COME TO THE FAIR! WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22ND THRU SUNDAY, AUGUST 26TH: HUNTERDON COUNTY 4-H AND AGRICULTURAL FAIR IS HERE! We are so excited about this year's fair! Find us and some of our heritage partners in the Community Tent (across from the Grange Building and their incredible tractor display and behind the Rabbit Tent). Come and visit us! Our 2018 theme "Water, Water Everywhere" will be prominent at our table.
At the fair, the Hunterdon County Historical Society will be having little mini talks -- come and hang out for one of these great topics:
Thursday, August 23rd from 10 am to 2 pm: HCHS Cemetery Committee - Robert
& Leslie Leith present “Cemeterians - you are not alone”
If you find
yourself:
Photographing
headstones
A
Find-a-Grave volunteer
Cleaning
headstones of people you are not related to
Clearing weeds
from overgrown cemeteries
Concerned
about an abandoned cemetery
Wondering
how to fix a fallen headstone
Stopping the
car to look at cemeteries
Preparing genealogies
for people/strangers found on headstones
Is your
family concerned? Are they confused? Is
this normal? This seems weird. Are there
medications for this? The HCHS
Cemetery Committee is here to help….you are not alone. Stop by and
we will tell you about an active community of fellow Cemeterians right here in
Hunterdon County.
Thursday, August 23rd, 2:30PM to 3:15 pm: Hunterdon County
Historical Society presents the Civil War - Pedrick
Letters – Ray Simonds, HCHS Cemetery Committee and private collector of
Civil War letters. The American Civil War affected almost every family in
America. Hundreds of thousands of men were killed in action or died of wounds
and disease in a war that ran from April 1861 till April 1865. Hunterdon County
was not spared the effects of the war nor were the families of the men
participating in the conflict. One of the families were the Pedrick’s of
Flemington. Joshua Pedrick was a soldier in the 15th New Jersey
Volunteers seeing action in many battles. Over the course of his enlistment he
wrote and received an unknown number of letters to and from home. We are fortunate that
Ray Simonds, one of our HCHS members, is willing to share five of these
original letters from his private collection. Ray will bring
the five original letters, with transcriptions, for viewing and discussion. Areas for discussion found in these letters
at a minimum include what it was like being in the army during the Civil War,
the family units at home, the unfathomable hardships of the family and life in
Flemington during and immediately after the War. A profound passage from these letters
describes the feelings of a soldier listening to the sounds of the nearby
“Battle of Morton’s Ford” Culpepper County, February 6, 1864, should not be
missed.
Thursday, August 23rd from 4pm too 4:45 pm, Hunterdon Cemeteries Protected and Saved - David Reading, Executive Director of the Mt. Amwell Project will review the efforts of the Mount Amwell Project, Inc. to preserve abandoned and endangered historic cemeteries in Hunterdon County. Dave will discuss the process involved for the identification, ownership, initial clearing, and subsequent maintenance of four cemeteries in Lebanon Twp., Kingwood Twp., Delaware Twp., Stockton Boro, and two in Readington Twp. He will also speak of the individuals and families in each cemetery.
Friday, August 24th from 2:30 to 3:15 pm, Hunterdon County Historical Society presents a session on the Civil War – “Jaw with John”, John Kuhl, Trustee of the HCHS and author of “Hunterdon County in the Civil War.” An informal time to meet and talk with Civil War author and local expert John Kuhl. Imagine walking into an old general store or a modern day McDonalds and John Kuhl is there with a cup of coffee, time and five empty chairs…ready to talk about the Civil War. 45 minutes. “Hey, what’s in that coffee?”
John will autograph copies of his book “Hunterdon County in the Civil War”. Space is limited.
Saturday, August 25th at 4 pm: PastPerfect Museum Software with Bob Sands, Project Manager at the Hunterdon County Historical Society. Bob will speak on the cataloging methods of the Society's collection through the use of the PastPerfect Museum Software. This software application is designed and used by many museums for archiving the organization's artifacts, documents and photographs. Join us and see how history is preserved. Bob will bring some Native American artifacts as examples of current work.
OUR GREAT FRIEND, JANICE GROVER, OWNER OF GROVER GLOBAL FOOD MARKETING IN EAST AMWELL, HAS DONATED FABULOUSLY DELICIOUS ITALIAN COOKIES FOR ALL OF OUR TALKS THRU THE END OF 2018. COME FOR THE COOKIES AND STAY FOR THE LECTURE! THANK YOU, JANICE!!
WE ARE NOW TAKING RESERVATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER'S TALKS
RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED, NOT REQUIRED AT WWW.HUNTERDON300TH OR (908) 788-2030:
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH: "AND WATERSHEDS BEGAT WATERWORKS": Following her talk last spring, "IN THE BEGINNING, THERE WAS WATER" Marilyn Cummings continues this theme with a mapping adventure of the amazing watersheds, creeks and brooks of Hunterdon County and the ways they were conquered and harnessed by our settlers of the 18th & 19th centuries. Join her for this wide-ranging look at such topics as ferries, bridges, mills, canals and other remarkable early waterworks, as well as the early roads that served them. Fun and informative for both adults and students alike, this is a broad introduction to our fall series of events.
County Library Headquarters. 7pm. Free. Reservations recommended. Refreshments follow. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/and-watersheds-begat-waterworks-tickets-49273496354
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH: CEMETERY "CEMENER": SUSPECTED INDIAN BURIAL VAULTS IN HUNTERDON COUNTY: $10 per person: Flemington Presbyterian Church, 110 Main Street, Flemington, 10:30 am to 1 pm.
PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS A $10 REGISTRATION FEE WHICH COVERS ALL SNACKS AND A SANDWICH LUNCH. Please mail checks payable to: THE HUNTERDON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY (HCHS) CEMETERY COMMITTEE, 114 Main St. Flemington, NJ 08822. YOUR TICKET ORDER WILL BE CONFIRMED UPON RECEIPT OF PAYMENT.
The Hunterdon 300th and the Hunterdon County Historical Society are partnering together for our 5th Annual Cemetery Cemener and are proud to present this grave topic!
Our morning speaker is Dr. Gregory C. Herman. Dr. Herman earned his BS in geology from Ohio University in 1982. After receiving a MS in structural geology from the Univ. of Connecticut in 1984, he joined the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) in the water quality management program, regulating industrial facilities having discharge of hazardous wastes to groundwater. He transferred to the NJ Geological Survey (NJGS) in 1985 to map bedrock geology in NJ. In 1997 he received his PhD in Geology from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. Having retired from the NJGS after 32 years, Greg now teaches Earth Science at local colleges and a university while consulting on Earth science projects. He also researches impact tectonics and provides Earth-science themes for Google Earth.
Recently Greg has been researching native peoples in Hunterdon County, his fieldwork has led to the possible rediscovery of ancient stone burial mounds located atop the Cushetunk Mountains, the basis of his talk. The discovery awaits confirmation through professional archeological work. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cemetery-cemener-suspected-indian-burial-vaults-in-hunterdon-county-10-per-person-tickets-48718076077
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH: "HISTORY OF THE RED MILL & TOUR OF THE WATER WHEEL" with Red Mill Executive Director Paul Muir. The Red Mill Museum is one of Hunterdon's true historic treasures. Directed Muir will speak on the rich history of the Mill from its founding and working years through the efforts to save the Mill from destruction. Following the talk, we will visit the wheel house to see the water wheel. There we will learn about the efforts to get it working again. Red Mill Museum Village, Clinton. Free. Reservations recommended. Refreshments follow. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/history-of-the-red-mill-tour-of-the-water-wheel-tickets-49273550516
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH: "THE HISTORY OF THE READINGTON MILLS" With County Historian and Readington Township Historian Emerita Stephanie Stevens. No one knows the history of Readington like Stephanie -- who literally wrote the book on this topic! Free. County Library Headquarters Reservations recommended. Refreshments follow. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-history-of-the-readington-mills-tickets-49273596654
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9TH: "THE HISTORY OF THE D&R CANAL" Canal Historian and Author Linda Barth weaves the story of how the Delaware & Raritan Canal meandered across New Jersey, becoming one of America’s most successful towpath canals, carrying more tonnage in 1866 than even the Erie Canal. Johnson & Johnson, Roebling, and Fleischmann’s Distillery all had their start along the D&R which now provides people of central New Jersey with both a water supply and an amazing recreational facility. This companion talk is beneficial for all those wishing to join us for our D&R Canal Canoe Paddle on Sunday October 4th or our Bus Tour of the D&R Canal on November 4th. Hunterdon Coounty Library Main Branch. This talk is free. Reservations recommended. Refreshments follow. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-history-of-the-dr-canal-tickets-49273622732
DETAILS AND RESERVATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN EARLY SEPTEMBER FOR THE FOLLOWING:
SUNDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 14TH: SPECIAL CANOE TRIP ON THE D&R CANAL Details to follow. $. Reservations required.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON, OCTOBER 14TH: TOUR AND TALK AT THE PRALLSVILLE MILL Stockton, Route 29. Details to follow. Free. Reservations recommended. Refreshments follow.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23RD: "THE HISTORY OF ROUND VALLEY RESERVOIR" County Historian and author of the book "Beneath These Waters" returns for the spell binding tale of politics, intrigue, crime, and loss as the government seized private property. Free. County Library Headquarters Reservations recommended. Refreshments follow.
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
HISTORY AND HERITAGE EVENTS FROM OUR PARTNERS AROUND OR ABOUT HUNTERDON COUNTY
NOW ON DISPLAY AT THE RED MILL MUSEUM VILLAGE:
Clinton, NJ: The Red Mill Museum Village is proudly announces the opening of our brand new exhibit: The Sound of the Times: The Michael Molnar Collection
This new exhibit highlighs the radio, one of the most important inventions of the 20th century. A collection of antique and vintage radios is on loan to the Museum from collector and radio enthusiast Michael Molnar, who has been collecting for over 30 years. He has co-curated this very special exhibit which traces the evolution of radio and shares stories of the cultural impact it had on society.
For enjoyment, visitors can listen to a radio from over 70 years ago, hearing the sounds of the time. Ever wonder how was radio different from today? Try to tune a radio from a hundred years ago and find out for yourself! Relive the Golden Age of Radio by visiting this amazing collection, currently on display on the 2nd floor of the Mill through March 2019.
This exhibition was made possible thanks to funding generously provided by the Astle-Alpaugh Family Foundation.
For more information including hours and admission, please visit https://theredmill.org/
FRIDAY, AUGUST 24TH: “The Dutch Architectural Influence at the Bouman-Stickney Farmstead”, Christopher Pickell: In 1741 Dutch homesteader Thomas Bouman erected the building now known as the Bouman-Stickney Farmstead. But just how typical is the building of Dutch architectural design? Find out on Friday, August 24, from architecture historian Christopher Pickell, who will deliver a talk on Dutch design, and lead a tour inside and outside of the buildings. Mr. Pickell has been involved in historic preservation and restoration projects in Hunterdon and Mercer counties. He heads up the Flemington firm of Pickell Architecture, lauded for its work in adaptive reuse projects.
This lecture is held inside the historic Wade-Wyckoff Barn located at the Bouman-Stickney
Farmstead in the Stanton section of Readington Township, GPS address: 114 Dreahook Road Lebanon NJ 08833. There is a $5.00 suggested donation, and reservations are highly recommended. For more information please call 908-236-2327 or visit the Dutch Architecture rsvp link at www.readingtonmuseums.org.
MONDAY, AUGUST 27TH, 7 PM: HISTORY OF THE HIGH BRIDGE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND TOUR! Why did High Bridge have two fire departments? Was there really a fire department inside the Borough Hall on Main Street? and a fire truck? What kind of equipment did early firefighters use? What do they use today? Answers to these questions and much more will be in the High Bridge Fire Department History presentation on Monday, August 27 at 7:00 pm. This talk is being given by members of the High Bridge Department as part of the High Bridge Cultural and Heritage Committee Speaker Series.
The firemen will also give a tour of the Fire Department and display fire equipment both old and new.
The event will be in the High Bridge Fire Department building (at 7 Maryland Avenue) because the firemen have offered to give a tour of their building and show their actual equipment!
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 9TH READINGTON MUSEUMS OPEN HEARTH COOKING1PM - 4PM OPEN HEARTH COOKING: Ketchup without tomatoes? Apple pie prepared in a bake kettle? Come to our open hearth cooking program on September 9, 1:00-4:00 p.m. as Deborah Peterson, culinary historian, demonstrates how to use a bake kettle otherwise known as a Dutch oven to make apple pie. Also, learn how to make English ketchup which is a cooking sauce that does not include tomatoes as modern ketchup does.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 7TH: READINGTON MUSEUMS 19TH CENTURY SCHOOLHOUSE VISIT TO COLD BROOK SCHOOL: 1pm - 4pm
For more information visit the Readington Museums website
Deborah Peterson comes to us from the Historic Rittenhouse Town in Fairmont Park, Philadelphia and the Morgan Log House in Towamencin, PA. She has also interpreted in a multitude of museums along the Mid-Atlantic region, including Colonial Williamsburg, Washington Crossing State Park, and the Pennsbury Manor.
This Open House Sunday program will be held at the Bouman-Stickney Farmstead, located at 114 Dreahook Road in the Stanton section of the township. For GPS use Lebanon, NJ 08833.
This is a free family friendly event, although donations will be gratefully accepted. In case of inclement weather please call the Museums to find out the status of the program. For more information please visit, www.readingtontwp.org/ReadingtonMuseums.html or call 908-236-2327.
For more information visit the Readington Museums websiteFor more information visit the Readington Museums website
Saturday October 13th: Califon is Celebrating 100 Years of Incorporation: Walking tours of Califon's historic district will be offered Saturday morning at 10AM and 12PM. This interesting and educational tour will visit the Nellie Hoffman House, the Cabin by the River, the Califon Train Station and the 2nd floor of Rambo's Country Store. Guests are also welcome to stop by the Califon Historical Society Museum at the Califon Train Station, as well as the Nellie Hoffman House and the Cabin by the River on their own.
The Califon Public School, also celebrating its 100th birthday in 2018, will also be offering an Open House and tours of the school between 10 AM – 1 PM. Stop by for refreshments, meet teachers and students and see all that is happening at Califon School in 2018!
Following the tours, all are welcomed to gather at Califon Island Park at 2PM for the 100th Anniversary Ceremony. Mayor, Charles Daniel, along with several guest speakers, will speak about Califon's history. The time capsule, buried in the park 25 years ago, will be opened and a new one will replace it. Guests will also be able to enjoy a classic car show and music provided DJ Doug.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20TH: READINGTON MUSEUMS BARN DANCE: 7pm - 9:30pm
For more information visit the Readington Museums website