Here is a puzzle for you: I would be very surprised if anyone could figure out what the object in the photo to the left is. I can give you one clue. I was getting off the beaten path on Blue Moon Friday and ended up finding a very nice park in Bridgeton. I saw this object and tried to figure out what it was before I discovered the identification plaque. My guess was that it was some kind of device for raising and lowering or moving a bridge (this being Bridgeton and all.) I was wrong. You can respond via e-mail if you like
wrightj45@yahoo.com. Some people have found making comments on blogspot confusing.
While in Bridgeton, I also 'discovered' the "Old Swedish Farmstead" which was closed. Later research revealed that it IS closed but will re-open for a day on October 7th for a fund-raising and festival.
There were many other interesting things in the park, including a "Dame School" and as you who have visited my blog know, I am particularly partial to one-room schools. That brings me to another fortunate discovery much earlier on the same Blue Moon Friday. I was at Shellpile taking a photo of another school, the South Port Norris one-room school when an very nice gentleman offered to open the door and allow me to see the inside. (see the photo to the right) I've been to that school many times over the years but never had I been inside. It is in wonderful condition, beautiful floors, good chalkboards, and a fine collection of vintage shucked oyster cans on shelves above the chalkboards. The back wall was all windows facing out onto the Maurice River. What a lucky day for me and what a wonderful school room for the children and teachers who once spent their days in it.
Last note for this blog entry. Today, two of my friends and I visited Allaire State Park. They were having a wine and jazz festival, but as many of you may know, I don't drink, nonetheless, I wouldn't miss a chance to visit Allaire. I enjoyed the blacksmith's shop, the carpenter's shop, where he gave us a short talk on wagon wheels and showed us an old wheel 'jack' and a perennial favorite of mine, the general store. There were hundreds of people there - what a turn out! It was a delightful day, cool and overcast (no blazing sun or debilitating heat) and we all seemed to be enjoying our visit to this beautiful park and restored company town.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Friday, August 31, 2012
Don't Miss It! Upcoming Events.......
I have been waiting for years for this lecture "Quaker History in New Jersey" including Gloucester, Burlington & Salem Counties will be presented at the Gloucester County Historical Society Library on 17 Hunter Street in Woodbury on September 22, Saturday, at 9:00 a.m. You must call to reserve a spot as space is limited - 856-845-4771.
I have already reserved my spot and paid my $10 member fee to attend. As a docent at the Whitall House and a devoted seeker after South Jersey History, this is a wonderful opportunity because as we all know, from Fenwick to Whitall and Wharton and many influential families in between, the Quakers were an early and powerful force in New Jersey history. Many of you have probably read Jerseyman's blog on the Quaker Meeting Houses that grace the main streets of so many of our historic towns from Burlington to Greenwich. Find out more about these founding settlers. Christopher Densmore, curator of the Friends Historical Library, Swarthmore, Pa. will give the talk.
If you missed Part 1 of the Quilt show at the Jesssup-Lawrence House in Woodbury, there is still time to take it in before Part 2 begins in late September. The show was marvelous, filled with local color and history. To add to your knowledge and enjoyment there will be a talk "Run Faredy Run" Quilt Squares with a story at the Gloucester County Historical Society Library at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 13, 2012. Kathleen Lindsey, Historian and Author, will give the talk which will include a tour of the Museum Quilt Exhibit following the presentation. You can be sure I'll be there! Hope you will too!
In my next blog, I will pose a mystery "What is this object?" Today was a day of many discoveries and soon, I will add some interesting photographs from this marvelous day in South Jersey. I was grateful and delighted to meet a kind man at Shellpile who opened the door to the South Port Norris One- Room School in Shellpile. I have visited this building and taken many photos but never got lucky enough to be invited inside before. Folks down there on the bayside are very friendly and generous with their time. Coming soon - mystery object Shellpile one-room school and a photo of a "Dame" School, one of the two one-room schools I visited today! Tune in again in a couple of days. Also, I'll add info on a Swedish Settlers Homestead I found today too!
I have already reserved my spot and paid my $10 member fee to attend. As a docent at the Whitall House and a devoted seeker after South Jersey History, this is a wonderful opportunity because as we all know, from Fenwick to Whitall and Wharton and many influential families in between, the Quakers were an early and powerful force in New Jersey history. Many of you have probably read Jerseyman's blog on the Quaker Meeting Houses that grace the main streets of so many of our historic towns from Burlington to Greenwich. Find out more about these founding settlers. Christopher Densmore, curator of the Friends Historical Library, Swarthmore, Pa. will give the talk.
If you missed Part 1 of the Quilt show at the Jesssup-Lawrence House in Woodbury, there is still time to take it in before Part 2 begins in late September. The show was marvelous, filled with local color and history. To add to your knowledge and enjoyment there will be a talk "Run Faredy Run" Quilt Squares with a story at the Gloucester County Historical Society Library at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 13, 2012. Kathleen Lindsey, Historian and Author, will give the talk which will include a tour of the Museum Quilt Exhibit following the presentation. You can be sure I'll be there! Hope you will too!
In my next blog, I will pose a mystery "What is this object?" Today was a day of many discoveries and soon, I will add some interesting photographs from this marvelous day in South Jersey. I was grateful and delighted to meet a kind man at Shellpile who opened the door to the South Port Norris One- Room School in Shellpile. I have visited this building and taken many photos but never got lucky enough to be invited inside before. Folks down there on the bayside are very friendly and generous with their time. Coming soon - mystery object Shellpile one-room school and a photo of a "Dame" School, one of the two one-room schools I visited today! Tune in again in a couple of days. Also, I'll add info on a Swedish Settlers Homestead I found today too!
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
SAVED-Murphy's Book Loft in Mullica Hill
One of my best finds at Murphy's Book Loft , in Mullica Hill, NJ, was an original copy of Bert Nixdorf's book on bicycle trails in NJ. At the time, I was very interested in the history of the Outdoor Club of South Jersey and Bert Nixdorf was a founder of that group which has made it possible for many thousands to enjoy the New Jersey pinelands over the years. Bert has passed away in the last year or so. There was a memorial on the Outdoor Club's home-page.
As my interests evolved, I was able to purchase excellent books on the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and one of my all-time favorite magazines, South Jersey Magazine, which stopped being printed in the early 1980's. Anyone interested in South Jersey history would find back copies of that magazine an invaluable resource. Also, I've taken many friends there to buy novels and other kinds of books, prints, old copies of magazines (such as the month of a birthday) and sheet music - they have EVERYTHING!
So it was with a heavy heart that I heard, some months back, that the owner was closing down and retiring to West Virginia, . She said they would be gone by June. In early June, I stopped by twice, once with a brother looking for novels and again with another friend and we found out that a miracle had ocurred and the owner's grandson was going to take over and update the business.
In the South Jersey section of the Inquirer, Tues. Aug. 2, there is an article about the changes that will take place at Murphy's Book Loft. It will also house antique shops. The article mentioned "streetscape improvements" in Mullica Hill and how the by-pass has fixed some traffic problems in the town.
I love that main street, especially around the holidays. It is a Christmas treat that boosts your holiday spirit, and I've found many inexpensive, charming, and unique gifts there over the years.
I hope to see you there having lunch or tea or shopping for books or antiques one day - Fall is especially charming in Mullica Hill.
As my interests evolved, I was able to purchase excellent books on the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and one of my all-time favorite magazines, South Jersey Magazine, which stopped being printed in the early 1980's. Anyone interested in South Jersey history would find back copies of that magazine an invaluable resource. Also, I've taken many friends there to buy novels and other kinds of books, prints, old copies of magazines (such as the month of a birthday) and sheet music - they have EVERYTHING!
So it was with a heavy heart that I heard, some months back, that the owner was closing down and retiring to West Virginia, . She said they would be gone by June. In early June, I stopped by twice, once with a brother looking for novels and again with another friend and we found out that a miracle had ocurred and the owner's grandson was going to take over and update the business.
In the South Jersey section of the Inquirer, Tues. Aug. 2, there is an article about the changes that will take place at Murphy's Book Loft. It will also house antique shops. The article mentioned "streetscape improvements" in Mullica Hill and how the by-pass has fixed some traffic problems in the town.
I love that main street, especially around the holidays. It is a Christmas treat that boosts your holiday spirit, and I've found many inexpensive, charming, and unique gifts there over the years.
I hope to see you there having lunch or tea or shopping for books or antiques one day - Fall is especially charming in Mullica Hill.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Compton House, Mauricetown Historical Society
August 6, 2012 Monday
Yesterday, Sunday the 5th, Barb Solem (docent at Atsion and author of Ghosttowns and Other Quirky Places in the NJ Pinebarrens) and I visited Mauricetown to take a tour of one of the lovely Victorian houses there. As I understand it, the businessmen in the oyster industry lived in Port Norris, the ship captains lived in Mauricetown, and the builders lived in Dividing Creek, Leesburg and other towns on the Maurice River.
I have been to Mauricetown to look around before. There is a very nice little park on the river with a historic marker and picnic tables if you want to stop at the WAWA (on New Stage Road just after 55 turns into 347 and before you drive over the Mauricetown bypass), you can buy sandwiches and have a nice picnic. Then you can walk around the 6 or 8 small streets lined with venerable old trees and simply beautiful Victorian homes, many of which have historic markers giving the names of the captains who lived in them and the dates. The Compton House is the home of the Mauricetown Hsitorical Society, a warm and welcoming group of people who gave us a fascinating tour of their house and the stack house out back as well.
The Compton House is open the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. I especially enjoyed the marine paintings and wish to take up making paintings of ships myself some time soon. The furnishings are lovely and you get a real feel for the house as it must have been. Many rooms have interesting displays featuring photos of residents such as in the school room.
As we left, we were warmly encouraged to "Come back and see us again." And I assured the volunteer docents that I would most certainly be doing that.
History people, in my experience, are generous, knowledgeable, hospitable and kind.
Yesterday, Sunday the 5th, Barb Solem (docent at Atsion and author of Ghosttowns and Other Quirky Places in the NJ Pinebarrens) and I visited Mauricetown to take a tour of one of the lovely Victorian houses there. As I understand it, the businessmen in the oyster industry lived in Port Norris, the ship captains lived in Mauricetown, and the builders lived in Dividing Creek, Leesburg and other towns on the Maurice River.
I have been to Mauricetown to look around before. There is a very nice little park on the river with a historic marker and picnic tables if you want to stop at the WAWA (on New Stage Road just after 55 turns into 347 and before you drive over the Mauricetown bypass), you can buy sandwiches and have a nice picnic. Then you can walk around the 6 or 8 small streets lined with venerable old trees and simply beautiful Victorian homes, many of which have historic markers giving the names of the captains who lived in them and the dates. The Compton House is the home of the Mauricetown Hsitorical Society, a warm and welcoming group of people who gave us a fascinating tour of their house and the stack house out back as well.
The Compton House is open the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. I especially enjoyed the marine paintings and wish to take up making paintings of ships myself some time soon. The furnishings are lovely and you get a real feel for the house as it must have been. Many rooms have interesting displays featuring photos of residents such as in the school room.
As we left, we were warmly encouraged to "Come back and see us again." And I assured the volunteer docents that I would most certainly be doing that.
History people, in my experience, are generous, knowledgeable, hospitable and kind.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Sittin' On the Dock of The Bay
You may find the seashore crowded and the highways daunting, but I can vouch for the Bay with one caution (at the end). I've been spending a lot of time this summer cruising on the rivers and enjoying road-trips to some of the little town names I come across in my readings about NJ history.
For example in studying for my volunteer work at Bivalve, Bayshore Discovery Project, I get the impression that the shuckers lived in Shellpile, captains of boats lived in Mauricetown, business owners in Port Norris and ship builders and carpenters as well as waatermen in small towns adjacent to these such as Dividing Creek.
I have always wanted to visit Dividing Creek since I met the name in read the old South Jersey Magazine with a running series of diary entries from said hamlet.
I've driven to Port Norris a couple of dozen or more times over the years, but had never gotten to Mauricetown (pronounced Morristown by the locals, but I have to pronounce it Maurice like the French so my friends don't get it confused with Moorestown).
On the 100 degree Saturday just passed, a friend, my trusty dog Blizzard and I set off to find these towns. The air-conditioning in my car works very well, so we were comfortable and carried bottles of water for us and the dog, and picnic lunch and Jersey peaches.
First, we found Mauricetown and it is lovely. the Victorian gingerbread houses and the quiet shady streets bring back an atmosphere of a time long-gone. The houses are beautifully maintained and many have the names of the captains who once lived in them.
Dividing Creek, a more modest architectural relic of the past, has two enticing cemeteries, but it was too hot! I wanted to look for the names I found in the books I've been reading by Margaret Louise Mints (Men The Sea and Industry, Lighthouse to Leeward, and Dallas Ferry), but that exploration will have to wait for fall.
Finally we ended up in Fortescue passing through several other hamlets with familiar names in between. In Fortescue, we went to the Bay where many men were fishing, and decided to let the dog stretch his legs on the beach, but we were quickly driven back to the car, not by heat, but by voracious giant green flies who could strike and bite faster than you could swat. Four of them traveled with us for a few miles, but though I am a vegetarian, I have no problem with killing flies or mosquitoes and we killed one and got the others out the window, but not before we each got bitten one more time. Those fishermen must have been slathered with repellent.
The drive back was delightful, as it always is coming home from the Bay through farm country and the small towns such as Gouldtown and Fairton.
Today, I am off to Greenwich to visit the Prehistory Museum again and to have lunch at the Marina. I would have visited the Native American artifacts collection at the Bridgeton Library which I am told is wonderful, but they aren't open till the last Sunday of the month.
Remembering Dad. Two of the things my father loved when he was younger and lived in New Jersey and Pa. were Sunday family drives to all sorts of places, especially in the summer to Pa. caverns (cool) and his fishing trips with his fellow ironworkers. They met down at Fortescue and went out on chartered boats. He loved those trips and being at Fortescue this Saturday was almost like a brief visit with him. It is a cliche of those of us who are my age and have lost their parents that we wish we'd been less self-centered and asked more about their lives and interests. I wish I could ask my Dad about his fishing trips at Fortescue, how he found out about it and who he went with and what he liked best (and if he ever ran into those giant green flies).
For example in studying for my volunteer work at Bivalve, Bayshore Discovery Project, I get the impression that the shuckers lived in Shellpile, captains of boats lived in Mauricetown, business owners in Port Norris and ship builders and carpenters as well as waatermen in small towns adjacent to these such as Dividing Creek.
I have always wanted to visit Dividing Creek since I met the name in read the old South Jersey Magazine with a running series of diary entries from said hamlet.
I've driven to Port Norris a couple of dozen or more times over the years, but had never gotten to Mauricetown (pronounced Morristown by the locals, but I have to pronounce it Maurice like the French so my friends don't get it confused with Moorestown).
On the 100 degree Saturday just passed, a friend, my trusty dog Blizzard and I set off to find these towns. The air-conditioning in my car works very well, so we were comfortable and carried bottles of water for us and the dog, and picnic lunch and Jersey peaches.
First, we found Mauricetown and it is lovely. the Victorian gingerbread houses and the quiet shady streets bring back an atmosphere of a time long-gone. The houses are beautifully maintained and many have the names of the captains who once lived in them.
Dividing Creek, a more modest architectural relic of the past, has two enticing cemeteries, but it was too hot! I wanted to look for the names I found in the books I've been reading by Margaret Louise Mints (Men The Sea and Industry, Lighthouse to Leeward, and Dallas Ferry), but that exploration will have to wait for fall.
Finally we ended up in Fortescue passing through several other hamlets with familiar names in between. In Fortescue, we went to the Bay where many men were fishing, and decided to let the dog stretch his legs on the beach, but we were quickly driven back to the car, not by heat, but by voracious giant green flies who could strike and bite faster than you could swat. Four of them traveled with us for a few miles, but though I am a vegetarian, I have no problem with killing flies or mosquitoes and we killed one and got the others out the window, but not before we each got bitten one more time. Those fishermen must have been slathered with repellent.
The drive back was delightful, as it always is coming home from the Bay through farm country and the small towns such as Gouldtown and Fairton.
Today, I am off to Greenwich to visit the Prehistory Museum again and to have lunch at the Marina. I would have visited the Native American artifacts collection at the Bridgeton Library which I am told is wonderful, but they aren't open till the last Sunday of the month.
Remembering Dad. Two of the things my father loved when he was younger and lived in New Jersey and Pa. were Sunday family drives to all sorts of places, especially in the summer to Pa. caverns (cool) and his fishing trips with his fellow ironworkers. They met down at Fortescue and went out on chartered boats. He loved those trips and being at Fortescue this Saturday was almost like a brief visit with him. It is a cliche of those of us who are my age and have lost their parents that we wish we'd been less self-centered and asked more about their lives and interests. I wish I could ask my Dad about his fishing trips at Fortescue, how he found out about it and who he went with and what he liked best (and if he ever ran into those giant green flies).
Saturday, June 16, 2012
APerfectDay
On Friday, a friend and I took a delightful boat ride on the Maurice River down to the Mauricetown Bridge from the Millville Port at Ware Street.
We saw ospreys and eagles both nesting and perching and enjoyed the lovely view of the river banks including the Millville Bluffs. We passed the historic Burcham Farm house also and the long dyke that preserves the farm land from the reach of the river.
There were about two dozen people on the boat and all were equally awed by the view of our national symbol, the eagle. The captain provided several photo albums of historic Millville along with his interesting commentary.
Because it was "Seniors Friday" the boat ride only cost $10. It departed at 1:00 p.m. and returned at 3:00 p.m. Call ahead to reserve your seat (856) 327-1530, Captain Dave Scherer.
The perfect day was made even more wonderful by a delicious lunch at Wilflower Earthly Vegan FAre at 501N. High Street in the Arts District. We had grilled vegetable wraps, black bean soup with carrots in it, and for dessert, blueberry cheesecake.
Tomorrow, for Father's Day, I'll be joining my cousin Patty in Cape May to tour the World War II Watch Tower now a memorial to veterans of that war. We think it is a fit way to spend Father's Day as my father, her uncle, was a Navy man and veteran of the war. He served in troop transports in both the North Atlantic and the South Pacific. The last book he was reading before he died a year ago was The Battle for Tassaferongo; he had been there. I'll let you know about the Watch Tower after I visit.
We saw ospreys and eagles both nesting and perching and enjoyed the lovely view of the river banks including the Millville Bluffs. We passed the historic Burcham Farm house also and the long dyke that preserves the farm land from the reach of the river.
There were about two dozen people on the boat and all were equally awed by the view of our national symbol, the eagle. The captain provided several photo albums of historic Millville along with his interesting commentary.
Because it was "Seniors Friday" the boat ride only cost $10. It departed at 1:00 p.m. and returned at 3:00 p.m. Call ahead to reserve your seat (856) 327-1530, Captain Dave Scherer.
The perfect day was made even more wonderful by a delicious lunch at Wilflower Earthly Vegan FAre at 501N. High Street in the Arts District. We had grilled vegetable wraps, black bean soup with carrots in it, and for dessert, blueberry cheesecake.
Tomorrow, for Father's Day, I'll be joining my cousin Patty in Cape May to tour the World War II Watch Tower now a memorial to veterans of that war. We think it is a fit way to spend Father's Day as my father, her uncle, was a Navy man and veteran of the war. He served in troop transports in both the North Atlantic and the South Pacific. The last book he was reading before he died a year ago was The Battle for Tassaferongo; he had been there. I'll let you know about the Watch Tower after I visit.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
"We Shall Fight on the Beaches"
Since the commemoration a couple of weeks ago of D-Day, June 6, 1944, I have been watching a series of documentaries on the 2nd World War featured on Verizon On Demand - History Channel, Smithsonian and Military Channel. A 4 part series on Smithsonian, called Apocalypse, is excellent with never before seen color film footage. This Sunday, I'll be going to the World War 2 Look-out tower at Cape May with my cousin Patty who made a donation towards its restoration in honor of my father who served in the US Navy in both the North Atlantic and the South Pacific. I will write again after I have visited the memorial.
This is NJersey's last restorable Look-ut tower from the war period according to the web site.
http://www.capemaymac.org/content/subpage_main.aspx?id=2030
In the maintime, I'll be taking a boat ride on the Maurice River out of Millville and I'll let you know about that as well.
Tomorrow is the first meeting of teh Museum Club of the Bayshore Discovery Project.
More on all of these events afterwards. Enjoy exploring our wonderul state in this cool and refreshing weather. See you on the trail or on the water! Jo Ann
This is NJersey's last restorable Look-ut tower from the war period according to the web site.
http://www.capemaymac.org/content/subpage_main.aspx?id=2030
In the maintime, I'll be taking a boat ride on the Maurice River out of Millville and I'll let you know about that as well.
Tomorrow is the first meeting of teh Museum Club of the Bayshore Discovery Project.
More on all of these events afterwards. Enjoy exploring our wonderul state in this cool and refreshing weather. See you on the trail or on the water! Jo Ann
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Excellent link
A good buddy of mine from the parks, a walking and dog pal named Terry recommended this web site and I just visited it. It is excellent! Try it out -
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/
Let me know what you think! Jo Ann
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/
Let me know what you think! Jo Ann
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Where's the river?
On June 5, which is now, in my schedule, State Parks Tuesday, Barb Spector, my dedicated State Parks Program buddy and Blizzard my white Lab, set off for Jackson New Jersey for the Forest Resource Education Center in Jackson, NJ. We have finished all the State Parks in South Jersey and are now exploring those in Central Jersey. This turned out to be one of the simpler parks to find and we were greeted by a beautiful education center and a friendly State Park guide who gave us a brief overview of the trails and the center.
Inside the circular main room there is a tree, decorated with preserved animals such as squirrels, owls, and at the ground level, a fox, and other small ground mammals. It is an impressive sight, even to someone like me who finds taxidermied animals sad. The living ones are so magical, when dead and stuffed, they just seem like dead furniture
After a look around, we headed out to the trails. One in particular interested me an "overlook" that promised a view of Tom's River. We hiked the white trail, the blue trail and any other trail that looked trod upon. We found lovely vistas, seating areas for comtemplation of the forest beauty, and a cheery little stream, but had to return to the education center to inquire where we were going wrong in finding the overlook over the Tom's River. Kindly, our guide explained that the small stream was the Tom's River at this location near where it starts. What a surprise to a Delaware, Maurice and Mullica River habitue like myself. That was the most notable thing at this park to me other than the above listed attractions. We also stopped by an irrigation pond and passed through the tree planting area.
Note: If you go, pass the tree planting "office" area, and continue up the dirt road to find the education center. It is my habit to call to make sure dogs are welcome before I go to a State Park, so far they have always been welcomed, and I generally ask (after several unexpected detours at other parks) if there is anything I should know about locating the visitor's center. The same kind guide told me to follow the road past the office and over the bridge to the education center. There isn't a sign. I would strongly recommend this visit to anyone who likes the woods and I would suggest you bring a picnic lunch.
Happy Trails!
Inside the circular main room there is a tree, decorated with preserved animals such as squirrels, owls, and at the ground level, a fox, and other small ground mammals. It is an impressive sight, even to someone like me who finds taxidermied animals sad. The living ones are so magical, when dead and stuffed, they just seem like dead furniture
After a look around, we headed out to the trails. One in particular interested me an "overlook" that promised a view of Tom's River. We hiked the white trail, the blue trail and any other trail that looked trod upon. We found lovely vistas, seating areas for comtemplation of the forest beauty, and a cheery little stream, but had to return to the education center to inquire where we were going wrong in finding the overlook over the Tom's River. Kindly, our guide explained that the small stream was the Tom's River at this location near where it starts. What a surprise to a Delaware, Maurice and Mullica River habitue like myself. That was the most notable thing at this park to me other than the above listed attractions. We also stopped by an irrigation pond and passed through the tree planting area.
Note: If you go, pass the tree planting "office" area, and continue up the dirt road to find the education center. It is my habit to call to make sure dogs are welcome before I go to a State Park, so far they have always been welcomed, and I generally ask (after several unexpected detours at other parks) if there is anything I should know about locating the visitor's center. The same kind guide told me to follow the road past the office and over the bridge to the education center. There isn't a sign. I would strongly recommend this visit to anyone who likes the woods and I would suggest you bring a picnic lunch.
Happy Trails!
Friday, June 1, 2012
Go To It!
GO TO-June 2nd - Bay Day at Bivalve. Set your gps for Port Norris and head on down to Bivalve for the annual festival of Bay Day! I'll be working at the museum from 1-3 but it will be open for many other hours, of course, and lots of other activities and pleasures to enjoy.
On Memorial Day, two friends and I took the sail on the A. J. Meerwald out to the Bay and up the river. It was breezy and delightful. Next planned excursion will be to the East Point Lighthouse. I feel a lighthouses of the NJ seacoast series coming up!
GO TO-Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen's Museum My latest ramblings around the historic places of South Jersey have taken me to the Tuckerton Seaport where my friends and I had a copious and delicious lunch at SoJo and enjoyed the surf board show at the museum. We climbed the lighthouse and looked out over the expanse of more than 2 dozen buildings devoted to describing seaport life. We visited the decoy carver, too, and several other buildings. I plan to go back because there is so much to see there, one trip is never enough. This is my third trip.
GO TO-June 18 - 19th Annual Baymen's Seafood and Music Festival 11 - to 5:00 p.m. the title says it all. Listed as one of "Top 10 NJ Outdoor Festivals" by Nj Countryside Magazine. Presented by Jersey Shore Folklife Center. It is held at the Tuckerton Seaport of course!
GO TO-Gloucester County Historical Society Museum 58 North Broad Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096
856-848-8531 - STITCHED THROUGH TIME: A LEGACY OF QUILTS - Part 1
30 plus quilts are featured. Mon, Wed. Fri. 1 to 4, $5 Adult, also last Sunday of the month from 2-5.
On Memorial Day, two friends and I took the sail on the A. J. Meerwald out to the Bay and up the river. It was breezy and delightful. Next planned excursion will be to the East Point Lighthouse. I feel a lighthouses of the NJ seacoast series coming up!
GO TO-Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen's Museum My latest ramblings around the historic places of South Jersey have taken me to the Tuckerton Seaport where my friends and I had a copious and delicious lunch at SoJo and enjoyed the surf board show at the museum. We climbed the lighthouse and looked out over the expanse of more than 2 dozen buildings devoted to describing seaport life. We visited the decoy carver, too, and several other buildings. I plan to go back because there is so much to see there, one trip is never enough. This is my third trip.
GO TO-June 18 - 19th Annual Baymen's Seafood and Music Festival 11 - to 5:00 p.m. the title says it all. Listed as one of "Top 10 NJ Outdoor Festivals" by Nj Countryside Magazine. Presented by Jersey Shore Folklife Center. It is held at the Tuckerton Seaport of course!
GO TO-Gloucester County Historical Society Museum 58 North Broad Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096
856-848-8531 - STITCHED THROUGH TIME: A LEGACY OF QUILTS - Part 1
30 plus quilts are featured. Mon, Wed. Fri. 1 to 4, $5 Adult, also last Sunday of the month from 2-5.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Historic Batsto Village - News Release
Historic Batsto Village
31 Batsto Road
Hammonton, NJ 08037
For Immediate Release Contact: Wes Hughes Phone: 856-236-0113
Email: whughes76@verizon.net
I’ll Second That!
Hammonton, N.J. – (May 29, 2012) – The Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc. ( BCCI ) announces its Second Saturday program beginning Saturday June 9, 2012 and continuing July 14th and August 11th.
In an effort to bring more life to the site of the once thriving bog iron and glass industries, BCCI and its volunteer organization will fund and facilitate a variety of activities at historic Batsto Village beginning at 10AM and continuing through 4PM on the second Saturdays of the summer.
Highlighting the day’s activities will be demonstrations by the Wheaton Arts Glassblowers. A traveling glass blowing unit will be operated by Wheaton personnel throughout the day. A glimpse into the world of glassmaking; an integral part of Batsto in its later years, will provide visitors a unique look into an important aspect of South Jersey history.
In addition to the traveling glass unit, Revolutionary War re-enactors will provide guided walking tours of the village beginning at 10AM.
The Batsto mansion; home of the Richards family for 92 years and later owned by Philadelphia Quaker industrialist Joseph Wharton, will be open for tours throughout the day for a small charge. The “Big House on the Hill” is a remarkable structure with its beginnings in 1784.
- more -
I’ll Second That Page 2
The Batsto Post Office; the oldest operational post office in New Jersey and the third oldest in the United States, will be in operation and waiting to apply a cancellation mark to your mail. Batsto is one of only three places in the United States without a zip code.
A blacksmith will be on hand to demonstrate the art of shaping iron into useful items and quilters will also be hard at work in the village.
The working saw mill be powered and making lumber cuts just as it did for many years at the site.
Summer parking of $5.00 / car is in effect at the village Labor Day at Batsto Village.
Batsto Village is located in the Pinelands of Burlington County, South Jersey approximately seven miles east of Hammonton on Route 542 and 15 miles west of Exit 50 of the Garden State Parkway.
About Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc.
The Batsto Citizens Committee was founded in 1956 to aid the State of New Jersey in the development of Batsto Village as an historic site. Its purpose was to advise, assist and promote the restoration and interpretation of the historic and natural aspects of Batsto Village. In 1997, the committee reorganized and became incorporated as the Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc. (BCCI), and continues to follow the above objectives. For more information about BCCI visit http://www.batstovillage.org/
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Heritage Day Meet the Author at Red Bank Battlefield
On Sunday, May 20th, the James and Ann Whitall House will be open for tours and will feature a Meet the Authors Event for the Heritage Day theme. We will have, among others, Barbara Solem, author of Ghosttowns and Other Quirky Places of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. There will also be a book sale - 4 books for a buck! So come on over - the weather looks good and visit with the authors (including me) and buy some books, tour the house and visit with our hearth cooks, who, as they do on all Heritage Days, will be cooking a colonial meal on the hearth. Hope to see you there!
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Spirit of the Jerseys History Fair
There could not have been a more beautiful day for the Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair at Washington Crossing State Park. Saturday, May 12, turned out to be cool in the morning and warm in the afternoon. A great addition to the otherwise deplorable food offered at fairs in general was an all natural smoothie bar. Most restaurants and any size eating establishments by this period have added vegetarian options, but the outdoor fairs seem geared toward fried dough such as funnel cakes or hot dogs and hamburgers. There was however, also a falafel stand, but we had brought our own picnic lunch and only needed something cool and refreshing and pina colada smoothies fit the bill.
My highlight of the fair was the visit to the Johnson Ferry House where my daughter and I listened to a musician play The Endless Jigg and invite President and Mrs. George Washington to dance. The President, having just gotten off his horse, declined.
The woods were dappled with sunlight and the leaves danced in the breeze, this is always a lovely place to hike, maybe most so in early spring or fall before the terror of ticks and other insects. It was a lovely way to celebrate Mother's Day (a day early) with my daughter who took the train down from New York to Princeton Junction.
My highlight of the fair was the visit to the Johnson Ferry House where my daughter and I listened to a musician play The Endless Jigg and invite President and Mrs. George Washington to dance. The President, having just gotten off his horse, declined.
The woods were dappled with sunlight and the leaves danced in the breeze, this is always a lovely place to hike, maybe most so in early spring or fall before the terror of ticks and other insects. It was a lovely way to celebrate Mother's Day (a day early) with my daughter who took the train down from New York to Princeton Junction.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Great Books on Oysters
Thinking of my daughter coming to visit from New York, where she lives, reminded me to mention a really good book I'm reading called The Big Oyster - History on the Half Shell by Mark Kurlansky. He also wrote a wonderful book called Salt. I had just finished reading the Oyster Wars of Chesapeake Bay by John R. Wennersten, another fascinating read that I strongly recommend.
From the book on the Oyster Wars, I was shocked to read about the shanghai, kidnap and enslavement of new immigrants from Germany and Ireland for service on the windlass of oyster schooners. It was heartbreaking to read how they were mistreated and even murdered. In one pitched battle between oyster pirates and marine police a ship was sunk with immigrant mariners locked in the hold. It is also sad to read about the watermen who depleted their own oyster beds in New England and New York, then sailed down the coast to raid the oyster beds in Virginia and Maryland.
Now, anyone reading this who knows me personally, knows that I am a vegetarian, though a tolerant and not too self-righteous one, so I'm not about to criticize anyone for boiling alive a crab or lobster or ripping the shell apart and eating a living oyster, but it doesn't sound appetizing to me. The main thing to me, was that the oysters each filtered and cleaned upwards of 22 gallons of water a day and when they are gone, the dumping and polluting into the rivers on top of the loss of the natural filtering provided by the oyster, is a death knell to the big rivers like the Hudson. What a shame. Hopefully newer generations will have more respect for our natural world and learn from those among us who already do and have struggled in the good fight for decades.
I have always had a deep love of rivers from my childhood in South Philadelphia, not far from the Delawaare River. In fact, my old childhood church, Gloria Dei, Old Swede's Church, which I have mentioned before, was right on the river and I saw the changing face of that noble waterway every Sunday thoughout the seasons. It is encouraging to hear that the Delaware has made such a turn-about from its former state of pollution.
When you see a clean river, after being used to the dark, murky and algae and refuse filled rivers where we live, in particular the Cooper, it is a pleasant surprise.
Finally, to anyone out there who is reading this and is a Mother, I salute you! To anyone out there reading this who has a living mother, you are lucky - appreciate her. May the weekend bring pleasure and health and family love to all!
From the book on the Oyster Wars, I was shocked to read about the shanghai, kidnap and enslavement of new immigrants from Germany and Ireland for service on the windlass of oyster schooners. It was heartbreaking to read how they were mistreated and even murdered. In one pitched battle between oyster pirates and marine police a ship was sunk with immigrant mariners locked in the hold. It is also sad to read about the watermen who depleted their own oyster beds in New England and New York, then sailed down the coast to raid the oyster beds in Virginia and Maryland.
Now, anyone reading this who knows me personally, knows that I am a vegetarian, though a tolerant and not too self-righteous one, so I'm not about to criticize anyone for boiling alive a crab or lobster or ripping the shell apart and eating a living oyster, but it doesn't sound appetizing to me. The main thing to me, was that the oysters each filtered and cleaned upwards of 22 gallons of water a day and when they are gone, the dumping and polluting into the rivers on top of the loss of the natural filtering provided by the oyster, is a death knell to the big rivers like the Hudson. What a shame. Hopefully newer generations will have more respect for our natural world and learn from those among us who already do and have struggled in the good fight for decades.
I have always had a deep love of rivers from my childhood in South Philadelphia, not far from the Delawaare River. In fact, my old childhood church, Gloria Dei, Old Swede's Church, which I have mentioned before, was right on the river and I saw the changing face of that noble waterway every Sunday thoughout the seasons. It is encouraging to hear that the Delaware has made such a turn-about from its former state of pollution.
When you see a clean river, after being used to the dark, murky and algae and refuse filled rivers where we live, in particular the Cooper, it is a pleasant surprise.
Finally, to anyone out there who is reading this and is a Mother, I salute you! To anyone out there reading this who has a living mother, you are lucky - appreciate her. May the weekend bring pleasure and health and family love to all!
Mother'sDayTreat-Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair
Tomorrow I will pick up my daughter in Trenton at the train station and we will go to Titusville, New Jersey for the Spirit of the Jerseys state History Fair! Since it is our Mother's Day celebration as she'll be away on Sunday, it was my choice of several fun things to do including the aforementioned boat rides on the Maurice or Toms River. This fair is free admission from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and $5 to park. It is being held at Washington Crossing State park.
http://www.njhistoryfair.org/
Hope to see you there!
http://www.njhistoryfair.org/
Hope to see you there!
Friday, May 4, 2012
Call for Volunteers for Atsion Mansion!
Historic Atsion Mansion to open for tours – Summer 2012
Are you interested in local history? Do you enjoy meeting new people? Then Historic Atsion Mansion in Wharton State Forest is the place for you! Volunteer docents are needed to provide public tours of the Mansion on weekends beginning June 9th. No experience is necessary. All volunteers will be provided with a script as well as training to get you started. Even if you can only help one day each month, you will be making an important contribution.
The first training for volunteer docents will be held on May 19th at 10:00 a.m. at the Atsion Park Office, on Rt. 206 in Shamong NJ. Contact Barbara Solem at barbsolem@aol.com or 609-268-5556 for information on how to get involved
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Here is information in case you'd care to enjoy a sail on the two-masted oyster schooner, A. J. Meerwald. Two friends and I sailed around the Island off Burlington City this past Tuesday and it was like living in a fantasy - anyone remember Adventures in Paradise with Troy Donahue?
Give it a try!
Buy your sail tickets online at www.bayshorediscovery.org
or call 856-785-2060.
Sail Schedule:
*Saturday, May 5: Family Special Sail 10:00am-12:30pm
*Saturday, May 5: Afternoon Sail 1:30-4:00pm
Sunday, May 6: Afternoon Sail 1:30-4:00pm
Sunday, May 6: Evening Sail 5:00-7:30pm
Friday, May 11: Second Friday Sail! 4:00-6:00pm - Come down early on Second Friday and take a sail on the river, then stay for an evening of music, food and fun at the historic Shipping Sheds (5:30 - 8:30pm).
*Saturday, May 12: Family Special Sail 10:00am-12:30pm
*Saturday, May 12: Pirate Sail 1:30p-4:00p - Hear pirate tales; costumes welcome!
Sunday, May 13: Mother's Day Breakfast Sail 10:00am-12:30pm - Treat Mom to breakfast on the bay!
Sunday, May 13: Oyster Sail with Raw Bar 1:30-4:00pm - Learn about the oyster industry; watch shucking demonstration; taste some raw oysters.
Sunday, May 13: Evening Sail 5:00-7:30pm
Sunday, May 20: Afternoon Sail 1:30-4:00pm
Sunday, May 20: Music Sail 5:00p-7:30p - Local musicians will entertain on board!
*Saturday, May 26: Marine Critters Trawl Sail 1:30p-4:00p - Haul in & identify local marine life.
*Saturday, May 26: Evening Sail 5:00p-7:30p
Sunday, May 27: Lighthouse Cruise 12:00-6:00pm - Learn about the Bay's lighthouses; sail past as many as wind and tides allow. Bring a camera!
Monday, May 28: Memorial Day Birding Sail 8:00a-12:00p - Enjoy complimentary breakfast, as experts help spot and identify local birds and other wildlife. Spotting scopes and field guides will be available. Bring your cameras and binoculars!
Monday, May 28: Memorial Day Staycation Special Sail 1:00-2:30pm (Discounted prices!)
The Bayshore Discovery Project is a non-profit organization whose mission is to motivate people to take care of the history, the culture and the environment of New Jersey New Jersey 's official Tall Ship, as a hands-on sailing classroom throughout the region; and offers shore-based programs and events in her home port of Bivalve on the scenic Maurice River in Cumberland County
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Rollin' on the River
www.CruiseTheMaurice River.com
Fridays and Saturdays (they have other hours 10 a.m and 4 pm but I thought this was more convenient) depart at 1 and return at 3:00 from Ware Ave. City of Millville Marina, Millville
River Lady
All week, 6 tour options from lunch through dinner - my special choice would be #3Historical Sightseeing Cruise which is at 11:00 Tues., Thrus. Fri. There’s a lunch cruise on Sat. at 12:30
Happy Trails always and for the upcoming month Happy Sails!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
State Parks Adventure
This week my intrepid state parks adventure pals, Barb and Blizzard, and I set out for the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park. It was another of this spring's generous gifts of a breezy and sunny day.
Thanks to our sometimes confusing but usually useful gps devices, we've had far less trouble finding these parks than with just our paper maps. This one had the unexpected wrench in the works of a major detour on exactly the road we were supposed to take to find the park building where we ould get the stamps for our Passports to Adventures Program booklets. Again, we marveled how people can work or live right down the street from something and be etnrely unaware of its existence. For example, the people we met at the Princeton Center for Arts and Education had no idea where the D & R Canal State Parks building was and vice versa, when we called the D & R folks, they had no idea where the Princeton Center was, but we finally found an alternate route to the building and hiked a mile or two on the charming canal path, then headed over to a really excellent deli to buy picnic lunches. They had lots of vegetarian and vegan selections and everything was FRESH - it was the best fruit salad I think I've ever bought. I rarely buy fruit salad out because it always has a stale and slimy quality. We returned to the Canal for a picnic at a nice shady canalside table provided for that purpose.
WATER TRAVEL: Lately my mind ha been taken up with transport in the state. Since I'm taking volunteer training at Bivalve, I've once again been introduced to both boat and river travel and railroads of the past. So it looks like it was wind and water into canals and mules, steam boats, followed by coal fired railroads and electric trolleys, followed by trucks.
I missed an interesting talk at the Mauricetown Historical Society on steamships on the rivers, given by a fellow volunteer from Bivalve. I was just overexted that week and couldn't push myself to one more activity, no matter how tempting.
Speaking of tempting activities: the Sunday Lecture on Civil War Women at Burlington County Historical Society, Corson Poley Center was Outstanding. the presenter was enthusiastic, very knowledgeable and gave a lively and fascinating lecture with power point slides. The whole Sunday Lecture series has been wonderful and i'm glad I knew about it and went to it. I think there is one Sunday lecure left.
I missed the Burlington County Roundtable this month, however, because it conflicted with a course I'm taking in the Westward Expansion at Camden County Coollege, Rohrer Building, Cherry Hill. The Roundtable was at Paulsdale, too, a double disappointment to have missed that visit to a favorite site as well as the always edifying Roundtable. Hopefully the plannets will be aligned for me to make the next one.
Happy Trails!
Thanks to our sometimes confusing but usually useful gps devices, we've had far less trouble finding these parks than with just our paper maps. This one had the unexpected wrench in the works of a major detour on exactly the road we were supposed to take to find the park building where we ould get the stamps for our Passports to Adventures Program booklets. Again, we marveled how people can work or live right down the street from something and be etnrely unaware of its existence. For example, the people we met at the Princeton Center for Arts and Education had no idea where the D & R Canal State Parks building was and vice versa, when we called the D & R folks, they had no idea where the Princeton Center was, but we finally found an alternate route to the building and hiked a mile or two on the charming canal path, then headed over to a really excellent deli to buy picnic lunches. They had lots of vegetarian and vegan selections and everything was FRESH - it was the best fruit salad I think I've ever bought. I rarely buy fruit salad out because it always has a stale and slimy quality. We returned to the Canal for a picnic at a nice shady canalside table provided for that purpose.
WATER TRAVEL: Lately my mind ha been taken up with transport in the state. Since I'm taking volunteer training at Bivalve, I've once again been introduced to both boat and river travel and railroads of the past. So it looks like it was wind and water into canals and mules, steam boats, followed by coal fired railroads and electric trolleys, followed by trucks.
I missed an interesting talk at the Mauricetown Historical Society on steamships on the rivers, given by a fellow volunteer from Bivalve. I was just overexted that week and couldn't push myself to one more activity, no matter how tempting.
Speaking of tempting activities: the Sunday Lecture on Civil War Women at Burlington County Historical Society, Corson Poley Center was Outstanding. the presenter was enthusiastic, very knowledgeable and gave a lively and fascinating lecture with power point slides. The whole Sunday Lecture series has been wonderful and i'm glad I knew about it and went to it. I think there is one Sunday lecure left.
I missed the Burlington County Roundtable this month, however, because it conflicted with a course I'm taking in the Westward Expansion at Camden County Coollege, Rohrer Building, Cherry Hill. The Roundtable was at Paulsdale, too, a double disappointment to have missed that visit to a favorite site as well as the always edifying Roundtable. Hopefully the plannets will be aligned for me to make the next one.
Happy Trails!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
PhysickHouseAndRoundValley
Physick House
Round Valley State Park
Weldel White Exhibit
Bivalve and Baskets
Sunday, April 15 and I am on my way to Burlington County Historical Society for the Sunday Lecture Series, today's topic Civil War Women.
Every week is an exciting week of things to do and places to go and this week was a perfect example. On Tuesday, my 55 State parks hiking pal, Barb Spector, my loyal Lab, Blizzard and I set out for Round Valley Recreational Park which is a sparkling reservoir nestled amidst gently sloping hills. It reminded me of Bali Hi - there was an exoctic quality to it. The sandy beach is pristine and the water CLEAR! They offer scuba lessons in the summer. We hiked around the lake then headed back home arguing with our gps the who way. She wanted us to take 95 through Pennsylvania and being a loyal New Jerseyan, I was determined to make my way to and fro via New Jersey highways even if they weren't direct, and they weren't. We ended up taking 130, 29, 287 then 78. Still, it is worth your time. Take a picnic lunch and spend the day.
On Wednesday it was off to Bivalve for more training for Museum service. The highlight for me this trip was the story of Noah Lambert's baskets. He did the whole process from going into the woods to fell the right trees, to shaving the strips to weave, and hundres of his baskets per season were suded by oystermen to take the oysters off the ships, floats and scows and put them into bags for loading into the trains. Speaking of trains, one of the article we were given for our reading homework, which I have to say, I have devoured and enjoyed and added to on my own, was an article on the trains as well as one on Noah Lambert Basketmaker. Also, one of the volunteer's ancestors was a ship carpenter and his tools were donated to the museum. The descendant, a man named Drew, showed us how some of the tools were used, in particular I remember how he said novice carpenters stood in empty wooden nail kegs to protect their shins and ankles as they learned to wield the adz between their feet on boards.
Last of all, on Friday, I went to the Villas to visit a cousin who has recently moved there from Pa. and we went to tour the Physick House, which I have been happy to visit on one or two other occasions. This time, the Carriage House also featrued an exhibit of photographs from Wndel White, whose other book, Small Towns, Black Towns, I bought at the Peter Mott House on an Underground Railroad tour once some years back. This exhibit was entitled Schools for the Colored. It was evocative and as you may know if you've read my blog for a time now, I am fascinated with one room and small schools and have visited many. These little schools and their hard-working and dedicated teachers have been the way out of poverty for many generations of children.
I alsways say the past is a great place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there and when I researched the photographs of oyster shuckers and the places they lived, that was brought home to me even more. By the way, one of the little one room schools I saw there and will try to find again was a prime example. I think it was in Shellpile, but I'm not sure. I haven't seen it for half a dozen years.
Happy Trails everyone! Sorry to say the Wendel White exhibit is now closed, I think but you may want to call. It was Jan 18 to April 14.
Off South Jersey topic, there have been a plethora of fascinating documentaries on the Titanic since this week was the anniversary of the tragic short life of that ship. My favorite quote from one of them was from a Belfast shipyard worker. Many in Ireland were not only mourning the loss of loved ones but felt shame that their great unskinkable ship went down on it's maiden voyage, but one fellow, interviewed about that said, "It was okay when it left Belfast."
Round Valley State Park
Weldel White Exhibit
Bivalve and Baskets
Sunday, April 15 and I am on my way to Burlington County Historical Society for the Sunday Lecture Series, today's topic Civil War Women.
Every week is an exciting week of things to do and places to go and this week was a perfect example. On Tuesday, my 55 State parks hiking pal, Barb Spector, my loyal Lab, Blizzard and I set out for Round Valley Recreational Park which is a sparkling reservoir nestled amidst gently sloping hills. It reminded me of Bali Hi - there was an exoctic quality to it. The sandy beach is pristine and the water CLEAR! They offer scuba lessons in the summer. We hiked around the lake then headed back home arguing with our gps the who way. She wanted us to take 95 through Pennsylvania and being a loyal New Jerseyan, I was determined to make my way to and fro via New Jersey highways even if they weren't direct, and they weren't. We ended up taking 130, 29, 287 then 78. Still, it is worth your time. Take a picnic lunch and spend the day.
On Wednesday it was off to Bivalve for more training for Museum service. The highlight for me this trip was the story of Noah Lambert's baskets. He did the whole process from going into the woods to fell the right trees, to shaving the strips to weave, and hundres of his baskets per season were suded by oystermen to take the oysters off the ships, floats and scows and put them into bags for loading into the trains. Speaking of trains, one of the article we were given for our reading homework, which I have to say, I have devoured and enjoyed and added to on my own, was an article on the trains as well as one on Noah Lambert Basketmaker. Also, one of the volunteer's ancestors was a ship carpenter and his tools were donated to the museum. The descendant, a man named Drew, showed us how some of the tools were used, in particular I remember how he said novice carpenters stood in empty wooden nail kegs to protect their shins and ankles as they learned to wield the adz between their feet on boards.
Last of all, on Friday, I went to the Villas to visit a cousin who has recently moved there from Pa. and we went to tour the Physick House, which I have been happy to visit on one or two other occasions. This time, the Carriage House also featrued an exhibit of photographs from Wndel White, whose other book, Small Towns, Black Towns, I bought at the Peter Mott House on an Underground Railroad tour once some years back. This exhibit was entitled Schools for the Colored. It was evocative and as you may know if you've read my blog for a time now, I am fascinated with one room and small schools and have visited many. These little schools and their hard-working and dedicated teachers have been the way out of poverty for many generations of children.
I alsways say the past is a great place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there and when I researched the photographs of oyster shuckers and the places they lived, that was brought home to me even more. By the way, one of the little one room schools I saw there and will try to find again was a prime example. I think it was in Shellpile, but I'm not sure. I haven't seen it for half a dozen years.
Happy Trails everyone! Sorry to say the Wendel White exhibit is now closed, I think but you may want to call. It was Jan 18 to April 14.
Off South Jersey topic, there have been a plethora of fascinating documentaries on the Titanic since this week was the anniversary of the tragic short life of that ship. My favorite quote from one of them was from a Belfast shipyard worker. Many in Ireland were not only mourning the loss of loved ones but felt shame that their great unskinkable ship went down on it's maiden voyage, but one fellow, interviewed about that said, "It was okay when it left Belfast."
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Fort Mott and the Russians?
Two fellow 55 State Parks hikers and I, along with Blizzard the intrepid hiking Lab from West Virginia, visited Fort Mott, Finn's Point and Hancock House this week. We visited all three on Thursday, then re-visited Fort Mott and Finn's Point Cemetery with another ADventure Passport pal on Friday.
In conversation with several people in between times, I was asked by a couple of people if it was true that there were Russians buried at Finn's Point.
I said, of course, that I wasn't abolutely certain, but I thought not. My research had shown a couple of thousand Confederate soldiers who died at Fort Delaware and a couple of hundred Union soldiers, also serving at the Fort Delaware prison camp.
After pondering the question, I checked on the internet again to see if I had missed something and did find out that WWII German POW's were buried there. While disussing this mystery with my sister, she solved the puzzle by telling me that sometimes people get Hessians and Russions mixed up. Maybe when they heard about Germans, they thought of Hessians and thus the confusion.
My sister and I are very interested in Hessians as we have ancestors who came here (later than the Revolution) from Hessa Kassel, Germany.
I'm sure she's right and the similar sounds and the double ss's must have confused people.
What beautiful days to visit this historic sites.
And on Saturday, we capped it off with a hike around Red Bank Battlefield to watch the sun go down over the vast and gorgeous Delaware River.
Happy Trails! Jo Ann
In conversation with several people in between times, I was asked by a couple of people if it was true that there were Russians buried at Finn's Point.
I said, of course, that I wasn't abolutely certain, but I thought not. My research had shown a couple of thousand Confederate soldiers who died at Fort Delaware and a couple of hundred Union soldiers, also serving at the Fort Delaware prison camp.
After pondering the question, I checked on the internet again to see if I had missed something and did find out that WWII German POW's were buried there. While disussing this mystery with my sister, she solved the puzzle by telling me that sometimes people get Hessians and Russions mixed up. Maybe when they heard about Germans, they thought of Hessians and thus the confusion.
My sister and I are very interested in Hessians as we have ancestors who came here (later than the Revolution) from Hessa Kassel, Germany.
I'm sure she's right and the similar sounds and the double ss's must have confused people.
What beautiful days to visit this historic sites.
And on Saturday, we capped it off with a hike around Red Bank Battlefield to watch the sun go down over the vast and gorgeous Delaware River.
Happy Trails! Jo Ann
Saturday, March 24, 2012
55StateParksProject&More
So far, we have vistited and gotten stamps for: 1.Allaire State Park, 2.Washington Crossing, 3.Barnegat Lighthouse, 4.Bass River, 5.Belleplaine, 6.Brendan Byrne, 7.Indian King Tavern, 8.Island Beach State Park, 9.Parvin, and 10.Wharton. Of course, I have visited many many other state parks, but these are the ones we officially visited and got posted in our Passport to Adventure booklets, which makes it all even more fun.
Barnegat was delightful. It was a cool, misty, magical day there. We hiked the nature trail and the concrete walkway on the shoreline. There were many stone circles set up along the beach, I believe, to celebrate the First Day of Spring, March 20th, the day before our visit. I went with my most regular State Park hiking companion, Barb Spector. We have both also joined up as volunteers at the Bayshore Discovery Project - she on the ship the A. J. Meerwald, and me in the Museum. Barb is also a tried and true volunteer for many animal rescue groups including Trap Neuter Release with Pet Savers.
We had a great time hiking in the misty foggy seashore. Off season is a wonderful time to visit the seashore.
The week before, I had the plesure to visit again, the USS New Jersey Battleship in Camden. A group of James and Ann Whitall House volunteers were escorted on a tour of the ship by a fellow volunteer docent who works at both historic sites, Bill Jubb. It is quite a work out going up and down the many levels on those narrow stairs but well worth it to re-visit that momentous period in American history.
This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending another in the Burlington County Historical Society Sunday Lecture Series. This one was on a genealogical mystery. The lecturer tied in her document search with details about the life of an ancestor who was a Civil War veteran of 3 battles, then a deserter sentenced to death, who was later released after efforts by his family and community members to contact President Lincoln on his behalf.
Putting the papers to the person and into the context of such a gripping tale made the family history journey come alive. I'm very much looking forward to the next lecture in April, on Civil War Women.
Hope to see you there!
Barnegat was delightful. It was a cool, misty, magical day there. We hiked the nature trail and the concrete walkway on the shoreline. There were many stone circles set up along the beach, I believe, to celebrate the First Day of Spring, March 20th, the day before our visit. I went with my most regular State Park hiking companion, Barb Spector. We have both also joined up as volunteers at the Bayshore Discovery Project - she on the ship the A. J. Meerwald, and me in the Museum. Barb is also a tried and true volunteer for many animal rescue groups including Trap Neuter Release with Pet Savers.
We had a great time hiking in the misty foggy seashore. Off season is a wonderful time to visit the seashore.
The week before, I had the plesure to visit again, the USS New Jersey Battleship in Camden. A group of James and Ann Whitall House volunteers were escorted on a tour of the ship by a fellow volunteer docent who works at both historic sites, Bill Jubb. It is quite a work out going up and down the many levels on those narrow stairs but well worth it to re-visit that momentous period in American history.
This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of attending another in the Burlington County Historical Society Sunday Lecture Series. This one was on a genealogical mystery. The lecturer tied in her document search with details about the life of an ancestor who was a Civil War veteran of 3 battles, then a deserter sentenced to death, who was later released after efforts by his family and community members to contact President Lincoln on his behalf.
Putting the papers to the person and into the context of such a gripping tale made the family history journey come alive. I'm very much looking forward to the next lecture in April, on Civil War Women.
Hope to see you there!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
More things to do and places to go in SJ History World!
Salem County Historical Society is hosting some interesting events:
Sunday March 11, 1:30 South Jersey & the Civil War - Myth and Reality, Friends Village, Woodstown
Thursday March 22, Best Practices Workshop, NJ State Museum, Regional Collections
May 5 - Annual Historic House Tour - Fenwick's Colony 10:00 a.m. tickets required (can be purchased on site or in advance) check out the website for more info and to corroborate!
Don't Forget Lines On the Pines on the 11th at the Frog Rock Golf and Country Club - I'll be at an author's table, stop by and say hi!
On Saturday, I'll be visiting the USS New Jersey, for the third time, but I understand the exhbits are new and each time you visit anything and have a different tour guide, you learn something new. Our tour guide is a docent at the Whitall House as well. I'm looking forwad to it.
Last weekend, I took the Bayshore Discovery Program volunteer training which was enlightening. We were served both breakfst and lunch and toured the A. J. Meerwald. Mainly, however, it was great to have an overview of all that is being done at this fascinating historic site. I'll be working at the museum, I hope, when I finish my training. This Friday is their 2nd Friday event which is TERRIFIC, so if you are free, go and you will have a fun time. There will be Irish music, and potato leek soup at the Clam Bar Cafe!
Maybe i'll see you there.
Sunday March 11, 1:30 South Jersey & the Civil War - Myth and Reality, Friends Village, Woodstown
Thursday March 22, Best Practices Workshop, NJ State Museum, Regional Collections
May 5 - Annual Historic House Tour - Fenwick's Colony 10:00 a.m. tickets required (can be purchased on site or in advance) check out the website for more info and to corroborate!
Don't Forget Lines On the Pines on the 11th at the Frog Rock Golf and Country Club - I'll be at an author's table, stop by and say hi!
On Saturday, I'll be visiting the USS New Jersey, for the third time, but I understand the exhbits are new and each time you visit anything and have a different tour guide, you learn something new. Our tour guide is a docent at the Whitall House as well. I'm looking forwad to it.
Last weekend, I took the Bayshore Discovery Program volunteer training which was enlightening. We were served both breakfst and lunch and toured the A. J. Meerwald. Mainly, however, it was great to have an overview of all that is being done at this fascinating historic site. I'll be working at the museum, I hope, when I finish my training. This Friday is their 2nd Friday event which is TERRIFIC, so if you are free, go and you will have a fun time. There will be Irish music, and potato leek soup at the Clam Bar Cafe!
Maybe i'll see you there.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Upcoming events and links
The First Presbyterian Church of Trenton will be having an 18th C dinner & ball on Sat nite Feb 25.
The Church Pastor, John Allen is an excellent cook. Some of his offerings will be:
butternut squash soup, Martha Washington's fricasse chicken. roasted vegetables, ham & biscuits.
Dancing & live music by Anne & Ridley Enslow will take place after the dinner.
Ticket information can be found at www.old1712.org click on calendar & events page.
The Church is celebrating 300 yrs in 2012.
Sadly it has been vandalized several times in the past month by thieves collecting metals to scrap.
Please pass this message on to anyone who may be interested in a fun & delicious evening.
Sunday Lecture Series
Burlingon County Historical Society
2/19 - Archaeology at Timbuctoo, Dr. David Orr
3/18 - Joseph W. Clifton, genealogical mystery story Sydnew Cruice
4/15-Women in the Civil War, Betsy Estilow
5/20- Brewery Restoration, John Brady
6/17 - Archaeology at Fieldsboro, Dr. Richard Veit
The Church Pastor, John Allen is an excellent cook. Some of his offerings will be:
butternut squash soup, Martha Washington's fricasse chicken. roasted vegetables, ham & biscuits.
Dancing & live music by Anne & Ridley Enslow will take place after the dinner.
Ticket information can be found at www.old1712.org click on calendar & events page.
The Church is celebrating 300 yrs in 2012.
Sadly it has been vandalized several times in the past month by thieves collecting metals to scrap.
Please pass this message on to anyone who may be interested in a fun & delicious evening.
Sunday Lecture Series
Burlingon County Historical Society
2/19 - Archaeology at Timbuctoo, Dr. David Orr
3/18 - Joseph W. Clifton, genealogical mystery story Sydnew Cruice
4/15-Women in the Civil War, Betsy Estilow
5/20- Brewery Restoration, John Brady
6/17 - Archaeology at Fieldsboro, Dr. Richard Veit
Sunday, February 19, 2012
President Lincoln in the Hospital!
If you went to the Indian King Tavern yesterday, February 18, 2012, you probably heard that the history re-enactor who portrays President Lincoln had been taken ill with pneumonia and was in the hospital. Some Civil War afficianados who had come to the open house specifially to see Lincoln left, many others stayed and were rewarded with an excellent talk given by Dr. Garry Wheller Stone on the Revolution in Haddonfield and environs. His talk was a detailed chronological account of the battles as the war entered New Jersey. He also gave interesting information regarding the commanders and militia.
The event was well attended by an interested and informed audience, it was a full hosue, capcity crowd. For those of us who are Revolutionary War period history buffs, it was an unexpected treat. My only regret was that my other Whitall House docents weren't there to hear this talk.
I am a docent at both sites, Indian King Tavern and James and Ann Whitall House, Red Bank Battlefield, National Park. I also work as a volunteer transcribing for the Gloucester County Historical Society Library and have just completed putting Ann Whitall's diary onto the computer with some notes for those who have an interest in her account.
Today, I'm off to the Burlington County Historical Society to hear a talk on Timbuctoo. I'll be going with a friend, Loretta Kelly, who is chief preservationist for the White Hill Mansion in Fieldsboro. More on that when we return. If you plan to go, the event is scheduled to begin at 2:00
and the Society building is on High Street in Burlinton. Hope to see you there!
The event was well attended by an interested and informed audience, it was a full hosue, capcity crowd. For those of us who are Revolutionary War period history buffs, it was an unexpected treat. My only regret was that my other Whitall House docents weren't there to hear this talk.
I am a docent at both sites, Indian King Tavern and James and Ann Whitall House, Red Bank Battlefield, National Park. I also work as a volunteer transcribing for the Gloucester County Historical Society Library and have just completed putting Ann Whitall's diary onto the computer with some notes for those who have an interest in her account.
Today, I'm off to the Burlington County Historical Society to hear a talk on Timbuctoo. I'll be going with a friend, Loretta Kelly, who is chief preservationist for the White Hill Mansion in Fieldsboro. More on that when we return. If you plan to go, the event is scheduled to begin at 2:00
and the Society building is on High Street in Burlinton. Hope to see you there!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
President Lincoln at the Indian King Tavern!
Today, Saturday, February 18, 2012, President Lincoln will visit the Indian King Tavern and give a short presentation at 2:00. Sorry for the short notice, I've been so busy going to historic places and doing things in the hsitoric community, that I delayed updating the blog until today.
I'll be there in costume along with all the regular volunteers, so if you see this in time, or if you are on an e-mail notification and already knew about it, I hope you will come on over and say hello.
The Indian King Tavern is on Kings Highway, in Haddonfield, just north of the main part of town.
The link is one of my favorite writers on local history, Hoag Levins. He has a great essay on the lost cemeteries of Camen County too, and I've visited many of the cemeteries he has written about in his essay.
I'll write about the visit after I come home from my volunteer day there.
I'll be there in costume along with all the regular volunteers, so if you see this in time, or if you are on an e-mail notification and already knew about it, I hope you will come on over and say hello.
The Indian King Tavern is on Kings Highway, in Haddonfield, just north of the main part of town.
The link is one of my favorite writers on local history, Hoag Levins. He has a great essay on the lost cemeteries of Camen County too, and I've visited many of the cemeteries he has written about in his essay.
I'll write about the visit after I come home from my volunteer day there.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Lines on the Pines 2012
On March 11, Lines on the Pines will be held again at the Frog Rock Cuntry and Golf Club in Hammonton, New Jersey. It is a book signing event, music, paintings, crafts, cyber presence (as in those who have created and maintained suich sites as ghosttowns - all Pinebarrens inspired! In the past I have met wonderful people there to talk to and share an interest in the Pines, such as archaeologiest, Bud Wilson, publishers, John Bryans, and historian, Paul Schopp, who has also been a keynote speaker.
Linda Stanton, a great resource of energy and inspiration, organizes this wonderful event.
I'll be there with my two self-published books and a few landscape paintings inspired by the Batso River. Hope to see you there! Jo Ann
Linda Stanton, a great resource of energy and inspiration, organizes this wonderful event.
I'll be there with my two self-published books and a few landscape paintings inspired by the Batso River. Hope to see you there! Jo Ann
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Shellpile, New Jersey
On Friday evening, January 13, two friends and I set off for Port Norris for "Tides and Skies" a big event held at the Delaware Bayshore Discovery Project site. A series of old oyster sheds have been converted into an art gallery, a cafe' and a museum. I've been there on numerous occasions to hike across the street on the boardwalk into the salt hay marshes especially during bird migration seasons.
On this occasion, it was bitterly cold and very windy and we didn't expect to see many people at the 2nd Friday Open House, though they promised music, and an astronomer who would talk about the night sky and take us outside for a look at the stars.
Nonetheless, the parking lot was jammed with cars and the buildings were thronged with interested and enthusiastic visitors. The oyster bar/cafe' was too crowded for me to even attempt to see if there was any vegetarian food available, but I enjoyed the music and the photography show in the gallery. Also there was a short documentary film in a small room off the gallery and I enjoyed that too. On the 2nd floor, crafters made things for sale and there were craft tables for people to try making stuff.
I bought a historical society scrapbook, some cards made from light house water color painting reproductions, and a pair of alpaca socks which I have since worn and can promise you are very soft and warm.
I had hoped to get there in time to hike the boardwalk and watch the sun set over the marsh but it was too cold and we were too late. It was pitch dark.
Meanwhile, I had borrowed one of my friend's garmin gps and I was so impressed with the way it got us around Yock Wock Road and out to the Bayshore Discovery Project that I just bought one for myself at Pep Boys earlier today.
There will be another event like the one I attended on Friday in a month. It is called Second Friday, and there is a theme for each one.
I was told this was the fourth and that they were all well attended.
My favorite part of the exhibit was the poster boards with oral history commentary from the workers, especially the workers from Shellpile, New Jersey.
I hope you go there and check it out!
On this occasion, it was bitterly cold and very windy and we didn't expect to see many people at the 2nd Friday Open House, though they promised music, and an astronomer who would talk about the night sky and take us outside for a look at the stars.
Nonetheless, the parking lot was jammed with cars and the buildings were thronged with interested and enthusiastic visitors. The oyster bar/cafe' was too crowded for me to even attempt to see if there was any vegetarian food available, but I enjoyed the music and the photography show in the gallery. Also there was a short documentary film in a small room off the gallery and I enjoyed that too. On the 2nd floor, crafters made things for sale and there were craft tables for people to try making stuff.
I bought a historical society scrapbook, some cards made from light house water color painting reproductions, and a pair of alpaca socks which I have since worn and can promise you are very soft and warm.
I had hoped to get there in time to hike the boardwalk and watch the sun set over the marsh but it was too cold and we were too late. It was pitch dark.
Meanwhile, I had borrowed one of my friend's garmin gps and I was so impressed with the way it got us around Yock Wock Road and out to the Bayshore Discovery Project that I just bought one for myself at Pep Boys earlier today.
There will be another event like the one I attended on Friday in a month. It is called Second Friday, and there is a theme for each one.
I was told this was the fourth and that they were all well attended.
My favorite part of the exhibit was the poster boards with oral history commentary from the workers, especially the workers from Shellpile, New Jersey.
I hope you go there and check it out!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Washington's Crossing January January 11 2012
On Wednesday, Barbara Spector and I went to Washington's Crossing State Park, stopping at the Lambertville Flea Market as well.
We had two purposes at the Park, one was to get another stamp for our Passport to Adventure booklets, and the other was to hike in the woods. Our unexpected good luck was in arriving at theJohnson's Ferry Tavern building just as the interpreter was arriving so we had a tour of the "oldest building at the part" and a building where General George Washington stood before the fire to warm himself and discuss strategy with some of his officers.
Naturally, I took my dog, Blizzard with us as he is good as gold under most conditions, but he did manage to drink a good deal of donut oil that was cool and sitting in a big pot inside the cooking hearth. The interpreter assured me the oil was destined for disposal anyhow and she just hoped it didn't make the dog sick. It didn't.
Turned out it was a great day for a hike, followed by days of rain and wind.
Despite the wind and cold, Barbara and another friend and I are headed down south to the Bayshore Project for Second Friday, where there will be an opening of a photo exhibit, the new clam bar and cafe' and music! It begins at 5:30 and ends at 8:30 and you'll find a review here.
For anyone who doesn't know where the Bayshore Project is located, it is just outside of Port Norris which is down Rt. 55 (40 miles from my house) then turn onto 47 South then onto 670 or Mauricetown Crossway Re, to 649 to Port Norris and look for the sign for the Delaware Bayshore Discovery Project.
I'm going to buy a Garmin GPS very soon now and kiss google maps goodbye forever.
Happy Trails fellow history buffs and hikers!
Jo Ann
We had two purposes at the Park, one was to get another stamp for our Passport to Adventure booklets, and the other was to hike in the woods. Our unexpected good luck was in arriving at theJohnson's Ferry Tavern building just as the interpreter was arriving so we had a tour of the "oldest building at the part" and a building where General George Washington stood before the fire to warm himself and discuss strategy with some of his officers.
Naturally, I took my dog, Blizzard with us as he is good as gold under most conditions, but he did manage to drink a good deal of donut oil that was cool and sitting in a big pot inside the cooking hearth. The interpreter assured me the oil was destined for disposal anyhow and she just hoped it didn't make the dog sick. It didn't.
Turned out it was a great day for a hike, followed by days of rain and wind.
Despite the wind and cold, Barbara and another friend and I are headed down south to the Bayshore Project for Second Friday, where there will be an opening of a photo exhibit, the new clam bar and cafe' and music! It begins at 5:30 and ends at 8:30 and you'll find a review here.
For anyone who doesn't know where the Bayshore Project is located, it is just outside of Port Norris which is down Rt. 55 (40 miles from my house) then turn onto 47 South then onto 670 or Mauricetown Crossway Re, to 649 to Port Norris and look for the sign for the Delaware Bayshore Discovery Project.
I'm going to buy a Garmin GPS very soon now and kiss google maps goodbye forever.
Happy Trails fellow history buffs and hikers!
Jo Ann
Monday, January 2, 2012
Whitesbog
New Year - Hiking the Pines in Winter
Happy New Year! I celebrated the new year by hiking with the Outdoor Club of SJ yesterday at Atsion. It was seven miles of high water on the ground and spectacular beauty all around. We hiked around the Hampton Furnace area and along several fallow cranberry bogs. Passing the bogs gave me an itch to get to Whitesbog. Today, another hiking buddy with me and my dog, Blizzard, headed to Brendan Byrne State Park but the office was closed so I couldn't get a stamp for my State Parks Project booklet Passport to Adventure. But I did get to hike around one of the prettiest little ponds I've ever seen, Pakim Pond.
Back in the 70's a group of my friends and I used to rent a cabin there in the winter. So much fun.
After we hiked around the pond, we headed over to Whitesbog, not a long drive from there and hiked around the bogs, very beautiful and very cold as it was windy today and the forest blocks the wind but the bogs let it blow right over you.
Here is some background on Whitesbog and Elizabeth White, cultivator ofthe blueberry at Whitesbog:
Elizabeth Coleman White, born in 1871 in New Lisbon, NJ, was the oldest of four daughters of Mary and Joseph White, also Quakers. Mary was a descendant of another group of original settlers, the Fenwicks. The Whites owned a 3,000 acre cranberry plantation and Elizabeth took great interest in both the business and the horticulture.
Elizabeth was disappointed when her father handed over the business to a son-in-law. She turned her attention to the propagation of the wild huckleberry by offering rewards to local people for bringing the best specimens. She invited another agriculture specialist working on the same project to Whitesbog and together they developed a commercially viable berry.
Elizabeth White was an innovator in packaging and she also developed a business in holly growing and sales.
Before she died in 1954, Elizabeth had become the first woman to receive a citation from the NJ Dept. of Agriculture, to be admitted to the Am. Cranberry Assoc. and she had founded the Holly Society of America. Her home, Suningive, is a museum open to the public.
The village of
Happy New Year! I celebrated the new year by hiking with the Outdoor Club of SJ yesterday at Atsion. It was seven miles of high water on the ground and spectacular beauty all around. We hiked around the Hampton Furnace area and along several fallow cranberry bogs. Passing the bogs gave me an itch to get to Whitesbog. Today, another hiking buddy with me and my dog, Blizzard, headed to Brendan Byrne State Park but the office was closed so I couldn't get a stamp for my State Parks Project booklet Passport to Adventure. But I did get to hike around one of the prettiest little ponds I've ever seen, Pakim Pond.
Back in the 70's a group of my friends and I used to rent a cabin there in the winter. So much fun.
After we hiked around the pond, we headed over to Whitesbog, not a long drive from there and hiked around the bogs, very beautiful and very cold as it was windy today and the forest blocks the wind but the bogs let it blow right over you.
Here is some background on Whitesbog and Elizabeth White, cultivator ofthe blueberry at Whitesbog:
Elizabeth Coleman White, born in 1871 in New Lisbon, NJ, was the oldest of four daughters of Mary and Joseph White, also Quakers. Mary was a descendant of another group of original settlers, the Fenwicks. The Whites owned a 3,000 acre cranberry plantation and Elizabeth took great interest in both the business and the horticulture.
Elizabeth was disappointed when her father handed over the business to a son-in-law. She turned her attention to the propagation of the wild huckleberry by offering rewards to local people for bringing the best specimens. She invited another agriculture specialist working on the same project to Whitesbog and together they developed a commercially viable berry.
Elizabeth White was an innovator in packaging and she also developed a business in holly growing and sales.
Before she died in 1954, Elizabeth had become the first woman to receive a citation from the NJ Dept. of Agriculture, to be admitted to the Am. Cranberry Assoc. and she had founded the Holly Society of America. Her home, Suningive, is a museum open to the public.
The village of
Monday, December 19, 2011
Christmas at the Knights Collings House
Yesterday, two friends and I had dinner in Collingswood and then went to the Knights Collings House for Christmas Stories. I'm always looking for interesting ways to get people to visit historic houses and this is an excellent one.
The Collings house was built in 1824 by Edward Zane Collings, a descendant of one of the original settlers in the Newton Colony in the late 1600's.
Collings built the house for his widowed sister. His builder was John Ireland - a name I've seen in various inteeresting places such as the Ireland Smith cemetery in the woods at Estelle.
The house remained in the family to the middle of the 20th century when the newest owner Charles Chase, bequeathed it to the borough.
So gratifying when someone understands the need for preserving history and puts that good goal above personal profit.
Anyhow, at the house, a group of visitors sst in each room as members of a theater group read and told the classic Christmas stories and poems. It was heart warming and a wonderful way to visit and view an old house.
The Collings house was built in 1824 by Edward Zane Collings, a descendant of one of the original settlers in the Newton Colony in the late 1600's.
Collings built the house for his widowed sister. His builder was John Ireland - a name I've seen in various inteeresting places such as the Ireland Smith cemetery in the woods at Estelle.
The house remained in the family to the middle of the 20th century when the newest owner Charles Chase, bequeathed it to the borough.
So gratifying when someone understands the need for preserving history and puts that good goal above personal profit.
Anyhow, at the house, a group of visitors sst in each room as members of a theater group read and told the classic Christmas stories and poems. It was heart warming and a wonderful way to visit and view an old house.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Allaire Village
Six State Parks down and 49 to go! Yesterday, Friday Dec. 16, a friend and I drove to Allaire Village. Fortunately, the Parks Dept. there had more of the little Passports to Adventure booklets because a couple of other friends are now interested in collecting the stamps and visiting the parks. The booklets, at their best and most likely intended purpose, are an inspiration for places to go. When I have a feeling in a morning that I want to make an expedition somewhere, I look in the passport and find another place to visit. Then, I google it for directions and off we go. There are half a dozen friends of mine who have been visiting the parks now and everyone is getting more interested. If you want to give it a try, you'd better hurry, however, as most places are running out of the books and they are not being reprinted by the state!
Allaire Village is the restored Howell Iron Works Company. If you are interested in these early towns such as Batsto and Smithville, you'll enjoy Allaire. Aside from the interesting community aspect of these 19th century industrial villages, how people lived and worked in the 1800's, the founders are a fascinating breed.
Earlier, on a visit to Smithville, I mentioned a book written by Wm. Bolger on that town. It was obtainable off the internet, 2nd hand at amazon.com and it is a fascinating read. These early tycoons participated in the major developments of our nation from the Revolution through the Civil War war to the development of rail transportation.
It was the wish of the final owner of Allaire, Arthur Brisbane, newpaperman, that the village be conserved and made into a historical park which his wife saw to after his death.
The village was mostly closed on Friday. In winter, the buildings aren't open during the week but they are on the weekends. The general store was open however, with many charming items for those of you who are struggling to finish Christmas shopping and would like to combine a hike, a park visit and gift buying. I left my purse in the car, fortunately.
I love the parks in winter. You can really see the buildings in all their splendor under the blue winter sky.
I'm very interested in the lives of the workers and haven't found much on that subject yet. I've been buying books on mantua makers and seamstresses and would be interested if anyone knows of any books about the men who worked in the iron industry, the workers. A nice book I read yesterday evening was by William E. Garwood on the life of a rural farm boy in Salem County, also obtained secone hand off the internet.
As any of you who've read my blogs on my family history may be aware, Garwood is an old family name on my mother's side, they came from England in the early 1700's and migrated down through Burlington into Gloucester County
where William C. Garwood was a teacher in the Turner School and a minor official in a few local civil departments. The first William C. Garwood married Rachel Ann Cheesman, only surviviing daughter of Major Peter T. Cheesman, a mill owner along the Big Timber Creek and veteran of the War of 1812. The 2nd William C. Garwood, his grandson was in the Merchant Marines. Apparently the Garwoods continued their southward migration down to the Salem area, but I haven't finished sorting out which ones are related to me yet.
Enjoy your Christmans history tours and if you are looking for an interesting thing to do in a historic house, check out the Knight's-Collings House in Collingswood where each weekend, Christmas stories will be told in various rooms of the house. I'll be going tomorrow early evening, Sunday 17th. Call ahead to check on times and tickets 1-800-838-3006.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year fellow History Buffs
A
Allaire Village is the restored Howell Iron Works Company. If you are interested in these early towns such as Batsto and Smithville, you'll enjoy Allaire. Aside from the interesting community aspect of these 19th century industrial villages, how people lived and worked in the 1800's, the founders are a fascinating breed.
Earlier, on a visit to Smithville, I mentioned a book written by Wm. Bolger on that town. It was obtainable off the internet, 2nd hand at amazon.com and it is a fascinating read. These early tycoons participated in the major developments of our nation from the Revolution through the Civil War war to the development of rail transportation.
It was the wish of the final owner of Allaire, Arthur Brisbane, newpaperman, that the village be conserved and made into a historical park which his wife saw to after his death.
The village was mostly closed on Friday. In winter, the buildings aren't open during the week but they are on the weekends. The general store was open however, with many charming items for those of you who are struggling to finish Christmas shopping and would like to combine a hike, a park visit and gift buying. I left my purse in the car, fortunately.
I love the parks in winter. You can really see the buildings in all their splendor under the blue winter sky.
I'm very interested in the lives of the workers and haven't found much on that subject yet. I've been buying books on mantua makers and seamstresses and would be interested if anyone knows of any books about the men who worked in the iron industry, the workers. A nice book I read yesterday evening was by William E. Garwood on the life of a rural farm boy in Salem County, also obtained secone hand off the internet.
As any of you who've read my blogs on my family history may be aware, Garwood is an old family name on my mother's side, they came from England in the early 1700's and migrated down through Burlington into Gloucester County
where William C. Garwood was a teacher in the Turner School and a minor official in a few local civil departments. The first William C. Garwood married Rachel Ann Cheesman, only surviviing daughter of Major Peter T. Cheesman, a mill owner along the Big Timber Creek and veteran of the War of 1812. The 2nd William C. Garwood, his grandson was in the Merchant Marines. Apparently the Garwoods continued their southward migration down to the Salem area, but I haven't finished sorting out which ones are related to me yet.
Enjoy your Christmans history tours and if you are looking for an interesting thing to do in a historic house, check out the Knight's-Collings House in Collingswood where each weekend, Christmas stories will be told in various rooms of the house. I'll be going tomorrow early evening, Sunday 17th. Call ahead to check on times and tickets 1-800-838-3006.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year fellow History Buffs
A
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
WinterWonderland
The weekend of the 9th and 10th of December is packed with wonderful holiday events in the history community. It's hard to choose from among the many invitaions. On Thursday evening, the 8th, I worked with the other volunteers greeting visitors and giving tours at the Indian King Tavern in Haddonfield. On Saturday, Loretta Kelly (chief preservationist workin on White Hill in Fieldsboro) and I went to Mount Holly for the re-enactment of the Iron Works Hill battle. We had lunch in the Robin's Nest, delicious always, and visited many quaint stores including the one that specializes in music. While in that store, we were invited to join the owner for birthday cake!
At Jersey Made, across the street we talked with John Nagy, whose new book SPIES is out. He was signing them for purchasers. I have two other books he has written, Rebellion in the Ranks and Invisible Ink, both excellent.
On Sunday, another friend and I went to Greenwich for their historic house tour. I was finally able to visit two places I've often passed but never was able to get inside before, the Tenant House at the end of The Great Street, and the Marine Museum, with a remarkably interesting curator.
We visited the Gibbon House, and ate home-made gingerbread cookies, then enjoyed the Santa Lucia Fest at the Presbyterian Church before driving home at sunset. My companion, Dorothy, works as a tour guide in Phila. for the Assoc. Tour Guides, among other vocations and avocations.
My tour guiding at the Indian King Tavern made it possible to add another stamp to my Passport to Adventure booklet.
More later! Enjoy!
At Jersey Made, across the street we talked with John Nagy, whose new book SPIES is out. He was signing them for purchasers. I have two other books he has written, Rebellion in the Ranks and Invisible Ink, both excellent.
On Sunday, another friend and I went to Greenwich for their historic house tour. I was finally able to visit two places I've often passed but never was able to get inside before, the Tenant House at the end of The Great Street, and the Marine Museum, with a remarkably interesting curator.
We visited the Gibbon House, and ate home-made gingerbread cookies, then enjoyed the Santa Lucia Fest at the Presbyterian Church before driving home at sunset. My companion, Dorothy, works as a tour guide in Phila. for the Assoc. Tour Guides, among other vocations and avocations.
My tour guiding at the Indian King Tavern made it possible to add another stamp to my Passport to Adventure booklet.
More later! Enjoy!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Roundtable and Batsto Christmas 2011
Today, a friend of mine who does tour guiding in Philly for the Assoc. Tour Guides of Philly, and I drove through the pines to go to the Victorian Christmas at Batsto Village. I heard about the event at the Burlington County Historians Roundtable yesterday, Dec. 3, when it was held at the Cinnaminson Library. It is always informative and this month, we learned how to protect old photographs from an expert.
Getting to Batsto now is a little tricky since the bridge is still out and we got lost in the woods, circling Green Bank at least twice before helpful locals got us on the right path, but too late for the tour. I had taken the program and tour last year, so I wasn't as disappointed as my friend who hadn't been for years, but she was happy when we went to the post office in Batsto village and she was able to send her daughter a letter with the history of the post office and it's unique hand-cancellation.
We did go to the General Store exhibition in the main room beside the post office and it was delightful. Linda Stanton had arranged it and she was there and was able to point out the order of the displays for us, the raw materials for the foods provided in the pinelands such as cranberries and blueberries. Real food was available as well, home-made cookies provided by the Batsto Citizens Committee and other history volunteers. There was never a more beautiful day for hiking in the pines and visiting the village.
Getting to Batsto now is a little tricky since the bridge is still out and we got lost in the woods, circling Green Bank at least twice before helpful locals got us on the right path, but too late for the tour. I had taken the program and tour last year, so I wasn't as disappointed as my friend who hadn't been for years, but she was happy when we went to the post office in Batsto village and she was able to send her daughter a letter with the history of the post office and it's unique hand-cancellation.
We did go to the General Store exhibition in the main room beside the post office and it was delightful. Linda Stanton had arranged it and she was there and was able to point out the order of the displays for us, the raw materials for the foods provided in the pinelands such as cranberries and blueberries. Real food was available as well, home-made cookies provided by the Batsto Citizens Committee and other history volunteers. There was never a more beautiful day for hiking in the pines and visiting the village.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Roebling&Ann'sDiaryOctober2011
I should be blogging once a week because that's how frequently I've been enjoying historic expeditions but because I've been so busy, my forays into the past have been falling further and further into the past.
Two good ones in the last two weeks were the Burlington County Historians' Roundtable at Roebling. I went with Loretta Kelly, the chief preservationist at White Hill in Fieldsboro and met up with Barb Solem, author of Ghosttowns and Other Quirky Places in the NJ Pines and her friend Janet Jackson Gould. Ther were too many interesting notes from the meeting to list here, so I'll just cut to one I found very interesting, the Witmer Stone weekend at Camp Dark Waters
link for a good news report of the event -
http://www.phillyburbs.com/my_town/medford/celebration-honors-naturalist-and-his-year-old-work/article_9ff1e367-15b2-5cec-85db-21c0b092c861.html
I truly enjoyed the 15 minute film about the history of the Roebling Plant and the founder as well as the industrial utopian village he created.
It reminded me of my own father and the generation that found a lifetime of security with one company, a rare experience in today's economy.
Yesterday I went to Haverford College to the Special Collections and saw the original Ann Whitall Diary. Way back in the blogs, I think I mentioned that I've been transcribing from a typed copy onto the computer with the hope that at some time in the future Ann's diary will be published. The Director of the Special Collections, John Anderies and his colleagues prepared a banquet of documents for Ann fans, her marriage certificate from the Friends' Meeting, a log with her birth noted in it, as well as her diary and several other documents of interest. Also, I saw that back in the bicentennial year, another 'history detective' had transcribed her diary from the handwriting, beautiful and neat but small and very hard to read, into a typed form. We have a typed version at Gloucester County Historical Society Library as well as a phtocopied and bound version.
I feel as though I've gotten to know Ann a little better. I'll write more on her later as I have an idea to explore which is the transition of the members of the Society of Friends from its original revelatory spiritual base in England to the more business and success oriented model in the new world.
Today, I'm off to my 4th State Park expedition with friend Barb Spector. We are going to hike Bass River State Park with my dog Blizzard (dogs are allowed to hike but not to camp overnight).
I'll report back on that later. This park has special significance to me becaue of me interet in the CCC. More on that in the next edition.
Hope you are all out exploring this this best of all kinds of weather.
Two good ones in the last two weeks were the Burlington County Historians' Roundtable at Roebling. I went with Loretta Kelly, the chief preservationist at White Hill in Fieldsboro and met up with Barb Solem, author of Ghosttowns and Other Quirky Places in the NJ Pines and her friend Janet Jackson Gould. Ther were too many interesting notes from the meeting to list here, so I'll just cut to one I found very interesting, the Witmer Stone weekend at Camp Dark Waters
link for a good news report of the event -
http://www.phillyburbs.com/my_town/medford/celebration-honors-naturalist-and-his-year-old-work/article_9ff1e367-15b2-5cec-85db-21c0b092c861.html
I truly enjoyed the 15 minute film about the history of the Roebling Plant and the founder as well as the industrial utopian village he created.
It reminded me of my own father and the generation that found a lifetime of security with one company, a rare experience in today's economy.
Yesterday I went to Haverford College to the Special Collections and saw the original Ann Whitall Diary. Way back in the blogs, I think I mentioned that I've been transcribing from a typed copy onto the computer with the hope that at some time in the future Ann's diary will be published. The Director of the Special Collections, John Anderies and his colleagues prepared a banquet of documents for Ann fans, her marriage certificate from the Friends' Meeting, a log with her birth noted in it, as well as her diary and several other documents of interest. Also, I saw that back in the bicentennial year, another 'history detective' had transcribed her diary from the handwriting, beautiful and neat but small and very hard to read, into a typed form. We have a typed version at Gloucester County Historical Society Library as well as a phtocopied and bound version.
I feel as though I've gotten to know Ann a little better. I'll write more on her later as I have an idea to explore which is the transition of the members of the Society of Friends from its original revelatory spiritual base in England to the more business and success oriented model in the new world.
Today, I'm off to my 4th State Park expedition with friend Barb Spector. We are going to hike Bass River State Park with my dog Blizzard (dogs are allowed to hike but not to camp overnight).
I'll report back on that later. This park has special significance to me becaue of me interet in the CCC. More on that in the next edition.
Hope you are all out exploring this this best of all kinds of weather.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Monmouth Battlefield
At the end of summer, I met my daughter in the town of Freehold and we went out to Monmouth Battlefield to hike around the meadow. It was vastly different from the last time I was there, a year ago, for the Battle Re-enactment. This time we were the only visitors in the park and it was still, hot and peaceful. During the Re-enactment visit, the lot set-aside for the encampment was filled with both visitors and re-enactors, sutlers hawking all sorts of Colonial wares, and camp followers. I would suggest two visits - one for the big Re-enactment and another one to simply enjoy the pace and beauty of the area. The visitor's center is excellent with a very good film to explain the battle and its significance to the Revolution. To those who work at Whitall House, it has significance becaue Hugh Mercer was killed here during the Battle. The Revolutionary Fort built on Whitall Land during the Battle for the Delaware was named after Mercer.
55 Parks Project
Here are two new parks project postings. I did say I wouldn't go backwards and use pictures from parks I already visited before I started this project, but I am going to use Monmouth Battlefield because it was so recent.
This week, October 10th, I returned to Parvin State Park and hiked around Thundergust Lake with a friend, Barbara Spector, and my dog, Blizzard. I took Rt. 55 to 47 and then a turn off to the park. There is camping, both cabin and tent and canoeing as well as hiking.
The most interesting information about the park to me, since I'm a big fan of Civilian Conservation Corps History, is that a camp was located here in the 1930's and the young men who worked here, pulled dead trees from the frozen lake, built the beautiful little white bridge and created trails and roads. In fact, the CCC of Belleplain State Park built the housing for the CCC of Parvin. There are many historical markers that tell you the story of this project.
Thundergust Lake like most lakes in Southern Nj is man-made and was made for one of the mills along the Muddy Run in Pittsgrove Township.
Interesting names are connected with this property including that of John Estaugh (of Haddon/Estaugh connection) the first purchaser of the land. He passed it to Captain Richard Parker who sold it to Elemuel Parvin in 1796. For more history check the link.
This fits with my growing interest in mills in South Jersey, founding families, and the waterways and their uses.
Hopefully next week, I'll get to Belleplain.
This is a wonderful time of year to visit the parks! Hope we meet on the trails one day!
This week, October 10th, I returned to Parvin State Park and hiked around Thundergust Lake with a friend, Barbara Spector, and my dog, Blizzard. I took Rt. 55 to 47 and then a turn off to the park. There is camping, both cabin and tent and canoeing as well as hiking.
The most interesting information about the park to me, since I'm a big fan of Civilian Conservation Corps History, is that a camp was located here in the 1930's and the young men who worked here, pulled dead trees from the frozen lake, built the beautiful little white bridge and created trails and roads. In fact, the CCC of Belleplain State Park built the housing for the CCC of Parvin. There are many historical markers that tell you the story of this project.
Thundergust Lake like most lakes in Southern Nj is man-made and was made for one of the mills along the Muddy Run in Pittsgrove Township.
Interesting names are connected with this property including that of John Estaugh (of Haddon/Estaugh connection) the first purchaser of the land. He passed it to Captain Richard Parker who sold it to Elemuel Parvin in 1796. For more history check the link.
This fits with my growing interest in mills in South Jersey, founding families, and the waterways and their uses.
Hopefully next week, I'll get to Belleplain.
This is a wonderful time of year to visit the parks! Hope we meet on the trails one day!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
55 State Parks Project
This week I had one or two ideas. One was to make a list of all the state parks and then spend the next few months visiting them. There are 55 of them and about 11 I've already visited including High Point, and several others, so I'll search my picture files for photos from them. Meanwhile, this week, I visited two of them, Parvin State Park and Wharton State Forest.
The biggest and best trip of the week, however, was to Bivalve where the oyster sheds have been converted into a museum and art gallery. A friend and I enjoyed the beautiful paintings and then enjoyed the beautiful scenery by hiking the nature trails directly across the street from the Delaware Bayshore Project packing sheds site. The main opening will be November 11th but the 2nd Friday of each month they will have deomonstrations going on. I'll try to get to the one upcoming. The day couldn't have been more perfect and the salty air and the ships bobbing up and down on the blue bay water delightful. The docent was very helpful and informative.
The biggest and best trip of the week, however, was to Bivalve where the oyster sheds have been converted into a museum and art gallery. A friend and I enjoyed the beautiful paintings and then enjoyed the beautiful scenery by hiking the nature trails directly across the street from the Delaware Bayshore Project packing sheds site. The main opening will be November 11th but the 2nd Friday of each month they will have deomonstrations going on. I'll try to get to the one upcoming. The day couldn't have been more perfect and the salty air and the ships bobbing up and down on the blue bay water delightful. The docent was very helpful and informative.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
BringOutYourDead
I'm going to work my way back over the past couple of weeks and the interesting history events I was able to attend. Yesterday, October 2nd, I went to the Collingswood Book Festival which was well attended as the weather was cool and sunny after warnings of a 60% chance of rain. I met a couple of acquaintances and friends there: Barbara Solem who wrote one of the most popular Ghosttowns in the Pines books, and Paul Schopp, noted architectural historian.
My best finds were Iron in the Pine by Arthur Pierce (sorry grammarians, I can't figure out how to italicize on blogspot) The Way We Lived, a photographic look at common occupations in turn of the century America by Martin Sandler. There were a couple of other books I might have liked to own but their prices were out of my pre-set limit for the day.
Many book sellers had their books subject organized which made it easier to find those NJ and History gems I was looking for.
On Thursday, the 29th of September, a group of Whitall House volunteers toured Christ Church Cemetery and the church itself. We had marvelous tour guides. At the cemetery, our tour guide was the Sextent, whose enthusiasm was evident. He gave us updates on the newest discoveries which made the cemetery even more fascinating and mysterious. Since my latest read is BRING OUT YOUR DEAD by J. H. Powell, a book about the 1793 Yellow Fever epidemic that devastated Philadelphia but also spread across the river to New Jersey. Ann Cooper Whitall survived the Battle of Red Bank but succumbed to the Yellow Fever as did one of her sons and two of her grandchildren.
Many of the main characters in the book BRING OUT YOUR DEAD are buried in Christ Church cemetery including the then mayor, Clarkson. Also a number of church members felled by the disease are buried with stones giving the death date as that of the epidemic.
George Washington and Betsy Ross both rented pews in Christ Church. pew rental was the form of church donation of the period. Many of the leading lights of Revolutionary Philadelphia worshiped in this historic and beautiful church which, in its time, was the tallest structure in America.
The week before, I enjoyed the Burlington County Historians' Roundtable at Batsto, though getting there was similar to a road-rally challenge. The bridge was out coming in from the west, so I had to find my way through Weekstown and Green Bank to 542 on the East side of the village, which I did with a little help from kind strangers. It was a day of many bicycyle rallies as well and the back roads in the pines were jammed with bikes. I spent a good deal of time driving on the wrong side of the road due to cyclists riding 3 and 4 abreast.
The Roundtable as always was informative and I'm hoping somehow someday something similar can be done, even if only one time, for South Jersey Historians.
There was an interesting pair of overview photographs on the gift shop counter of Batsto village rooftops over the flooded grounds.
In the afternoon of that day, I visited one of my personal favorites the Burrough Dover House in Pennsauken (off Haddonfield Road) for the Apple Festival which included a Civil War encampment. The House features a tool museum in the basement and furnished bedrooms as well as informative and welcoming volunteers. It is a delightful place to visit and a simply gorgeous house of native fieldstone.
Next - I plan to make my way to Bivalve which has several openings. This past week the shed gallery and shops opened and in November the Delaware Bay Museum and Folklife Center's inaugural exhibit will premier in the new space. The second Friday of each month in October there will be interactive exhibits. Enjoy!
My best finds were Iron in the Pine by Arthur Pierce (sorry grammarians, I can't figure out how to italicize on blogspot) The Way We Lived, a photographic look at common occupations in turn of the century America by Martin Sandler. There were a couple of other books I might have liked to own but their prices were out of my pre-set limit for the day.
Many book sellers had their books subject organized which made it easier to find those NJ and History gems I was looking for.
On Thursday, the 29th of September, a group of Whitall House volunteers toured Christ Church Cemetery and the church itself. We had marvelous tour guides. At the cemetery, our tour guide was the Sextent, whose enthusiasm was evident. He gave us updates on the newest discoveries which made the cemetery even more fascinating and mysterious. Since my latest read is BRING OUT YOUR DEAD by J. H. Powell, a book about the 1793 Yellow Fever epidemic that devastated Philadelphia but also spread across the river to New Jersey. Ann Cooper Whitall survived the Battle of Red Bank but succumbed to the Yellow Fever as did one of her sons and two of her grandchildren.
Many of the main characters in the book BRING OUT YOUR DEAD are buried in Christ Church cemetery including the then mayor, Clarkson. Also a number of church members felled by the disease are buried with stones giving the death date as that of the epidemic.
George Washington and Betsy Ross both rented pews in Christ Church. pew rental was the form of church donation of the period. Many of the leading lights of Revolutionary Philadelphia worshiped in this historic and beautiful church which, in its time, was the tallest structure in America.
The week before, I enjoyed the Burlington County Historians' Roundtable at Batsto, though getting there was similar to a road-rally challenge. The bridge was out coming in from the west, so I had to find my way through Weekstown and Green Bank to 542 on the East side of the village, which I did with a little help from kind strangers. It was a day of many bicycyle rallies as well and the back roads in the pines were jammed with bikes. I spent a good deal of time driving on the wrong side of the road due to cyclists riding 3 and 4 abreast.
The Roundtable as always was informative and I'm hoping somehow someday something similar can be done, even if only one time, for South Jersey Historians.
There was an interesting pair of overview photographs on the gift shop counter of Batsto village rooftops over the flooded grounds.
In the afternoon of that day, I visited one of my personal favorites the Burrough Dover House in Pennsauken (off Haddonfield Road) for the Apple Festival which included a Civil War encampment. The House features a tool museum in the basement and furnished bedrooms as well as informative and welcoming volunteers. It is a delightful place to visit and a simply gorgeous house of native fieldstone.
Next - I plan to make my way to Bivalve which has several openings. This past week the shed gallery and shops opened and in November the Delaware Bay Museum and Folklife Center's inaugural exhibit will premier in the new space. The second Friday of each month in October there will be interactive exhibits. Enjoy!
Monday, September 5, 2011
More Events!
Some folks wrote back with more upcoming events. Here they are:
Thanks!
Here are a few more:
Sept 10 (Big day in history world
Griffith Morgan open house 11-4 Pennsauken
Coopertown Meeting House open noon-4 Edgewater Park
Wood Street Fair - Revel House open Burlington
Cold Spring Village - Revolutionary War weekend Cape May
Sept 24
Riverside Historical Society & the Zurbrugg Mansion in Delanco celebrating anniversaries & open to the public
Oct 1
Battle of Germantown
Oct 15
Harvest day Washington Crossing PA
Also from Linda Stanton - help on how to get to Batsto for the Roundtable event since so many roads are closed after the hurricane:
roads are closed..can only get to Batsto entrance from 542 westbound from Tuckerton area, etc. or the Green Bank Bridge/563. Route 542 Eastbound between Batsto Church and the Batsto entrance is closed.
Thanks!
Here are a few more:
Sept 10 (Big day in history world
Griffith Morgan open house 11-4 Pennsauken
Coopertown Meeting House open noon-4 Edgewater Park
Wood Street Fair - Revel House open Burlington
Cold Spring Village - Revolutionary War weekend Cape May
Sept 24
Riverside Historical Society & the Zurbrugg Mansion in Delanco celebrating anniversaries & open to the public
Oct 1
Battle of Germantown
Oct 15
Harvest day Washington Crossing PA
Also from Linda Stanton - help on how to get to Batsto for the Roundtable event since so many roads are closed after the hurricane:
roads are closed..can only get to Batsto entrance from 542 westbound from Tuckerton area, etc. or the Green Bank Bridge/563. Route 542 Eastbound between Batsto Church and the Batsto entrance is closed.
UpcomingEventsFall2011
Some upcoming events this autumn:
1.Spetember 30, restored sheds at Bivalve tell the story of the oyster industry in New Jersey with a Museum, shop, and gallery. In October, second Fridays of the month feature special exhibits and programs. The Delaware Bay Museum and Folklife Center reopens November 11.
for info visit AJMeerwald.org
2.Burlington County History Roundtable will be at Batsto at 10:00 on September the 24th this month. I've been delighted to attend each one and learned a great deal of fascinating history, dates for other events, and met many interesting people in the NJ history world. If you can't make this one, the next is October 22 at the Roebling Museum.
The THird Sunday of the month is Heritage Day at the James & Ann Whitall House, Red Bank Battlefield, National Park, NJ. I work those days as a docent and I can tell you they are interesting days. Also this autumn is the big re-enactment of the Battle of Red Bank.
Speaking of Revolutionary re-enactments, Greenwich has their teaburning celebration this autumn, Sat. Sept. 24th, there is also an Arts and Crafts festival in the yard of the Gibbon House with music to enjoy.
http://www.cchistsoc.org/calendar.html
September 17, the Indian King Tavern hosts Open House with Ned Hector, Re-enactor presenting in the Assembly Room. I work there too, hope to see you!
On October 15 the Indian King Tavern will be honored with the presence of Benjamin Franklin during the Open House.
Don't Forget to look for great history and New Jersey history book bargains at Murphy's Book Loft in Mullica Hill. Yesterday I was there and bought:
1.Of Batsto and Bog Iron, Jack Boucher
2.Country Roads of New Jersey, Judi Dash and Jill Schensul
3.More than Petticoats, Remarkable New Jersey Women, Lynn Wenzel and Carol Binkowski
It is a fun place to spend an afternoon browsing the shelves and looking for Look Magazine for the month you were born. Nice little town for browsing shops and having lunch too.
1.Spetember 30, restored sheds at Bivalve tell the story of the oyster industry in New Jersey with a Museum, shop, and gallery. In October, second Fridays of the month feature special exhibits and programs. The Delaware Bay Museum and Folklife Center reopens November 11.
for info visit AJMeerwald.org
2.Burlington County History Roundtable will be at Batsto at 10:00 on September the 24th this month. I've been delighted to attend each one and learned a great deal of fascinating history, dates for other events, and met many interesting people in the NJ history world. If you can't make this one, the next is October 22 at the Roebling Museum.
The THird Sunday of the month is Heritage Day at the James & Ann Whitall House, Red Bank Battlefield, National Park, NJ. I work those days as a docent and I can tell you they are interesting days. Also this autumn is the big re-enactment of the Battle of Red Bank.
Speaking of Revolutionary re-enactments, Greenwich has their teaburning celebration this autumn, Sat. Sept. 24th, there is also an Arts and Crafts festival in the yard of the Gibbon House with music to enjoy.
http://www.cchistsoc.org/calendar.html
September 17, the Indian King Tavern hosts Open House with Ned Hector, Re-enactor presenting in the Assembly Room. I work there too, hope to see you!
On October 15 the Indian King Tavern will be honored with the presence of Benjamin Franklin during the Open House.
Don't Forget to look for great history and New Jersey history book bargains at Murphy's Book Loft in Mullica Hill. Yesterday I was there and bought:
1.Of Batsto and Bog Iron, Jack Boucher
2.Country Roads of New Jersey, Judi Dash and Jill Schensul
3.More than Petticoats, Remarkable New Jersey Women, Lynn Wenzel and Carol Binkowski
It is a fun place to spend an afternoon browsing the shelves and looking for Look Magazine for the month you were born. Nice little town for browsing shops and having lunch too.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
AtsionFieldsboroSummer2011
This summer I haven't been posting but that doesn't mean I haven't been visiting historic places. In July, I visited White Hill in Fieldsboro for the archaeological dig by Monmouth University. Loretta Kelly is the head of the ongoing effort to preserve this beautiful and historic house. It was the home of Mary Field and the site of occupancy by Hessian officers during the Revolutionary War.
Most recently, this week, in fact, August 20, I visited Atsion Mansion, which was open for tours and included a tour of some istes in the woods, given by Barbara Solem, author of the well-known and popular book Ghosttowns of the New Jersey Pinebarrens and other Quirky Places.
Renowned New Jersey archaeologist Bud Wilson was on hand for the house tour as was the architect who presided over the recent renovation of the mansion.
Photographs were not permitted, but I managed a few before the group was advised not to take any.
Other highlights of the summer ncluded a visit to the Inidan King Tavern of Dolly Madison on one of their Open House days in July. Her Uncle, Hugh Creighton was one of the proprietor's of the Tavern and the descendants of the family donated a bed in which Dolly Madison is alleged to have slept during her visits to her Haddonfield relatives.
Anyone interested in the Civil War may want to go to Camden County College for a lecture series:
Call 856-227-72200 ext 4330 for more info.
Hope to see you there!
Most recently, this week, in fact, August 20, I visited Atsion Mansion, which was open for tours and included a tour of some istes in the woods, given by Barbara Solem, author of the well-known and popular book Ghosttowns of the New Jersey Pinebarrens and other Quirky Places.
Renowned New Jersey archaeologist Bud Wilson was on hand for the house tour as was the architect who presided over the recent renovation of the mansion.
Photographs were not permitted, but I managed a few before the group was advised not to take any.
Other highlights of the summer ncluded a visit to the Inidan King Tavern of Dolly Madison on one of their Open House days in July. Her Uncle, Hugh Creighton was one of the proprietor's of the Tavern and the descendants of the family donated a bed in which Dolly Madison is alleged to have slept during her visits to her Haddonfield relatives.
Anyone interested in the Civil War may want to go to Camden County College for a lecture series:
Call 856-227-72200 ext 4330 for more info.
Hope to see you there!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Upcoming EventsTodayTomorrowNextWeek
Today, Saturday, June 25th, I'll be going to Fieldsboro to see the archaeological dig taking place at White Hill, the Mary Field house that a friend, Loretta Kelly, has been working on getting preserved for some years. Tomorrow, Sunday, June 26 is the flower show at the James and Ann Whitall House and I'll be giving part of the tours of the house along with fellow volunteers so come on over and visit! The weekend of the 4th, the Indian King Tavern will host an open house and again, I'll be one of the tour guides. The house opens directly after the parade. Why battle traffic to go somewhere else for a day trip when there are such great places to visit in your own backyard. Hope to see you at one of these events! Pictures and blog to follow!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
John Woolman House
A Pilgrimage to The John Woolman House, 99 Branch Rd., Mt. Holly,
(609) 267-3226
John Woolman was born at Rancocas, in Burlington County, NJ, in 1720 and died in 1772 of smallpox while on a visit in England. This house is not where Woolman lived, but a house he had built for his daughter, Mary, after she married Samuel Comfort. John Woolman had married Sarah Ellis in 1749.
Woolman’s family had arrived in Rancocas, from England, in the 1680’s, a decade after Fenwick established his Quaker colony, in Salem,. John Woolman was born on a farm along the Rancocas Creek.
He is famous today for his writings and the record they leave of his thoughts on one of the most important questions anyone can ask: what is the best way for a human being to live in this world? During his lifetime, Woolman traveled from New Jersey through the other colonies in the ministry of his faith, The Society of Friends, known to us now as Quakers.
His ideas, then and now are both simple and radical. They spring from the conviction that all have “that of God within” called, the Light. Individual actions have wide consequences. Waste and consumption on the part of some create poverty for others. Love for all inspires nonviolence and compassion for the one who does wrong as well as the one who is harmed.
When John Woolman found himself becoming too successful in the field to which he was apprenticed, storekeeping and selling, he gave it up to pursue the tailor trade so that business concerns could never overshadow his greater duty which was spiritual. Woolman’s journal reflects his struggles with how to relate to those who lived in ways he knew to be wrong, such as the buying and selling of slaves.
He practiced and preached simplicity, frugality, humility, and compassion, while striving to avoid the pitfalls of success, arrogance, and the loyalty of friendship that would get in the way of conscience.
A quote from ;”The Journal and Major Essays of John Woolman” edited by Phillips P. Moulton,
“..(I) was early convinced in my mind that true religion consisted in an inward life, wherein the heart doth love and reverence God the Creator and learn to exercise true justice and goodness, not only toward all men but also toward the brute creatures; that as the mind was moved on an inward principle to love God as an invisible, incomprehensible being, on the same principle it was moved to love him in all his manifestations in the visible world; that as by his breath the flame of life was kindled in all animal and sensitive creatures, to say we love God as unseen and at the same time exercise cruelty toward the least creature moving by his life, or by life derived from him was a contradiction in itself.”
An interesting and informative tour was given by Jack Walz.
(609) 267-3226
John Woolman was born at Rancocas, in Burlington County, NJ, in 1720 and died in 1772 of smallpox while on a visit in England. This house is not where Woolman lived, but a house he had built for his daughter, Mary, after she married Samuel Comfort. John Woolman had married Sarah Ellis in 1749.
Woolman’s family had arrived in Rancocas, from England, in the 1680’s, a decade after Fenwick established his Quaker colony, in Salem,. John Woolman was born on a farm along the Rancocas Creek.
He is famous today for his writings and the record they leave of his thoughts on one of the most important questions anyone can ask: what is the best way for a human being to live in this world? During his lifetime, Woolman traveled from New Jersey through the other colonies in the ministry of his faith, The Society of Friends, known to us now as Quakers.
His ideas, then and now are both simple and radical. They spring from the conviction that all have “that of God within” called, the Light. Individual actions have wide consequences. Waste and consumption on the part of some create poverty for others. Love for all inspires nonviolence and compassion for the one who does wrong as well as the one who is harmed.
When John Woolman found himself becoming too successful in the field to which he was apprenticed, storekeeping and selling, he gave it up to pursue the tailor trade so that business concerns could never overshadow his greater duty which was spiritual. Woolman’s journal reflects his struggles with how to relate to those who lived in ways he knew to be wrong, such as the buying and selling of slaves.
He practiced and preached simplicity, frugality, humility, and compassion, while striving to avoid the pitfalls of success, arrogance, and the loyalty of friendship that would get in the way of conscience.
A quote from ;”The Journal and Major Essays of John Woolman” edited by Phillips P. Moulton,
“..(I) was early convinced in my mind that true religion consisted in an inward life, wherein the heart doth love and reverence God the Creator and learn to exercise true justice and goodness, not only toward all men but also toward the brute creatures; that as the mind was moved on an inward principle to love God as an invisible, incomprehensible being, on the same principle it was moved to love him in all his manifestations in the visible world; that as by his breath the flame of life was kindled in all animal and sensitive creatures, to say we love God as unseen and at the same time exercise cruelty toward the least creature moving by his life, or by life derived from him was a contradiction in itself.”
An interesting and informative tour was given by Jack Walz.
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