We are excited that we have received excellent press from both the Hunterdon Review and TAP, plus our attendees have raved about the quality of our presentations this month. Our theme, "on the Threshold of Independence: Hunterdon County 1775-1776" has charged out like the Hunterdon Militia attacking the Hessians! And if you want to learn ore about the Hunterdon Militia, check out an important talk on the subject with one of New Jersey's foremost American Revolutionary War historians, authors, and lecturers, William "Larry" Kidder this coming Thursday. Seats are still available.
We have a new website address: https://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/1367/Hunterdon-300th.
If you want to find us, we are hosted on Hunterdon County's website under the Living section. There you will find the Hunterdon 300th's full website with our new calendar, merchandise, pictures, and more. Please check out our merchandise section where you will find many Hunterdon history books, rain gear with our logo, "Blue Skies" - our wonderful Dan Campanelli watercolor of the historic courthouse, our fabulous woven throw offered in 4 colors -- made in America, 100% cotton at an affordable $40, our new calendar, and much more.
About that calendar -- we have booked over 160 different events with our partners to celebrate and educate about the American Revolution. However, our blog and our website will only announce a month's worth of events at a time.
The 28 month calendar - from September, 2025 thru December, 2027 - allows you to see EVERY American Revolution event, whether this October or October 2026, and save the dates now for the lectures, re-enactments, music and events you really want to attend. At $15, you get a high quality calendar, beautiful prints of Dan Campanelli's tavern signs and tavern histories from throughout revolutionary Hunterdon, 16 months of events listed in advance, and then a full blank 2027 calendar for you use. The calendars are available at all of our lectures, our wonderful super sponsor, Shop Rite in both the Flemington and Clinton stores, and by contacting us at 300info@co.hunterdon.nj.us.
And when you come to a talk, please stay for refreshments after. The historic Ringoes Grange is making all of our cookies from authentic Colonial recipes. They are delicious!
NOW TICKETING (ALL COLONIAL EVENTS ARE RED):
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2ND: "THE HUNTERDON MILITIA CONTRIBUTIONS TO VICTORY IN DECEMBER, 1776": AN IMPORTANT TALK ON HUNTERDON'S IMPORTANCE IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. Join Historian and Author William "Larry" Kidder as he describes how, during the critical month of the “Times that try men’s souls” the soldiers of the Hunterdon militia regiments helped the Patriot cause in ways that have been misunderstood or forgotten. The New Jersey militia received heavy criticism from people at the time and then from historians afterward for not aiding Washington to anywhere near the extent he begged for. Two problems preventing normal militia contributions were the disheveled militia organization and the enemy occupation of New Jersey. Still, individual militiamen aided the cause greatly by helping Washington turn things around and should not be forgotten. Main Branch, Hunterdon County Library, 7pm. Free; reservations required. Free refreshments follow.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-hunterdon-militia-tickets-1553590744739?aff=oddtdtcreator
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5TH: “FROM APPLE ORCHARD TO REVOLUTIONARY WAR-ERA CEMETERY: A FULL HISTORY PRESENTATION OF THE DAR MEMORIAL PARK CEMETERY” With Ann Rotunno, Cemetery Committee Chair, for the Old White House ~ Gen. Frelinghuysen ~ Col. Lowrey Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Ann’s presentation will include old and current maps that detail how the cemetery came to be, how the DAR came to own it and future plans. There will be photos of past commemorations and the records of nearly all 138 early settlers buried there. Ann’s two-year assessment and status report has revealed more detailed gravestone inscriptions, as well as, headstones that have long been missing. You will also learn the exciting discovery of where the original Rockaway Dutch Reformed Church was located! Main Branch, Hunterdon County Library, 2pm. Free; reservations required. Free refreshments follow.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9TH: “THE BIRTH OF AMERICA: ARTIFACTS FROM THE 1600s" The Birth of America will feature original artifacts from the 1600s including a document signed by Sir William Russell of Jamestown, Pilgrim documents including a very rare document print by James the Printer, a rare deed from William Penn and colonial coins from the 1500s to 1600s used by Colonial America. Many other documents from that time period will also be on display all from the private collection of historian Ron Warner.
All talks will features interaction with the public with questions answered at the end of each presentation and a very rare opportunity to personally hold rare artifacts. North Branch, Hunterdon County Library, 7pm. Free; reservations required. Free refreshments follow.
CANCELLED DUE TO CONSTRUCTION: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12TH: HEADQUARTERS FARM TOUR & COLONIAL NIBBLES: A rare opportunity to see a 1735 estate with the original mill established by John Opdycke. The stone farmhouse dates back to 1758. The mill hasn’t worked for a long time, but the machinery is largely intact. Following a personal tour by owner Roger Byrom, you will be escorted to the Winter Kitchen for a fabulous snack of colonial nibbles cooking on an open hearth. Margaret, our hearth chef, will give a brief talk and answer questions about authentic hearth cooking.
This event will be re-offered on November 9 and December 14, 2025 and January 11, March 8, October 17, November 8, and December 13, 2026.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH: "WHITE HALL TAVERN: Roger Byrom will recount the history of the White Hall Tavern which once stood at the southwest corner of the intersection of Route 604 and the Lambertville-Headquarters Road. It was there that the Amwell militia did its recruiting. Hunterdon County Library, Main Branch, Route 12. 7 pm.
Reservations required. Free. Free refreshments follow.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/white-hall-tavern-tickets-1628923426819?aff=oddtdtcreator
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH: HEADQUARTERS FARM TOUR & COLONIAL NIBBLES: TICKETS AVAILABLE! A rare opportunity to see a 1735 estate with the original mill established by John Opdycke. The stone farmhouse dates back to 1758. The mill hasn’t worked for a long time, but the machinery is largely intact. Following a personal tour by owner Roger Byrom, you will be escorted to the Winter Kitchen for a fabulous snack of colonial nibbles cooking on an open hearth. Margaret, our hearth chef, will give a brief talk and answer questions about authentic hearth cooking.
Limited to 25 guests, $10 per person. Reservations and payment in advance via Eventbrite or by emaiing 300info@co.hunterdon.nj.us to make a reservation and then send a personal check payable to the Hunterdon 300th, 3 Chorister Place, Flemington, NJ 08822.
6 Zentek Road, Stockton. 3 to 5 pm.
This event will be re-offered on December 14, 2025 and January 11, March 8, October 17, November 8, and December 13, 2026.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH: "GEORGE WASHINGTON AND HIS SPIES": Music with the Enslows. There were many spies on both sides of the Revolutionary War. Some were officially spies—others were just people who saw what was happening and made it their mission to get word to George Washington. Spies helped Washington win the war. And some of these missions were even documented in poems and songs (the unsuccessful episodes, of course, because the successful ones remained secret at the time). From Nathan Hale to Benedict Arnold and the British Major John Andre, we celebrate colonial spy craft in story and song. Hunterdon County Library, Main Branch, 7pm. Free. Reservations Required. Free refreshments follow.
FROM OUR PARTNERS!!
The Farmstead is located at 114 Dreahook Road in the Stanton section of the township. For GPS, use Lebanon, NJ. This is a free, family-friendly event, though donations are appreciated. For more information, please visit www.readingtontwpnj.gov/community/readington-museum or call 908-236-2327.
Made possible with funds from the Hunterdon County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey Historical Commission.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11TH: PUMPKIN DECORATING EVENT AND SAMUEL FLEMING MUSEUM HOUSE TOURS: 12 pm to 3 pm. 5 Bonnell Street, Flemington. Free. No reservation needed.
https://www.samuelfleminghouse.org
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11TH: DAR CEMETERY TOUR: “From Apple Orchard to Revolutionary War-era Cemetery: A Full History of the DAR Memorial Park Cemetery, the Cemetery Tour": Join Ann Rotunno, Cemetery Committee Chair, and other members of the Old White House ~ Gen. Frelinghuysen ~ Col. Lowrey Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for an on-site tour of the D.A.R. Memorial Park Cemetery. This fundraising afternoon tour will not only make headstones easier to read with the sun’s western rays but it will give attendees the opportunity to see how time and progress turned an orchard into the perfect spot for a church and then a cemetery and then a place for veterans to be honored and history to be shared. Memorial Park Cemetery, Whitehouse Station. 2pm. No reservations required. $15 per person; 12 and under free.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11TH: READINGTON MUSEUMS HOSTS BARN DANCE: 7 to 9 pm. Put on your dancing shoes for a night of family fun as the Readington Museums host their biannual Barn Dance on October 11 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The dance will take place inside the eighteenth-century Wade-Wyckoff Barn at the Bouman-Stickney Farmstead, located at 114 Dreahook Road in the Stanton section of Readington Township (for GPS use, use Lebanon). This family-friendly event is a wonderful way to enjoy time together with family. Caller Betsy Gotta will provide simple instructions before each dance, allowing even beginners to dance the night away.There is a suggested donation of $5.00 per adult and $2.00 per child. Refreshments will also be available for an additional $1.00 donation. For groups of six or more, please call for a reservation at (908) 236-2327.
Made possible with funds from the Hunterdon County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey Historical Commission.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18: HUNTERDON COUNTY LIBRARY: "UNCOVERING HISTORICAL MYTHS": Death by petticoat? Get ready for the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States with a costumed interpreter from New Jersey History Alive as they peel back the layers of creative storytelling which have added color, not facts, to the interpretation of colonial history. Hunterdon County Library, Main Branch, 2pm. Free. Reservations required.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19TH: LAMERTVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS THE 42ND LAMBERTVILLE HOUSE TOUR: 11 am to 4 pm, rain or shine. Step inside Lambertville’s rich history and vibrant architecture! Now in its 42nd year, this beloved tradition invites you to explore a curated selection of spectacular homes and historic sites throughout our charming river town. Whether you're a history buff, design enthusiast, or simply curious, the tour offers a rare glimpse into the stories and spaces that make Lambertville so special. Discover hidden gems; Celebrate community heritage; Share your love of Lambertville.
Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 on the day of the tour. Members may purchase tickets at the $30 rate anytime.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND: UNION FORGE HERITAGE ASSOCATION: COLONIAL COOKING DEMONSTRATION AND TOURS OF THE HISTORIC 1760 JOSEPH TURNER HOUSE AND VAN SYCKLE'S TAVERN: Authentic hearth cooking demonstration preparing foods that the troops would have survived on during the Revolutionary War. Museum tour and demonstration begins at 1:00pm at the Turner house. Tours of the nearby Van Syckel's tavern from 3:00 - 4:00pm. Directions will be provided. Joseph Turner House, 17 Van Syckles Road,Hampton. 12 to 4pm
No reservations required. Free, donations gratefully accepted.
FRIDAY NOVERMBER 7TH: MOVIE MATINEE: “1776”: A musical retelling of the American Revolution's political struggle in the Continental Congress to declare independence. Adapted from a popular Broadway show. (1972) Rated G. Run time 2 hours, 22 minutes. North Branch, Hunterdon County Library. 2 pm
This program is generously sponsored by FOHCL, Friends of the Hunterdon County Library.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH: HUNTERDON COUNTY HISORICAL SOCIETY: WALKING TOUR OF ROSEMONT CEMETERY AND THE STORIES WITHIN: Dave Harding, HCHS director, will lead a tour of Rosemont Cemetery. Harding will offer a brief history of the cemetery while focusing on the stories of those whose remains fill this centuries-old patchwork of monuments and tombstones. You’ll hear about their interesting lives or, in some cases, their interesting deaths. Register by emailing hunterdonhistoryadm@gmail.com or calling 908-782-1091. Tour is free for members; $10 for nonmembers. 10 a.m.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH: SAMUEL FLEMING HOUSE: EDNA'S BROWN BAG APPLE AND PUMPKIN PIE TASTING AND HOUSE TOURS: 1-3pm
https://www.samuelfleminghouse.org
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND: “NJ MILITIA IN THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE": Join historian John Dwyer to learn about the role the militia played in the Revolutionary War, including a look at the raid on Flemington. John will be dressed in his civilian clothing, carrying his personal firelock and accoutrements as required by Militia Regulations. He will also display the personal items carried by common citizen-soldiers. North Branch, Hunerdon County Library. 2pm.
The program is appropriate for middle school age children and up.
This program is generously sponsored by FOHCL, Friends of the Hunterdon County Library.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND: “CELEBRATING THE HARVEST": Join Judith Krall-Russo to learn how our ancestors prepared for the long winter ahead while celebrating the harvest season.
Autumn was a season of hard work for early Americans. Neighbors joined together to help each other during harvest time. Numerous hands were needed to butcher, preserve, and prepare many foods. School was cancelled for days so children could help their parents with the harvest chores. The fruits of spring and summer labor were enjoyed during this season, which was also a time of feasting and recreation. Main Branch, Hunterdon County Library, 2pm.
