Historic Happenings Blog

   With our lives being somewhat at a standstill due to the Covid 19 , the  Heritage Trail Association has missed you . We hope that you and your families are healthy and rested. We hope you have missed us, too! Our great programs that were planned will happen eventually and we want to see you when we are operating again!     We are still planning our guided, interactive tours for Weekend Journey Through the Past, with some modification, on October 10th and 11th. More on our website shortly. ​    But in the meantime here is a little fact sheet--first in a series--for you to enjoy, created by our own Lazarus Turner, who not only is a wiz at 21st-century technology but a grand historian as well. See below:

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

Sunday, November 10 – Somerset County    Join the Heritage Trail Association on Sunday, November 10, at 2 PM, for a presentation entitled, "George Washington: Miracles from My Life," by renowned interpreter Sam Davis! Mr Davis will show a series of seven deeply improbable miracles that shaped Washington's career, from wars in the Colonial era through to his Presidency. 1. The Battle of the Monongahela and the prophecy of the Indian chief. 2. Falling into the Allegheny River and being shot at point-blank by a Native American and surviving. 3. Colonel Knox bringing 60 tons of cannon 300 miles from Ticonderoga, New York to Boston. 4. The nor’ easter that occurred before the Battle of Trenton. 5. The frost that made the ground like cement after the second Battle of Trenton. 6. The Battle of Princeton. 7. How Martha Washington saved the Revolution. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased by  clicking here .  The event will be held at the historic Van Horne House, 941 Ea...

Sunday, September 15 – Somerset County      Who murdered the illicit lovers Reverend Edward Hall and Mrs. Eleanor Mills in the 1920s? Join the Heritage Trail on Sunday, September 15 at 11 AM to try to find the answer!    Over the course of three hours, you will be introduced to the players, review the evidence, learn about the politics of the time that affected the case, and learn how the case was investigated.     Twelve lucky people will be randomly chosen to be on the jury, and they will deliberate and render their verdict. Will it be you?     Everyone will enjoy a box lunch and share their opinions of the murders and who is guilty.     As an additional bonus, attendees may purchase our book, "COLD CASE: Hall Mills Murder Revisited" for $5 off the original price. Other books will also be on sale, too.     Seating is limited so reserve your ticket now. Tickets a...

Washington's Middlebrook Cantonment  November 1778-June 1779 Saturday, June 8, 2019 8:30 am to 3:30 pm Bridgewater Municipal Courtroom   100 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ   (near where the encampment took place)  Reservations required; $25; www.htanj.org You are cordially invited to attend a symposium to mark the 240th Anniversary of General George Washington's Middlebrook Cantonment, November 1778- June 1779. Meet your fellow Revolutionary War enthusiasts and learn about this exciting seven-month cantonment from noted speakers. Topics include: *The importance of the Watchung Mountains to the Continental Army, Mark Di Ionno, author and retired editor of the Star-Ledger *Lessons Learned from Previous Encampments, Steven Elliott, winner of our 2017 Middlebrook Research Award. *Baron Von Stuben's ceremonial review of the troops in honor of Washington and the French minister, M. Girard. We intend to have a historian from the French Consul in NY. *Somerset Coun...

Saturday, May 4 -- Somerset County An Afternoon with Gordon Thomas Ward, New Jersey's Troubadour Before Gordon leaves NJ, he has consented to making The Heritage Trail Association one of his very last stops. This performance contains a variety of the very best music, inspirational experiences, historical adventures, poignant book passages, and ghostly tales that this Grammy-balloted musician, New Jersey troubadour, popular author, celebrated storyteller, and ghost researcher has to offer.  No doubt, you've enjoyed this Renaissance Man's programs in the past. This one features the cream of the crop with something special for everyone! Gordon will sell his books (16-18.00) and CD's-10.00 **Tickets may be purchased at the door, providing there are seats available. Space is limited. Get your tickets early for your last opportunity to experience  Gordon Thomas Ward in NJ.

Friday, April 12 – Somerset County Sign up now for this event on Friday, April 12   With 18th-century musicians Anne and Ridley Enslow filling the historic Philip Van Horne House with music of the day, the Heritage Trail Association will entertain guests for a special evening. All in attendance will witness the unveiling of two treasured heirlooms from the family of Philip Van Horne Weems, known as the Father of Modern Naval Navigation!     Please come and enjoy live music, food, drinks and merriment 1700s style! Cocktail dress or 18 th -century clothes recommended!     The Enslows will sell their CDs.  www.enslowmusic.com     To pay at the door, call Cindy at 310-691-9388 to reserve your ticket for will call.    To purchase online Register here : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fundraiser-a-van-horne-homecoming-tickets-57561625371

Sunday,  February 17  - Bridgewater, Somerset County Five Generals Bus Tour of Washington's Middlebrook Cantonment Visit and discover all five existing houses where George Washington, Henry Knox, Baron Von Steuben, Nathaniel Greene, and Lord Alexander were headquartered during the Middlebrook Cantonment of 1778-1779.  The tour will begin at the Van Horne House where guests will enjoy an overview of Middlebrook . Once guests are properly 'schooled' in the importance of the Middlebrook Cantonment of 1778-1779, we will board the buses and head off to:  The Abraham Staats House, The Jacobus Vanderveer House, The Wallace House and the Van Veghten House, ending at the Van Horne House for refreshments in the tavern. Tours are limited to 22 people each tour.  Tours at 10:00 am, 12:00 noon,  1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 3:00 pm and last approximately 2.5 hours. Tours may be consolidated to fill available seating.  Bottled water will be provided upon check in.  Ti...

Sunday, February 10 – Somerset County Paul Robeson, A Chautauqua (Living History Performance) 2-4 p.m. FREE co-sponsored by NJCH Paul's father was a former slave who became a minister with a Bachelor of Sacred Theology. Reverend Robeson moved his family to Somerville in 1910, because the high school was integrated.  Paul was an All-American athlete, singer, film star, lawyer and civil rights activist and hometown celebrity. Because of his quest for equality, his life was not without controversy.  Marvin Jefferson has portrayed Paul Robeson since the 1990s and is an instructor at Bloomfield College.  Mr. Jefferson studied acting at the Mason Gross School of Arts at Rutgers. Seating is limited, registration is required. This FREE event is co-sponsored by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities (NJCH) Register here:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/paul-robeson-a-chautauqua-living-history-presentation-tickets-54095548241 The Van Horn...