Sunday, May 26, 2019

COME "PLAY" WITH US! HOBNOB AT THE HUB AND MORE!

AS WE CONTINUE OUR YEAR LONG CELEBRATION OF OUR HISTORIC HOME TOWNS AND HAMLETS, WE ARE CURRENTLY TAKING RESERVATIONS FOR AN AMAZING AND DIVERSE SERIES OF EVENTS INCLUDING A THEATRE EVENT SPRINKLED WITH HISTORY, A TOUR OF AN 18TH CENTURY MILL AND HOMESTEAD IN DELAWARE TOWNSHIP, AND WALKS AND TALKS GALORE.  

THRU WALKING TOURS OR TALKS, IN JUNE ALONE WE WILL BE VISITING FRENCHTOWN, LEBANON AND STOCKTON BOROUGHS, DELAWARE, KINGWOOD, RARITAN AND WEST AMWELL TOWNSHIPS, THE HAMLET OF POTTERSVILLE AND THE VILLAGE OF READINGTON!

 A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR     SPECIAL SPONSOR FOR 2019,       
       COSTCO OF FLEMINGTON!       


   NOW TAKING RESERVATIONS FOR THE    FOLLOWING TALKS, TOURS AND EVENTS:   



SATURDAY, JUNE 1ST:  WALKING TOUR OF LEBANON BOROUGH:  Join local historian Joe Hauck as he takes us for a fascinating walk thru history.  Lebanon Borough has 249 structures on the State and National Historic Registers.  The walk will cover the early development of the Lebanon community. We will hear about famous residents and see their homes, such as Col. Walter Rutherfurd of the French and Indian War, Captain Thomas Jones, the Revolutionary War hero, Erastus Sutton who built the Hunterdon County phone system, David Miller Kline, Lebanon's first entrepreneur and John Tway, blacksmith and tavern owner, who tried to rename Lebanon "Jacksonville" to honor his hero. 
Two identical 90 minute tours are available: 10 am and 2 pm.
Free but reservations are required.  Rain date is Sunday, June 2nd at the same times.  
Each walk limited to 15 people. 
If you are closed out of this event and wish to be on our Waiting List, please email us at 300info@co.hunterdon.nj.us or call (908) 788-2030 and leave a message.
FOR THE MORNING SESSION AT 10 AM: 
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walking-tour-of-lebanon-borough-morning-tickets-60658196298
FOR THE AFTERNOON SESSION AT 2 PM:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walking-tour-of-lebanon-borough-afternoon-tickets-60658490177

SATURDAY, JUNE 8TH:  WALKING TOUR OF STOCKTON:  If you haven’t experienced the hidden Stockton, you will enjoy this walk with historic preservation consultant Dennis Bertland.  The earliest footsteps in what became Hunterdon County were made in 1704 at what was then named ‘Reading’s Landing’.  The first and one of the most important mill complexes in the county is amazingly standing in its entirety!  Later, the heyday of the railroad brought the majority of the charming houses that still grace the main streets of this lovely village for us to stroll past and enjoy. 
10:00 am; Rain Date:  June 9, 10:30 am 
LIMITED TO 20 PEOPLE and lasts about an hour.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walking-tour-of-stockton-borough-tickets-60659092980
If you are closed out of this event and wish to be on our Waiting List, please email us at 300info@co.hunterdon.nj.us or call (908) 788-2030 and leave a message.

SUNDAY, JUNE 9TH:  THEATRE EVENT AT MUSIC MOUNTAIN THEATRE: "THE FULL MONTY" PLUS THE HISTORY OF ST. JOHN TERRILL'S MUSIC CIRCUS:  From 1949 until 1970, St. John Terrell's Music Circus in Lambertville, NJ presented Broadway musical comedies and the top jazz, folk and rock-n-roll artists of the time period. It was the first theater-in-the-round housed under a huge circus tent. Many stars began their careers at the Music Circus, including Bernadette Peters, Dom DeLuise, Shirley MacLaine and Robert Goulet. Artists such as Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, The Four Seasons, the Supremes, The Lovin' Spoonful and Liberace performed there. Join us as we explore the history of the Music Circus in a magical afternoon that combines history and Broadway.  

We meet at 2:15 at Music Mountain Theatre to look at their exhibits of Music Circus memorabilia.  

At 3 pm, have fun watching the international sensation "The Full Monty" which was a hit movie turned into a critically acclaimed Broadway show.  The plot follows six unemployed steelworkers in Buffalo, New York who are miserable. They have no cash and no prospects. Meanwhile, they catch their wives and other women going crazy over male strippers. The six men then set out to make some quick cash showing off their "real man" bodies by becoming a team of male strippers. As the guys work through their fears, self-consciousness and anxieties they find strength as a group and overcome their inner demons.

Following the show, there will be a talk on the history of the Music Circus with the Executive Director of Music Mountain Theatre.

Special pricing for the Hunterdon 300th! $19 per person.

Meet at 2:15 pm at Music Mountain Theatre, 1483 Route 179, West Amwell (for GPS use Lambertville) to receive your tickets and see the exhibits. 

Reservations required. Payment due when you make your reservation.  Checks payable to the Hunterdon 300th, c/o The Flemington Choir School, 3 Chorister Place, Flemington, NJ 08822. 

Limited to 50 people.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/19-theatre-event-at-music-mountain-theatre-the-full-monty-the-history-of-st-john-terrills-music-tickets-60659979632

THURSDAY, JUNE 13TH:  REMEMBER WHEN: QUIRKY STORIES ABOUT GROWING UP IN RARITAN TOWNSHIP:  Join members of the Raritan Township Historical Society Dick Stothoff, Susan Miller and Jeff Kuhl who will reminisce about some of the "unsavory", "curious", "off-color" and quirky places of interest, hamlets and sites from their youth.  
7 pm.  Main Branch of the County Library.  Free.  Refreshments follow.  Reservations recommended.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/remember-when-quirky-stories-about-growing-up-in-raritan-township-tickets-61001971539

SATURDAY, JUNE 15TH:  WALKING TOUR OF POTTERSVILLE:  Join the Tewskbury Historical Society as they take us on a walk to learn about how the town that sits in 3 counties and 4 municipalities got its name.  Pottersville was listed on the National & State Registers of Historic Places in 1990.  It contains 44 major buildings that contribute to its historic character and embody its architectural significance.  They range from the mid-1800s through the early 1900s.  We’ll see key buildings that were vital to the village, including the upper mill, Church, school, stores and hotel, and we’ll see that a great majority of the houses still retain their historic character.
Tour length:  90 minutes
Walk limited to 30 people. 
Walk begins at 1:00 pm; meeting location will be disclosed to people with
reservations only. There is no rain date for this event. Should it rain, the talk will be moved indoors for a Virtual Tour. If you are closed out of this event and wish to be on our Waiting List, please email us at 
300info@co.hunterdon.nj.us or call (908) 788-2030 and leave a message.

Free but are Reservations Required.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walking-tour-of-pottersville-tickets-60667377760

FRIDAY, JUNE 21ST:  THE HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE OF READINGTON:  Readington Village is located on Holland Brook, originally named Amanmechunk, which means large creek in the Unami Dialet.  Readington was first settled by Europeans in the early 18th century by Dutch and English immigrants. In 1738, the Dutch Reformed Church of North Branch was moved west to Readington Village because of the growing population. 
During the 19th century, Readington Village had a church, a mill, a store, a school and a tavern. The mill in Readington Village continued to run until about 1920 and was still standing until 1935.
Join County Historian, Readington Township Historian Emerita and author, Stephanie Stevens who has done extensive research on this subject.  Readington Museums has graciously offered to host this talk making it even more special on the Summer Solstice!  
7 pm, Bouman-Stickney Farmstead Barn.  114 Dreahook Road, Stanton.  Free.  Free refreshments follow.  Reservations recommended.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-history-of-the-village-of-readington-tickets-60667644558

SATURDAY, JUNE 22ND:  "THE HUB OF A HAMLET": A TOUR OF AN 18TH CENTURY MILL:  Come see what an important early hamlet still looks like today!  At Headquarters Farm, enjoy the landscape of the sheep in the meadow, the stone mansion with its high view of the valley, both cellar kitchen and summer kitchen, and its barns and storehouse are all a part of its function yet today.  The three-story stone mill from 1735, the mill ruin in the woods, and the mill pond are waiting to operate again and still paint a clear picture of what this hamlet was like in the 18th century.  Rain Date:  June 23.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED.  STAGGERED TIMES FOR EACH TOUR.  
EACH TOUR IS LIMITED TO 12 PEOPLE.  DUE TO LIMITED PARKING, PLEASE DO NOT SHOW UP MORE THAN 15 MINUTES BEFORE YOUR START TIME.
Approximate length of tour:  75 minutes.

SESSION 1:  10 AM:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-hub-of-a-hamlet-a-tour-of-an-18th-century-mill-session-1-tickets-60667934425

SESSION 2:  10:20 AM:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-hub-of-a-hamlet-a-tour-of-an-18th-century-mill-session-2-tickets-60668106941

SESSION 3:  10:40 AM:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-hub-of-a-hamlet-a-tour-of-an-18th-century-mill-session-3-tickets-60669201214

SESSION 4:  11 AM:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-hub-of-a-hamlet-a-tour-of-an-18th-century-mill-session-4-tickets-60669227292

SESSION 5:  11:20 AM:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-hub-of-a-hamlet-a-tour-of-an-18th-century-mill-session-5-tickets-60669246349

SESSION 6:  11:40 AM:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-hub-of-a-hamlet-a-tour-of-an-18th-century-mill-session-6-tickets-60669263400

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26: VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE HAMLETS OF KINGWOOD TOWNSHIP:  Join Kingwood Township historian Sal DeSapio as he leads us through an interesting and informative powerpoint presentation around this historic Township's charming hamlets which include Baptistown, Barbertown, Byram, Idell, Point Breeze, Tumble Falls among others.  Its important settlement and Revolutionary and Civil War histories make Kingwood one of the most historically relevant municipalities around.  7 pm.  Free refreshments follow. North Branch of the Library.  Reservations recommended.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-tour-of-the-hamlets-of-kingwood-township-tickets-60669938419

SATURDAY, JUNE 29TH:  WALKING TOUR OF FRENCHTOWN, UPTOWN: The Uptown Tour includes the old Frenchtown High School, the former residence of its original terrier mascot, the old doll-carriage factory, Doc Mullins' hospital, the Doughboy statue, the Barn Theater, the homes of Frenchtown's first automobile owner and its first radio owner, homes of the Frenchtown-famous, and a love story that began on the railroad tracks in 1942.  Our tour guide, Rick Epstein, started gathering Frenchtown history when he was editor of the Frenchtown's Delaware Valley News in 1970s and '80s, interviewing old-timers for the newspaper. He soaked up more history as editor of the Hunterdon County Democrat, and intensified his research more recently to begin his historical tours in 2016. He currently reports on Frenchtown for the Bucks County Herald.

10 am - Rain date, Sunday, June 30, 10 am

Free but Reservations are Required
Free bottled water will be available.
Tour Length: Approximately 75 minutes long.

LIMITED TO 15 PEOPLE.  

Ticket holders will be provided with the starting location of the tour.
A Wait List will be maintained.  If you are shut out of this event email us at 300info@co.hunterdon.nj.us or leave a message at (908) 788-2030.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walking-tour-of-frenchtown-uptown-tickets-60660168196


SUNDAY, JULY 7TH:  WALKING TOUR OF LAMBERTVILLE:  2 pm
Tour is approximately 60 minutes long.
Tours depart the Marshall House Museum, 60 Bridge Street, Lambertville. Free.
Reservations required as we will need to let the Lambertville Historical Society know how many people will be in attendance.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walking-tour-of-lambertville-city-tickets-62416677964

TUESDAY, JULY 23RD:  THE IRISH SETTLEMENT IN CLINTON - A TALK AND WALK:  The Mulligan family first purchased the quarry we now know as the Red Mill Museum property in 1848. The eldest Mulligan Brother, James, leased the quarry in 1858, continuing the business his brothers started. By 1860, under James' leadership, there were 3 lime kilns and 2 tenant houses on the property. James’s family moved from Ireland to Clinton and settled on Halstead Street along with many Irish immigrants who occasionally worked at the quarry.

After his death, James' youngest son took over the business in 1862; the business flourished for almost 100 years. The Mulligan Quarry business was in continual operation through to the 1960s.

Join Red Mill Executive Director, Paul Muir, as he not only tells us about the Irish immigration to Clinton and the Mulligan Family, but, following the talk, we will take a walk with Paul to see the Mulligan homes that still stand on Halstead Street.  Free. Refreshments follow.  Reservations recommended.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-irish-settlement-in-clinton-a-talk-and-walk-tickets-62416791303




 Indeed Wise:  Making sure they always have their 
      Hunterdon 300th travel umbrellas in their car,  
 the Wizemanns never get caught short in the rain! 

COMING THIS SUMMER, FALL AND WINTER:  DOZENS OF ADDITIONAL CELEBRATIONS OF OUR HOMETOWNS AND HAMLETS OVER THE LAST 305 YEARS!:

Sunday, August 4:  Open House, John Prall House, Stockton, 1-5 pm
Saturday, August 10:  Fleming House and Museum Open House, 1-4 pm
Saturday, August 17: Walking Tour of Frenchtown – Downtown, 10 am; Rain Date:  August 18, 10 am
Saturday, September 7:  Cemetery Cemener, Main Branch of the Library
Sunday, September 8:  Walking Tour of Glen Gardner, 11 am
Saturday, September 14:  Walking Tour of Stockton or Sergeantsville, 10:30 am; Rain Date:  September 15, 10:30 am
Sunday, September 15:  Walking Tour of Cokesbury, 1 pm; if there is rain, the tour will be inside and Virtual
Tuesday, September 17: “The Jutland Massacre”, 7 pm, Main Branch of the Library (tentative date and location)
Saturday, September 21: Walking Tour of Annandale, details tba; Rain date:  September 22, am
Sunday, September 22:  History Bowl, Team Stephanie Stevens vs. Team Jim Davidson, 2pm; location to be determined
Thursday, September 26:  The History of Franklin Township’s Hamlets, 7 pm, North Branch of the Library
Saturday, September 28:  Walking Tour of Mount Airy, am; Rain Date:  September 29 pm  - times to be announced
Saturday, September 28:  Alexandria's Prevost House Museum Open House, 1-4 pm Tuesday, October 1:  The History of Glen Gardner, 7 pm, Main Branch of the Library
Saturday, October 5:  Walking Tour of Oldwick, 10 am/2pm; if there is rain, the tour will be inside and Virtual
Sunday, October 6:  Walking Tour of Milford 1:30 pm, rain or shine
Thursday, October 10:  The Colonial History of Flemington Borough, 7 pm
Saturday, October, 12:  New Hampton Walking Tour, 11 am; Rain Date:  October 13, 2 pm
Tuesday, October 15: “Glen Gardner/Irishtown”, 7 pm, Main Branch of the Library
Saturday, October 19:  Flemington Walking Tour, 2 pm; Rain Date:  October 20, 2 pm
Saturday, October 26:  Bus Tour of 26 Municipalities with 3 Stops 9 am to 4:30 pm, details tba
Sunday, October 27:  Walking Tour of Amsterdam, 1 pm
Sunday, October 27: Joseph Turner House Open House, 2 - 5 pm
Saturday, November 2:  Walking Tour of Reaville, 10 am; Rain Date:  November 3, 2 pm
Saturday, November 9:  Walking Tour of Frenchtown – Cemetery, 2 pm; Rain Date:  November 10, 2 pm
Sunday, November 17:  The History of the Hamlet of Wertsville, 2 pm, Main Branch of the Library
Tuesday, December 3:  Lebanon Township Hamlets, 7pm, North Branch of the Library
Saturday, December 14:  The Hunterdon 300th’s Annual Holiday Children’s Historic Crafts and Sale, 10 am to 2 pm, Main Branch of the County Library

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR COOKIE ANGEL, JANICE GROVER, OWNER OF GROVER GLOBAL FOOD MARKETING IN EAST AMWELL, WHO CONTINUES TO PROVIDE IMPORTED COOKIES FOR OUR TALKS.


   HISTORICAL AND HERITAGE        
           EVENTS FROM AROUND        
               THE COUNTY:                    

SATURDAY, JUNE 1ST:  GLEN GARDNER IS CELEBRATING THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TOWNS INCORPORATION!:   GLEN GARDNER BOROUGH PARK, OFF OF SCHOOL STREET, STARTING AT 3PM.  The celebration festivities will include opening ceremony by VFW, 2 live bands (Brian Colburn & Stereo Junkies) throughout the day, inflatables including an obstacle course, face painting, Clydesdale wagon rides, a caricaturist, food trucks (Real Deal BBQ & Spanky's Gourmet Grub), a beer/wine tent, 50/50 raffle.  The event will conclude with an evening bonfire and FIREWORKS!  This celebration is provided at no cost with the exception of food and beverage.  
Rain or shine.
Earlier in the day at 1PM The Glen Gardner Historic Committee will be offering a historic guided walking tour of Main Street starting at Hunt's Park, Main Street (look for signs).  The walk is free however you need to pre-register by calling Pat Barber at (908)537-4143 or Sean Butler (908)537-4608.  Be prepared to walk just over a mile ending at Borough Park where the main event will start.  Also the Historic Committee will have available for sale at their booth their new book "Celebrating the History of Glen Gardner" for $25 - cash only please.  They will also be raffling off the last two of the sold out 100 year commemorative crocks.
Please join the wonderful people of Glen Gardner on  June 1st for this special day!

SATURDAY, JUNE 1ST:  RINGOES TAVERN, HUNTERDON COUNTY'S CRADLE OF INDEPENDENCE DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION:  The exhibit, on display EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FROM May 1st through July 7th, includes a rarely seen document with the autograph of a local Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Also, find out how a religious movement called the “Great Awakening” influenced colonial society prior to the Revolution. The East Amwell Museum is open on weekends from 1- 4 pm
1053 Old York Road, Ringoes, NJ

SUNDAY, JUNE 2ND: TOUR OF FOUR CEMETERIES IN EAST AMWELL, 2pm:  The East Amwell Historical Society in partnership with the Mt. Amwell Project will present a cemetery bus tour of four East Amwell Cemeteries. We will be visiting 4 separate and unique cemeteries in East Amwell Township: 
Union Cemetery on Boss Rd.; 
Amwell Ridge Cemetery, next to Larison Corner Church;
Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, on Old York Rd.;
and the Stout/Manners Cemetery on North Hill Rd.

Each cemetery will have a guide to give histories of some of the interesting people residing there. Tickets are $25 and includes a reception after the tour at the newly opened East Amwell Museum.
Space is very limited.
To make reservations please email eahsmuseum2018@gmail.com
or call 908-782-1601 
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

TUESDAY, JUNE 4TH: PRALLSVILLE MILLS SPEAKERS SERIES:  OLD TOOL IDENTIFICATION AND TALK ON VINTAGE FRAMING TOOLS:  Are you fascinated by old tools? Do you collect old tools? Do you have mystery old tools in your basement or garage? Old tool collector Joseph Hauck will be giving a talk about vintage framing tools. Joe is also offering an opportunity for you to bring in antique tools for identification and to find out what they were used for and how. Joe’s talk will be about the tools which were employed in framing buildings years ago and in constructing the older homes in the region – perhaps even your house! He will bring many examples of these tools - some of them rare – for display and discussion.  7PM, Prallsville Mills, Route 29, Stockton, NJ

DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE
 
THURSDAY, JUNE 13TH:  STARS AND STRIPES: FABRIC OF THE AMERICAN SPIRIT:  The Lebanon Township Museum is extremely honored to be hosting an exhibit entitled "The Stars and Stripes: Fabric of the American Spirit" from June 13th to July 13th.
From its birth on June 14th, 1777 until 1912, no laws were enacted governing the arrangement of stars on the American flag, leaving their placement to the sole discretion of the flag maker. Flags from before 1912 with varying designs and configurations of stars will be on display as part of this exhibit. Others include handwritten inscriptions and stamped overprints. Together they trace the evolution of  the American flag and bring to life the personal and historical accounts that speak to the character of our nation and provide a link to important events of the past.
Collector, author and historian J. Richard Pierce is a retired senior banking executive whose lifelong love of the Stars and Stripes parallels his strong interest in politics and US history. He has been collecting flags since 1991 when he acquired his first flag as a thirtieth wedding anniversary gift from his wife, Barbara. 
An opening reception will be held on Thursday June 13th at 6pm with a lecture entitled "Evolution of the American Flag" to be given by Mr. Pierce at 7pm. Light refreshments will be served. Additional festivities to celebrate this exhibit will include a Flag Day Celebration on Saturday June 15th at 1pm which will include an Apple Pie Baking contest, churn your own ice cream, Father's Day & Patriotic crafts for kids and more. A closing lecture entitled "Famous Flags in American History" will be presented by Mr. Pierce at 2pm on Saturday July 13th.

The exhibit and all events are free and open to the public. For additional information, please visit our website

MONDAY, JUNE 24TH THRU FRIDAY, JUNE 28TH:  RED MILL MUSEUM SUMMER YOUTH NATURE PROGRAM:  This is the perfect program for kids who love to explore and play outside in the dirt! Our beautiful grounds along the South Branch of the Raritan River are the ideal spot for children to learn to observe and form conclusions about nature and the creatures in their world. Children will make their own journal for recording what they learn and try their hand at an archeology dig. By the end of the week each child will know about insects, the food chain, camouflage, pollution, the importance of recycling and more!
VISIT THE RED MILL MUSEUM WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION


MONDAY, JULY 1ST: MONDAY MORNINGS AT THE MUSEUM:  The Readington Museums is pleased to announce the return of Monday Mornings at the Museum, a hands-on summer program for kids ages 5-12. The sessions will be held on four consecutive Mondays – July 1, 8, 15, and 22 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Bouman-Stickney Farmstead. At each session, the children will have a short history lesson followed by a hands on project, with a new theme offered each Monday. Programs include candle making, tin punch designs, butter making, 18th - century games, and learning an English country dance.
$5 per session per child
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION


SATURDAY, JULY 13TH:  STARS AND STRIPES: FABRIC OF THE AMERICAN SPIRIT:  Closing lecture for the exhibit entitled "Famous Flags in American History" will be presented by Richard Pierce at The Lebanon Township Museum at 2pm.

MONDAY, JULY 22ND THRU JULY FRIDAY, 26TH:  RED MILL MUSEUM SUMMER YOUTH HISTORY PROGRAM:
Children will step back in time and learn about life long ago right here at our 19th century site. What did kids do for fun before the Internet? How did they make their toys? What was school like? What did they eat? How did people get what they needed? Children will make their own candles, churn butter and ice cream, play old-fashioned games and much more! A live blacksmith demonstration is a highlight of the week.
VISIT THE RED MILL MUSEUM WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION