Monday, October 9, 2017

GHOSTS, INDIANS, PROPRIETORS: HUNTERDON HISTORICAL AND HERITAGE CELEBRATIONS!

LOOKING FOR SOME UNUSUAL HISTORY CHATS?  LIKE WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE A WEST JERSEY PROPRIETOR IN THE 21ST CENTURY? DO THE PROPRIETORS STILL WEAR WIGS AND RUFFLES LIKE THE 17TH CENTURY FOUNDERS?  

OR HOW ABOUT SOME SPOOKY EVENTS JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN?  

DON'T LIKE RATTLING BONES?  HOW ABOUT RATTLING YOUR OWN BONES AND DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY AT EITHER AN OLD FASHIONED BARN DANCE WITH SQUARE DANCING OR LEARNING TO DO THE LINDY HOP?

OCTOBER IN HUNTERDON IS FILLED WITH CELEBRATIONS OF MUNICIPAL HISTORY, HOUSE TOURS, AND LOTS OF FREE HISTORY TALKS.  PLEASE CHECK OUT THE FABULOUS AND BUSY OCTOBER HISTORY AND HERITAGE EVENTS BELOW!

OCTOBER EVENTS FROM THE HUNTERDON 300TH:  

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10TH: The French and Indian War in Hunterdon County:  The Old Barracks Museum in Trenton is best known for its Colonial architecture and variety of uses during the Revolutionary War, especially when it housed both British and Hessian soldiers during the Battle of Trenton on January 2, 1777.  But originally the Barracks was built by the British in 1758 during the French and Indian War in direct response to petitions  from residents who were tired of having to host soldiers in their homes.  At the time it was built, it was the second largest public building in New Jersey. 

Richard Patterson, the Executive Director of the Old Barracks, will detail the history of early Trenton, Hunterdon County, where residents were required to quarter soldiers during the French and Indian War and Britain's response.  Free.
7pm, Main Branch of the County Library.  Refreshments follow.


SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15TH:  WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A WEST JERSEY PROPRIETOR IN 2017:  Join David Reading, a direct descendant of Governor John Reading (his Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great Grandson to be exact!) for a most interesting talk on the West Jersey Proprietors, the original owners of half of New Jersey, including Hunterdon County.  New Jersey was divided in 1686 (called the Keith Line after the surveyor who drew it) and West and East Jersey were created.  Each side was controlled by a trusT.  David was JUST elected to the West Jersey Proprietors!  Yes, they still exist!!  He will give a little history of the early history of the Proprietors and why a council of them formed and what they did in their early history and end with what they are doing now.

Main Branch of the County Library.  2 pm.  Free.  Refreshments follow. 

SATURDAY OCTOBER 21ST: A Hunterdon Silver Dog-Head Sword and the Civil War within the American Revolution:   Come hear stories of Hunterdon patriots and loyalists discovered while exploring the history of a Revolutionary War sword. Dr. Lawrence Brasher, a native of Morristown and professor at Birmingham-Southern College, will discuss the heirloom 1775 silver-hilted dog-head sword--the rarest form of Revolutionary War sword--made in Hunterdon County. Only a handful of such swords exist. Larry's research reveals the sword's connections to Trenton silversmiths, Washington's crossing, Scotch-Irish animosities toward England, and the loyalist raid on the Jones Tavern in Lebanon Township (now Clinton). The sword story uncovers shifting patriot-loyalist commitments within local families and the civil war that divided Revolutionary Hunterdon County. This presentation will intrigue anyone who is interested in the Revolution and also anyone who has a family artifact and wonders how it relates to the history of its time. After his talk, Larry will be available to sign copies of his new book about the sword and the Revolution in Hunterdon County.  Free.  North Branch County Library, 2pm.  Refreshments follow.

JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN!
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24TH:  THE SPIRITS OF 1776:  NEW JERSEY GHOST STORIES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION:  Psychic Jane Doherty has visited many New Jersey Revolutionary War sites including Spy House in Port Monmouth, Proprietary House in Perth Amboy and others.  She will share her personal revelations and psychic connections in these places as well as tell the stories of other haunted 18th century Revolutionary War sites such as the Tennant Church in Manalapan and the Flanders Hookerman Tavern in Flanders.

A fun, educational and creepy pre-Halloween night talk as the Psychic discusses why there are hauntings in these places!

7 pm.  Main Branch of the County Library.  Free.  Refreshments Follow.


A SNAP SHOT OF THE HUNTERDON 300TH'S NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER CALENDAR -- RESERVATIONS WILL BE OPEN LATER THIS WEEK!  

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH:  AMERICA’S PAST-TIME IN HUNTERDON:  THE TRI-COUNTY BASEBALL LEAGUE.  THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FROM SEPTEMBER 12TH.  7 pm; Main Branch of the County Library.  Free.  Reservations recommended.  Refreshments follow.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH THE SPANISH FLU IN HUNTERDON:  2 pm; Main Branch of the Hunterdon County Library.  Free.  Reservations recommended.  Refreshments follow.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH: 100 YEARS AGO: HUNTERDON DURING WORLD WAR I.   
7 pm; Main Branch of the Library.  Free.  Reservations recommended.  Refreshments follow. 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3RD BETHLEMHEM TOWNSHIP DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLULTION:    2 pm; Bethlehem Township Municipal Building, 405 Mine Road, Asbury, NJ 08802.  Free.  Reservations recommended.  Refreshments follow. 

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12TH:  HUNTERDON’S WORLD WAR GOLD STAR MOTHERS:  7 pm; Main Branch of the County Library.  Free.  Reservations recommended. Refreshments follow.


EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTY FROM OUR HISTORY AND HERITAGE PARTNERS:

Friday, the 13th!  BOO!  Haunted Village 2017 at the Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton, NJ:  Infection: Will you make it out without catching the fever?  The famous Haunted Village is back and better than ever for its 27th year. Get tickets now by visiting the Red Mill Museum Village Website

Saturday, October 14th:  “The Heritage of Our Hunterdon County Parks”:  Author Doug Kiovsky was able to combine his knowledge of the county’s parks, open space and historic sites into a volume of written history and photos of historical importance. Serving in the capacity as a county park ranger and historian for many years, Doug says every park has a story to tell. Join us at 1pm at the Lebanon Township Fall Festival to hear Doug under the Historians tent to hear him speak about the county parks located within Lebanon Township including Miquin Woods, Point Mountain, Crystal Springs, Teetertown and the Columbia Trail. Artifacts found on these properties or donated will also be on display. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to hear firsthand how residents came to be surrounded by these county parks!  Friends Memorial Park, Lebanon Township.  

Saturday, October 14th:  High Bridge Celebrates 275 Years of History of Taylor Wharton
High Bridge will celebrate the 275 year long history of Taylor Wharton in a two-day Foundry Festival, complete with a parade, a street fair, historic house tours, walking tours, historic movie footage and more.   Watch for details as we get closer to the event.
For more information, or if you would like to volunteer to help the High Bridge Cultural and Heritage Committee events and our activities, please contact them.


SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14TH: Union Forge Heritage Association - From Forges to Factories 
Celebrating the hisotry and legacy of the Historic 1742 Union Iron Works of Hunterdon County Presentations, Movie and more...
2pm to 4pm.  $10 per person.  Union Forge Heritage Association
117 Van Syckel's Road,  Hampton, NJ

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14TH: Haunted Village 2017 at the Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton, NJ
Infection: Will you make it out without catching the fever?
The famous Haunted Village is back and better than ever for its 27th year. 
Get tickets now by visiting the Red Mill Museum Village Website


SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15TH:  LINDY HOP TEA DANCE:  Come for the music or come join the dancing!  Learn how to do the Lindy Hop with live music performed by Terry "A" and the Big Band Sound.  This historic dance was made famous in the 1920s.  Saint Paul Lutheran, Route 31, Flemington.  Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door.  Refreshments included.  To order, call (908) 268-6638, or go to Eventbrite.com or FriendsofHistoricFlemington.com.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15TH:  Lambertville Historical Societies 35th Annual Autumn House Tour:  Self-guided walking tour inside historic homes and sites iin the City of Lambertville.  11am to 5pm.  $25 in advance,  $30 day of tour.
www.lambertvillehistoricalsociety.org

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15TH:High Bridge Celebrates 275 Years of History of Taylor Wharton:  High Bridge will celebrate the 275 year long history of Taylor Wharton in a two-day Foundry Festival, complete with a parade, a street fair, historic house tours, walking tours, historic movie footage and more.   Watch for details as we get closer to the event.  For more information, or if you would like to volunteer to help the High Bridge Cultural and Heritage Committee events and our activities, please contact them.


SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21TH:  Barn Dance at Bouman Stickney Museum:  

7pm to 9:30 pm.  Put on your dancing shoes for Readington Museum's bi-annual barn dance!  The dance will be held in the 18th century Wade-Wyckoff Barn at the Bouman Stickney Farmstead, 114 Dreahook Road, in the Stanton section of Readington Township.  This family friendly event is a wonderful way to have fun with the entire family as no experience is necessary.  Caller Betsy Gotta will give easy to follow instructions before each dance so even a beginner will be able to dance the night away.  There is a suggested donation of $5.00 per person and $2 per child.  For more information visit the Readington Museum website.

Saturday, October 21st: Haunted Village 2017 at the Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton, NJ   Infection: Will you make it out without catching the fever?  The famous Haunted Village is back and better than ever for its 27th year. Get tickets now by visiting the Red Mill Museum Village Website

Saturday, October 21st:  East Amwell Historical Society Open House at the Clawson House, 12-3pm.  FREE!  Everyone is invited to check out the historic Federal-style home built around 1800 and see the incredible improvements made the last year.  East Amwell Historic Society members will give tours of the house and discuss its past.  Displays will invite visitors to view the artifacts from the Edward Quick Collection, the Grace Cronce Collection and from the Clawson House as well as artifacts and memorabilia preserved by the East Amwell Historic Society.  Refreshments will be served.  

The house is located at 1053 Old York Road and fronts the Marion F. Clawson Park.  EAHS has made tremendous progress with the building over the past summer with the exterior completed, a handicap ramp installed and rough electric, plumbing and heating, and air conditioning installed. The final push to finish the building Phase V will be getting underway in November.  Once the building is completed, it will be the home of the East Amwell Township Museum, headquarters of the East Amwell Historic Society, and a local history research library.

Sunday, October 22nd:  East Amwell Historical Society Open House at the Clawson House, 12-3pm.  FREE!  Everyone is invited to check out the historic Federal-style home built around 1800 and see the incredible improvements made the last year.  East Amwell Historic Society members will give tours of the house and discuss its past.  Displays will invite visitors to view the artifacts from the Edward Quick Collection, the Grace Cronce Collection and from the Clawson House as well as artifacts and memorabilia preserved by the East Amwell Historic Society.  Refreshments will be served.

The house is located at 1053 Old York Road and fronts the Marion F. Clawson Park.  EAHS has made tremendous progress with the building over the past summer with the exterior completed, a handicap ramp installed and rough electric, plumbing and heating, and air conditioning installed. The final push to finish the building Phase V will be getting underway in November.  Once the building is completed, it will be the home of the East Amwell Township Museum, headquarters of the East Amwell Historic Society, and a local history research library.

Friday October 27th:  Haunted Village 2017 at the Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton, NJ:  Infection: Will you make it out without catching the fever?  The famous Haunted Village is back and better than ever for its 27th year. Get tickets now by visiting the Red Mill Museum Village Website



Saturday, October 28th Haunted Village 2017 at the Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton, NJ:  Infection: Will you make it out without catching the fever?  The famous Haunted Village is back and better than ever for its 27th year. Get tickets now by visiting the Red Mill Museum Village Website