Historic Happenings Blog

Fall Speaker Event - " Blazing Skies:  Nike Missles at Fort Hancock" West Park Recreation Center, 615 West Park Avenue, Oakhurst, NJ 07755 Wednesday, October 14, 2020, 7:15 pm The end of WWII saw the birth of a new era, the Cold War Era, and the threat of nuclear attack on the United States. To counter this threat, the US Army deployed the Nike Guided Missile Anti-Aircraft System around the major metropolitan centers to defend against just such an attack on our nation. A presentation by members of the Fort Hancock Nike Association will tell the story of the once highly classified Nike System and how it worked to protect these cities from attack by placing nuclear-armed missiles literally in people's back yards. Several of these Nike Missile Bases were once located right here in Monmouth County defending the New York and Philadelphia areas. The members of the Fort Hancock Nike Association are veterans of the Nike Guided Missile System having served at missi...

History Kids Club- October Workshop History Kids Club - Experience History "Hands-On!" About this Event History Kids Club is designed for children ages 5-12 years old, who want to experience history first hand and learn the different trades, tasks and lifestyles of an 1830s Howell Iron Works villager. The club will meet monthly for history centered workshops where children can complete a fun and educational activity that represents an element of life in the 19th century. After completing multiple workshops, children earn a History Kids patch and the opportunity to work toward becoming a mentor for other History Kids! Parents are encouraged to stay and assist their child in the activities. October: Learn how to tell time without a clock! Make a sundial and practice using it outdoors! Tickets are $10 per person Tickets are non-refundable Space is limited! Register early! Facebook Facebook Messenger LinkedIn Twitter email ...

Flea Market-October BEST FLEA MARKET ON THE JERSEY SHORE! About this Event Hunt for bargains among vintage treasures, bric-a-brac, books, artwork, handmade items, knick-knacks and so much more! The event runs from 8am - 2pm. $2 per person (donation to the Historic Village at Allaire). The Historic Village, Pilsen Gourmet Food Truck, General Store, and Bakery will be open as well. Vendor spaces are available for $30 pre-registration, and $35 2 days prior to the event. No exceptions. All vendors must have a Vendor Application on file for the year. Go to Allairevillage.org and click under the Events Tab for the Vendor Application. For vendor information, please call the office, Monday through Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm at 732-919-3500, ext. 14. Rain date: Sunday, October 11th. Assisting Vehicles are $3 additional cost. Box Trucks, Long Trucks and Trailers count as 2 spaces. No exceptions. No refunds. No transfer of flea market payments to other flea market da...

52 Reasons To Love A Vet October 9, 2020 - January 3, 2021 Atlantic City NOYES ARTS GARAGE 2200 Fairmount Avenue Atlantic City, NJ 08401 P: (609) 350-6662 C: (609) 892-0439 HOURS: Wednesday - Saturday 11:00AM - 6:00PM Sunday 11:00AM - 5:00PM Requested Donations: Adults $3 | Students $2 | Wednesdays FREE | Military FREE

Please be advised that in light of current events, and after careful consideration,  the NJ State History Fair will not be held in 2020. We fully intend to resume the Fair in 2021 - the date is TBD.  Please know that we remain committed to the  SPIRIT of the JERSEYS and consider it a signature event for the NJ Division of Parks and Forestry.  As the only statewide, all-inclusive, interpretive history gathering of its kind, we believe it to be a trailblazing event that has contributed positively to the public’s awareness and understanding of not only New Jersey’s history, but that of America’s as well. We want to THANK YOU for your past involvement and hope that you will continue to support the Fair as a participant going forward.  So please stay tuned and look for the “SPIRIT” to return in 2021 better than ever!  Updates will be posted on the fair’s web site,  www.njhistoryfair.org .

History Kids Club- September Workshop History Kids Club - Experience History "Hands-On!" About this Event History Kids Club is designed for children ages 5-12 years old, who want to experience history first hand and learn the different trades, tasks and lifestyles of an 1830s Howell Iron Works villager. The club will meet monthly for history centered workshops where children can complete a fun and educational activity that represents an element of life in the 19th century. After completing multiple workshops, children earn a History Kids patch and the opportunity to work toward becoming a mentor for other History Kids! Parents are encouraged to stay and assist their child in the activities. September: Experience what school and recess was like in the 19th century! Use chalk and slates for lessons and play period children's games! Tickets are $ 10 per child Tickets are non-refundable Space is limited! Register early! Fac...

Flea Market-September BEST FLEA MARKET ON THE JERSEY SHORE! About this Event Hunt for bargains among vintage treasures, bric-a-brac, books, artwork, handmade items, knick-knacks and so much more! The event runs from 8am - 2pm. $2 per person (donation to the Historic Village at Allaire). The Historic Village, Pilsen Gourmet Food Truck, General Store, and Bakery will be open as well. Vendor spaces are available for $30 pre-registration, and $35 2 days prior to the event. No exceptions. All vendors must have a Vendor Application on file for the year. Go to Allairevillage.org and click under the Events Tab for the Vendor Application. For vendor information, please call the office, Monday through Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm at 732-919-3500, ext. 14. Rain date: Sunday, September 6th. Assisting Vehicles are $3 additional cost. Box Trucks, Long Trucks and Trailers count as 2 spaces. No exceptions. No refunds. No transfer of flea market payments to other flea market...

Seashell Sunday Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth 719 Port Monmouth Rd, Port Monmouth, NJ 07758 Sunday, August 30, 2020, 1:00-2:00 PM Starting a shell collection this year? It’s the best way to get to know the Jersey Shore. Want to know where shells come from? Can’t figure out what you found on the beach? Bring it in and we will tell you all about seashells and how to collect them without harming the environment. Plus we will feature an assortment of mollusks, crustaceans, and other cool beach finds and artifacts to view.

Nature Impressions & Campfire Turkey Swamp Park  Shelter Building 200 Georgia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728  Sat, Aug 29, 2020, 7:00-8:30 PM (ages 5 and up, with adult) Gather a variety of leaves, flowers, twigs, or anything else found in nature as we take a short hike. Once we complete our hike, we will use our collected pieces from nature to create a wonderful masterpiece. See the beautiful impressions your collected nature pieces leave behind as you press them into your art form! Afterwards, reward yourself with a campfire and s’mores. One Session $8.50 Per Person

Canoe Rentals at Thompson Park Thompson Park, Marlu Lake 805 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft, NJ 07738 Saturday and Sunday,  August 29 & August 30 , 2020, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM (ages 3 and up, under 18 with adult) Rent a canoe for a relaxing paddle on Marlu Lake. All equipment provided; a limited number of canoes available. Cost: $15 per boat for 1-3 people for 2 hours of canoeing (cash or check only). Rental Available from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. All rentals must be returned by 3:00 PM.

Smocking Demonstration Historic Longstreet Farm 44 Longstreet Rd, Holmdel, NJ 07733 Saturday, August 29, 2020, 1:00-3:00 PM (all ages) View the lost art of smocking, a decorative embroidery or shirring, made by gathering cloth in regularly spaced round tucks. Years ago children’s clothing had this decorative embroidery.

Upper Freehold History Bus Tour Clayton Park Activity Center, Classroom 1 202 Davis Station Road, (Imlaystown) Upper Freehold, NJ 08514 Sat, Aug 29, 2020, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM (adults) Enjoy a mini-bus ride through Monmouth County’s history looking at some of its famous people and places, and led by a park system historian. This will be a fast-paced-3 hour journey through the Upper Freehold Historic Farmland Byway in Western Monmouth County. Let the Park System take care of the driving as you focus on the rich history of this scenic area. On this tour, we will start at the Clayton Park Activity Center and follow the 24 mile route running through the Allentown Historic District and Walnford with stops along the way! This picturesque drive will highlight some of the county’s finest preserved history. Participants are encouraged to bring their own snacks and water, as well as dress for the weather with comfortable walking shoes for short walks at some sites. One Session $32.00 Per Pe...

Enviro-Quest Dorbrook Recreation Area Basketball Court Parking Lot 353 Route 537, Colts Neck, NJ 07722 Thursday, August 27, 2020, 11:00 AM -12:00 PM (all ages) Don’t know what to do on a weekday this summer break? Why not seek out some nature fun. Follow the Enviro-Quest signs to where the Park System Naturalist is waiting. Once you are there you can join in a walk, activities, crafts, or games for 30-60 minutes of nature fun. Activities could include meeting a live animal, finding hidden treasure, discovering incredible parts of a flower, creating artwork with natural materials, or participating in a fun nature-themed game. You bring your sense of adventure and we’ll bring the rest! For additional details please call 732-751-9453.

Drop-In Kayak Tours @ Swimming River Park Swimming River Park, Red Bank 475 W Front St, Red Bank, NJ 07701 Wednesday, August 26, 2020, 2:00-3:00 PM (ages 12 and up, under 18 with participating adult) The Park System is offering kayak nature tours of both the beautiful Swimming River and Manasquan Reservoir. Novice paddlers welcome. All equipment is provided. Both single and tandem kayaks are available for use on a first-come, first-serve basis. The program is limited to only 12 participants. Wear appropriate clothing that can get wet. Weight limit 250 lbs. for singles; 450 lbs. for tandems. Fee: $20 per person (cash or check only; no pre-registration required). All tours depart on time.

Drop-In Kayak Tours @ Manasquan Reservoir   Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center 331 Georgia Tavern Road, Howell 07731 Wednesday, August 26, 2020, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM (ages 12 and up, under 18 with participating adult) The Park System is offering kayak nature tours of both the beautiful Swimming River and Manasquan Reservoir. Novice paddlers welcome. All equipment is provided. Both single and tandem kayaks are available for use on a first-come, first-serve basis. The program is limited to only 12 participants. Wear appropriate clothing that can get wet. Weight limit 250 lbs. for singles; 450 lbs. for tandems. Fee: $20 per person (cash or check only; no pre-registration required). All tours depart on time.

Superb Summer Saunters Wednesday, August 26, 2020, from 10:00-11:30 AM Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center     331 Georgia Tavern Road, Howell 07731 (all ages, under 18 with adult) With summer rearing to go, our parks are teeming with all sorts of animal and plant life. Engage your curiosity as you explore the trails with a Park System Naturalist! Meet on Wednesday from 10:00-11:30 AM. 

Drop-In Kayak Tours @ Swimming River Park Swimming River Park, Red Bank 475 W Front St, Red Bank, NJ 07701 Tuesday, August 25, 2020, 1:00-2:00 PM (ages 12 and up, under 18 with participating adult) The Park System is offering kayak nature tours of both the beautiful Swimming River and Manasquan Reservoir. Novice paddlers welcome. All equipment is provided. Both single and tandem kayaks are available for use on a first-come, first-serve basis. The program is limited to only 12 participants. Wear appropriate clothing that can get wet. Weight limit 250 lbs. for singles; 450 lbs. for tandems. Fee: $20 per person (cash or check only; no pre-registration required). All tours depart on time.

Tidal Tuesdays - Seine the Cove Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan 383 3rd Ave, Manasquan, NJ 08736 Tue, Aug 25, 2020, 11:00 AM -12:00 PM (all ages, under 18 with adult) Looking for some Tuesday fun by the shore? Stop by Fisherman’s Cove and join a Park System Naturalist and take part in a free seining program to see what creatures may be found swimming along Fisherman’s Cove. Discover a variety of fish, crabs, and other sea creatures as we pull in our seine net. Seining portion runs for approximately 30-45 minutes. Please Note: • Closed-toe shoes are required. • The program will not run during inclement weather. • Parents or guardians are required to stay with and supervise their children. • No swimming during the event. • This program is designed for individuals and families. No large groups, please. Additional Tidal Tuesday Activities Discover exciting things about nature and our coastal habitats with a fun nature activity before our drop-in seining begins!...