Sunday, February 18, 2018

SLAVERY IN HUNTERDON AND OUR FIRST 4 TALKS ON OUR 2018 HISTORY THEME: WATER!

"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!  WE ARE NOW TAKING RESERVATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING TALKS, STARTING WITH OUR ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH TALK:


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.

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" 

SATURDAY, MAY 12TH (Rain Date, SATURDAY, May 19TH):  SPLASH BOAT 

TUESDAY, MAY 15:  :"DEVASTATION ON THE DELAWARE: THE FLOOD OF 1955"  


SUNDAY, JUNE 3RD:  "LAKE SOLITUDE AND THE FORGE"

TUESDAY, JUNE 19TH:  "SPRING ACTIVITIES OF THE LENAPE INDIANS IN HUNTERDON"

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH: "AND WATERSHEDS BEGAT WATERWORKS"

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH:  "HISTORY OF THE RED MILL" 

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH: "THE HISTORY OF THE READINGTON MILLS"

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH: "THE HISTORY OF THE RED MILL" AND SPECIAL TOUR OF THE WHEEL HOUSE 

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9TH: "THE HISTORY OF THE D&R CANAL"

SUNDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 14TH:  SPECIAL CANOE TRIP ON THE D&R CANAL  

SUNDAY AFTERNOON, OCTOBER 14TH:  TOUR AND TALK AT THE PRALLSVILLE MILL 

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23RD:  "THE HISTORY OF ROUND VALLEY RESERVOIR"

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH:  BUS TOUR OF THE D&R CANAL FROM BULLS ISLAND TO TRENTON

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH:  SPECIAL VETERANS DAY TALK:  "HUNTERDON COUNTY 100 YEARS AGO DURING THE GREAT WAR"

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH:  AN AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES: "THE TOWN THAT DISAPPEARED OVERNIGHT" 
 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



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

SUNDAY, MARCH 4TH:  CHOCOLATE MAKING:  
How did a bitter seed become the chocolate that so many of us love?  As the drink of choice in Colonial America, and popular among all social classes, it was not unusual to start one’s day with a hot, spicy cup of chocolate. It was perceived to cure common ailments, and was even sold in Benjamin Franklin’s Philadelphia print shop.  Susan McLellan Plaisted MS RD CSP LDN, demonstrates the use of the metate by turning the cacao bean into chocolate. Find out what really went into making chocolate from bean to drink, from drink to sweets, and from sweets to the modern candy.  1 to 4 pm.  

FRIDAY, MARCH 9TH: "EAST AMWELL AND THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR"  with John Allen. 7 pm.  East Amwell Municipal Building.  Small donation requested.  For more information contact the East Amwell Historical Society's President, Jim Davidson, at jdavid4194@aol.com.

2018 PLEIN AIR PLUS SILENT AUCTION: fundraiser to benefit the Lambertville Historic Society.  Artistic Interpretations of Historic Lambertville and Neighboring River Towns. More than 40 plein air paintings by 28 artists.  6:30 to 8:30 pm.
Rago Arts and Auction Center, North Main & Cherry Streets, Lambertville.
For more information visit the Lambertville Historic Society's website



READINGTON MUSEUMS SPINNING CLASS:
The four sessions are $130, and will be held on Saturdays: March 10, 17, 24, and 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
For more information visit the Readington Museums website

SUNDAY, MARCH 11TH:  A CRADLE OF THE NATIONAL PASTIME - NEW JERSEY BASEBALL  1855-1880:  Spring membership meeting and lecture- free and open to the public!  Baseball historian and author John Zinn is the guest speaker at the Hunterdon County Historical Society’s spring meeting. 

Since 2010, John Zinn has been an independent historian with special interest in the history of baseball.  He is the author of three books about the Brooklyn Dodgers including the first full- length biography of Dodger owner Charles Ebbets to be published in the spring of 2018.  Mr. Zinn is serving as the guest curator for an exhibit on early New Jersey baseball history at the Morven Museum in Princeton, opening in June of 2018.  He is also writing the companion book to the exhibit. 

The afternoon lecture will begin with the early days of organized baseball describing New Jersey’s important role during the antebellum period. After looking at baseball during the Civil War, the focus will shift to the post war years in New Jersey.  The 19th  century baseball game and how it differs from the modern version will be discussed along with a look at the Flemington Neshanock, one of Hunterdon County’s first baseball teams. In his spare time, Mr. Zinn is the score keeper for the Neshanock vintage baseball team! 
A resident of Verona, New Jersey, Mr. Zinn holds BA and MBA degrees from Rutgers University and is a Vietnam veteran. He is the chairman of the board of the New Jersey Historical Society and chaired New Jersey's committee on the Civil War Sesquicentennial.  

The talk will last about 50 minutes, followed by questions; refreshments will be served. 2 pm at the Flemington Presbyterian Church, 10 East Main Street, Flemington.  For more information, www.hunterdonhistory.org or call 908-782-1091.

SUNDAY, APRIL 8:  A STITCH IN TIME:  17TH AND 18TH CENTURY TEXTILES AND QUILTS:   
 Readington Township, NJ-   On Sunday, April 8th from 1:00-4:00 p.m., Dana Bala will present 17th and 18th century textiles and quilts. She will discuss legislation which affected the cost and production of cloth, fabric and how it related to domestic life, and quilting as it evolved with the history of textiles. This Open House Sunday program will be held at the Bouman-Stickney Farmstead, located at 114 Dreahook Road in the Stanton section of the township. For GPS use Lebanon, NJ 08833.
This is a free family friendly event, although donations will be gratefully accepted. In case of inclement weather please call the Museums to find out the status of the program. For more information please visit, www.readingtontwp.org/ReadingtonMuseums.html or call 908-236-2327.