  is a documentary series about the real and untold history of people of color around the globe.  In this installment, the film explores topics such as the motivation behind European global subjugation, the history of rarely discussed vast West African empires, how germ warfare was used on melanated people, and the history of slave breeding farms in America.     Light refreshments will be provided. This program is offered in partnership with Melanated Minds. Registration is requested but not requ...