Historic Happenings Blog

  First Friday Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir Manasquan Reservoir, Visitor Center 311 Windeler Road, Howell 07731 June 4, July 2 & August 6, 2021, at 6:00 PM & 7:00 PM Enjoy a boat tour on the beautiful Reservoir! Tours are narrated by Park System Naturalists and include opportunities to view local wildlife including turtles, egrets, herons, ospreys, and perhaps a Bald Eagle! Tours are approximately 45 minutes long. Tickets can be purchased (day of only) at the Visitor Center: $4.00 children 12 and under and $6.00 for adults and children 13 and up Life-jackets are provided and required. All tours are weather and reservoir-level-dependent.

DOWNTOWN CONCERT SERIES: MATT HAUGHEY August 6 @ 6:00 pm  -  8:00 pm METC’s free Summer Concert Series sponsored by the DDC is back on Friday, August 6 from 6-8pm with Matt Haughey! Matt Haughey grew up singing at the piano in his childhood home in Madison, NJ with his two older brothers. He started performing at coffee houses and wrote his first songs while still in high school. When Matt moved to Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH, his love for songwriting began to grow. During the crazy, overwhelming academic terms, Matt would find solace in the piano practice rooms at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. After some significant pressure from his friends to begin releasing his music, he released his first single, “Make You Happy”, in the Fall of 2019. Since then, he has released 4 more songs, his music has been streamed over 1 million times, and three of his songs were featured on “Train Tracks” on Sirius XM The Pulse. + Google Calendar + iCal Export DETAILS Date: August 6 Time: 6...

102 Cedar Ave, PO Box1022 Island Heights, NJ 08732 732.929.4949 |  EMAIL US The museum is open for tours Saturday and Sundays at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm for pre-registered tours. Required safety precautions will be in effect, including masks and social distancing.   For appointment, please call 732-929-4949 and leave a detailed message, and someone will return your call with available hours.  PRE-SCHEDULED TOUR HOURS Saturdays & Sundays:  1pm, 2pm and 3pm Mondays – Fridays:  By appointment only Continue to check the website for changes due to Covid-19 updates, holidays and closings due to weather.

Butterflies in Our Gardens Tour Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center     331 Georgia Tavern Road, Howell 07731 Fri, Aug 6, 2021, 10:00-10:45 AM (adults) Butterflies abound in beautiful gardens at the parks! These flying jewels are exciting to see and fun to identify. Bring your cameras! Closed-toe shoes, a hat, and sunscreen are recommended. Walks may be a mile or more and some paths are unpaved. The program may be cancelled due to rain. Call 732-751-9453 for more information. One Session $2.00 Per Person

The History of Archery Big Brook Park, Sunfield Pavilion 521 Route 520, Marlboro, NJ 07746 Thu, Aug 5, 2021, 6:30-8:30 PM (adults) Dating back to the Stone Ages, archery is one of the oldest sports. Learn how the Lenape native people utilized bows and arrows in Monmouth County, the tools that led to the creation of the bow and arrow, how primitive bows and arrows were made, and even get a chance to use these tools to shoot a primitive target! One Session $22.00 Per Person

Enviro-Quest Freneau Woods Park, Visitors Center Parking Lot 360 Monastary Lane, Aberdeen Township, NJ 07747  Thursday, August 5, 2021, 11:00 AM (all ages, under 18 with adult) Don’t know what to do on a weekday this summer break? Why not seek out some nature fun. Follow the Enviro-Quest signs to where the Park System Naturalist is waiting. Once you are there you can join in on a mini nature lesson, activity, or walk for 30-60 minutes of nature-based fun. Activities may include meeting a live animal, finding hidden treasures, or discovering animal knickknacks. Bring your sense of adventure and we’ll bring the rest! We recommend packing a lunch and staying after the program to enjoy a picnic in your local parks. For additional details, please call 732-751-9453.

Drop-In Nature Kayak Tours @ Swimming River Park Swimming River Park, Red Bank 475 W Front St, Red Bank, NJ 07701 Tuesday, August 3, 2021,  3:00-4:00 PM (ages 12 and up, under 18 with participating adult) All aboard! Explore the beauty and nature of the Swimming River. No prior kayak experience needed. We’ll provide Park System Naturalists as your guides, proper instruction in kayak use and safety, and local history and wildlife information. All equipment is provided. Both single and tandem kayaks are available for use. First come, first served. All tours depart on time. The program is limited to only twelve participants. Make sure to come early to reserve a kayak. Wear appropriate clothing and shoes that can get wet. You must be at least age 12 years old to participate; under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.  Weight limit 250 lbs. for single kayaks and 450 lbs. for tandem kayaks. Cost: $25.00 per person; cash or check only

Tidal Tuesdays - Seine the Cove Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan 383 3rd Ave, Manasquan, NJ 08736 Tue, August 3, 2021, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM (all ages, under 18 with adult) Looking for some more Tuesday fun? Stop by Fisherman’s Cove this summer and join a Park System Naturalist each week to take part in a free seining program to see what creatures may be found swimming along the Cove. Discover a variety of fish, crabs and other sea creatures as we pull in our seine net. Please Note: • Closed-toe shoes are required. • The program will not run during inclement weather. • Parents or guardians are required to stay with and supervise their children. • No swimming during the event. • This program is designed for individuals and families. No large groups, please. Additional Tidal Tuesday Activities Discover exciting things about nature and our coastal habitats with a fun nature activity before our drop-in seining begins! Each week take part in a different activity such as meeting cre...

Tidal Tuesdays - Summer Activities Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan 383 3rd Ave, Manasquan, NJ 08736 Tue, August 3, 2021, 9:30-10:15 AM (all ages, under 18 with adult) Looking for some Tuesday fun by the shore? Stop by Fisherman’s Cove and join a Park System Naturalist at Fisherman’s Cove to discover exciting things about nature and our coastal habitats. Each week take part in a different activity such as meeting creatures, taking an educational walk or creating crafts from natural materials found along the shore. For details on the activity for the week please call 732-751-9453. Bring a snack and stick around for the free seining program at 11:00 AM.  One Session $5.00 Per Person Please Note: • Closed-toe shoes are required. • The program will not run during inclement weather. • Parents or guardians are required to stay with and supervise their children. • No swimming during the event. • This program is designed for individuals and families. No large groups, please.

Dolphins: Facts & Tales: Drop-In Local Nature Lecture Series Bayshore Waterfront Park, Activity Center 719 Port Monmouth Road, Port Monmouth, NJ 07758  Thursday, August 2, 2021, 7:00-8:00 PM (adults) Join us for a series of eye-opening talks by Park System Naturalists to discover what’s lurking in or near the waters of Monmouth County. The presentations are designed to inform the public of current issues, ecology and science research, and to inspire appreciation for the local natural world. There are varieties of beautiful dolphins that can be found swimming along the shores of Monmouth County. Join a Park System Naturalist to find out the ecology associated with these delightful marine mammals. This presentation is a great opportunity to learn about the dolphins found in area waters. The talk will address the importance of dolphins to the local marine ecosystem, the factors which are affecting their survival, and ways you can help.

    Teen Arts Camp at Morven! Landscape to Cityscape - Drawing and Painting at Morven  (Ages 13-16) August 2 - August 6 9:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. $395; $ 370 for Members This full-day camp, in collaboration with the   Arts Council of Princeton , invites campers to expl ore the age-old tradition of landscape drawing & painting through pencil and watercolor in and around our historic garden and grounds.   Campers will also draw inspiration from our latest exhibition featuring New Jersey landscapes of an earlier  tim e:    I n Nature's Realm: The Art of Gerard Rutgers Hardenbergh   Click for Details

Click image above for larger version Seaport Summer Camp will run for the first two weeks in August. Each day we will post two short videos on our FaceBook page inviting families to follow along with hands-on Seaport-inspired activities from home. You will get to virtually meet a variety of Seaport demonstrators and learn fun facts about the coastal culture of New Jersey. Each day will feature a craft or folk art activity. This video series has been designed for families with kids of various ages and abilities K-Grade 4 to be able to participate together. Another benefit of the video series is that the videos get uploaded to our YouTube Library, allowing families to complete the activities on their own schedule. Seaport Summer Camp’s 2021 Videos are all new! If your kids enjoyed summer camp last year with us, we encourage you to sign-up again. We look forward to seeing your photos! There is no cost to participate in Seaport Online Summer Camp sponsored...

         DISCOVER                               ENGAGE                                SUSTAIN RIVER RANGERS ℠   2021 - Summer Boating Fun on the Navesink This award-winning on-the-water program for youth continues this summer, Monday through Friday, 8.30 AM to 1:30 PM, under the direction of experienced leaders/ counselors, Courtney and Pierre. The age range is 10 (must be emotionally mature) to 14 (leadership qualities expected). Participants MUST be able to swim . Canoes, paddles, life vests, and expert supervision supplied .  More information   HERE . The maximum capacity is 20 paddlers each week  on a first-come basis with  payment confirming the registration . The price is $255 per paddler.   Includes five mornings with a canoe, life vest, p...

Sundays at 3pm, August 1, August 8, August 22, August 29, September 1, September 22, and September 29   Hardenbergh Hikes through History: New Jersey's Artist and Ornithologist Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Sites 71 Somerset Street, Somerville, NJ 08876 wallacedutch@dep.nj.gov  (908) 725-1015 Explore the Jersey Dutch roots of New Jersey's turn-of-the-century artist and ornithologist Gerard Rutgers Hardenbergh. Artist and ornithologist Gerard Rutgers Hardenbergh depicted the wildlife and landscapes of the Jersey Shore at the turn of the twentieth century but his own roots in the Garden State stem back to the Jersey Dutch and the American Revolution. This special historic houses tour goes indoors and outdoors at Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage to explore the Jersey Dutch origins of the Hardenbergh and Rutgers families, the academic tradition of New Jersey's colonial colleges that encouraged Gerard Rutgers Hardenbergh's ornithology, and the...

Half-Day Hike and Paddle Blackfish Cove Kayak Launch Hartshorne Woods, Rocky Point Parking Lot 1402 Portland Road, Highlands, NJ (Rocky Point Entrance) 07732 Sun, Aug 1, 2021, 1:45-5:45 PM (adults) This fun, challenging and educational half-day experience is perfect for those who just can’t get enough of the land and water. We’ll start our adventure with a naturalist-guided hike through Hartshorne Woods. Along the way, we will learn about the many species of native plants and wildlife that call our parks home. Then we’ll shift gears and go for a paddle on the Navesink River. Be sure to bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and footwear for both hiking and kayaking. One Session $45.00 Per Person

Sunday, August 1 -- Morris County The Jefferson Township Museum, also known as the George Chamberlain House, will have an open house on  Sunday, August 1, 2021,  from  1 to 4 pm.  Admission is free. Costumed docents will be available to talk about this Victorian home.  The featured exhibit will be  “Victorian Dress from Head to Toe.”   This exhibit is being presented by the society’s costume department.  Vintage pieces from the museum and private collections, along with reproductions of the late Victorian period (1870-1900) and up to 1920, will be displayed throughout the building.  Each room of the museum will feature a different part of dressing the Victorian family. Gowns, outer wear, accessories, undergarments and lingerie will be displayed throughout the building. Many special pieces are being taken from archival storage for this exhibit. Informational signage will address many of the myths of Victorian clothing.  Period dressed doc...

  Nature Impressions & Campfire Shark River Park, Shelter Building 1101 Schoolhouse Road, Wall, NJ 07753 Sun, Aug 1, 2021, 1:00-2:30 PM (ages 5 and up, with adult) Gather a variety of leaves, flowers, twigs or anything else found in nature as we take a short hike. Once we complete our hike, we will use our collected pieces from nature to create a wonderful masterpiece. See the beautiful impressions your collected nature pieces leave behind as you press them into your art form! Afterwards, reward yourself with a sit around the campfire. Bring your own snacks; toasting sticks provided! One Session $14.50 Per Child

Saturday-Sunday, July 31-August 1 -- Cape May County FARM WEEKEND AT HISTORIC COLD SPRING VILLAGE Experience life on an Early American farm through hands-on activities and exhibits at Historic Cold Spring Village’s ‘Down on the Farm’ Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, July 31st and August 1st from 11am-4:00pm. Historic Cold Spring Village, an open-air living history museum, presents the trades, crafts, architecture, and lifestyles of an Early American, rural South Jersey farming community. Special exhibits throughout the Village will include collections of antique and modern farming equipment and tools. Visitors can tour the historic Corson-Gandy Barn, c. 1880, which is home to Levi the Village horse. Guests can visit the Village, pigs, chickens, and calves. Children may also participate in farm chores at the agricultural barn complex throughout the day. ‘Down on the Farm’ is generously sponsored by Smeltzer & Sons Feed & Pet Supplies. The Friends of Historic Cold Spring Village wil...

SUNDAY, AUGUST 1, 2021 AT 11 AM EDT – 3 PM EDT Tewksbury Auto Tour Tewksbury Historical Society The Tewksbury Historical Society sponsors a self-guided Tewksbury Auto Tour on Sunday from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, rain or shine. Tour Booklets, at $10 each while supplies last, are sold per car regardless of the number of riders. The booklet provides the driver with delightful meanderings on Tewksbury's country roads, through its historic villages and hamlets, along rolling hills and farmlands, and past unique sites. Antique car enthusiasts can step back in time by driving their cars and let Tewksbury's special attributes come to life! Tour Booklets can be reserved in advance, no refunds, or purchased the day of the Tour. All Booklets will be picked up at Society Headquarters on the day of the Tour beginning at 10:30 am, 60 Water Street, Lebanon (Mountainville), NJ 08833. The Tour starts at THS Headquarters and lasts about two hours, depending on stops taken along the way. Those wishing...