Monday, October 20, 2025

300TH NEWS: ON THE THRESHOLD OF INDEPENDENCE: HUNTERDON HISTORY EVENTS THRU THE END OF 2025



Our series, "On the Threshold of Independence:  Hunterdon County 1775-1776" continues this December with more great and educational talks and events including a revealing talk about the REAL Daniel Bray, the First  Battle of Trenton, arguably the most important battle in Hunterdon history and a major turning point for George Washington, and a chance to see rare documents from the 1700s.  Some of our historical partners are offering a dazzling choice of magical holiday events, everyone of which is FREE.  You can find those listings at the bottom of this blog.  And don't forget to check out our tour of the 1735 Headquarters Farm followed by authentic, hearth cooked Colonial Nibbles in December -- there is limited space, so make your reservation soon.


BACK IN STOCK!  Large-size, beautiful blank note cards featuring 8 different flags of the American Revolution, several new flags different than offered in 2016.  Each card features a history on the back and stunning color on the front.  Envelopes included in a boxed set of 8. 5 x 7 (small) or 6 x 8 (large).  SMALL OR LARGE, YOUR CHOICE $12 (small size coming soon).  These make great hostess gifts for the holidays, stocking stuffers, or just a fun way to send a note to someone in 2026 showing you are celebrating the 250th!

HUNTERDON 300TH EVENTS NOW TICKETING

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.  Perhaps not as famous as Bonnell's, Ringoes' or Jones' Taverns, it was the location where the largest of Hunterdon's four militias, 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

SOLD OUT! NOVEMBER 9: 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 a 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 December 14, 2025 and January 11, March 8, October 17, November 8, and December 13, 2026.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4TH: “MAN AND MYTH?: DANIEL BRAY: Hunterdon County's Daniel Bray is credited with collecting the boats for Washington’s Crossing of the Delaware River, but some say that this may not be so and the story may just be a local myth.  And what kind of man was our local hero?  Who was Daniel Bray? Find out for yourself as historian and genealogist Betty DeSapio explores and reveals the real Daniel Bray.  Is he both Man and Myth?  Main Branch, Hunterdon County Library.  7pm.  Free, but reservations are required. Free refreshments follow.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/man-and-myth-daniel-bray-tickets-1808267640189?aff=oddtdtcreator

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11TH:  "SHOW AND TELL PART 2: RARE HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS FROM EARLY AMERICA":  This second talk by historian and collector Ron Warner will feature documents from early America including a newspaper from England describing Washington's Christmas crossing at Trenton, a British copy of the Sugar Act,  Gentlemen's Magazine describing the trial of the Boston Massacre, a Boston newspaper from 1790 describing Paul Revere's Midnight Ride, and other historic documents.  

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 of the County Library, 65 Halstead Street, Clinton. 7pm. Free, but reservations are required. Free refreshments follow.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14TH: 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 a 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 emailing  300info@co.hunterdon.nj.us with 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 January 11, March 8, October 17, November 8, and December 13, 2026.


THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18TH: "THE FIRST BATTLE OF TRENTON":  On Christmas Eve, 1776, General George Washington led his ragtag army across the Delaware River from Bucks County, PA into Hunterdon County, specifically Trenton Township, NJ, with the mission to oust the Hessians from the town of Trenton, then Hunterdon County's County Seat. Join historian, retired educator, and author of "The 10 Crucial Days", William "Larry" Kidder as he shares Washington's struggles, battle strategy, and ultimate victory in Hunterdon County's most famous battle. Main Branch of the County Library. 7 pm.  Free but reservations are required.  Free refreshments follow. 

FROM OUR PARTNERS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND: COLONIAL COOKING DEMONSTRATION AND TAVERN TOUR:  Joseph Turner House offers both a Colonial Cooking Demonstration at their 1760 homestead and a rare opportunity to tour Van Syckel's Tavern, established in 1763, just down the road, now a private residence.  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, 117 Van Syckels Road, Hampton, NJ 08827.

No reservations required.  Free.  Donations gratefully accepted.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND:  OPEN HOUSE AT THE HISTORIC BOUMAN-STICKNEY FARMSTEAD:  The Readington Museums’ Bouman-Stickney Farmstead will be open for tours on Sunday, November 2, 2025, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Explore the 1741 home, learn about the Bouman and Stickney histories, and/or hike the scenic Bouman-Stickney Trail that runs through the farmstead.

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.

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 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.

https://www.hclibrary.us/home

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH: HUNTERDON COUNTY HISTORICAL 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 to 3 pm.  Free. No reservations required.  Samuel Fleming House Museum & Gardens, 5 Bonnell Street, Flemington, NJ 08822

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, Hunterdon 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. 

https://www.hclibrary.us/home

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.

https://www.hclibrary.us/home

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7TH: READINGTON MUSEUMS PRESENTS SINTERKLAASFEEST: 1 to 4 pm.  As a way to honor the Dutch heritage of of the 1741 Bouman-Stickney farmstead, Readington Museums will be hosting Dutch Sint Nicolaas Day.  Sinterklaas will be available for pictures, and colonial musicians Anne and Ridley Enslow will perform historic holiday pieces that showcase hammered dulcimer and a historic violin.  Visitors may also make an ornament to take home, as well as enjoy cider and cookies.  114 Dreahook Road, Whitehouse Station, NJ (for GPS use Lebanon) Donations welcome.

https://www.readingtontwpnj.gov/community/readington-museum

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13TH:  SAMUEL FLEMING HOUSE PRESENTS COLONIAL HOLIDAY MUSEUM HOUSE TOURS:   1 to 3pm. Free. No reservations required.

Samuel Fleming House Museum & Gardens, 5 Bonnell Street, Flemington

https://www.samuelfleminghouse.org

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14TH:  SOLITUDE HOUSE PRESENTS A HOLIDAY MARKET WITH COLONIAL DEMONSTRATIONS:  Traditional Holiday Market combined with Colonial demonstrations including blacksmithing and sandcasting. At the historic Solitude House. Free.  12 - to 4 pm. 7 River Road, High BrIdge