Historic Happenings Blog

Sunday, April 28 – Union County 1:00 to 4:00, rain or shine Annual Sheep to Shawl Festival Miller-Cory House Museum  614 Mountain Avenue, Westfield     Springtime on an early American farm was the real beginning of the new year, the time when the cycle of seasons began. It brought numerous outdoor chores after the long winter – preparing the fields, building fences, early planting… and sheep shearing.  On Sunday, April 28, follow the sounds of sheep bleating to the Sheep to Shawl Festival at the Miller-Cory House Museum, 614 Mountain Avenue, Westfield. The process of sheep shearing will be demonstrated by a master shearer, using hand shears as was done in early America. The process of turning wool into cloth will continue with demonstrations of spinning and weaving. Visitors may also watch the performance of 18th century farm tasks such as wash day and soap making. Children can enjoy various crafts. An herb sale and a bake sale will be c...

Sunday, April 28  - Upper Freehold, Monmouth County Cross Stitch Sampler    Eleven-year-old Elizabeth Waln Wistar, the granddaughter of Richard and Elizabeth Waln of Walnford, created a beautifully executed cross stitch sampler in 1799. Now in a private collection, it has been meticulously recreated for us by award-winning needleworker Elizabeth Dey. This afternoon she will explain what makes this sampler special, how she charted, then stitched this historical recreation and show how you can chart and stitch a sampler. This free program runs from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. While there, visit the 19th-century gristmill and the farm buildings set in a beautiful landscape. Walnford is located at 62 Walnford Road, 08501. For more information, call 609-259-6275 or visit  www.monmouthcountyparks.com .

From Dürer to Digital and 3-D The Metamorphosis of the Printed Image Eric Avery,  Paradise Lost March 8 – April 28, 2019 Opening Reception Friday, March 8 Artists and Members 6- 7 pm General Public 7 – 8:30 pm Talk by Curator Judith K. Brodsky 7:15 pm Sunday, April 14, 2019 at 2 pm — Artists Panel Discussion Eileen Hohmuth-Lemonick, Hair and Eye Artists: Diane Burko with Anna Tas Judy Gelles Eileen Hohmuth-Lemonick N-e-r-v-o-u-s S-y-s-t-e-m, I-n-c Anne Spalter Wendel White Evan Wolarsky Helen Zajkowski Judy Gelles, The Fourth Grade Project, South Africa Artists from the Brodsky Center at PAFA Eric Avery Willie Birch Frank Bowling Willie Cole Maria Gutierrez Barkley Hendricks Margo Humphrey Kiki Smith Printmaking in the Western World came into existence in the 15 th  century when Gutenberg invented movable type. His invention transformed the way in which we acquire knowledge. Instead of the oral tradition by which cultures were transmitted, books and reading became the means of...

Saturday-Sunday, April 27-28 – Hunterdon County       The Lambertville Historical Society will participate in Shad Fest 2019 with historic walking tours of the City the weekend of Saturday, April 27 & Sunday, April 28.  Saturday’s tour is geared toward children while Sunday’s will be a traditional tour . Meet at the Marshall House Museum (left) at 2 pm and allow approximately one hour. Suggested donation is $5 but members are free.     The 1816 James Wilson Marshall House Museum at 60 Bridge Street, Lambertville will be open both days from 1–4 p.m. It was Marshall’s 1848 discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill that sparked the California gold rush .   Call 609-397-0770 or visit www.lambertvillehistoricalsociety.org for more information.

Sunday, April 28  - Allendale, Bergen County John Fell’s Arrest Reenacted Join the Friends of the Fell House as we host a day of free history and Earth Day oriented events.  At 12:30 and 2:30 pm, the Heard’s Brigade will reenact John Fell’s historic arrest by the British Loyalists on April 22, 1777 and explain its significance.  Eighteenth Century Country dancers will perform and give dance lessons in period correct costumes! There will also be  colonial history activities and Earth Day activities throughout the day. Hours for the event at 11:30 am - 3:30 pm. The John Fell House is located at 475 Franklin Turnpike Allendale, NJ. For more information, call 201-760-0804 or visit  www.johnfellhouse.org .

Saturday - Sunday,  27  - 28  - Lambertville, Hunterdon County Shad Fest On Saturday and Sunday, celebrate the annual return of the shad to Lambertville. In its 38th year, the Shad Festival has evolved from a local art show into a nationally recognized award-winning event. Shad Fest features the area's finest artists and crafters, great food, live music from local bands, and family entertainment, but the two-day extravaganza also serves as a venue for local non-profit organizations to raise necessary operating funds. The festival will run from 12:30 - 5:30 pm each day, rain or shine. There will be over eighty arts and crafters, a food court, face painting, cotton candy, sand art, and other children’s activities. For more information, visit  www.shadfest.com . The Lambertville Historical Society will offer walking tours of Lambertville on Saturday and Sunday at  2:00 pm. Saturday’s tour is geared toward children while Sunday’s will be a traditional tour. The...

Holmdel's 21st Annual Earth Day Festival Bayonet Farm 41 Middletown Road Holmdel 07733 4/28/2019 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED AGE RANGE:  All Ages FREE CALL:  (732) 946-2820 Ext 1225 WEBSITE MORE DETAILS:   On Sunday, April 28th from 12 noon to 5pm, plan the entire afternoon at this wonderful FREE Festival which features professional shows and nature crafts for children, great live rock bands and folk singers, guided tours of the historic farmhouse and property, and many exhibits by great environmental organizations. Bayonet Farm is an idyllic location for this educational and fun '€œrain or shine'€ event, as all performances take place inside handsome preserved barns. There will be lots of activities and events for littles and adults!

Sunday, April 28   - Sandy Hook, Monmouth County Nike Missile Radar Site Tours Guided tours of the Integrated Fire Control (IFC) site will allow you to see the inner workings of the facility where supersonic nuclear-armed Nike Hercules missiles were controlled and guided using Cold War era computers and radars. You will have the opportunity to meet and talk with some of the veterans who actually worked on the Nike Air Defense System. Free t ours from 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm.  Meet at Horseshoe Cove, Parking Lot L on Sandy Hook,  part of Gateway National Recreation Area. For more information, call  732-872-5970  or visit  www.nps.gov/gate .

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...

Community Fossil Hunt! Poricy Park Conservancy 345 Oak Hill Road Middletown 07748 4/28/2019 11:00 am - 1:00 pm REGISTRATION REQUIRED  AGE RANGE:  Preschoolers, Elementary, Tweens COST:  Ages: 5-12 | $5.00 (R) $6.00 13+| $8.00 (R) $10.00 (NR) CALL:  732-615-2260 WEBSITE MORE DETAILS:   Calling all amateur paleontologists! Come dig up some Middletown history at the Poricy Brook Fossil Beds. Expect to find marine fossils from the Cretaceous period, 65-72 million ye ars ago. Meet at the Poricy Park Nature Center for a short orientation before traveling to the fossil beds. An experienced guide will provide you with a trowel and sifter, as well as help you identify your treasures. Please wear rubber boots or old sneakers, as your feet will get wet. Sandals, flip-flops, and other slip-on footwear are prohibited. Ages 5+, all children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required.

Saturday - Sunday, April 27 - 28   - Lower Township, Cape May County World War II Tower Lookout Museum and Memorial Open Fire Control Tower No. 23 on Sunset Boulevard is New Jersey's last freestanding World War II tower, part of the immense Harbor Defense of the Delaware system known as Fort Miles. After an award-winning restoration in 2009, visitors can climb to the 6th floor spotting gallery while learning about the homeland defense efforts during World War II. The ground floor of the tower, the All Veterans Memorial, and boardwalk interpretive panels are fully accessible. Open Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children (ages 3-12) (one child free with paying adult).  The World War II Lookout Tower is located on Sunset Boulevard in Lower Township, near Cape May Point.  Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit  www.cape...

Saturday,  April 27   - Cape May, Cape May County Underground Railroad Trolley Tour On Saturday at 10:15 am, join the Center for Community Arts' (CCA) Community History Committee on a trolley tour of the places where escaped slaves sought refuge and help to continue their journeys to freedom. Hear the stories and visit some of the places connected with the Underground Railroad, including: a look at the Owen Coachman House; a walk in a historic cemetery where our earliest free Black settlers are buried; and a glimpse of the summer home of Stephen Smith, a leading businessman, abolitionist and unsung hero of the Underground Railroad. Learn how Harriet Tubman found Cape May as a resource for earning money to fund her work.  Board the trolley at the Washington Street Mall information booth at Ocean Street for this 2-hour tour.  Admission is $25 per adult.  Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC).   For more information, cal...

Saturday - Sunday,  April 27 - 28   - Lower Township, Cape May County Climb the Cape May Lighthouse On Saturday, the Cape May Lighthouse, Oil House and Museum Shop reopens for the season. The lighthouse is an 1859 structure with 199 steps to the watch gallery for a panoramic view of the Jersey Cape and Atlantic Ocean. For those who choose not to climb, the Oil House contains a fully-accessible Visitors' Orientation Center and a Museum Shop stocked with maritime accessories and lighthouse memorabilia. Open 10:00 am - 4:00 pm on Saturday. Cape May Point State Park is located in Lower Township, NJ. Admission to the Visitors' Orientation Center and the ground floor of the lighthouse is free. Tower admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children (ages 3-12). Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit  www.capemaymac.org .

Objects Count: A Decade of Collecting at the New Jersey State Museum October 6, 2018 through April 28, 2019 Riverside Gallery, 2nd floor People love to collect objects. Some seek items of aesthetic beauty. For others, the motivation is to gather hundreds of examples of one particular type of object. For still others, the need to collect goes hand-in-hand with scientific categorization and wonder about the natural world. The New Jersey State Museum also collects objects. In this exciting new exhibition, visitors will experience an eclectic selection of artifacts and specimens collected over the past ten years. See a caribou antler from Ice Age New Jersey, a painting by artist Ben Shahn, a 1930s flight suit from a South Jersey female pilot, Native American projectile points and much more. Individually, each object tells a story about the world in which we live. Taken together, they remind us of a basic premise of the role of museums in modern society. Objects Count. Museum Hours: Tuesday...

Saturday, April 27 – Cumberland County MOVIE NIGHT IN APRIL Saturday, April 27, 2019 – 6 p.m. to be held at the Warren and Reba Lummis Genealogical & Historical Library located at 981 Ye Greate Street, Greenwich The film,  The Red House, is  from the novel written by George Agnew Chamberlain. Light refreshments will be served. Free admission! Call the office (856-455-8580) for additional information.

Saturday, April 27 - Morristown, Morris County Dig It! Beginners Archaeology Children Friendly Program - Ages 7 - 11 Do you dream of finding an arrowhead in your backyard, becoming a famous archaeologist, or traveling the globe to find hidden treasures? Learn the basics of archaeology while discovering some treasure at Historic Speedwell. Ages 7 - 11. Preregistration is required. To register, call 973-285-6550. The program runs from 2:00 - 4:00 pm.  Admission: $5/adult, $4/senior (65+), $3/child (ages 4 -16). FREE for children under age 4 and Friends members, with a current membership card.  Historic Speedwell is located 333 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown, NJ.   For more information, call 973-285-6550 or visit  www.morrisparks.net .

Saturday, April 27 – Somerset County GEORGE WASHINGTON REMEMBERS . . .             David Emerson has been embodying George Washington in New Jersey and elsewhere for many years. The expertise and ease in his portrayal creates a strong illusion of stepping back into the 18 th  century and actually meeting the General. This has been the case at Rockingham, several times in the past, most recently in the fall of 2017.             On Saturday, April 27 at 1:30 pm in the Dutch barn at Rockingham, Mr. Emerson returns once again to present  “George Washington Remembers New Jersey.”  Washington was no stranger to New Jersey. From Trenton to Princeton to Morristown to Monmouth to Middlebrook, (and more—Rockingham!), the General spent more time here than in any other state.  Join General Washington as he reminisces about his brightest and darkest moments...