Historic Happenings Blog

Wednesday, February 5 – Passaic County Black History Exhibit Explores the Achievements of Patersonians     The Paterson Museum is excited to announce the opening of its newest changing exhibit,  “Thus Shall They Upward, Onward Press: An Exploration of the History of African Americans in Paterson from 1600-Present .”     Installed in honor of Black History Month, the exhibit is a survey of the accomplishments of many of Paterson’s African American citizens. The exhibit will feature some familiar citizens, such as Larry Doby,  but visitors will also learn about some individuals like Dr. Norman Cotton , Minerva Miller and Henry Otis Harris who also made an impact on our community. The exhibit will be in place from Wednesday, February 5 th  through Saturday, March 28 th  in the Hannah Memorial Gallery. Please join us at the Museum on Saturday, February 8 th  from 1pm-3pm for the opening reception.  The program will be led...

Saturday, February 29 – Passaic County Free Historical Program in The honor of Black History Month      Join us on Saturday, February 29 th  at 1pm at the Paterson Museum as we welcome Public Historian Sue Kozel. A researcher whose area of study focuses on the areas of power and equality, Kozel will present Why Wench Betty’s Story Matters: The Murder of an NJ Slave in 1784. Learn about Betty, her murder and the court proceedings that followed. How does her story fit into the larger picture of slavery in New Jersey in the 1780s? What can it tell us about the life of America’s enslaved populations? This program is free and open to the public. This program is funded by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, an independent non-profit and state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.     The program will take place at the Paterson Museum, located at 2 Market Street (on the corner of Market and Spruce Streets) in the hea...

Through December 1 -- Passaic County 'Tis the Season for the Lambert Castle Holiday Boutique!     This year the Lambert Castle Holiday Boutique will be open for four weeks! From November 2 nd  through December 1 st  at Lambert Castle (home of the Passaic County Historical Society) at 3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ, the Passaic County Historical Society will be presenting the 32 nd  annual Lambert Castle Holiday Boutique.  Open Wednesday through Friday from 10am to 8pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5pm, enjoy shopping for this year’s assortment of festive holiday gifts, jewelry, seasonal decorations, crafts, collectibles, and gourmet food in the historic atmosphere and ambiance of Lambert Castle.    Admission to the Boutique is $7 for opening weekend, November 2 nd  -3 rd  and $6 for the duration of the show. All admission fees include two return visits. Children under 12 years are admitted free of charge. No child strollers o...

FORMER RUMSON MAYOR, US SENATOR TO BE HONORED FOR HOLOCAUST RESCUE EFFORTS November 1, 2019 Born in Monmouth Beach, Sen. W. Warren Barbour served as a councilman and mayor of Rumson before entering Congress. Throughout his life, he was a passionate advocate for equal rights for all citizens. In 1943, he introduced a bill in Congress that would have given refuge in the United States to 600,000 Jews and other minorities targeted by the Nazis for the duration of the war. Photo courtesy The Jewish Historical Society of North Jersey By Eileen Moon It was a time of racial, ethnic and religious divides; a time of turmoil marked by protests and polarization over immigration, threats of war and worries over economic uncertainty. For Jews and other minorities targeted by the Nazis, the madness spreading across Europe in the 1930s and 1940s was a death sentence. As the rest of the world argued about what to do, whether to intervene or isolate, whether to opt for conscience or complacency, some sp...

Saturday, November 2  - Paterson, Passaic County Native American Heritage Month at Paterson Great Falls NHP Join the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park on Sunday for a Native American Heritage Month Celebration.  At 10:00 am, meet historian Tony DeCondo at the Paterson Museum located at 2 Market Street, Paterson, NJ 07501 for a tour of the Lenape exhibit. All other events will be held in the amphitheater in Overlook Park, located at 72 McBride Ave, Paterson NJ, 07501 Opening Ceremony by Turtle Clan Chief Mann of the Ramapough Lunaape will start at 11:30 am.  Performances by The Silver Cloud Singers and Dancers will start at 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm.  Storytelling by Patrick Littlewolf and Emelie Jeffries will start at 1:00 pm.  Closing Ceremony by Turtle Clan Chief Mann of the Ramapough Lunaape at 2:30 pm. For more information and updates, visit  www.nps.gov/pagr .

Lambert Castle Holiday Boutique Wine and Cheese Preview Night tickets are on sale now! On Friday, November 1st from 5pm to 9 pm in Lambert Castle, the Passaic Co unty Historical Society will be presenting its annual Wine and Cheese Preview of the Lambert Castle Holiday Boutique. Be the first to enjoy this year’s assortment of festive holiday gifts, jewelry, seasonal decorations, crafts, collectibles, and gourmet food in the historic atmosphere and ambiance of Lambert Castle. Admission to Preview Night is $15, which includes two return visits. Free wine and snacks provided while supplies last. To purchase tickets in advance, call (973)247-0085 x201. Tickets will also be available at the door. Children under 12 years are admitted free of charge. No child strollers or carriages are permitted inside the Castle. Visa and Mastercard are accepted for purchases. All proceeds from this fundraiser benefit the Passaic County Historical Society.

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...

Saturday,  September 28   - Paterson, Passaic County 8th Annual Art in the Park Attention all ‘chalk’ artists!  Help us celebrate National Public Lands Day with Art in the Park at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park!  Paterson artist Mohamed Khalil and the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park are hosting the eighth annual chalk art competition on Saturday from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. The event will be held within view of the falls in Overlook Park. The program at the Great Falls will help draw attention to the national park by using art to interpret its natural, historic, and cultural stories. Each artist will be given their own ‘canvas’ and use their creativity to tell a visual story about the park and the city of Paterson. The rain date for this event is Saturday, October 5.  If you have any questions you may contact Mohamed Khalil at  mkart419@gmail.com .  Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park is located at  72 McBride Av...

Tuesday, September 10-Passaic County Tickets Now on Sale      Please join the Passaic County Historical Society for a night of good food and great company. On Tuesday, September 10 th  at 6:30pm at the Brownstone restaurant located at 351 West Broadway in Paterson.  The Passaic County Historical Society will host its  Annual Beefsteak Dinner Fundraiser .    Enjoy the Brownstone’s famous “all you can eat beefsteak dinner.” Attendees also have the opportunity to participate in a 50/50 drawing and a cocktail raffle. Dinners are $60 per person, reservations required. For those who do not eat beef, chicken and fish options are available. All proceeds will benefit the Passaic County Historical Society. To book a reservation, please call 973-247-0085 ext. 201 or download an application from lambertcastle.org.    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 25   - Paterson, Passaic County Founder's Day Celebration at  Paterson Great Falls NHP! In celebration of the National Park Service's Founders Day, please join us for a fun filled day at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park! To start the festivities, we will hold a clean-up from 10:00 - 11:00 am. If you would like to partake in the clean-up, please meet at the sign-in table at Mark Ellen Kramer Park. Service learning letters are available for clean-up participants.  Event activities include: an ecology demonstration, arrowhead matching game, tie dye bandannas (while supplies last), up-cycle bottle bowling, and an arts and crafters station.  The event will be held from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Mary Ellen Kramer Park, located off of Maple Street in Paterson, NJ. For more information, call 973-523-2210 or visit  www.nps.gov/pagr .

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...

Sunday, July 28 – Passaic County   On Sunday, July 28 th  at 5pm in Lambert Castle (at 3 Valley Road, Paterson NJ)  Annamaria Stefanelli and Rory Angelicola return to the Lambert Castle Concert Series and present  An Afternoon of Italian Opera Plus.     The program is filled with beautiful Italian arias and duets as well as other operatic favorites. The performance will also include favorites from the classical American Musical repertoire. Join us for an afternoon of moving music!  Admission to the concert is $15. Seating is limited, no reservations will be taken.    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 performances and dates.

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 - Sunday, June 8 - 9 - Paterson, Passaic County World Oceans Month This Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 - 4:00 pm, stop by the Paterson Great Falls Welcome Center to learn about World Oceans Month. To celebrate, we will be demonstrating water quality testing. Join us and become a citizen scientist for the day!  The park Welcome Center is located at 65 McBride Avenue Extension, Paterson, NJ. For more information, visit  www.nps.gov/pagr .

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...