"WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE!"
OUR LAST WATERY EVENT IN APRIL PROMISES A WONDERFUL TALK AND A WALK IN THE ARBORETUM TO SEE WHAT IS COMING UP FOR MAY! ONLY A FEW SEATS LEFT FOR OUR WONDERFUL SPLASH BOAT TOUR IN MAY ALONG THE DELAWARE! RESERVE YOUR SEAT TODAY!
WE ARE NOW TAKING RESERVATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING TALKS:
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.
TUESDAY, MAY 1: "THE HISTORY OF SHAD FISHING IN HUNTERDON COUNTY": Join Steve Meserve, the owner of Lewis Fishery in Lambertville, for this fascinating talk on the history of shad fishing. Steve Meserve is the grandson of Fred Lewis, who passed away in April 2004. Fred's father and Steve's great-grandfather, William, established the Lewis Fishery in 1888 which operates from Lewis Island in Lambertville, N.J. which bears the family's name. The Lewis Fishery is the only remaining N.J. commercial shad fishery on the non-tidal river. Steve is the keeper and repository of generations of shad fishing lore and hopes to entice our audience to try their hand at shad fishing this season! Hunterdon County Library Main Branch. 7 pm. Free. Refreshments follow. Reservations recommended. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-history-of-shad-fishing-in-hunterdon-county-tickets-44579511519
SATURDAY, MAY 12TH (Rain Date, SATURDAY, May 19TH): SPLASH BOAT RIVER TOUR WITH HAL TAYLOR ON THE ILLUSTRATED DELAWARE:
CELEBRATE SPRING ON THE DELAWARE!
A GREAT GIFT FOR MOM A DAY EARLY!
Come join us for a fun ride on the Delaware River with a special, private talk by Hal Taylor, author of the Illustrated Delaware River: The History of a Great American River. Our 90 minute cruise leaves its dock in Lambertville at 1 pm and returns approximately 2:30 pm. The trip is a great oppportunity to see wildlife including bald eagles, cormorants, blue herons and more. The ship's engineer is happy to share "America's first great invention" -- the steam boat with you as we go along viewing the history of our region including Washington's Crossing, the homes and subjects of the New Hope Impressionists, the Bucks County Playhouse, a real shad fishery, the canals and much more.
Author and graphics artist Hal Taylor will describe the rich and diverse heritage of the historic Delaware River Valley which was discovered by Henry Hudson over 400 years ago. His talk is "Taylor-made" for the Hunterdon 300th!
The trip includes snacks.
Limited to 25 guests. Please note there is a rain date of May 19th.
$25 per person includes tour, private talk and snacks. Payment due at time of reservation. Checks payable to the Hunterdon 300th and mailed to 3 Chorister Place, Flemington, NJ 08822.
To make a reservation please use the Eventbrite link or call us at (908) 788-2030.
Location & Directions: The steamboat dock is located on an access road behind the Inn at Lambertville Station. When using GPS or Google Maps, you will need to use the Lambertville Station address: 11 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530 and then follow the directions on the Eventbrite invitation.
TUESDAY, MAY 15: "DEVASTATION ON THE DELAWARE: THE FLOOD OF 1955" The summer of 1955 brought a horrific drought to the Northeast which was followed by record-breaking rainfall from back-to-back hurricanes from August 18th thru the 22nd. From the Delaware River’s headwaters in the Catskills and through the Poconos, excessive runoff swelled tributories, some rising thirty feet in fifteen minutes. Eventually, they all poured into the Delaware, transforming the usually placid waters into a raging, uncontrollable monster which left more than a hundred people were dead and hundreds more homeless in the Delaware River watershed. Victims’ bodies were still being recovered thirty years later—at least one was never found. Despite several more destructive floods in the first decade of this century, the deadly flood of 1955 remains the record-holder in terms of life lost, property destroyed and long term effects on the Delaware River. Join Mary A. Shafer, author of Devastation on the Delaware, for the story of the raging Flood of '55 and the devastation it brought to our county. Main Branch of the County Library. 7 pm. Free. Reservations recommended. Refreshments follow. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/devastation-on-the-delaware-the-flood-of-1955-tickets-44602517330 or call (908) 788-2030 for reservations.
SUNDAY, JUNE 3RD: "LAKE SOLITUDE AND THE FORGE" Lake Solitude was built by the Taylor Iron and Steel Company to provide hydro-electric power to the plant. From the time of its construction in 1858, Lake Solitude provided a functional use as a power source for the Foundry as well as a popular recreation area. In 1909 the original crib dam was replaced by the current spillway structure, which is a significant example of dam engineering known as the buttress dam. This is the earliest example of this construction type, and it is the last remaining buttress dam in New Jersey. The dam is recognized by the State and nationally as a significant historic structure. Union Forge Heritage Association Mike Gronsky will present a power point talk about this fascinating and important piece of Hunterdon County History. Hunterdon County Library Main Branch. 2 pm. Free. Refreshments follow. Reservations recommended.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lake-solitude-and-the-forge-tickets-45589970830
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. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-activities-of-the-lenape-indians-in-hunterdon-tickets-45590371027
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. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-activities-of-the-lenape-indians-in-hunterdon-tickets-45590371027
FUTURE EVENTS: PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
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
FRIDAY, APRIL 27TH: "ON THIS DAY.... THE FORGOTTEN SOLDIERS OF HUNTERDON COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1812": On April 27, 1813, an army of 1700 soldiers disembarked the naval fleet on Lake Ontario and attacked York, the provincial capital of Upper Canada. It is likely that at least a couple of dozen of those soldiers were from Hunterdon County. John Lambert Hoppock, a native of Amwell, was there. This young captain, like many officers of his generation, was eager to defend the honor of our young country against British aggression on our sailors and commerce. What motivated this fighting spirit? For some, it was chance to prove their worthiness of the inheritance left to them by the generation that won independence. In fact the War of 1812 has been referred to by some as the "Second War of Independence." What happened to the Amwell men who served during the War of 1912? and what the heck was that conflict all about? Find out when Brian Murphy gives his presentation "One Good Drubbing" at the East Amwell Municipal Building. Murphy will share his unique collection of artifacts and letters that tell the story of Captain Hoppock, Lieutenant Runk and the other Amwell men who participated in a war which fostered great changes in our fledgling nation. 7 pm. East Amwell Municipal Building. For further information go to www.eastamwellhistory.org
SATURDAY, APRIL 28TH: RED MILL MUSEUM'S POPULAR GHOST & FOLKLORE TOURS ARE BACK! Tours available at 8:00 pm and 9:30 pm. Tickets and more details coming soon! For more information or questions on programs, call (908)735-4101 x 100 or email programs@theredmill.org
SATURDAY, MAY 5TH: 29TH RARITAN RIVER MUSIC FESTIVAL PRESENTS "ACROSS THE WIDE WATERS": ADASKIN STRING TRIO: 400 years of German and Austrian masterworks for strings. 7:30 pm. Old Greenwich Presbyterian Church, Stewartsville, NJ. For ticket information go to http: www.raritanrivermusic.org.
SUNDAY, MAY 6TH: READINGTON MUSEUMS 18TH CENTURY ICE CREAM MAKING DEMONSTRATION: 1 to 4 pm. Bouman-Stickney Farmstead. GPS address: 114 Dreahook Road, Lebanon NJ 08833. For more information please visit www.readingtontwp.org/ReadingtonMuseums.html or call (908) 236-2327.
SATURDAY, MAY 12TH: 29TH RARITAN RIVER MUSIC FESTIVAL PRESENTS "ACROSS THE WIDE WATERS": MARINA AHMAD: Ineffable: The Divine Spirtit Within. 7:30 pm. Prallsville Mills. For ticket information go to www.raritanrivermusic.org.
SATURDAY, MAY 19TH: READINGTON MUSEUMS BARN DANCE: 7 to 9:30 pm. Bouman-Stickney Farmstead. GPS address: 114 Dreahook Road, Lebanon NJ 08833.
For more information please visit www.readingtontwp.org/ReadingtonMuseums.html or call (908) 236-2327.SATURDAY, MAY 19TH: RARITAN RIVER MUSIC FESTIVAL PRESENTS: "ACROSS THE WIDE WATERS": OBOE FUSION: Return to Raritan River. 7: 30 pm. Clinton Presbyterian Church. For ticket information go to www.raritanrivermusic.org.
TUESDAY, MAY 29TH: READINGTON MUSEUMS 18TH CENTURY TEA: 7 to 8:30 pm. Bouman-Stickney Farmstead. GPS address: 114 Dreahook Road, Lebanon NJ 08833. For more information please visit www.readingtontwp.org/ReadingtonMuseums.html or call 908-236-2327.
SATURDAY, MAY 26TH: THE RARITAN RIVER MUSIC FESTIVAL PRESENTS "ACROSS THE WIDE WATERS": DUO A CORDA: North & South: Music from Norway to Argentina. 7:30 pm. Stanton Reformed Church. For ticket information go to www.raritanrivermusic.org.
