Historic Happenings Blog

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, 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...

Saturday, June 29 -- Somerset County Free Family Picnic!  Saturday, June 29 -- 6 p.m. until the fireworks at the ballpark end (around 10 p.m.) Historic Van Horne House, 941 E. Main St., Bridgewater   Join us for lawn games (including croquet and giant-sized lawn bowling), visits inside the historic Van Horne House, and more! Stay with us and watch the fireworks across the street at TD Bank Park after the Somerset Patriots baseball game ends.   Free gift for every child who attends! Bring your own food, drinks, and lawn chairs and blankets (please carry out your trash). Parking is  available behind the Target store at the Bridgewater Promenade.   Free tickets are available online at  https://www.eventbrite.com/o/heritage-trail-association-10625263828  and will be available at the door.   No alcoholic beverages or smoking.

Saturday-Sunday, April 13-14 – Somerset County Battle of Bound Brook weekend The British have high-tailed it back to New Brunswick, Lord Cornwallis has vacated the home of Philip Van Horne on his quest to capture General Lincoln to no avail- What do we colonials do? Party at Convivial Hill of course!     Join the Middlebrook Theatrical Society for an evening of pleasant 18th century English and Scottish Country dances with live music by the amazing Anne and Ridley Enslow!   Beginners are most welcome. The series of dances are structured to progress from the very simple, allowing full participation by all attendees. This is a rare opportunity to learn country line dancing in the colonial style!    "Light refreshments served in the manner of Coffee including coffee, chocolate, biscuits, and toast."   Come smartly dressed in shoes for dancing and if you have it, Colonial attire is encouraged. Van Horne House 941 E. Main St., ...

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...