WINTER EVENTS, ANNOUNCING OUR 2024 THEME, AND GETTING READY FOR 2026!

WE ARE STILL IN THE PLANNING STAGES OF OUR 2024 THEME "MINI SERIES" WHICH WILL INCLUDE A MINI SERIES ON LINDBERGH, ON THE CIVIL WAR, AND ON WATER.  WE ARE ALSO PLANNING ON SPRINKLING SOME HISTORIC TAVERN AND CHURCH TOURS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.  STAY TUNED FOR OUR FULL CALENDAR OF EVENTS TO COME OUT IN MARCH!

AS WE PLAN OUR 2024 THEME, WE WANT TO ANNOUNCE TWO SCHEDULED PROGRAMS:

SUNDAY, JANUARY 28TH:  "EARLY MEDICINE AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT":  SNOW DATE SUNDAY FEBRUARY 11TH: Join Dr. Gary Grover as he explores the interesting and often disturbing medical practices of the 19th and early 20th centuries thru the collection of medical artifacts in the Historic Society's archives.  Do you know what a scarificator is?  Find out in this fascinating talk! Main Branch, County Library, Route 12. 2 PM.  This event is in partnership with the Hunterdon County Historical Society and we are requesting a $5 dollar suggested donation to go to the Hunterdon County Historical Society for the preservation of our county's historical treasures.  Free refreshments follow.  Reservations recommended by going to or cutting and pasting into a new url: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/early-medicine-and-medical-equipment-tickets-684291082047?aff=oddtdtcreator  If you experience trouble using the reservation link, we recommend cutting and pasting the url (address) into a new browser

SATURDAY, MARCH 2ND:  CLOTHING OF THE COLONIAL PERIOD:  JOIN REVOLUTION NJ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CARRIE FELLOWES as we start to get ready for the 250th anniversary of our country's birth.  In anticipation of exciting events in which many of you will want to participate or attend, or those of you who simply have a fashion fascination, Carrie will demonstrate, display and discuss Colonial attire for both women and men, how you can make or buy your own in time for the American Revolution festivities, and much more. The 300th will also do a brief presentation about some of the events that our county's historical partners have already started planning.  Main Branch, County Library, Route 12. 2 PM.  Free refreshments follow.  Reservations recommended by going to or cutting and pasting into a new url:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/clothing-of-the-colonial-period-tickets-808049897997

If you experience trouble using the reservation link, we recommend cutting and pasting the url (address) into a new browser

HUNTERDON COUNTY IS AMERICAN 

REVOLUTIONARY WAR PROUD!:

DID YOU KNOW THAT WHEN GEORGE WASHINGTON CROSSED THE DELAWARE ON CHRISTMAS DAY, 1776, HE CROSSED FROM BUCKS COUNTY INTO HUNTERDON COUNTY?

THAT THE 1776 BATTLE OF TRENTON WAS FOUGHT IN HUNTERDON COUNTY?

THAT THE FIRST PUBLIC READING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WAS AT THE HUNTERDON COUNTY COURTHOUSE ON JULY 8, 1776?

We are recruiting new volunteers for our 2025-2026 theme: "ON THE THRESHHOLD OF INDEPENDENCE".  Along with almost 5 dozen historical partners from around Hunterdon, the Hunterdon 300th is planning a robust 18 month (or possibly longer) anniversary celebration of the lead up to the American Revolutionary War.  We are seeking new volunteers to help plan, produce, and staff a HUNDRED LECTURES, EVENTS AND TOURS.  If you are interested, please join us at one of our next planning meetings.  We meet the first Saturday of every month at the Main Branch of the Hunterdon County Library on Route 12 at 2 pm.  February, March and April have a snow date of the following Sunday, same place, same time.  WE HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER JOINING US as we need a Hunterdon Militia of volunteers to create this stunning celebration!

AS WE ENTER INTO HUNTERDON'S 310TH ANNIVERSARY, HERE'S ANOTHER LITTLE HUNTERDON FUN FACT:

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS BEFORE?

DOES THIS HELP?

THIS ORNAMENT HUNG ON THE WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS TREE AND HERE'S THE STORY AS INVESTIGATED BY 300TH VOLUNTEER, MJ THOMAS:

"UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY OF THE WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT"

Little Ornament, Big Story

My name is Mary Jane Thomas, and I am a member of the Hunterdon Tricentennial Committee, chaired by Marcia Karrow. At a recent 300th meeting, Marcia shared with the committee members a photo of a 2020 Christmas tree ornament painted by a young artist in Hunterdon County. The ornament depicted the historic Union Hotel, located on Main Street in Flemington. What made this ornament so special was that it was chosen to represent New Jersey on the official White House Christmas tree located in the Blue Room. Every year, students from across the country are tasked with creating ornaments depicting what makes their state so special. We were elated to discover an iconic symbol of Flemington was displayed on a national stage. The young artist of the ornament was unknown. Marica was interested in finding its creator so she may be recognized for her achievement. However, the only morsel of information we could gather was that the artist was named “Amy,” who resided somewhere in Hunterdon County.

           The trail went cold until I was invited to a tea party at a local Flemington residence. The hostess is a lifelong Flemington resident and is very active in the community. While there, I was shocked to discover a couch pillow with a print of the Union Hotel ornament sewn on it. With a new lead on the alluring ornament and its creator, I quickly asked the hostess where she acquired the pillow. She revealed that she read Amy’s story about the ornament in the newspaper at the time it was selected for the White House tree in December 2020. The article mentioned Amy’s artwork was available for print on a website called “Artsonia”, a worldwide online gallery that promotes the talent of student art projects. She bought a copy of the ornament design from the website and sewed it on the pillow. From what she remembered reading in the article, the hostess mentioned Amy was a student at Delaware Township school in Sergeantsville. With this unexpected bit of serendipity, the trail became warm again. I contacted the art teacher at the school, Ms. Mikula,  and discovered her 7th grade student Amy was in fact the creator of the ornament. She set up an interview for me to meet with them and discuss her inspiration in choosing the Union Hotel. The following questions were posed to Amy and Ms. Mikula.

Mary Jane:  What sparked your interest in painting the Union Hotel?

Amy;  Ever since I was five years old, I would walk by it every day, as I lived in downtown        Flemington. I noticed how it changed over the years.

Mary Jane;  Did you return to Flemington after you moved to sketch the building in person?

Amy;  No, I mostly drew it from my memory, but used photos as needed to fill in any gaps.

Mary Jane;  How was the ornament submitted to the White House? What was the selection process like?

Ms. Mikula;  The New Jersey Department of Education chose Delaware Township School to decorate Christmas trees at the White House. All of our students designed an ornament that would represent New Jersey. I chose twelve designs to be printed onto the final submissions. The National Parks Commission, which organizes the tree lighting, chose three of our twelve ornaments to be included for the official indoor White House Christmas tree. Amy, as well as two of her classmates, were chosen for this honor. They were recognized by a formal letter of congratulations from the First Lady. The remaining ornaments submitted by my students were used to decorate the outdoor state Christmas tree. We were the only school chosen to decorate the New Jersey tree due to my recognition as County Teacher of the Year and being the only educator who taught art.

Mary Jane:  Did you and your family get invited to see the ornament on the White House tree?

Amy:  Yes, I was invited. However, since it was a busy time of the year, I was unable to attend.

Mary Jane:  Where is the ornament now? Is it hanging on your family Christmas tree or is it stored in the White House.

Ms. Mikula:  The original print is stored in the White House. However, a copy of the ornament design is depicted on magnets, mugs, tee-shirts, keychains, etc. is sold on Artsonia with a portion of the profits going to the school.

Mary Jane:  Not only is Amy very talented, but she is also lucky to have a teacher who is so supportive.

Ms. Mikula:  I love the opportunity to showcase all of my students’ artwork. Amy is on track to be in the honors art program in high school where her skills will blossom.

A journey that began with just a picture of an ornament unraveled into a search to discover how a historic landmark of Flemington made its way into the White House. It was fulfilling to discover the full story of a talented young girl with the help of many coincidences. As I walked out of Delaware Township School, I noticed the ceiling tiles in the hallways were individually painted by every departing 8th grade student. This school tradition will carry on when Amy finishes 8th grade. I would like to return next school year to enjoy Amy’s creativity memorialized on the ceiling tile.

I would like to give a special thank you to everyone who made this story possible. Especially Ms. Mikula for arranging the interview and Amy for proudly representing Flemington on the national stage.

NOW THAT'S A FUN FACT!  

See you soon!