Need a gift idea? On Saturday morning, December 15, at 9:00 a.m. three friends and I went to Palmyra Cove Nature Park for a bird-watching course with a Cove ranger. She took us on a three hour hike around several kinds of habitats where we were able to see a dozen kinds of birds. We saw three kinds of ducks, Cardinals and Carolina Wrens, even a Hummingbird who lost her way somehow and ended up alone at the nature center for the winter. We saw a Coopers Hawk and several wild turkeys. It was great fun and a pleasure to hike the park again. I've been there a few times each year in different seasons. This was my favorite hike because I have never been seriously bird-watching before.
The gift idea is, of course, binoculars. I didn't have any, so I bought a pair of Bushnells for about $50 which were perfectly serviceable for a novice, entry level bird watcher. My companions had everything from $300 binoculars to $25 ones. The Park would have provided spares should any of us not have had them, but everyone on this hike (a couple of dozen people were in the group) including my friends, were more experienced bird-watchers than I and all had their own.
I would do it again and I understand there is a full day course in February.
I'd like to see an owl sometime.
My favorite totally unexpected sighting in the past were:
A dead tree filled with big black buzzards in Swedesboro one fall, a tree full of white egrets off of Newton Creek on a kayaking trip one summer evening, and a tree full of red birds I thought were cardinals but I've been told since that cardinals don't flock, so now I don't know what they were! It wa February when I saw them.
Oh, I almost forgot, I saw migrating Purple Martins on the Maurice River last year on a boat trip. It was Captain Dave's trip from Millville, $10.00 on seniors' day (Thursday?) and we saw half a dozen eagles and several once rare
ospreys.
Call1-856-293-0556 to make an appointment for a boat trip. The schedule begins again in May 2013. You could give the binoculars for a gift with info for a promised trip in May!
By the way, we all went to Riverton to a corner cafe called Zena's Patisserie for a delicious lunch and I highly recommend this little place for a good meal in a quaint and interesting town.
Enjoy!
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
Christmas Shopping HistoricPlaces Style
Forget Walmart and Black Friday, I like to do my Christmas Shopping out in the country. My sister said the best Christmas present I ever gave her was a series of things I picked out at Buzby's General Store in Chatsworth, so I went there last week with my friend Barbara Spector, about whom I have something to say closer to the end. I bought three boxes of notecards, very pretty, and a wooden sign, featuring cardinals, a symbol my sister and I enjoy at Christmas. Then, we took the opportunity to hike at one of my favorite places, Pakim Pond in Lebanon State Forest. What a beautiful day!
Byzby's is up for sale and when it is sold, I will surely miss the fun conversations with Marilyn Schmidt, who has kept the store so lovelingly these years. She was honored recently at Lines On the Pines and she deserved it for her dedication to the history and culture of the Pinebarrens. Buzby's is on the National Register of Historic Places.
On the way home, along route 70, we had the inspiration to stop and see what they had to offer at the Amish market that has opened up there. A woman in a produce building promised Barbara that the basket of apples she bought would truly be crisp. Barbara has been on the hunt for some nice crisp apples for some weeks and has found only somewhat old and mushy ones. I haven't talked to her since she has eaten them but I'll let you know. The name of the apples was New Jersey Crisp! Inside the building, there was a cafe' and we have promised ourselves to have lunch there the next time we are hiking in Lebanon. They also sold cheeses and meats and other craft items. You can know the places by the wooden gazebos and other yard structures on the front property, but ehy have much more to sell than out buildings.
We stopped in another great old New Jersey roadside farm market and I fell in love with a Christmas decoration, a ball of holly and pine greens and ribbons, but it was priced a little high for my wishes. Not that it wasn't worth it, just that at this season, I have so many gifts to buy, I can't afford to spend a lot more on decorations. They wanted $35. Speaking with my sister on the phone afterward, I was told that they sell them at Platt's Farm Market on Cohawkin Road for $25. She said it is a very labor intensive decoration which she has made before when she worked at Platt's. Today, I'm going there and making a return trip to Haynicz,s Orchardview Farm Market as well, which is in Monroeville on the corner of Buck and Elk Roads. They have a delicious peach cider I'm giving as visit gifts to friends over the holidays. I call it a taste of summer in the winter.
The bottles of peach cider are $6 each, very reasonable. I bought some in the summer but then they had many kinds of berry ciders, blackberry, raspberry, and I wish I had known they would be sold out, I'd have bought a half dozen bottles then. Now they have only peach left, but it is delicious.
A note about my friend, Barbara, she has just been victorious in saving the lives of migrating geese in her housing development in Franklinville. You may wonder how that could be since the geese are a federally protected species but it turns out that little municipalities can get permits to kill them that buypass the lasw to protect them. She campaigned tirelessly for other solutions to the problem. We both feel that if you don't want to be around trees and animals stay in the city. It is sad when people come to the country and then cut down the trees so they don't have to blow the leaves, or demand that th native wildlife be exterminated. As Joni Mitchell once sang, "They pave paradise and put up a parking lot."
Anyhow, hope you find some ideas for Christmas Shopping in New Jersey's countryside and also some decorating ideas from this blog entry. Happy Holidays! Also, for entertainment, may I repeat that there are literally dozens of candlelight tours available in our lovely country towns and historic houses. Maybe I'll see you at one. I'm going to Greenwich and Woodstown and don't miss the Whitall House at Red Bank Battlefield Dec. 8 and Indian King Tavern on Friday nights. Check them out on the internet for more info.
Byzby's is up for sale and when it is sold, I will surely miss the fun conversations with Marilyn Schmidt, who has kept the store so lovelingly these years. She was honored recently at Lines On the Pines and she deserved it for her dedication to the history and culture of the Pinebarrens. Buzby's is on the National Register of Historic Places.
On the way home, along route 70, we had the inspiration to stop and see what they had to offer at the Amish market that has opened up there. A woman in a produce building promised Barbara that the basket of apples she bought would truly be crisp. Barbara has been on the hunt for some nice crisp apples for some weeks and has found only somewhat old and mushy ones. I haven't talked to her since she has eaten them but I'll let you know. The name of the apples was New Jersey Crisp! Inside the building, there was a cafe' and we have promised ourselves to have lunch there the next time we are hiking in Lebanon. They also sold cheeses and meats and other craft items. You can know the places by the wooden gazebos and other yard structures on the front property, but ehy have much more to sell than out buildings.
We stopped in another great old New Jersey roadside farm market and I fell in love with a Christmas decoration, a ball of holly and pine greens and ribbons, but it was priced a little high for my wishes. Not that it wasn't worth it, just that at this season, I have so many gifts to buy, I can't afford to spend a lot more on decorations. They wanted $35. Speaking with my sister on the phone afterward, I was told that they sell them at Platt's Farm Market on Cohawkin Road for $25. She said it is a very labor intensive decoration which she has made before when she worked at Platt's. Today, I'm going there and making a return trip to Haynicz,s Orchardview Farm Market as well, which is in Monroeville on the corner of Buck and Elk Roads. They have a delicious peach cider I'm giving as visit gifts to friends over the holidays. I call it a taste of summer in the winter.
The bottles of peach cider are $6 each, very reasonable. I bought some in the summer but then they had many kinds of berry ciders, blackberry, raspberry, and I wish I had known they would be sold out, I'd have bought a half dozen bottles then. Now they have only peach left, but it is delicious.
A note about my friend, Barbara, she has just been victorious in saving the lives of migrating geese in her housing development in Franklinville. You may wonder how that could be since the geese are a federally protected species but it turns out that little municipalities can get permits to kill them that buypass the lasw to protect them. She campaigned tirelessly for other solutions to the problem. We both feel that if you don't want to be around trees and animals stay in the city. It is sad when people come to the country and then cut down the trees so they don't have to blow the leaves, or demand that th native wildlife be exterminated. As Joni Mitchell once sang, "They pave paradise and put up a parking lot."
Anyhow, hope you find some ideas for Christmas Shopping in New Jersey's countryside and also some decorating ideas from this blog entry. Happy Holidays! Also, for entertainment, may I repeat that there are literally dozens of candlelight tours available in our lovely country towns and historic houses. Maybe I'll see you at one. I'm going to Greenwich and Woodstown and don't miss the Whitall House at Red Bank Battlefield Dec. 8 and Indian King Tavern on Friday nights. Check them out on the internet for more info.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Thanksgiving, One- Room Schools, candlelight tours 2012
This year, Barbara Solem (author of Ghosttowns and Other Quirky Places of the NJ Pinebrrens) and I went on the 'drive yourself' Burlington County On-e Room Schools Tour. It was her birthday gift to me, but as we are both retired from education, it was interesting to both of us.
I had taken this tour previous years when they offered the bus and an on-the-bus tour guide which was very nice but much more expensive. That rip cost $40 per person with a delicious boxed lunch. This tour was $6 per person (varying by age and so on) and you brought or bought your own lunch. We took advantage of the location of Clara Barton's school in Bordentown to have lunch in that town and visit the excellent book store.
These little schools touch my heart and I think of my career ancestors, including Clara Barton, who dedicated their lives to developing a literate society in America. Did we always succeed with every child, of course not, but every teacher I ever knew gave his or her best to the effort. I'm thankful for all the ones who gave me tools to become a lifelong learner.
There are many upcoming events:
Candlelight tours abound - Woodstown on the 7th, Whitall House on the 7th and 8th, Indian King Tavern on succeeding Fridays. And I'm grateful for the kind ladies who put together the luncheons for volunteers this time of year, I'll be enjoying one at Gloucester County Historical Society Library and a Christmas party at Bivalve. It gives all of us volunteers a chance to talk to each other and learn about other projects going on at our sites.
I had taken this tour previous years when they offered the bus and an on-the-bus tour guide which was very nice but much more expensive. That rip cost $40 per person with a delicious boxed lunch. This tour was $6 per person (varying by age and so on) and you brought or bought your own lunch. We took advantage of the location of Clara Barton's school in Bordentown to have lunch in that town and visit the excellent book store.
These little schools touch my heart and I think of my career ancestors, including Clara Barton, who dedicated their lives to developing a literate society in America. Did we always succeed with every child, of course not, but every teacher I ever knew gave his or her best to the effort. I'm thankful for all the ones who gave me tools to become a lifelong learner.
There are many upcoming events:
Candlelight tours abound - Woodstown on the 7th, Whitall House on the 7th and 8th, Indian King Tavern on succeeding Fridays. And I'm grateful for the kind ladies who put together the luncheons for volunteers this time of year, I'll be enjoying one at Gloucester County Historical Society Library and a Christmas party at Bivalve. It gives all of us volunteers a chance to talk to each other and learn about other projects going on at our sites.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Washington's Headquarters, Morristown National Historical Park
The winter of 1979 to 1980 was the coldest in recorded history in New Jersey. That winter, 10,000 soldiers, poorly clothed and starving, cut down thousands of trees in Jockey Hollow to build log cabins to survive that brutal winter of deep snow and severe cold.
In the first week of October, a group of volunteer docents from the Whitall House, National Park, NJ drove the two plus hours up to visit Washington's Headquarters in the Ford Mansion and to see the Wick House and Jockey Hollow where the soldiers struggled to survive while General Washington strove to work out his military strategy and to feed and clothe his dwindling army. I thought the folded portable camp cot was interesting. I'd never seen one before although I have seen them unfolded and set up at various re-enactments.
You have to wonder, if you were a man in that army at that time, would you have stayed, or would you have headed back home to check on your wife and children, the family farm, and to get something to eat and simply get warm again. What a moral struggle for those men. Twelve men shared each of the one thousand cabins built on the land adjoining the Wick Farm.
General Washington was invited by the widow Ford to share her mansion. She and her children occupied a few rooms while the General and his entourage of officers and servants occupied the rest of the house. There would have been over 80 people sharing the house and even though it is a very large place, it must have been crowded and noisy. The Wick House, a charming New England style farm house was shared by the Wick family with General St. Clair.
The army spent two winters in the Morristown area, 1777 and 1779-80. New Jersey has a treasure trove of sites where the hundreds of battles, skirmishes, and other crucial events of the Revolution took place.
The Ford mansion had been closed for repairs but is now open for visitors and I hope you will find a day to visit this important place in our nation's history.
We had a wonderful time there and October is a perfect season for visiting our parks. We ate lunch in nearby Morristown at a quaint Irish Pub where I enjoyed a delicious butternut squash soup and cranberry bread.
In the first week of October, a group of volunteer docents from the Whitall House, National Park, NJ drove the two plus hours up to visit Washington's Headquarters in the Ford Mansion and to see the Wick House and Jockey Hollow where the soldiers struggled to survive while General Washington strove to work out his military strategy and to feed and clothe his dwindling army. I thought the folded portable camp cot was interesting. I'd never seen one before although I have seen them unfolded and set up at various re-enactments.
You have to wonder, if you were a man in that army at that time, would you have stayed, or would you have headed back home to check on your wife and children, the family farm, and to get something to eat and simply get warm again. What a moral struggle for those men. Twelve men shared each of the one thousand cabins built on the land adjoining the Wick Farm.
General Washington was invited by the widow Ford to share her mansion. She and her children occupied a few rooms while the General and his entourage of officers and servants occupied the rest of the house. There would have been over 80 people sharing the house and even though it is a very large place, it must have been crowded and noisy. The Wick House, a charming New England style farm house was shared by the Wick family with General St. Clair.
The army spent two winters in the Morristown area, 1777 and 1779-80. New Jersey has a treasure trove of sites where the hundreds of battles, skirmishes, and other crucial events of the Revolution took place.
The Ford mansion had been closed for repairs but is now open for visitors and I hope you will find a day to visit this important place in our nation's history.
We had a wonderful time there and October is a perfect season for visiting our parks. We ate lunch in nearby Morristown at a quaint Irish Pub where I enjoyed a delicious butternut squash soup and cranberry bread.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Happy Halloween!
I could have posted a cemetery picture for Halloween, but how often do you come across an old fashioned coffin? I saw this one at Greenwich at the Artisan's Faire. It was a delight to see such beautiful hand-made bowls and pottery and crafts, but my favorite things to visit are always the Red Barn tool museum (home of the coffin you see to the left) and the Swedish granary. The Swedish Granary is an original log building from the earliest years of the settlement of Southern NJ. Log structures speak to me. I've visted many of the ones you can still find in South Jersey, but sadly, this weekend I missed my chance to visit the Swedish Farmstead in Bridgeton. I was otherwise engaged and I'm not even sure if they held their fund-raiser on Oct. 6. I would have loved to have gone there if I could however.
October is one of those months when so many things happen that they have to overlap. Cranberry festivals, harvest festivals, Colonial fairs, and my own personal favorite is our James and Ann Whitall House, Re-enactment of the Battle of Red Bank Oct. 21st, National Park, NJ. Hope you can come and join us.
On Monday, I did a short volunteer afternoon offering some members of the Daughters of the American Revolution a tour of the oyster sheds and the wharves of the Bayshore Discovery Project. the Museum Director, Rachel D. is improvising to offer people the best tour possible under the circumstances which are that our musseum is temporarily closed for wood treatment. Nonetheless, this is such a rich site that there is always plenty to see. Our gallery is open and the oral history section. I'll be there again this Friday for 2nd Friday which begins around 5:00. But even before that, I'll be there Wednesday for our Museum Club. We discuss history books we've read and we are given tours and take field trips. Our recent tour included an introduction to the Wetlands Tour given by Emily Foote, and a recent field trip included the Rutgers' University Marine Biology Lab. Being a volunteer can give you back as much or even more than you give to the project.
This week, the volunteers of Whitall House, Red Bank Battlefield, National Park, NJ. will visit Morristown, the winter headquarters of Washington and the Continental Army for three winters. I'll have plenty to tell you about after that trip, I'm sure!
October is one of those months when so many things happen that they have to overlap. Cranberry festivals, harvest festivals, Colonial fairs, and my own personal favorite is our James and Ann Whitall House, Re-enactment of the Battle of Red Bank Oct. 21st, National Park, NJ. Hope you can come and join us.
On Monday, I did a short volunteer afternoon offering some members of the Daughters of the American Revolution a tour of the oyster sheds and the wharves of the Bayshore Discovery Project. the Museum Director, Rachel D. is improvising to offer people the best tour possible under the circumstances which are that our musseum is temporarily closed for wood treatment. Nonetheless, this is such a rich site that there is always plenty to see. Our gallery is open and the oral history section. I'll be there again this Friday for 2nd Friday which begins around 5:00. But even before that, I'll be there Wednesday for our Museum Club. We discuss history books we've read and we are given tours and take field trips. Our recent tour included an introduction to the Wetlands Tour given by Emily Foote, and a recent field trip included the Rutgers' University Marine Biology Lab. Being a volunteer can give you back as much or even more than you give to the project.
This week, the volunteers of Whitall House, Red Bank Battlefield, National Park, NJ. will visit Morristown, the winter headquarters of Washington and the Continental Army for three winters. I'll have plenty to tell you about after that trip, I'm sure!
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Energy
Even though my painting class (at Perkins Art Center, Moorestown) has nothing (as yet) to do with SJ History, one of the members had done a splendid painting of Kirby's Mill and mills and windmills have always held a fascination for me.
Today, reading the latest issue of Discover Magazine, an ariicle on energy sources, it occured to me that our gyms are great generators of wasted energy.
If we could collect the energy in everyone pedaling stationary bikes, and running on the treadmill all day (like the old horses who powered the ferries across the river or even some mills) maybe they could generate enough energy to run the entire gym! Any ideas? Jo Ann
ps. My daughter's fundraiser was successful. Soon, I'll update with a more complete blog on upcoming events and a few of the places I've visted lately including a one room school. Next week, the volunteers' History Readers' Club of Whitall House, Red Bank Battlefield, will journey to Morristown to the winter encampment site of the Continental Army. Also, next week, is 2nd Friday at Bivalve, the Bayshore Discovery Project. If you've never gone it is a really fun event - it begins about 5:00 p.m. and there is a lecture, music, an art exhibit and the cafe' is open for those who enjoy clams and oysters (other things are available.
Other events are posted at the ghosttowns site. I subscribe to their digest and recommend them to anyone interested in Pinelands history. It is a great resource!
ghosttownsofsouthernnj@yahoogroups.com
The most recent post mentioned the Batsto fest on the 21st which is also the date of the Battle of Red Bank Re-enactment at Whitall House, Red Bank Battlefield, National Park, NJ - our biggest event of the year. Hope to see you there!
Today, reading the latest issue of Discover Magazine, an ariicle on energy sources, it occured to me that our gyms are great generators of wasted energy.
If we could collect the energy in everyone pedaling stationary bikes, and running on the treadmill all day (like the old horses who powered the ferries across the river or even some mills) maybe they could generate enough energy to run the entire gym! Any ideas? Jo Ann
ps. My daughter's fundraiser was successful. Soon, I'll update with a more complete blog on upcoming events and a few of the places I've visted lately including a one room school. Next week, the volunteers' History Readers' Club of Whitall House, Red Bank Battlefield, will journey to Morristown to the winter encampment site of the Continental Army. Also, next week, is 2nd Friday at Bivalve, the Bayshore Discovery Project. If you've never gone it is a really fun event - it begins about 5:00 p.m. and there is a lecture, music, an art exhibit and the cafe' is open for those who enjoy clams and oysters (other things are available.
Other events are posted at the ghosttowns site. I subscribe to their digest and recommend them to anyone interested in Pinelands history. It is a great resource!
ghosttownsofsouthernnj@yahoogroups.com
The most recent post mentioned the Batsto fest on the 21st which is also the date of the Battle of Red Bank Re-enactment at Whitall House, Red Bank Battlefield, National Park, NJ - our biggest event of the year. Hope to see you there!
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
The past lives in the present - Sounds!
Hello fellow history buffs; usually I talk about places in this blog, but today, I'd like to talk about sounds and technology of the past. I've often mentioned events where such well-known musical groups as the Piney Hollow Drifters can be heard playing interesting music from the past, and also Albert Hall, one of my favorite places to hear music from the recent past (old rock and roll) as well as the distant past, as in the band that plays Civil War music, but in this blog, I'd want to talk about a project my daughter, Lavinia Jones Wright, has been working on for over a year with a friend and film-maker Alex Steyermark.
I'm a believer that sometimes old technology makes more sense and offers more freedom than newer replacement technology. I have an ipod that I never fill with new music because I can't remember how it works and there are too many steps. That wasn't the case with cassette players - easy to figure out and easy to use, lots of people made a swapped mix tapes, but so many old tehcnologies now defunct due to not being able to get new supplies.
The Presto, is an example of an old technology providing an immediate product from an immediate experience. Lavinia and Alex record directly from a performance onto an acetate record - no over-dubs or extraneous manipulation, just pure simple live music to record.
The Presto is an 80 year old device that was used by famous music collector and tireless saviour of our musical cultural history, Alan Lomax. He could go straight into the fields, the chapels, the halls and record direct from the event to the acetate record back in the 1930's.
Today, Lavinia and Alex use the Presto to record contemporary musicians with deep roots in our musical past and while they record, (lavinia takes care of the Presto) they film (Alex does the camera work).
Next they will take their footage and turn it into a documentary film.
To read more about this project check out this link to a column at the Village Voice
http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-09-26/music/the-new-art-of-old-timey-field-recording/
And if you want to help them make the movie, go to their home page.
www.the78project.com
They are using a grass-roots fund raising process called 'kickstarter' rather than relying on big money backers. so go to the kickstarter link on the right hand side of their home-page and you can help make this movie. I did it a few days ago and it is simple, especially if you have an Amazon account. Thanks! Jo Ann
I'm a believer that sometimes old technology makes more sense and offers more freedom than newer replacement technology. I have an ipod that I never fill with new music because I can't remember how it works and there are too many steps. That wasn't the case with cassette players - easy to figure out and easy to use, lots of people made a swapped mix tapes, but so many old tehcnologies now defunct due to not being able to get new supplies.
The Presto, is an example of an old technology providing an immediate product from an immediate experience. Lavinia and Alex record directly from a performance onto an acetate record - no over-dubs or extraneous manipulation, just pure simple live music to record.
The Presto is an 80 year old device that was used by famous music collector and tireless saviour of our musical cultural history, Alan Lomax. He could go straight into the fields, the chapels, the halls and record direct from the event to the acetate record back in the 1930's.
Today, Lavinia and Alex use the Presto to record contemporary musicians with deep roots in our musical past and while they record, (lavinia takes care of the Presto) they film (Alex does the camera work).
Next they will take their footage and turn it into a documentary film.
To read more about this project check out this link to a column at the Village Voice
http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-09-26/music/the-new-art-of-old-timey-field-recording/
And if you want to help them make the movie, go to their home page.
www.the78project.com
They are using a grass-roots fund raising process called 'kickstarter' rather than relying on big money backers. so go to the kickstarter link on the right hand side of their home-page and you can help make this movie. I did it a few days ago and it is simple, especially if you have an Amazon account. Thanks! Jo Ann
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Sunday, 9/16/12 at Red Bank Battlefield
If you are looking for something to do on Sunday afternoon, stop by and visit us at Whitall House, Red Bank Battlefield for Heritage Day - genealogy is special theme for the day. We will have people who belong to the DAR, the SAR, and if those acronyms aren't familiar to you, they are the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution, both of which require serious family history research to gain membership.
We will also have Bonny Beth Elwell, President of the Salem Co. Genealogical Society and we will be giving tours of the house as usual. Plus don't forget it is a lovely place to walk along the Delaware River and enjoy the breeze and maybe have a picnic. Hope to see you there!
We will also have Bonny Beth Elwell, President of the Salem Co. Genealogical Society and we will be giving tours of the house as usual. Plus don't forget it is a lovely place to walk along the Delaware River and enjoy the breeze and maybe have a picnic. Hope to see you there!
Laurel Hill Cemetery
If you are wondering why I'm posting about a Philadelphia cemetery, it is because a figure of some note in Revolutionary War history in New Jersey is buried here:
Yesterday, Friday, September 14th, A group of Whitall Volunteers that included master gardeners, docents, and administrative staff, visited Laurel Hill Cemetery Schuylkill River
We visited our special interest, General Mercer, for whom the fort at Red Bank Battlefield was named, and we visited General Meade of Civil War fame. General Meade, a humble man, had a humble grave stone to match.
One of my favorites was the story of a woman who was married to a chemist, then widowed with small children to support. She taught herself chemistry by immersing herself in the bottles and books of her husband’s lab, and developed a set of flares bought by the navy. Through various financial manipulations, it ended that Martha Costen got nothing for her invention until she sued the US Navy. She was then awarded a settlement fee, which I sincerely hope allowed her to live her old age in some comfort.
It was a beautiful day, warm but breezy and my favorite view was from a bluff above the Schuylkill where I saw single scullers gliding down the river, reminding me of Thomas Eakins unforgettable painting of Max Schmidt, the single sculler. He has another painting of shad fishermen on the shore at Gloucester City.
Also down below the bluff overlooking the river, is the grave of Harry Kalas, the famous athletics announcer beloved by many. His grave sports a marble microphone and stadium chairs, so you can sit and visit.
Not far from Laurel Hill is a nice place to eat called The Epicure Cafe' and I would recommend it for lunch after your hike around the cemetery.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Mystery Object Identified
The mystery object has been identified by three respondents: John Westerdale figured it out by identifying its component parts. John is a distant cousin of mine whom I met via internet genealogy. The second correct guess came from Leigh Ingersol who is docent at the Prehistory Museum in Greenwich, NJ, one of my favorite places to visit. He is very well informed on local history. The third good guess came from Dana Jorgensen via Ghosttowns of Southern New Jersey digest, a favorite internet site of mine also. Barry Caselli has been keeping this fascinating digest going for some years. I would strongly recommend that anyone interested in the piney woods sign up with this site and engage in the ongoing discussions on interesting places, people and mysteries of the NJ Pinebarrens.
The mystery object is a spike cutting machine used by the Cumberland Nail and Iron company in Bridgeton and the machine was placed and maintained in honor of the workers in that industry. I always think of the workers when I visit any of the old mills, the oyster sheds, the marinas and the farms of South Jersey. Iron is especially interesting to me, the daughter of an ironworker.
It was especially interesting to visit the blacksmith shop at Allaire, and the carpentry shop. When I look at the Meerwald and the skeleton of the old Cashier, down at Bivalve, the Bayshore Discovery Project site, I can't help but think of the human hands and the tools that fashioned the wood and put it together in such marvelous ways. Even the oyster baskets and Noah Newcomb, who went into the woods, cut the saplings prepared the strips of wood for weaving and supplied the hundreds of baskets used for that work - everything made by hand, everything personal and local.
One of my favorite things to do in life is to wander around the back roads and stumble on interesting places and things and then figure out what happened there. I would strongly recommend anyone who is interested to visit Bridgeton's local park, and, in on October 7th, the festival held at the New Sweden Farmstead. There is a web site for info on this place:
http://www.newswedenfarmstead.org/nsf/Welcome.html
and for more info on the spike splitter:
Hope you had a safe, peaceful, restful Labor Day - a good day to think of all the workers who have made everything we use.
The mystery object is a spike cutting machine used by the Cumberland Nail and Iron company in Bridgeton and the machine was placed and maintained in honor of the workers in that industry. I always think of the workers when I visit any of the old mills, the oyster sheds, the marinas and the farms of South Jersey. Iron is especially interesting to me, the daughter of an ironworker.
It was especially interesting to visit the blacksmith shop at Allaire, and the carpentry shop. When I look at the Meerwald and the skeleton of the old Cashier, down at Bivalve, the Bayshore Discovery Project site, I can't help but think of the human hands and the tools that fashioned the wood and put it together in such marvelous ways. Even the oyster baskets and Noah Newcomb, who went into the woods, cut the saplings prepared the strips of wood for weaving and supplied the hundreds of baskets used for that work - everything made by hand, everything personal and local.
One of my favorite things to do in life is to wander around the back roads and stumble on interesting places and things and then figure out what happened there. I would strongly recommend anyone who is interested to visit Bridgeton's local park, and, in on October 7th, the festival held at the New Sweden Farmstead. There is a web site for info on this place:
http://www.newswedenfarmstead.org/nsf/Welcome.html
and for more info on the spike splitter:
http://www.dalesmiscellany.com/product/cumberland-nail-iron-works-spike-machine-bridgeton-n-j-post-card
Monday, September 3, 2012
Mystery Object
Half a dozen people have made good guesses on the mystery object but only one person has come close. I sent clues to several people:
1. railroading history
2. mill history
3. local inventors
And I've posted a photo of the machine in operation in the late 1800's on the left.
I did some research on my own. It turns out to be relatively hard to find this object on the internet even if you know thepurpose, inventor, location and history of it. I found four good web resources. Next week I'll post the answer and the resource links. Good guessing! Happy Labor Day! This is my Labor Day celebration post, Jo Ann - you can reach me at wrightj45@yahoo.com
1. railroading history
2. mill history
3. local inventors
And I've posted a photo of the machine in operation in the late 1800's on the left.
I did some research on my own. It turns out to be relatively hard to find this object on the internet even if you know thepurpose, inventor, location and history of it. I found four good web resources. Next week I'll post the answer and the resource links. Good guessing! Happy Labor Day! This is my Labor Day celebration post, Jo Ann - you can reach me at wrightj45@yahoo.com
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Can you guess what this is?
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.
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.
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!
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