Historic Happenings Blog

ACT Now to Save the Sourland Forest What do a writer from Florida, a college junior from Wyoming, a recent graduate from Washington, and a volunteer coordinator from California all have in common? They’re working with a local nonprofit to address a major problem - here in Central New Jersey. “We are facing an enormous challenge. Over one million trees in the Sourlands will be killed by the emerald ash borer within the next few years,” said Laurie Cleveland, Executive Director of the Sourland Conservancy. “We reached out for volunteers to help find a creative solution and have been amazed by the response!” Volunteers Claire Hamerlinck, Megan Washington, Saige White, Rui Zhao, Anne Woolley, Lynn Robbins, Hilary Persky and Marylou Ferrara have joined the Conservancy’s Ash Tree Crisis Team (ACT). The group is working together virtually to create a campaign to raise awareness about the issue of ash decline - and provide residents with the tools they need to help restore the forest from thei...

Tuesday, March 24 -- Mercer County The Sourland Mountain is a natural oasis filled with remarkable plants and creatures - many rare or endangered - located in the middle of the most densely populated state in the nation. The 90-square-mile Sourland region, which stretches from Hillsborough to Hopewell and Montgomery to Lambertville, is home to the largest contiguous forest in Central New Jersey. This mosaic of forest, wetlands and grassland habitats serves as an important rest-stop and breeding area for migratory songbirds. The sparsely populated mountain benefits millions of people, too, by offering a source of recreation and renewal, carbon sequestration, and clean air and water. The Mountain’s streams form headwaters for the Raritan, Millstone and Delaware Rivers.   The Watershed Institute and the Sourland Conservancy invite the public to enjoy a special visual evening of film, stories, and community on March 24th at 7 PM at  The Watershed Institute  (31 Titus Mil...

Thursday, March 19 -- Mercer County 5:00 PM to 8:00 p.m. Sourland Mountain Spirits (30 Hopewell Rocky Hill Rd, Hopewell, New Jersey 08525): Join us for drinks at Sourland Mountain Spirits as we share the beautiful book by Jim Amon,  Seeing the Sourlands : A book of photos and essays.  Sourland Mountain Spirits have generously offered to host a book talk and a percentage of drink sales from the evening to be donated to Sourland Conservancy.

Saturday, April 20 – Somerset County 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Rockhopper Trail,  The Cultural Landscape of the Sourlands : Come and explore the complex landscape history of the dramatic Rock Hopper Preserve with local archaeologist, Ian Burrow. We will find old quarries, abandoned historic roads, a stone bridge, massive stone walls, and the sites of early homesteads. Advance registration is required.  www.tiny.cc/SCRockHopper

Sunday, April 14 – Mercer County The Sourlands Conservancy invites you to the  Princeton Environmental Film Festival, Princeton Public Library, at 11:30 a.m. to see “ The Sourlands - A New Jersey Treasure.”  This 34-minute film tells the story of New Jersey’s Sourland Mountain, an ecological oasis in the heart of the nation’s most densely populated state. Home to the largest forest in central New Jersey, the relatively unspoiled Sourlands provide critical habitat for endangered animals and plants, as well as a place of refuge, recreation and inspiration for people from the surrounding cities, towns and suburbs. The film will be followed by a panel discussion. For more information about the Princeton Environmental Film Festival (PEFF), visit  https://princetonlibrary.org/peff/

Through Sunday, March 31  -  East Amwell , Hunterdon County Mary Ackerman Buckwalter Exhibit: 1918-2017 Born in Paterson New Jersey, Mary spent the bulk of her adult life in Hunterdon County, raising a family while pursuing her artistic endeavors. She was educated at NYU (Washington Square Studios) and studied under area artists including, Sigmund Kozlo and Leo Russell. She spent nearly 50 years honing her craft here in Hunterdon mainly painting still life and landscapes. Taking a cue from both the New Hope School and PA Impressionists, her work reflects an influence from Pre-war European Impressionism but with an American aspect. Mary exhibited throughout NJ and Eastern PA and was a member of the Hunterdon Art Center of Clinton. Her work has found permanent homes in the Hunterdon Medical Center, Hunterdon hospice, the County Seat in Flemington, and also The Three Bridges Public Library. The East Amwell Historical Society and the Sourland Conservancy will present  the...

Friday, March 8 – Hunterdon County The Dark Side of the Sourlands  Explore the Dark Side of the Sourlands - bootleggers, bandits, unsolved mysteries and bloody murders - with East Amwell historian, Jim Davidson. Back by popular demand, this event is sure to sell out again. Friday, March 8, 2019 7:00PM - 8:30PM (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.) Hillbilly Hall 203 Hopewell-Wertsville Road, Hopewell, New Jersey  Admission: $10. per person To purchase tickets, use the link below https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E195020&id=32