Historic Happenings Blog

Sunday, February 2 - Morris Township, Morris County Winter on the Farm Enjoy a day of discovery as Fosterfields Living Historical Farm takes you back to the lives of farm families on a typical 1920s winter day! On Sunday from 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm, you’ll be able to meet the cows, horses, and sheep. Pitch in with daily farm chores, climb aboard the tractor-pulled, open-air wagon for a memorable ride around the farm. Create a fun craft to take home. At the Farmhouse kitchen, discover what seasonal foods are being prepared on the antique wooden stove. Stop by the Visitor Center and marvel at the Transportation Exhibit. See Mr. Foster’s Rockaway carriage and Caroline Foster’s Model “T” Ford! Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors (65+), $6 for children ages 4 - 16, and $4 for children ages 2 and 3. FREE for children under age 2 and Friends members with a valid membership card. Fosterfields is located at 73 Kahdena Road, Morris Township, NJ 07960. For more information, call 973...

Saturday, November 16   - Hopewell Township, Mercer County Bacon, Sausage, and Scrapple Making If you work all week to bring home the bacon, sausage, and scrapple, but don't really know from whence they come, visit Howell Farm for their bacon, sausage and scrapple program. You will see these and other pork products made before your eyes. Farmers will demonstrate rendering lard, making pork products, and showing visitors the origins of different cuts of pork. Cracklin's and other delicacies will be free for the asking, and pork sandwiches will be available for sale. 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 .

Saturday, October 26   - Hopewell Township, Mercer County Corn Harvest A classic scene from America's past will be recreated at Howell Living History Farm when the fields of ripening corn are cut and shocked against a landscape of early fall colors. Visitors can join in the work and fun from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, helping farmers harvest corn in the fields, shell and grind corn, and taste cornbread. 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 .

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....

Thursday, October 10 – Mercer County Reviving New Jersey’s Hard Cider Heritage     On October 10, the Historical Society of Princeton (HSP) welcomes writer/educator  Fran McManus for a talk on New Jersey cider, past and present.  The program will take place at 7:00 PM in the historic barn on the Society’s six-acre site, Updike Farmstead, at 354 Quaker Road. Apple-picking is a popular fall activity, but few may realize the significant history of apples in the “Garden State.” New Jersey colonists started planting apple orchards in the 17th century, providing not just fruit to eat, but also to make cider, the favored alcoholic drink of the day. By the end of the colonial period, Newark Cider was renowned, and even fueled a thriving industry in counterfeit champagne.      The evening will include a sampling of New Jersey’s own Ironbound Hard Cider. Named for the historic Newark neighborhood, Ironbound Hard Cider is crafted by Jersey Cid...

Saturday, October 5 - Morris Township, Morris County Orchard Cooking Fosterfields once had extensive apple, pear, and peach orchards. On Saturday from 12:00 noon - 2:30 pm, learn about these heirloom fruit trees, and watch as delicious dishes are prepared in the Farmhouse kitchen. Admission: $6 per adult, $5 per senior (65+), $4 per child age 4 - 16, $2 per child age 2 & 3. FREE per child under age 2. Friends members are half price with a current membership card. Fosterfields Living Historical Farm is located at 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ. For more information, visit  www.morrisparks.net .

Saturday, October 5   - Hopewell Township, Mercer County Wheat Planting & Flour Milling O n Saturday between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, visitors are invited to join farmers in the fields and on the threshing floor at Howell Living Farm as they plant and process wheat - work rewarded in the farmhouse kitchen with tastes of whole wheat bread and a take-home bag of freshly ground flour, complete with recipes. Special maps with corresponding field markers are used to guide visitors to areas where they can watch or help with planting operations, thresh wheat for animal feed and bedding, and grind wheat for baking. Visitors who have their maps stamped at each of “Help-the-Farmer” stations will take home their share of the harvest – a bag of freshly milled whole wheat flour produced with their help. 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 ...

Saturday, September 21  -  Morris Township, Morris County Save Those Seeds and A-Maize-ing Corn Painting As the growing season ends, collect seeds from vegetables and flowers in the garden to sow next spring at  Fosterfields Living Historical Farm . Programs at 1:00 and 2:00 pm. From 2:00 - 4:30 pm, use corn from Fosterfields Farm to create a beautiful work of art. Roll cobs of corn covered in fall paint colors and layer the colors to create a fantastic fall farm painting. Admission: $6 per adult, $5 per senior (65+), $4 per child age 4 - 16, $2 per child age 2 & 3. FREE per child under age 2.  Fosterfields Living Historical Farm is located at 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ. For more information, visit  www.morrisparks.net .

S aturday, September 21  - Hopewell Township, Mercer County Fall Plowing and Manure Spreading Really? A program where you load and spread manure? Absolutely! Once you've helped us get the manure on the field where we will soon plant winter wheat, you can help us 'turn it in' with a moldboard plow pulled by workhorses Jack & Chester. We will be there to drive the horses and teach you how to turn a perfect furrow. Throughout the day, farmers will be canning and pickling surplus garden crops like cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes and more.  You can sample the results and take home recipes and other secrets that made canning a mainstay of the 1900 farm. 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 .

Sunday, September 8   -  Morris Township, Morris County Who Cut the Wood? On Sunday at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, at 1:00 and 2:30 pm, watch or participate in the cutting of wood for use around the farm, and try drill bits to learn the process of working it. Admission: $6 for adults; $5 for seniors (65+); $4 for children ages 4 – 16; and $2 for children ages 2 and 3. FREE for children under age 2 and Friends members with a current membership card. Fosterfields Living Historical Farm is located at 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ. For more information, visit  www.morrisparks.net .

S aturday, September 7  - Hopewell Township, Mercer County Back to School School bells ring once again in Pleasant Valley when Howell Farm invites the public to participate in a unique "back to school" day. The program features the educational, social and cultural activities centered on the "one-room school" in the rural life of 1900. The Howell Farm schoolmistress has McGuffey readers, slates, and slate pencils ready for students of all ages to begin their lessons in the three R's. Visitors can take a seat in an antique school desk and try their hand at orthography using pen and ink, or attempt to solve farm-related arithmetic problems on the chalkboard. As in yesteryear, children can help with farm chores before attending the "one-room school. The school bell will ring to begin lessons, for recess, and a quick tour of the privy. During recess, children will be introduced to hoops and sticks, tug of war and other old-fashioned games and toys. Participants ...

Sunday, September 1 -  Morris Township, Morris County Hands on Tools! On Sunday at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, at 1:00 and 2:00 pm, peruse and use a variety of hand tools and equipment that were important to the farm technology of yesteryear. Admission: $6 for adults; $5 for seniors (65+); $4 for children ages 4 – 16; and $2 for children ages 2 and 3. FREE for children under age 2 and Friends members with a current membership card. Fosterfields Living Historical Farm is located at 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ. For more information, visit  www.morrisparks.net .

S aturday, August 31  - Hopewell Township, Mercer County Plowing Match Howell Living History Farm will hold its Annual Plowing Match on Saturday and the public is invited to watch and participate in the event, which features old-fashioned plowing and log pulling competitions, a craft and pony rides for children, and lots of food, music and old fashioned fun. A dozen teams of draft animals from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York are entered in the match, which tests the performance of farmers, their horses and oxen, and their plows as they turn furrows. Judging will take place from 10:00 am until 12:00 noon. Winners of the Fine Plowing Class will receive trophies, ribbons, and cash prizes. Members of the general public aged 16 and older can try their hand at plowing in the Visitor Plowing event. Winners receive ribbons. Sheep, chickens, and pigs can be seen in the farmyard area all day. Beginning at 12:00 noon, hungry plowers and visitors can lunch on roast pork sandwiches, a ch...

Saturday - Sunday, August 17 - 18  - Holmdel, Monmouth County Potato Harvest On Saturday and Sunday, visit Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel to learn how potatoes are grown and harvested. Help the Longstreet Farm staff bring in the crop, and dig some potatoes to take home for your own family. Stop by the summer kitchen for some 19th-century inspiration on how to prepare them at home. This free event runs from 12:00 - 2:00 pm each day. Historic Longstreet Farm is located at 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ. For more information, call 732-946-3758 or visit  www.monmouthcountyparks.com .

Saturday, August 17   -  Morris Township, Morris County The Baas and the Bees On Saturday from 2:00 - 4:30 pm, create puffy paint window clings of sheep and bees that are important friends of the farm. While your creations dry, visit the real ‘buzzes and baas’ at the farm! Be sure to collect your special craft to take home. Admission: $6 for adults; $5 for seniors (65+); $4 for children ages 4 – 16; and $2 for children ages 2 and 3. FREE for children under age 2 and Friends members with a current membership card. Fosterfields Living Historical Farm is located at 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ. For more information, visit  www.morrisparks.net .

Sunday, August 11   -  Morris Township, Morris County Are You Stronger Than a Steer? On Sunday from 1:00 - 2:00 pm at  Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, visit the 3-sided barn to learn how animals power farm equipment and try operating the equipment by hand. Admission: $6 for adults; $5 for seniors (65+); $4 for children ages 4 – 16; and $2 for children ages 2 and 3. FREE for children under age 2 and Friends members with a current membership card. Fosterfields Living Historical Farm is located at 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ. For more information, visit  www.morrisparks.net .

Saturday - Sunday,  August 10 - 11  - Cape May, Cape May County 'Down on the Farm' Weekend   at Historic Cold Spring Village Experience life on an Early American farm through hands-on activities and exhibits at Historic Cold Spring Village's 'Down on the Farm' Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, from 10:00 am - 4:30 pm. Historic Cold Spring Village, an open-air living history museum, presents the trades, crafts, architecture, and lifestyles of an Early American, rural South Jersey farming community. The Village is also home to a working 8-acre organic heritage farm complex. Special exhibits throughout the Village will include collections of antique and modern farming equipment and tools. Visitors can tour the historic Corson-Gandy Barn, c. 1880, which is now home to Levi the Village horse. Guests can also visit the Village sheep, pigs, chickens and calf. The Family Activity Area will feature children's dress-up clothes, games, and take-home crafts. Children may also p...

S aturday, August 10  - Hopewell Township, Mercer County Potato Harvest Howell Living History Farm invites the public to celebrate the coming harvest season by unearthing a special crop of potatoes that will be donated to the Greater Mercer Food Cooperative. The potatoes were planted in April by Howell Farm visitors, volunteers, and interns. Visitors of all ages can join the harvest crew, for as long or short a time as they like. Experience is not necessary. The crew will be led by farm staff, who will use horses or oxen to pull a special plow called a "potato lifter." Visitors can help by gathering potatoes unearthed by the lifter, and by turning the crank of the Farm's "potato grader" to sort the potatoes. Lemonade and cookies will be served to field workers throughout the day. 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, N...

Saturday, August 10   -  Morris Township, Morris County Hitch A Ride Enjoy a leisurely open-air wagon ride at Fosterfields Living History Farm on Saturday around the historic farm and visit the animals, too! Wagon ride from 10:15 am - 12:00 noon and included in regular admission. Admission: $6 for adults; $5 for seniors (65+); $4 for children ages 4 – 16; and $2 for children ages 2 and 3. FREE for children under age 2 and Friends members with a current membership card. Fosterfields Living Historical Farm is located at 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ. For more information, visit  www.morrisparks.net .

Sunday, August 4   -  Morris Township, Morris County Horseradish: The Root of a Condiment On Sunday from 1:00 - 2:30 pm at  at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, d iscover how this tangy root vegetable is processed and used as a condiment.  Admission: $6 for adults; $5 for seniors (65+); $4 for children ages 4 – 16; and $2 for children ages 2 and 3. FREE for children under age 2 and Friends members with a current membership card. Fosterfields Living Historical Farm is located at 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ. For more information, visit  www.morrisparks.net .