Historic Happenings Blog

Saturday, October 19 – Passaic County Kids Harvest and History Day at Lambert Castle      Join us on Saturday, October 19 th  between 3pm and 6pm on the North Lawn of Lambert Castle (home of the Passaic County Historical Society) at 3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ, as the  Passaic County Historical Society ushers in the autumn season with history, food, and fun fall children's activities. Children can participate in fall crafts and games, learn about our local historic sites, drill with some Revolutionary war soldiers and much more. The day concludes at 5:30 pm as we read a version of Washington Irving’s classic story. You might even have a chance to meet the Headless Horseman in person!  Bring your own blankets or lawn chairs. Recommended for children age 3-12 years. Free admission, donations requested. No Rain Date.    The Passaic County Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was founded to cultivate interest among individuals and...

Thursday, August 29 – Passaic County Children's Book Reading at Lambert Castle     Calling all families. Come to Lambert Castle on Thursday, August 29 th  for a very special visit from local children's author Kathleen Kellaigh. Come early and explore the museum for an hour with our family-friendly scavenger hunt or stay after the presentation. Kathleen will read from her book,  The Griftamouse and the Stardragon  in Lambert Castle's atrium at 1pm .  This first book in the Slamto Carracas series, features YOUR art as the co-star!  The fantastical characters, landscapes and epic battles are different in each person's mind. Nurture your creative talent as you enjoy the heartwarming tale. Copies will be available at the event and Kathleen would be happy to sign them!     A resident of Clifton, Kathleen Kellaigh directs, acts, teaches and writes. She is also the co-founder for ATC Studios. She was on the soap opera GUIDING...

Sunday, August 11 – Passaic County Back Due to Popular Demand!     On Sunday, August 11 th  at 5pm in Lambert Castle (at 3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ), Gerard and Diane Barros will return to the summer concert series to   present  One Fine Tapestry: A Carole King Tribute .  Join this husband-and-wife duo as they celebrate the career of Carole King.     This tribute performance will not only include many of King's own hits but also a selection of chart-toppers she composed for other musical performers including the Drifters, Beatles, Monkees, James Taylor, and Passaic New Jersey's the Shirelles. Visit barrosmusic.com for more information. Admission to the concert is $15. Seating is limited, no reservations will be taken. The doors open at 4:15pm.     This performance is a part of the 2019 Lambert Castle Concert Series. Featuring local musicians and a variety of musical genres, all concerts are performed in the ...

Wednesday, August 7 – Passaic County     On Wednesday, August 7th at 7pm in Lambert Castle (3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ) the Passaic County Historical Society welcomes  local author Jennifer Ranu as she presents on her newly released book  Italians of Greater Paterson . In the early 1900s, the Little Italy, Riverside, Stony Road, and Sandy Hill sections in Paterson were neighborhoods that offered Italian immigrants the opportunity to be near employment and to have a better life for themselves and their families. Learn how Paterson’s Italians contributed to make Paterson a great city and a great place to live. Ranu, a Paterson native of Italian heritage, will also have copies of her book available to sell after the presentation. The program is free admission and open to the public.     For more information on special events such as this one, visit the Passaic County Historical Society’s website at lambertcastle.org or call 973-247-0085. Be...

Friday-Saturday, July 26-27 – Passaic County      Shakespeare is back at Lambert Castle (at 3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ) this summer! On July 26 th  and 27 th visitors may find themselves transported to Elizabethan times. The Passaic County Historical Society will host ATC Studios’ Summer Shakespeare Conservatory for three performances of a  (Mini) Taming of the Shrew  at Lambert Castle on July 26 th  at 7pm in the Gallery and July 27 th  at 3pm and 5pm on the Castle lawn.      All are welcome to join us on the Castle lawn  for this great introduction to Shakespeare. The performance, which will last less than an hour and a half, is definitely user-friendly: a great way to introduce someone to the Bard, and a wonderful treat for those who know the works well.      For the Gallery performance on July 26 th , tickets are $10, general admission. There is limited seating. Call 862-243-ATCS (282...

Sunday, June 23 – Passaic County     On Sunday, June 23 rd  at 5pm in Lambert Castle (at 3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ), the Passaic County Historical Society welcomes back  internationally acclaimed soloist, chamber musician, recording artist, and educator, Sophia Agranovich .  Sophia  is “ a bold, daring pianist in the tradition of the Golden Age Romantics…A tigress of the keyboard”  - Fanfare. Her performances are captivating audiences by the “ orison of uncommon beauty” - Audiophile, “ the ideal balance she achieves between the intellectual and the emotional”  - Fanfare, “interpretation that dares to be different”, “magnificent shading and superior musicianship” - American Record Guide.     In the program are some of the most profound and challenging pieces in the piano repertoire. Beethoven’s Sonata op. 27 No.2 ‘Sonata quasi una fantasia’, popularly known as ‘Moonlight Sonata’, is beloved for its mysterious, hypnotic fir...

Saturday, June 8 – Passaic County    On Saturday, June 8 th  at 6pm on the lawn of Lambert Castle (at 3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ)  the Clifton Community Band will return to the Lambert Castle Concert Series and present  Music at the Castle: A Welcome to Summer.   Founded in 2002 and directed by Robert D. Morgan, the Clifton Community Band is a traditional concert band (brass, woodwinds and percussion). The band appears in the area and around the state performing a variety of music including classical, pop, big bands and marches. Admission to the concert is free but donations are requested. The suggested donation is $15. Please bring your own seating. Rain date is Sunday June 9 th .   This performance is a part of the 2019 Lambert Castle Concert Series. Featuring local musicians and a variety of musical genres, all concerts are performed in the beautiful atmosphere that is Lambert Castle. Check our website for a complete listing of performance...

Wednesday, May 8 – Passaic County     On Wednesday, May 8 th  at 7 p.m. at Lambert Castle (3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ), the Passaic County Historical Society will host  Linda Barth as she presents  New Jersey Originals: Technological Marvels, Odd Inventions, Trailblazing Characters, and More.   Based on her book by the same title, in this program Linda will teach us about the inventions of Bell Labs and Edison, in addition to other valuable, brilliant, and quirky creations. The work of our soldiers at Fort Monmouth and Camp Evans—including radar and night vision goggles—helped the United States win World War II. Cook College at Rutgers has produced important, often disease-resistant, vegetables and flowers. Among the edible inventions are pork roll, M&M’s, and the famous Campbell’s green bean casserole. Quirky firsts include Lucy the Elephant and the Francis life car. And just for fun, some famous and not-so-famous New Jerseyans. The prog...

Sunday, May 5 – Passaic County   On Sunday, May 5 th  at 5pm in Lambert Castle (at 3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ)  Gerard and Diane Barros will return to the summer concert series to present  One Fine Tapestry: A Carole King Tribute.  Join this husband and wife duo as they celebrate the career of Carole King.  This tribute performance will not only include many of King's own hits but also a selection of chart-toppers she composed for other musical performers including the Drifters, Beatles, Monkees, and James Taylor. Visit barrosmusic.com for more information. Admission to the concert is $15. Seating is limited, no reservations will be taken. The doors open at 4:15pm.     This performance is a part of the 2019 Lambert Castle Concert Series. Featuring local musicians and a variety of musical genres, all concerts are performed in the beautiful atmosphere that is Lambert Castle. Check our website (www.lambertcastle.org) for a complete lis...

Friday-Sunday, April 26-28 -- Passaic County Register now      From Friday April 26 th  through Sunday April 28 th  the Passaic County Historical Society will be hosting our annual Victorian Tea fundraiser at Lambert Castle (home of the Passaic County Historical Society) at 3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ. Enjoy an afternoon of tea and conversation in the historic atmosphere of Passaic County’s only Victorian Castle. Two sessions are available each day at 12 PM and 3 PM. The Victorian Tea features freshly brewed tea and refreshments by Sally Lunn’s Tea House and musical entertainment by the Four Old Parts Barbershop Quartet.     Tickets for all sessions of the Victorian tea are $45 per guest. Please call (973)247-0085 ext. 201 or mail your payment to PCHS Victorian Tea at Lambert Castle, 3 Valley Rd. Paterson 07503. Our reservation form is also available on our homepage at lambertcastle.org. Seating for each session is limited and reservation...

Sunday, April 14 – Passaic County     On Sunday, April 14 th  at 5:00 p.m.m in Lambert Castle (at 3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ)  Blue Valley to open the 2019 Lambert Castle Concert Series. Clifton-based, acoustic rock band, Blue Valley will be playing songs from their recently-completed second CD, as well as other original songs, and favorites from recording artists who influenced their music.  Those attending their 5th annual concert will receive a copy of their new CD: "Take Me Back to Dreams." For more information about Blue Valley, visit their website bluevalleymusic.com. Admission to the concert is $15. Seating is limited, no reservations will be taken. The doors open at 4:15pm.   This performance is a  part of the 2019 Lambert Castle Concert Series. Featuring local musicians and a variety of musical genres, all concerts are performed in the beautiful atmosphere that is Lambert Castle. Check our website (www.lambertcas...

Wednesday, February 13 – Passaic County     On Wednesday, February 13 th  at 7pm at Lambert Castle (3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ), the Passaic County Historical Society is hosting Rick Geffken, as he presents  The Unfortunate History of Slavery in New Jersey . New Jersey, sadly, was the last northern state to outlaw slavery. In his presentation, Geffken provides an overview of the history and legacy of New Jersey’s two-hundred-year embrace of human bondage. Images and stories of slaves, slave owners, and the Quaker Abolition movement are illuminated and examined.  The program is free and open to the public.    For more information on special events such as this one, visit the Passaic County Historical Society’s website at lambertcastle.org or call 973-247-0085. Be sure to like and follow the Passaic County Historical Society on Facebook for regular updates about all our activities.

Saturday-Sunday, February 9-10 – Passaic County Saturday - Sunday, February 9  - 10 - Paterson, Passaic County Valentine Craft at Lambert Castle A little history and fun for the whole family! The Passaic County Historical Society is offering a free craft activity for children of all ages on Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm at Lambert Castle, home of the Passaic County Historical Society. Learn about early Valentine cards and the evolution of the holiday and also have a chance to make your own Victorian-style Valentine. This activity is free with regular museum admission. The activity will be ongoing throughout the museum's open hours. Passaic County Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was founded to cultivate interest among individuals and the community-at-large in the rich history of Passaic County. To this end, our museum in Lambert Castle showcases examples of the County's cultural and artistic diversity, as well as examples of the County's natural, civ...

Friday, February 8 – Passaic County      The Passaic County Historical Society is now taking reservations for its Valentine’s Day Masquerade ball scheduled for Friday, February 8 th ,  from 7 pm to 11 pm at Lambert Castle (3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ).  Grab a mask and join us at Lambert Castle for some dancing and fun. Desserts will be served and a cash bar will be available. Semi-formal attire requested, and mask required. Tickets are $25 per person. No one under twenty-one years will be admitted. Reservations required by February 4th. To make reservations please call (973)247-0085, ext 201.     Passaic County Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded to cultivate interest among individuals and the community-at-large in the rich history of Passaic County. To this end, our museum in Lambert Castle showcases examples of the County’s cultural and artistic diversity, as well as examples of the County’s natural, civil, military...