Historic Happenings Blog

Thursday, March 11 - Virtual Next NJARRT Lecture…at 7pm via Zoom James L. Nelson presents  Benedict Arnold's Navy: How a Rag Tag Fleet Won the American Revolution  By the second year of the Revolution, the once-promising Canadian campaign had collapsed into ruin, and all that stood between the shattered army and annihilation was one hundred miles of lake and a tiny fleet under the command of one of Washington’s most beloved generals, Benedict Arnold.  Author James L. Nelson will tell the story of that year of fighting and the unlikely naval battle that resulted, ultimately, in American victory in the War for Independence.  Members of the NJARRT will be automatically sent an invitation to the meeting. Guests may request an invitation by emailing us at  arrt.nj@gmail.com   by 5pm on 3/9.   Coming up April 8 th --  NJARRT hosts Steve Sheinkin, textbook and children’s history book author speaking about interesting and involving young people in th...

  Thursday, March 11 -- Virtual Old Baldy Civil War Roundtable ZOOMcast on Thursday, March 11, 2021, 7:15pm ET Christopher Klein - “When the Irish Invaded Canada: The Incredible True Story of the Civil War Veterans Who Fought for Ireland’s Freedom” Please email  oldbaldycwrt@verizon.net  to request access to this live ZOOM program. Just over a year after Robert E. Lee relinquished his sword, a band of Union and Confederate veterans dusted off their guns. But these former foes had no intention of reigniting the Civil War. Instead, they fought side by side to undertake one of the most fantastical missions in military history; to seize the British province of Canada and to hold it hostage until the independence of Ireland was secured. Christopher Klein  is the author of four books, including  When the Irish Invaded Canada  and  Strong Boy: The Life and Times of John L. Sullivan, America’s First Sports Hero . A frequent contributor to History.com, the webs...

HARBOR HILL & BEACON TOWERS: LONG ISLAND “GOLD COAST” MANSIONS AND THE WOMEN WHO CREATED THEM Thursday, March 11, 6:30 p.m Gary Lawrance, Architectural Historian and Lecturer Join us on a trip to the “Gold Coast” of 1920’s Long Island to meet Katherine Duer, wife of Silver heir Clarence Mackay and her fabulous over 60 room Harbor Hill mansion once located at Roslyn. Mrs. Mackay not only managed the home when completed, but also oversaw the planning with “Gilded Age”, architect Stanford White and during Harbor Hill’s construction. We will also meet Alva Vanderbilt Belmont. Known as a force to be reckoned with, Alva Erskin Smith first married a Vanderbilt and built one of the most dazzling mansions on New York’s Fifth Avenue, then the equally splendid summer cottage, “Marble House” at Newport, Rhode Island. With her second husband Oliver Hazard Belmont she enlarged his Newport mansion and then a home at East Meadow, Long Island. After his passing Mrs. Belmont built a Castle on the Lo...

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  Lunch & Learn: Online monthly speaker series!   "Gardening for Terrapins on Great Bay" When: Wednesday, March 10th 2021. 12:30 PM-1:30 PM Presenter: Ben Wurst, Habitat Program Manager from Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey

Wednesdays, March 10 and March 24 -- Virtual The Morris County Historical Society located in Acorn Hall presents two History Lunch Break programs offered free via Zoom at noon.   There’s something special underfoot in the Front Parlor… join Pat Goodfriend, MCHS Membership and Volunteer Coordinator, to find out about Acorn Hall’s noteworthy mid-19th-century John Crossley & Sons carpet and the times it represented. Zoom program, FREE. To register, email  MCHSAcornHall@gmail.com

  2021 Annual Meeting and Lecture Date/Time Date(s) - March 8, 2021 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Lewis B. Cuyler Lecture:  1920: The Year That Made the Decade Roar One hundred years later, there is a continued fascination with “The Roaring Twenties,” the only decade in American history with a widely applied nickname. How did a surge of innovation and cultural milestones emerge out of the ashes of WWI? Eric Burns, author of  1920: The Year That Made the Decade Roar , will look back at that critical (and often misunderstood) time ,  highlighting events that set the tone for the century that followed.  Free and open to the public. This program will be offered on Zoom (registration required – see below) and streamed live on  HSP’s Facebook page  (no registration or Facebook account needed to view on Facebook.)   About the speaker:  After more than forty years in television journalism, including eight as a correspondent for NBC News, Emmy award-winner Eric B...

Morven Moments Monday, March 8 at Noon Free Registration required. Virtual program with live Q&A. Recording sent to all ticketholders following program. Join us on a lunchtime private tour inside Morven with Docent Kim Gallagher as he shares stories that ring with relevancy for today's world. This week's fun and informative program features Richard "The Duke" Stockton with some interesting highlights including rowdy goings-on at Nassau Hall!    Image Credit: North-West Prospect of Nassau-Hall, with a Front View of the Presidents House, in New-Jersey, 1764. Drawn by William Tennant (1705–1777) and engraved by Henry Dawkins (d. 1786). Collection of the Princeton University Library.     Click to Register    

Eatontown program link:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85992855199?pwd=clFZOTdNam1MYUMvTU9QOWdDb0VjQT09

Sunday, March 7 -- Virtual A Great Place to Eat or Drink: Cedar Bridge Join Ocean County Historical Society as we follow our virtual lecturer and guide, Sean McHugh, into the Pine Barrens to visit Cedar Bridge Tavern in Barnegat, NJ at  2:00 PM on Sunday, March 7, 2021 .  A Senior Archaeologist at a cultural resource consulting firm, adjunct professor at Monmouth University, and co-director of the Archaeological Field School of Monmouth University, Mr. McHugh has over 17 years of experience in archaeology and historic preservation.  The c. 1816 Cedar Bridge Tavern was bought by the Ocean County Parks Department in 2007. The Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission describes it as, “a historic treasure that offers a unique window into the European experience in the N.J. Pinelands.” Mr. McHugh conducted numerous archaeological investigations there in advance of the county’s improvement project. Sign up for this Zoom presentation by emailing your...

Sunday, March 7 -- Virtual Remember the Ladies: A History of American Women in Song March 7, 2021, 2:00 PM - Zoom By Reservation The role of women’s lives in society from the 18th century to the 19th amendment is highlighted in popular song by balladeer Linda Russell Remember the Ladies: A History of American Women in Song The role of women’s lives in society from the 18th century to the 19th amendment is highlighted in popular song. Playing mountain and hammered dulcimers and guitar, Linda Russell sings broadsides, laments, murder ballads, love songs, parlor melodies and suffrage anthems. The songs reflect the changing status of women in society. Interspersed with the music are excerpts from women’s diaries and letters. Included will be stories of Deborah Samson, who fought as a soldier in Washington’s army, and New Jersey women who led the fight for Women’s Suffrage. Free or make a donation. https://www.bergencountyhistory.org/events

Upper Gallery "Dignity, Beauty and Everything Between," Photographs by Duquann Sweeney Jersey City community nonprofit leader Duquann Sweeney has the gift of seeing people's inner beauty. As a photographer, his images reflect the rapport he builds with his subjects because he approaches everyone with a sense of love and connection. “My photographs are the reflections of my community, they are the beautiful people I see when I walk the streets. Also, they are a part of me, like a past memory that brings joy. Whenever I see young boys play, it reminds me of my childhood. The days when my friends and I would ride our bikes, race each other, and play football all day. “I once was asked, ‘Why are you taking pictures? there’s nothing good here,’ and the question baffled me for a second. My response was, ‘You are good and so many others.’ But the question stuck with me, Why did he feel like there wasn’t anything good here? Has he been hampered by the negative views of the commun...

Sunday Ceramics Thompson Park Creative Arts Center 805 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft, NJ 07738 Sunday, March 7, 2021 11:00 AM-12:00 PM 12:30-1:30 PM 2:00-3:00 PM Looking for a relaxing and creative way to spend your Sunday? Try your hand at ceramic arts! Choose from a large selection of bisque fired pottery pieces to glaze with your own personal style. Leave your piece with us and we will have it glaze fired and ready to pick up in about a week. Children under the age of 12 must register with an adult to accompany them. One Session $6.00 Per Person Pre-registration fee is for studio time only. Bisque ware is to be purchased on-site on the day of the program. For further information please contact Christina Carlson at 732-842-4000, ext. 3343, or ccarlson@monmouthcountyparks.com.

  Yarn Bee Historic Longstreet Farm 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel 07733 Saturday, March 6, 2021, 12:00-2:30 PM (ages 10 and up) Whether starting a new hobby or working on an old project, all are welcome to this gathering! The relaxed atmosphere of this group means no pressure - you can knit or crochet at your own pace, and farm staff will be on-hand to assist those wanting to learn a new skill. Cost: $5.00 Per Person, Per Session (cash or check only)

Saturday, March 6 -- Union County     Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Party!  Join Liberty Hall Museum for a super good time at our Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Party! Visitors will enjoy our breakfast snack bar, make a Cat in the Hat hat, go fishing for 1 fish, 2 fish, red fish, blue fish and take a picture with silly props and The Cat in the Hat! We’ll even do a Seussical the Musical sing along! Program Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Program Fee: $30.00 per child & one adult, additional adults $5.00; $25.00 for museum members. Reservations required by February 27; to purchase tickets visit our website or call 908-527-0400  

Saturday, March 6 - Hopewell Township, Mercer County Workhorse Rides In bygone days, it wasn’t uncommon for a farm boy or girl to hitch a ride on the back of a big draft horse while it was being driven back to the barn after a day working in the fields. During this program at Howell Living Farm, kids 5 – 12 will learn the differences between draft, saddle, and carriage horses when they climb aboard a fully harnessed workhorse for a ride down the lane…after, that is, they help farmers with barn chores like bedding stalls, filling water troughs, and making feed. This program will be available from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Please note that all 2021 Saturday programs will be modified to encourage social distancing and reflect current State guidelines for public events. Visitors are required to carry masks at all times, and wear them when social distancing isn't possible. Howell Living Farm represents typical farm life between 1890 and 1910. The farm is operated by the Mercer County Parks Co...

  Spring Peep Beginners Decoy Carving Class Join local carver Andrew Tonnesen in this class designed for beginning carvers. Each participant will be carving and painting a Peep, or shorebird, to take home in this one-day class

Fishing Creel Weaving Virtual Workshop with Mary May March 6, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. $175; $145 for Friends of Morven. All materials, tools, and personalized instruction included. Space is limited for this virtual workshop to ensure every student receives individualized attention. Registration ends February 19, 2021. Zoom link provided day before workshop. Safe curbside pick ups will be scheduled for the week of February 22. All students will receive a recording following the workshop for their own use. Master Basket Weaver Mary May has been teaching and making baskets for nearly 20 years. Her focus is weaving traditional New Jersey baskets such as berry baskets, pound fish baskets, eel fykes, pack baskets, and market baskets.  She has designed a special Fishing Creel Weaving Workshop specifically for Morven in celebration of our exhibition  In Nature's Realm: The Art of Gerard Rutgers Hardenbergh. Students will learn a bit about the lore and NJ history behind the craft of ba...

Parent/Child Morning Chores Longstreet Farm 44 Longstreet Rd Holmdel, NJ 07733 Sat, March 6, 2021, 8:00-9:30 AM (ages 4 and up, under 14 with a registered adult) Rise and shine! Help the farm staff with morning chores. You and your child will experience lasting memories of milking a cow, collecting eggs from the chickens, and feeding the livestock at the start of the day. Please wear closed-toe shoes and dress for the outdoors. Registration is required. One Session $5.00 Per Person

Photography Classes - Starting March 3rd Virtual Classes (via Zoom) - 4 week sessions   Intermediate Photography  - Wed., 4:00 - 5:30 pm, March 3-24 Beginner Photo II  - Thurs., 6:00 - 7:30 pm, March 4-25 Intro to Photo Lighting  - Fri., 6:00 - 7:30 pm, March 5-26  Suitable for Ages 13 and up Farmstead ArtsCenter@gmail.com

  Thursday, March 4 -- Virtual The Montclair History Center presents:  History at Home: The Negro Baseball Leagues Thursday, March 4th, shows at 12:00 and 7:00 PM. Virtual Program. Ray Doswell, VP of Curatorial Services at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, joins us for an expert, deep dive into the fascinating history of Leagues that were finally and officially recognized by Major League Baseball as major leagues. He’ll share the stories of local New Jersey Negro League greats Larry Doby (pictured) and Monte Irvin, plus Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Oscar Charleston, and other remarkable athletes too often neglected in the histories of our national pastime. The  Negro Leagues Baseball Museum  (NLBM) in Kansas City and the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center on the campus of Montclair State  University are partnering with us for this History at Home. The presentation coincides with the Yogi Berra Museum's current exhibit,  Discover Greatness: An Illustrat...

Eco-Sphere: Life In a Jar Clayton Park Activities Center Classroom 2 202 Davis Station Road, (Imlaystown) Upper Freehold, NJ 08514 Thu, Mar 4, 2021, 10:30-11:30 AM (ages 8 and up, under 18 with adult) Life on earth is possible due to an unfathomably complicated web of interactions between plants, animals, fungi and the elements around us. Learn about these complex systems that support life as we build our very own self-contained ecosystem. Our habitat will include members from each branch of life as well as a carefully balanced mix of minerals to provide a sustainable habitat for years to come. One Session $26.00 Per Person