Saturday, January 27, 2018

300TH'S 2018 HERITAGE SERIES: WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE!

"WATER, WATEEVERYWHERE!"

THE HUNTERDON 300TH IS PROUD TO PRESENT AN EXTENSIVE EXPLORATION OF THE HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF HUNTERDON COUNTY WITHIN THE THEME OF WATER!  NOT ONLY IS THERE A FULL YEAR OF TALKS AND LECTURES, BUT ALSO A BOAT TRIP ON THE DELAWARE, A CANOE TRIP ON THE D&R CANAL, A BUS TOUR WITH LUNCH TO WALK THE CANAL, A MOVIE ABOUT THE ROUND VALLEY RESERVOIR AND A TALK AND TOUR OF THE RED MILL WATER WHEEL! 

AND OF COURSE, THERE WILL BE A COUPLE OF SPECIAL, OUT OF THEME TALKS STARTING WITH OUR FIRST TALK IN FEBRUARY IN HONOR OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH, AND ENDING ON VETERANS DAY WEEKEND, WHICH MARKS THE 100TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF WORLD WAR I, WITH A SPECIAL TALK ON HUNTERDON DURING THE GREAT WAR -- OUR SOLDIERS, OUR CITIZENS, AND THE AMERICAN RED CROSS.

CURRENT EVENTS:  WE ARE TAKING RESERVATIONS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27:  "SLAVERY IN HUNTERDON":  Join County Historian Stephanie Stevens as she discusses the history of slavery in Hunterdon County.  This talk is a revival of one she gave for us in 2014 during Hunterdon's Tricentennial.  Hunterdon County Library Main Branch, 7 pm.  Free.  Refreshments follow.  Reservations recommended.  
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/hunterdon-tricentennial-committee-4941158677
or call (908) 788-2030.

SUNDAY, MARCH 4TH:  "IN THE BEGINNING, THERE WAS WATER":  A light and fun look at an elemental subject and how profoundly it influenced the development of our county and state.  Join Marilyn Cummings for this overview of water in New Jersey and Hunterdon County since the beginning of time!  This talk sets the stage for our entire year’s worth of programs on ‘Water, Water Everywhere!'  A must-see presentation for both adults and students alike who plan to attend any of our other programs... or even if you don't!  2 pm.  Main Branch of the Hunterdon County Library.  Free.  Reservations recommended.  Refreshments follow.
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/hunterdon-tricentennial-committee-4941158677  or call (908) 788-2030.

TUESDAY, APRIL 3RD:   "SETTLEMENT AND RIVER TRADE ALONG THE DELAWARE RIVER IN THE PRE-CANAL PERIOD":  During the 18th century and well into the 19th century, Durham boats -the boat best known for its use by General George Washington’s troops to cross the river before the Battle of Trenton in 1776- piled the middle and upper Delaware  to transport the region’s products to urban markets in exchange for goods not available locally.  Join historic preservation expert Dennis Bertland in a talk that is based on a research project that he conducted for the Knowlton Township Historical Commission for the Ramseysburg Homestead, a historic site in Warren County associated with early settlement and trade along the Delaware.   Hunterdon County Library Main Branch.  7 pm. Free. Refreshments follow.  Reservations recommended.
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/hunterdon-tricentennial-committee-4941158677
or call (908) 788-2030.

The presentation is based on a research project, I conducted for the Knowlton Township Historical Commission

TUESDAY, APRIL 17:  "SIX 19TH CENTURY BRIDGES TO PENNSYLVANIA":   
Joe Donnelly from the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission will present this informative and interesting talk about the bridges that join Hunterdon to Pennsylvania, some free, some toll, all of which were at one time in private hands.  7 pm.  Main Branch of the Hunterdon County Library.  Free. Reservations recommended.  Refreshments follow. 
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/hunterdon-tricentennial-committee-4941158677
or call (908) 788-2030.


SUNDAY, APRIL 29TH:  "LIFE ALONG THE SOUTH BRANCH BETWEEN CLINTON AND FLEMINGTON": Once upon a time, before aquired by our County for parkland, lands along the South Branch were used for various purposes including several summer camps, scout camps, and health camps.  Former Parks Department staff member Doug Kiovsky has researched and published a book about Hunterdon's parks.  Join him for a history of several areas all along water courses of Hunterdon.  Stories will include the history of a few of the famous iron bridges, a businessman's attempt to dam the river for its hydroelectric powers, and the forgotten settlement of Rowland's Mills.  The history of the Arboretum will be included since it was originally George Bloomer's Nursery and a tributary from the property flows into Prescott Brook which then quickly flows into the South Branch. Following the talk, you may want to take a stroll into the Arboretum and enjoy the view.  2 pm.  Hunterdon County Arboretum, Route 31.  Free. Reservations recommended.  Refreshments follow.
or call (908) 788-2030.


FUTURE EVENTS:  PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

TUESDAY, MAY 1:  "THE HISTORY OF SHAD FISHING IN HUNTERDON COUNTY" Steve Meserve, the owner of the Lewis Fisheries, the oldest Shad Fishery in New Jersey, will discuss all things shad -- and just in time before the end of the shad fishing season!  Hunterdon County Library Main Branch.  7 pm. Free. Refreshments follow.  Reservations recommended.

SATURDAY, MAY 12TH (Tentative; Rain Date, SUNDAY, May 20TH):  SPLASH BOAT Trip on the Delaware:  Details to be announced.  $

TUESDAY, MAY 15:  :"DEVASTATION ON THE DELAWARE: THE FLOOD OF 1955":  Author Mary Shafer will be on hand to talk about the destruction along the Delaware following a torential downpour and ice melt that destroyed much of Lambertville and the surrounding area.  Many peoPle in Hunterdon still remember and talk about this catastrophic event.   Hunterdon County Library Main Branch.  7 pm. Free. Refreshments follow.  Reservations recommended.

SUNDAY, June 3RD:  "LAKE SOLITUDE AND THE FORGE":  Union Forge's Mike Gronsky will speak about the history and importance of the Taylor Wharton Forge in High Bridge and the Lake Solitude Dam.   Hunterdon County Library Main Branch.  2 pm. Free. Refreshments follow.  Reservations recommended.

TUESDAY, JUNE 19TH:  "SPRING ACTIVITIES OF THE LENAPE INDIANS IN HUNTERDON":  Jim Wade, former archivist and researcher with the N.J. State Museum, will discuss the significance and importance of the Indian way of life during the spring season. Emphasis will focus on the activities of community fish gathering, hunting and village life. This presentation will also examine the local Indian villages that once existed in the Flemington & southern Hunterdon County area. The program will include a short slide presentation on the spring activities and actual N.J. Indian stone artifacts will be on display.  Free.  Reservations recommended.   7 pm, Main Branch. Refreshments follow.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH: "AND WATERSHEDS BEGAT WATERWORKS":  Following her talk last spring, "IN THE BEGINNING, THERE WAS WATER", Marilyn Cummings follows her theme with this mapping adventure of the amazing watersheds, creeks and brooks of Hunterdon County and the ways they were conquered and harnessed by our settlers of the 18th & 19th centuries.  Join Marilyn Cummings for this wide-ranging look at such topics as ferries, bridges, mills, canals and other remarkable early waterworks.  Fun and informative for both adults and students alike, this is a broad introduction to our fall series of events. 7 pm, Main Branch. Free. Reservations recommended.  Refreshments follow.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH:  "HISTORY OF THE RED MILL" and tour of the Water Wheel with Red Mill Executive Director Paul Muir.  Details to follow. 2 pm, Red Mill Museum, Clinton. Free. Reservations recommended.  Refreshments follow. 

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH: "THE HISTORY OF THE READINGTON MILLS":  County Historian Stephanie Stevens is back with us again on her definitive power point on the Readington Mills.   Hunterdon County Library Main Branch.  7 pm. Free. Refreshments follow.  Reservations recommended.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH: "THE HISTORY OF THE RED MILL" AND SPECIAL TOUR OF THE WHEEL HOUSE with Red Mill Museum Executive Director Paul Muir.  Clinton.  2 pm. Free.  Refreshments follow.  Reservations recommended. 

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9TH: "THE HISTORY OF THE D&R CANAL":   Canal Historian and Author Linda Barth weaves the story of how the Delaware & Raritan Canal meandered across New Jersey, becoming one of America’s most successful towpath canals, carrying more tonnage in 1866 than even the Erie Canal.  Johnson & Johnson, Roebling, and Fleischmann’s Distillery all had their start along the D&R which now provides people of central New Jersey with both a water supply and an amazing recreational facility. This companion talk is beneficial for all those wishing to join us for our D&R Canal Canoe Paddle on Sunday October 4th or our Bus Tour of the D&R Canal on November 4th.  This talk is free.  Reservations recommended.  Refreshments follow. Hunterdon County Library Main Branch.  7 pm. Free. Refreshments follow.  Reservations recommended.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14TH:  SPECIAL CANOE TRIP ON THE D&R CANAL!  Join us with our guides from the Hunterdon County Parks Department as we do a peaceful paddle on the canal to view the fall foliage and get a taste for the gentle drift of the canal.  A perfect trip for those who have never canoed before.  We start our day by staging cars at the Prallsville mill and end the paddle there for a box lunch.  After lunch, you can stay for a tour and talk about the Mill or head on your way.  $25 covers the trip and lunch!  Reservations are required.  Limited space, so please book early.  Payment due at time of reservation.  9 to 1 pm.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14TH:  TOUR AND TALK AT THE PRALLSVILLE MILL.  Route 29, Stockton.  Free.  Refreshments follow.  Reservations recommended.  

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23RD:  "THE HISTORY OF ROUND VALLEY RESERVOIR":  County Historian and author of the book "Beneath These Waters" returns for the spell binding tale of politics, intrigue, crime, and loss as the government seized private property.   Hunterdon County Library Main Branch.  7 pm. Free. Refreshments follow.  Reservations recommended.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH:  BUS TOUR OF THE D&R CANAL WITH LUNCHEON AT THE LAMBERTVILLE STATION.  With the foliage down, join canal expert Linda Barth for a day of exploration and good views!  Our deluxe coach bus will bring us down Route 29 where we will pop on and off the bus for short walks to see stunning views of the Delaware and learn the secrets of the canal.  Details to follow.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH:  SPECIAL VETERANS DAY TALK:  "HUNTERDON COUNTY 100 YEARS AGO DURING THE GREAT WAR":  Veterans Day was once called Armistice Day and celebrated the end of World War I - the Great War.  Hunterdon County sent troops and rallied behind them in many ways including making the Red Cross an important part of daily life.  Join Marcia Karrow as she follows up last year's talk on Hunterdon at War - the Daily Life of Hunterdon County During World War I with a look at our county's support for the war and the recruitment of our soldiers. Hunterdon County Library Main Branch.  2 pm. Free. Refreshments follow.  Reservations recommended. 

THE HUNTERDON 300TH IS PLANNING ADDITIONAL EVENTS AND TALKS FOR OUR WATER THEMED YEAR!  PLEASE WATCH FOR FUTURE E-NEWSLETTERS AND OUR CALENDAR AT WWW.HUNTERDON300TH.ORG.

HISTORY AND HERITAGE EVENTS FROM OUR PARTNERS AROUND OR ABOUT HUNTERDON COUNTY


FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH:  "THE DARK SIDE OF THE SOURLANDS":  Presented by the East Amwell Historical Society featuring Jim Davidson.  Bewitching tales include stories about bootleggers, bandits, unsolved mysteries, and bloody murders!  Hillbilly Hall, 203 Hopewell-Wertsville Road, Hopewell, NJ. $10 donation.  

Saturday, February 24th:  11 am to 2 pm.  The Sourland Conservancy and Stoutsburg Cemetery Association present their 3rd Annual Gospel Brunch.  Hopewell Presbyterian Church, 80 West Broad Street, Hopewell. Proceeds benefit the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (originally part of Hunterdon County).  Adults $35; children 8-12 $20; under 8, free.  Space is limited.  Buy your tickets at ssaamuseum.org/brunchticketsales/html