Historic Happenings Blog

Saturday, September  28   - Morristown, Morris County 4th Annual Speedwell Games! On Saturday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, enjoy games, and play with toys that were used in the bygone era of the Vail Family. Admission: $5/adult, $4/senior (65+), $3/child (ages 4 -16). FREE for children under age 4. Historic Speedwell is located at 333 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown, NJ. For more information, call 973-285-6550 or visit  www.morrisparks.net .

S aturday, September 28  - Hopewell Township, Mercer County Quilting  & Quilt Show On Saturday between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, the Charles Fish Barn at  Howell Living Farm  will become a maze of colorful quilts during this not-to-be-missed exhibit featuring antique and reproduction pieces on loan from area collectors. Throughout the day, visitors of all ages can experience the stages of quilt making from piecing scrap fabric on a treadle-type sewing machine to joining the Farm staff around an antique quilt frame. Howell Living Farm represents a typical farm life between 1890 and 1910. The farm is operated by the Mercer County Parks Commission. It is located at 70 Wooden's Lane, Lambertville, NJ. For more information. call 609-737-3299 or visit  www.howellfarm.org .

Saturday, September 28 - Farmingdale, Monmouth County Fall Craft Market Over 90 crafters, Allaire artisans, flowers, historic demonstrations, and more to kick off the holiday season in style! Join us for our Fall Festival that includes a huge Craft Market and Historic Demonstrations throughout the village. Local artists will be demonstrating their work. Paintings, pottery, textiles, and more! We will have hearth cooking at the Manager's House, craft demonstrations at the Carpenter, Blacksmith, and Tinsmith shops! General Store, Bakery, Food Truck - Pilsen Gourmet and the Enameling Building Gift Shop will be open throughout the day! Admission is $5 per adult, $3 children 2 - 12 years. Under 2 FREE! All proceeds of the day to benefit the educational programming at the Historic Village at Allaire!  There are NO  parking fees. The Historic Village at Allaire is located at 4263 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale, NJ. For more information, contact the Allaire Village office during busines...

September 28 – Trip to Cape May County sites A mini-trip via van will take place to local World War II sites that include Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum and Fire Control Tower No. 23 in Cape May on  September 28 . Full details are given at  www.somerspointhistory.org . Cost is $38 for nonmembers and $35 for members of the Somers Point Historical Society. The complete itinerary is online plus the trip policy. Pay online, at the Somers Point Historical Museum, or mail to SPHS, 625 W. Connecticut AV, Somers Point. Make checks to Somers Point Historical Society. For additional information call 609-927-2900.

Museum Day and Ye Ole Flea Market September 28, 2019, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm Greate Egg Harbor Historical Society Museum and Library 6647 West Jersey Avenue, Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 08234 Free Admission See our Museum treasures and/or sell some of yours.  To purchase a table or for more information call  609-813-2002 or e-mail us at  GEHTHSMuseum@aol.com Events presented by: Greate Egg Harbor Historical Society Museum and Library 6647 West Jersey Avenue, Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 08234 609-813-2002 - E-mail - GEHTHSMuseum@aol.com Visit Us: 1st Saturday of the Month and Sundays Throughout the Month 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm or by appointment. http://www.GEHTHSMuseum.org

May 15, 2019 to September 27, 2019 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Haine's Building Atrium, 54 Halsey Street, Newark, NJ

Noyes Museum of Art, Kramer Hall 30 Front Street, Hammonton, NJ 08037 Phone: (609) 626-3420 The Noyes Galleries at Kramer Hall add vibrancy to the Arts District in downtown Hammonton with exhibitions that change seasonally.  The Noyes showcases the work of a wide range of artists including those from New Jersey, the Mid-Atlantic region, nationally and internationally prominent artists as well as Stockton faculty and students.  The space allows the Noyes Museum to better serve the populations of western Atlantic, Burlington, Cumberland, Salem and Camden Counties. Kramer Hall Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 5 pm Saturday & Sunday: Closed Closed: April 21st, May 27th, July 4th, September 2nd, November 28th, December 25th

  Wednesday, May 1 – Cape May County Museum Open House Celebrates Coast Guard History May 1 to Sept. 27      The Museum of Cape May County is proud to announce its newest exhibition, “Always Ready: Always Here,”   that highlights the history of the United States Coast Guard’s impact throughout Cape May County.     This exhibition is one of the most extensive undertaken by the museum. Its mission is to bring to life the history of those brave men and women who have given their service to not only our nation, but to our county. “Always Ready: Always Here” will offer visitors a chance to see artifacts and memorabilia demonstrating the Coast Guard’s deep roots in our county history, including life-saving stations.     Of course, Cape May County’s crown jewel – the historic 1857 first-order Fresnel lens that stood atop the Cape May lighthouse will be lighted and on display in the 1780 Smith Barn. This lens, on lo...

Thursdays in the summer – Cape May County Thursday Night Ghost Walks at Historic Cold Spring Village, 8pm Ghost Walks at 8pm on Thursdays in June, July, August & September    Join local medium Bob Bitting on a 45-minute lantern-lit ghost walk around Historic Cold Spring Village. Bob will regale of the mysterious spectral happenings reported by Village staff and revealed by paranormal investigation teams. Please bring bug spray. No Bite Me Cream will be available for sale. To purchase tickets in advance, please click on the red BOOK NOW button at hcsv.org. Tickets are also available at either gate during operating hours or at Cold Spring Brewery thereafter. Space is limited and advance purchase is strongly encouraged. $16 per person, $14 for HCSV Members and $12 children 3-12 years old. *Weather permitting. Ghost Walk tours start at Cold Spring Brewery 733 Seashore Road.     Historic Cold Spring Village is a non-profit, open-air living history museu...

Music at the Mansion hosted by Audra Mariel featuring Daimon Santamaria presents Sounds Of India Thursday, September 26, 2019 Back after an incredible evening of Indian music and culture in 2018, Daimon Santamaria brings another round of “Sounds of India” to our Music at the Mansion Series. $15 per person. Bring a dish or drink to share (we encourage you to bring Indian food!). Hosted by Audra Mariel. Doors at 6:45 PM. Performance at 7:15. $15 at the door Bring a dish or drink to share Strauss Mansion Museum 27 Prospect Circle Atlantic Highlands, NJ, 07716

Thursday, September 26 – Morris County 7:14 p.m.   North Jersey Civil War Round Table meeting.      Bestselling author Barbara Dreyfuss will present Cape May’s role in the Underground Railroad and the abolitionist movement and where the most famous leader of the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman earned needed money to continue her historic rescue trips to the Eastern Shore across Delaware Bay     Before the Civil War, Cape May a popular summer resort at the southern tip of New Jersey, was in fact the meeting place of north and south, where southern planters enjoyed its cool breezes alongside abolitionists from Philadelphia and New York. In the part of town where the large seaside hotels were, fights often broke out between planters, abolitionists and the free blacks working there. But a few blocks away black leaders of Philadelphia’s Underground Railroad came in the summers to relax and retool for th...

ASBURY PARK HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS A SPECIAL PROGRAM ON TRACING THE HISTORY OF YOUR HOME Is your house about one hundred years old- or even older? Have you ever wondered about the people who lived there in the past, how they went about their lives and the ways in which they contributed to the history of our city?    On Thursday, Sept. 26, the Asbury Park Historical Society invites you to take a deep dive back in history, during a special presentation on "How to Research your Property" at 7 p.m.    Hosted at the Asbury Park Public Library (500 First Avenue at the corner of Grand Avenue), the program features city resident Roger Champagne in a lecture and slideshow that illustrates how homeowners and renters can use public records, online newspaper archives, and other easily accessible resources to create a detailed portrait of the places they call home.    “The presentation may also be interesting to non-Asbury Park residents as well,” APHS President Do...

Thursday, July 25 – Mercer County       Last Thursdays of the month, starting July 25 – Mercer County Twilight Walking Tours       Last Thursday of each month: July 25 through September 27 at 7:00 p.m. $10; Free for Friends of Morven.     Join Morven’s docents for combination architectural, historical, and garden tours on the last Thursday of each month beginning June 27, July 25, August 29, and September 26.  Travel throughout the grounds surrounding the museum exploring Morven's architecture, garden, outbuildings, old and new, to view Morven in a new light. Photography is welcome and we invite you to share your photos on Facebook and Instagram #morvensummer. Don't miss these special summertime twilight tours!    Pre-registration required. Shine only; rain cancels Twilight Walking Tour.    Ticket link

Journey of the Monarch Butterfly in Monmouth County Bayshore Waterfront Park 719 Port Monmouth Road, Port Monmouth, NJ 07758   Thursday, September 26, 7:00-8:00 PM The monarch butterfly is one of the most easily recognized butterflies in New Jersey. Every fall, this butterfly undertakes an annual migration to the mountains of central Mexico. As they fly south, the monarchs will often stop along the Jersey Shore to feed and rest. Find out more about the life history of Monarch Butterflies, what they eat and their fascinating migrations. We will also discover some of the threats to Monarch Butterfly’s long-term survival.

Thursday, September 26 – Mercer County Historical Fiction Book Group 6:30 - 8:00 PM Location: Updike Farmstead, 354 Quaker Road, Princeton, NJ 08540   Join us for this popular series' first installment of the school year!  Get immersed in the world of a historical time and place, then engage with a scholar to discuss the fictional elements and nonfictional context of selected books.    This session will feature a discussion of  The Shadow Lines  by Amitav Ghosh, with Karen Pechilis, Professor of History at Drew University.   Free, but registration is requested, as space is limited.  Click here to register online.

Thursday, September 26 – Mercer County BASEBALL LEGENDS STORYTIME Thursday, September 26 at 11:00 a.m. $10 for two adults with up to 3 children; Free with Morven’s Family Membership Ages 3. Ticket price includes admission into the museum. Click here to Register In  We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball , Kadir Nelson tells the story of Negro League baseball from its beginnings in the 1920s through its decline after Jackie Robinson crossed over to the majors in 1947. Outstanding writing and illustrations inspire understanding and affection for these lost heroes of our national game. Following our reading, we will take a stroll through our baseball exhibition and be inspired to create your own baseball card. One lucky winner will be chosen at Storytime to receive a Trenton Thunder mini race car model donated by Trenton Thunder. https://morvenmuseum.squarespace.com/storytime In October, we will read  The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree   and make a tre...

Wednesday, September 25 – Essex County    Please join the Cedar Grove Historical Society at the Cedar Grove Public Library, 1 Municipal Court, Cedar Grove, on September 25, at 7:30 p.m., when  Ray Williams will present a program about how our early government kept our army running by issuing paper money. England’s attempt to undermine our economy by flooding the market with counterfeit bills and how this affected the common citizen will also be discussed.  Examples of actual Continental Currency (1775-1779) will be shown. Questions and discussion are encouraged.    Ray Williams is a recently retired Electronics Technician. He is a Fellow of the American Numismatic Society and a columnist for the American Numismatic Association. He has been interested in coins and currency all his life and was a Past President of the Colonial Coin Collectors Club. There will be a short business meeting before the program.

Wednesday, September 25 – Middlesex County    The South River Historical & Preservation Society will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, at 7:00 pm at the South River Museum (Old School Baptist Church) 64-66 Main Street, South River. The program is free to the public and light refreshments will be served.      The program topic for September's meeting will be the  " History of the Raritan Arsenal and Camp Kilmer. ”   Our presenter will be Walter R. Stochel of the Metuchen-Edison Historical Society.  He will use slides and artifacts to discuss the interesting history of both locations. Camp Raritan later renamed, Raritan Arsenal, was established in 1918 and in use until 1964. Camp Kilmer was activated in 1942 and eventually closed in 2009.      We hope you will join us for this interesting program!  

Wednesday, September 25 – Essex County HISTORIC HEROINES AND TRAILBLAZERS OF MONTCLAIR Montclair, NJ  – Wednesday, September 25 at 7 pm Jane Eliasof, the Executive Director of Montclair History Center, will share stories and unknown facts about many notable women from the Montclair area. These women contributed to their respective fields that were traditionally dominated by men or who fought for equal rights. The program takes place at the Israel Crane House & Historic YWCA, 110 Orange Road. Doors open at 6:30 pm.    Suggested donation is $5. About the Montclair History Center: The Montclair History Center, formerly the Montclair Historical Society, is an independent not-for-profit organization that has been dedicated to preserving, sharing, and educating others about Montclair’s history since 1965. For additional information, please visit the website  www.montclairhistory.org   or contact the Montclair History Center at 973-744-1796 or mail@montclairhi...

Artist Gallery Talk  Susu Pianchupattana: Inseparable Wednesday, September 25, 2019 Susu Pianchupattana  was born and raised in Bangkok city, Thailand and came to New York to study painting in the Fall of 2002. After graduating from the New York Studio School, she was granted an O1 artist visa on the merit of her accomplishments and had her first solo show at the Robert Steele Gallery in Chelsea in 2008. The following years saw Susu split her time between Bangkok and the United States; continuing to establish her work while living in NYC, Los Angeles, CA and Nashville, TN. Awards include the Hohenberg Travel Grant (Italy), Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture (Fellowship), Masur Museum of Art’s 35th Annual Juried Competition (Best Painting), VCCA Resident Fellow (Virginia Center for the Creative Arts), Award of Merit at the 18th Da Dun Fine Arts Exhibition of Taichung City (Taiwan). She enjoys a distinguished reputation as a painter among her peers and art connoisseurs a...

Awesome Autumn Amble  Wednesday, September 25, 2019, 10-11:30 AM Big Brook Park Elsas Lodge Parking Area 521 Route 520, Marlboro, NJ 07746 (all ages, under 18 with adult) Autumn is the time of year our parks become a kaleidoscope of color! Explore our trails with a Park System Naturalist as we discuss all manners of plant and animal phenomenon. Please Note: Sturdy footwear is recommended, trails used may have inclines or tree roots to step over.

Sunset Kayak Tour of the Manasquan Reservoir Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center      331 Georgia Tavern Road, Howell 07731 Tue, Sep 24, 2019, 6:30-8:00 PM (ages 10 and up, under 18 with adult) Enjoy the sunset from the water on this relaxing, naturalist-guided kayak tour of the Manasquan Reservoir. We will meet at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center and launch into the Reservoir in sit-on-top kayaks. While on the water we will keep an eye out for herons, eagles, and osprey while discussing local history and ecology. Be sure to wear clothes that can get wet, and don’t forget insect repellent and water! One Session $25.00 Per Person