RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE NOW FOR THE FOLLOWING (as always, head to our website, www.hunterdon300th.org, to make all reservations right from our Calendar of Events!)
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH: A Proud Heritage: The African American Presence in the Sourland Mountains and Surrounding Area: In honor of Black History Month, join Elaine Buck, Beverly Mills and John Buck, the President of the Stoutsburg Cemetery Association, for a very special program of untold sotries about the lives of local African American men and women buried in the Stoutsburg Cemetery including a veteran who fought in the Revolutionary War. The cemetery is located in what is now Hopewell Township in Mercer County, but was part of Hunterdon (Amwell Township) during the American Revolution. The history of the Stoutsburg Cemetery will also be discussed which was originally purchased in 1858 by three African American men seeking a burial ground for people of color who could not be buried alongside whites. This cemetery has been lovingly restored by the current Board of Trustees. A part of Hunterdon's early history about how enslaved and free people were instrumental in building this region, serving in the military, and now contributing to the economy. 7 pm, Main Branch of the Library; Free. Reservations strongly recommended. Refreshments follow.
TUESDAY, MARCH 28TH: The International Geophysical Year, Pictures from Antarctica: The International Geophysical Year lasted from July 1, 1957 to December 31, 1958 and marked the end of a long period during the Cold War when scientific exchange between the East and the West had ceased. Hunterdon County author and historian, John Kuhl, was in the Navy during this period and was aboard a ship in Antarctica -- talk about a Cold War! A historian even then, John recorded his voyages via both camera stills and movie reels. Never seen by the public, John will be playing these incredible films and pictures via a powerpoint presentation while describing his adventures in one of the most hostile and wild places on the planet! 7 pm, Main Branch of the Library. Free. Reservations strongly recommended. Refreshments follow.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5TH: AMERICA'S PAST-TIME IN HUNTERDON: THE TRI-COUNTY BASEBALL LEAGUE: Baseball was America's greatest past-time, and was a special distraction as Hitler rose to power in the 1930s. By 1937, baseball fan and attorney, Wesley Lance, future Judge, Senator and Acting Governor, founded a baseball league comprised of Hunterdon, Warren and Northampton, PA counties. This league existed for about 4 decades! Senator Lance's son, James W. Lance, Esq., a baseball aficionado and keeper of the family's baseball history, recounts the story. Refreshments follow. 7 pm at the Main Branch of the County Library. Free. Reservations strongly recommended.
TUESDAY, APRIL 25TH: THE UNIFORMS OF THE CIVIL WAR: John Kuhl, author of Hunterdon County in The Civil War, is back as a subject matter expert on the Civil War. The Home Front and front lines of the Civil War were right here. John will detail the various uniforms of the Civil War in this fascinating talk and fashion show. 7 pm, Main Branch of the County Library. Free; Reservations Strongly Recommended. Refreshments Follow.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! MORE UPCOMING EVENTS FOR 2017 EXPLORING HUNTERDON COUNTY WHEN OUR COUNTRY WAS AT WAR:
TUESDAY, MAY 9TH: THE JOURNEY: THE IMMIGRATION OF EUROPEAN JEWS TO HUNTERDON COUNTY: Join Hunterdon County Historian Stephanie Stevens for a talk on turn of the 19th Century Hunterdon and how a people caught up in the turmoil of Europe immigrated to America and found peace in Hunterdon County. The story of egg farms, merchants and faith. Stephanie will be available to sign her newest book, published by the Hunterdon 300th, following the talk. Main Branch of the Hunterdon County Library; 7 pm. Free.
Refreshments follow. Reservations recommended.
Refreshments follow. Reservations recommended.
SUNDAY, MAY 21ST: HUNTERDON'S FIRST COUNTY SEAT: THE EARLY HISTORY OF TRENTON: Join historian Larry Kidder for a detailed history of 18th and early 19th century Trenton. This settlement was a major player in the French-Indian War and the American Revolution -- it's major infrastructure crossed our county and made Hunterdon one of the most important places during the Revolution. Larry has been researching this topic for some time and his new book on the subject is being published in late Spring, 2017. The Hunterdon 300th has Larry for his first talk AND book signing! You don't want to miss this real treat! 2 pm. Main Branch of the County Library. Free; Reservations Strongly Recommended; Refreshments Follow.
SATURDAY JUNE 10TH:$ HUNTERDON TAKES BACK (REVOLUTIONARY WAR) TRENTON BUS TOUR BACK BY POPLULAR DEMAND! RESERVATIONS WILL BE TAKEN IN EARLY APRIL: Join us for a unique opportunity to tour Hunterdon County's original County Seat -- Trenton. This all day bus tour will be guided by two of the best Revolutionary War story tellers around: our own County Historian and author Stephanie Stevens and the Executive Director of the Old Barracks, Richard Patterson.
Our deluxe coach, equipped with both a restroom and air conditioning, leaves the East Amwell Municipal Building promptly at 9:30 am (please arrive by 9:15 am) and arrives at our morning stop, the Old Barracks. During the French and Indian War in 1758, the Old Barracks was constructed by the colony of New Jersey in direct response to petitions from local residents complaining about compulsory quartering of soldiers in their homes. Throughout the Revolutionary War, British prisoners of war were held in the Officers' House, 4 companies of the Second New Jersey Regiment of the Continental Line were raised here, and in 1777, the Barracks became an army hospital. At the beginning of the month of December, 1776, British and Hessian troops occupied Trenton, and briefly stayed in the Barracks prior to the Battle of Trenton. Loyalists also arrived, seeking protection from the soldiers and were believed to be staying at the Barracks when Washington marched into Trenton on the morning of December 26th.
Following both a guided tour and private time to view the exhibits, lunch will be provided in a private room at the Barracks. You are free to eat outside on the picnic tables or inside.
The bus will then bring us to the Trent House built on an estate of 300 acres around 1719 by William Trent for whom Trenton was named. During the American Revolution, Hessian soldiers occupied the houses.
Later, the then owner of the property, Dr. William Bryant, was thrown out of the house because he was a Tory sympathizer. It became a supply depot for Washington's army. Tours are timed, so while some of us enjoy dessert, others will enjoy guided tours of the house and vice versa.
Once back on the bus, Richard and Stephanie will guide our bus around Trenton to see the best and most important Revolutionary War sites including the site of the Battle of Trenton and the location where the original Hunterdon Courthouse stood -- notably the site where, on July 8, 1776, the first reading of the Declaration of Independence occurred in New Jersey. We will visit historic churches, graveyards and the Quaker Meeting House while Richard and Stephanie share some great stories, banter and tales about Trenton, Hunterdon County's Revolutionary War history. We will begin to head back to OUR Hunterdon County around 4 pm.
SATURDAY JUNE 10TH:$ HUNTERDON TAKES BACK (REVOLUTIONARY WAR) TRENTON BUS TOUR BACK BY POPLULAR DEMAND! RESERVATIONS WILL BE TAKEN IN EARLY APRIL: Join us for a unique opportunity to tour Hunterdon County's original County Seat -- Trenton. This all day bus tour will be guided by two of the best Revolutionary War story tellers around: our own County Historian and author Stephanie Stevens and the Executive Director of the Old Barracks, Richard Patterson.
Our deluxe coach, equipped with both a restroom and air conditioning, leaves the East Amwell Municipal Building promptly at 9:30 am (please arrive by 9:15 am) and arrives at our morning stop, the Old Barracks. During the French and Indian War in 1758, the Old Barracks was constructed by the colony of New Jersey in direct response to petitions from local residents complaining about compulsory quartering of soldiers in their homes. Throughout the Revolutionary War, British prisoners of war were held in the Officers' House, 4 companies of the Second New Jersey Regiment of the Continental Line were raised here, and in 1777, the Barracks became an army hospital. At the beginning of the month of December, 1776, British and Hessian troops occupied Trenton, and briefly stayed in the Barracks prior to the Battle of Trenton. Loyalists also arrived, seeking protection from the soldiers and were believed to be staying at the Barracks when Washington marched into Trenton on the morning of December 26th.
Following both a guided tour and private time to view the exhibits, lunch will be provided in a private room at the Barracks. You are free to eat outside on the picnic tables or inside.
The bus will then bring us to the Trent House built on an estate of 300 acres around 1719 by William Trent for whom Trenton was named. During the American Revolution, Hessian soldiers occupied the houses.
Later, the then owner of the property, Dr. William Bryant, was thrown out of the house because he was a Tory sympathizer. It became a supply depot for Washington's army. Tours are timed, so while some of us enjoy dessert, others will enjoy guided tours of the house and vice versa.
Once back on the bus, Richard and Stephanie will guide our bus around Trenton to see the best and most important Revolutionary War sites including the site of the Battle of Trenton and the location where the original Hunterdon Courthouse stood -- notably the site where, on July 8, 1776, the first reading of the Declaration of Independence occurred in New Jersey. We will visit historic churches, graveyards and the Quaker Meeting House while Richard and Stephanie share some great stories, banter and tales about Trenton, Hunterdon County's Revolutionary War history. We will begin to head back to OUR Hunterdon County around 4 pm.
$30 all inclusive day trip includes deluxe coach, two amazing tour guides, all your admissions, lunch, snacks, tip! Once you have ordered your ticket(s) from Eventbrite, please send your check to confirm your reservation(s) to The Hunterdon 300th, 3 Chorister Place, Flemington, NJ, 08822.
Your payment MUST BE RECEIVED within 3 days of reserving your seats for the tour or your ticket(s) will be released.
DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY! WE SOLD OUT IN 8 DAYS LAST YEAR!
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14TH: FAMOUS FLAGS THROUGHOUT AMERICAN HISTORY -- IN HONOR OF FLAG DAY: It's Flag Day and the Hunterdon 300th is proud to bring back our favorite Vexillologist, Richard Pierce. In this talk, Richard has prepared new research on some of the most famous flags throughout American History. More details to follow. 7 pm; Main Branch of the Library. Free. Reservations Strongly Recommended. Refreshments Follow.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23RD: CEMETERY SEMINAR WITH OUR GREAT PARTNER, THE HUNTERDON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY: Details to be announced.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH: CIVIL WAR WEAPONS AND ARMAMENTS: Civil War expert John Kuhl is back. This time he will be displaying and discussing Civil War weapon and armaments. More details to follow. 7 pm; Main Branch of the Library. Free. Reservations Strongly Recommended. Refreshments Follow.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15TH: THE WAR OF 1812: Join Delaware Township Historian Emerita Marfy Goodspeed for new research that reveals a Hunterdon connection to the War of 1812! More details to follow. 2 pm; Main Branch of the Library.
Free. Reservations Strongly Recommended. Refreshments Follow.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH: BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION: Mayor and historian Paul Muir hosts this event at the Bethlehem Municipal Building's Courtroom. Our favorite retired Social Studies teacher and Bethlehem resident, Chip Riddle, provides his wonderful story telling about the area and its importance during the 18th century -- Bethlehem once encompassed today's Kingwood Township, Alexandria Township, Frenchtown, Milford, Union Township, the Town of Clinton, Franklin Township, Hampton Borough, Bloomsbury, and Glen Gardner.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH: 100 YEARS AGO: AMERICA'S ENTRANCE INTO WORLD WAR I: With the 100 year anniversary of America's entrance into World War I, no lecture series on the Home Front would be complete without a look at what was happening in Hunterdon County from 1914 through 1918. New research done by Hunterdon 300th Chair Marcia Karrow who has finally dusted off her history major and her "all but Ph.D. in Ancient Art and Archaeology".
More details to follow. 7 pm; Main Branch of the Library. Free. Reservations Strongly Recommended. Refreshments Follow.
TALKS AND EVENTS IN THE WORKS:
GROWING UP IN HUNTERDON DURING WWII
HISTORIC TAVERN TOUR
MUSIC OF THE CIVIL WAR
HUNTERDON AND THE VIET NAM ERA
FRENCH-INDIAN WAR IN HUNTERDON COUNTY
HUNTERDON DURING THE KOREAN WAR
AND MORE!
For Reservations:
www.hunterdon300th.org
or call us at (908) 788-2030
HISTORY AND HERITAGE EVENTS FROM OUR PARTNERS:
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH: READINGTON MUSEUMS PRESENT: A WEAVING DEMONSTRATION: Domestic historians, Bev Altrath and Arlene Soong, will
demonstrate various weaving techniques on assorted 18th c.
looms. In the colonial period, household items such as towels,
bed linens and blankets, working aprons, sacks, etc., were
commonly manufactured at home, while finer fabrics for
clothing, draperies and upholstery were imported from
overseas via Britain. During the war for independence and for
some time afterwards, it was considered one's patriotic duty to
use only homespun fabrics for everything, including the
newest fashionable clothing. Altrath and Soong concentrate on
early weaving techniques, beginning with the medieval and
renaissance periods as well as the more "modern" 17th and 18th c.
They also showcase their skills by demonstrating hearth cooking, dyeing, period
sewing, embroidery and gardening at the Shippen Manor in Oxford, and the MillerCory
house in Westfield, NJ. Bouman-Stickney Farmstead, GPS address:
114 Dreahook Road, Lebanon NJ 08833; Phone 908-236-2327. This program runs continuously from 1 to 4 pm. Donations welcomed.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH: PLEIN AIR SILENT AUCTION OF ARTISTIC INTERPRETATIONS OF HISTORIC LAMBERTVILLE AND NEIGHBORING RIVER TOWNS: silent Auction benefitting Lambertville Historical Society. 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Rago Arts and Auction Center, Cherry and North Main Streets, Lambertville. $5 suggested minimum entrance donation includes music, beverages hors d'oeuvres. For more information contact www.Lambertvillehistoricalsociety.org or call 609 397 0770.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17; 7 PM: THE POSTAL HISTORY OF EAST AMWELL: The East Amwell Historical Society presents this talk at at the East Amwell Township Municipal Building, Route 31/202, East Amwell NJ 08551
Cost is $5, and no reservations are required. Proceeds from this event will benefit work on the Clawson
House.
Wait a minute, Mr Postman! Where have all the post offices gone?
Where was and what happened to the Reilleyville Post Office? Where was the Amwell Post Office?
These and other interesting postal facts will be discussed by local philatelist Jim Walker discusses the
Postal History of East Amwell.
Author of the acclaimed 2008 book Postal History of Hunterdon County, Walker will talk about the Swift
Sure Stage Line hauling mail along the Old York Road, mail on the Delaware and Raritan Canal and mail
even posted on the Black River and Western Railroad line. He’ll also tell you about the great increase in
the number of post offices in East Amwell in the mid 1800’s and how their demise came about in the
1900’s. His PowerPoint presentation showing local pictures and postal history from his vast collection
will be an interest to all.
SUNDAY, MARCH 5TH: READINGTON MUSEUMS PRESENT AN OPEN HEARTH COOKING DEMONSTRATION: Connie Unangst returns to the Readington Museums and will
cook root vegetables and preserved foods using the home’s
original open hearth. Throughout the program, Unangst will
share techniques, demonstrate proper fire maintenance, and
discuss receipt (recipe) translations. Unangst, who has been
involved in the Domestic Arts of the Colonial Era, has provided
educational, instructive and entertaining programs to the public.
She has presented at locations such as: Pottsgrove Manor, the
John Joseph Henry Home, Historic Jacobsburg, the Indenhoffen
Farmstead, the Mercer Museum, New Hope Historical Society,
and Washington Crossing Historic Park. Bouman-Stickney Farmstead, GPS address:
114 Dreahook Road, Lebanon NJ 08833. Phone 908-236-2327. This program runs continuously from 1 to 4 pm. Donations welcomed.
FRIDAY, MARCH 10TH; 7 PM: EARLY RECREATION: ENJOYING THE SOURLAND REGION: The East Amwell Historical Society presents this talk at the East Amwell Township Municipal Building, Route 31/202, East Amwell NJ 08551
Cost is $5, and no reservations are required.
At a time when there were social and economic changes – and landscapes in the area were also
changing, people began interacting with the natural world in different ways. The Sourland region
became a popular destination for city folks, hunters, hikers and nature lovers alike.
These social changes and other fascinating stories about early recreation will be the topic of a
presentation by Jack Koeppel. Koeppel’s program, Early Recreation: Enjoying the Sourland Region, is
drawn from a collection of 700 photographs (originally 4” x 5” glass plates) discovered in an old home in
Pennington, NJ.
FRIDAY, MARCH 17TH AT 7PM: GHOST HUNTING IN EAST AMWELL: The East Amwell Historical Society presents this event at the Amwell Township Municipal Building, Route 31/202, East Amwell NJ 08551
Suggested donation $10. No reservations are required. Come to town hall early as seating is limited.
East Amwell Historical Society
Historical Society News
The Paranormal Activity Research Society of New Jersey (PARS) has been ghost hunting in East Amwell,
and are ready to share their spooky discoveries with you. PARS members will show you the tools of their
trade -- cameras, K2 meters, REM-Pods and more.
Then they'll tell you about their visit to the Clawson House before discussing one of the most haunted
homes they've ever investigated: a 1760 farm house in East Amwell. They will play for you the eerie
audio voices and a conversations that occurred while no earthly being was in the room, and then show
you what they captured on camera. Don't miss this fascinating program!
SUNDAY, APRIL 2ND: READINGTON MUSEUMS PRESENT RUG HOOKING: Lucy Walsh will demonstrate the basic technique of pulling wool
strips through a Monk’s cloth backing, draped over a frame. Walsh
will have sample rugs and hooking materials on display. Guests will
be invited to try their hand at hooking, as well as learn the history and
the inspirations for designing rugs.
Walsh is a fiber artist living in Clinton, New Jersey, and has been
creating hand-crafted hooked rugs in the traditional style since 1990.
She says, “My rugs are all original designs, and are born from a spark
somewhere in my head or heart. A central theme and vision establish
a design concept, recalling a time, place, person or emotion unique to
that experience. The goal is to capture a
subject that has a special meaning to me, and
which is aesthetically pleasing to others.
Before long a story emerges in wool.”
Recent collections include ‘story rugs’ which tell tales of real-life or imaginary events. The
recently completed, “Orphan Train”, was displayed at the reunion of Orphan Train
descendants in Little Falls, MN. Lucy’s rugs have been featured on websites, fairs and rug
hooking publications. “Spirit Bear” was selected to be included in the 2012 Rug Hooking
Magazine’s Celebrations® book recognizing nationally known fiber artists. Bouman-Stickney Farmstead, GPS address:
114 Dreahook Road, Lebanon NJ 08833. Phone 908-236-2327. This program runs continuously from 1 to 4 pm. Donations welcomed.
SUNDAY, MAY 7TH: READINGTON MUSEUMS PRESENT EIGHTEENTH CENTURY ICE CREAM: Susan McLellan Plaisted MS RD CSP LDN, presents ice cream making from
harvesting ice to moulding (molding) of ice cream. For this demonstration, ice cream
will be made in a reproduction 18th century sabotiere. Documented flavors of the 18th
century will be reproduced using original receipts (recipes).
Plaisted is the Proprietress of Heart to Hearth Cookery, a food history business based
in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She offers demonstrations of 17th century through
19th century Colonial American and European cooking methods, practices, and
receipts (recipes), as well as pre-European-contact and post-European-contact Native
American foodways.
Plaisted is a founding member, past president, and past newsletter editor of the
Historic Foodways Society of the Delaware Valley, a member of Culinary Historians
of New York, The Colonial Chocolate Society, and was active in Past Masters in Early
American Domestic Arts. In addition, she is a member of the Food History Committee
of both ALHFAM (Association of Living History Farms and Museums) and IACP
(International Association of Culinary Professionals) Bouman-Stickney Farmstead, GPS address:
114 Dreahook Road, Lebanon NJ 08833. Phone 908-236-2327. This program runs continuously from 1 to 4 pm. Donations welcomed.
