March 21: FLAPPERS! Scandal at Tulipwood!

Popular New Jersey raconteuse Trish Chambers returns to Tulipwood House for the Meadows Foundations exciting Fireside Chat Series with a new program for Women’s History Month!



DATE: Saturday, March 21
TIME: 2:00 to 4:00PM
PLACE: Tulipwood House
1165 Hamilton St., Somerset
TKTS: $10.00/Person
INFO: (732) 560-1977
info@themeadowsfoundation.org

Find out why women cut their hair! Raised their skirts! And went out on the town in the roaring ’20s! What was this first women’s lib movement really about? Then you'll have to learn where it all began! Join us as Trish Chambers takes us through a fun-filled sashay back through time!

March 1: "Patriots! Torries! Inebriates! Hussies!" Lecture at the Staats House

Please join the Friends of the Abraham Staats House (c. 1740) for an exciting and saucy lecture, "Patriots, Torries, Inebriates, and Hussies: Unearthing the History of the Abraham Staats House" presented by Dr. Richard Veit!

DATE: Sunday, March 1
TIME: 2:00PM, House Open for Tours from 1:00PM
PLACE: Abraham Staats House
17 Von Stueben Lane
South Bound Brook
TKTS: $10.00/Person, $5.00/Under 18
INFO: info@staatshouse.org

Associate Professor of Anthropology at Monmouth University Dr. Veit's entertaining presentation is the first in a new series of six "Lectures Through Time" that will offer a fascinating look at the people and events that shaped the history of New Jersey and our nation! "Patriots, Torries, Inebriates, and Hussies" will uncover the details of the Staats' family history through the Revolutionary War, the arrival of Turnpike Roads, the escavation of the Delaware/Raritan Canal, and the emancipation of slaves!

STAY TUNED: The next lecture in the series will be "Middlebrook: A Comprehensive Look"!

February 22: WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY AT HISTORIC ROCKINGHAM

The Rockingham Association is delighted to invite you to celebrate George Washington's 277th birthday at one of his residences as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution!

DATE: Sunday, February 22
TIME: Tour Times, 12PM, 1PM, 2PM, 3PM
Refreshments to follow each tour!
IMP'T: Tour size limited to 12
Registration for specific tour time recommended
PLACE: Rockingham Historic Site
Rte. 603 (Laurel Ave./Kingston-Rocky Hill Rd.)
1 Mile North of Rte. 27 in Kingston
1 Mile South of Rte. 518 in Rocky Hill
(map/directions)
RSVP: (609) 683-7132
INFO: www.rockingham.net

From August to November 1783, the Rockingham House, once the residence on the farm of the late Judge John Berrien, served a George Washington's final wartime headquarters. It was at Rockingham that Washington penned and formally signed the Treaty of Paris, thereby initiating the beginning of the end of the American Revolution and the birth of the United States of America!

February 15: MIDDLEBROOK 5 GENERALS BUS TOUR!

The Heritage Trail Association invites you and your family to step back to the Revolutionary era for three hours of history and fun with a narrated bus tour to five historic houses that served as general staff headquarters during the second Middlebrook encampment, from 1778 to 1789! And it's FREE!

DATE: Sunday, February 15
TIME: Four separate tours will depart on the hour: 11:00AM, 12:00PM, 1:00PM, & 2:00PM
PLACE/DEPARTURE: Van Horne House, 941 East Main Street,
Bridgewater (across from Patriots Ballpark)
TKTS: FREE! But Reservations Required.
INFO/RSVP: (732) 356-8856 or info@heritagetrail.org
Pre-register online here.

[from the Heritage Trail Association]
"This annual event is a perfect opportunity for a family outing. A visit to these historic sites offers a unique educational experience for all ages.

The five houses are: the Van Horne House in Bridgewater, the Wallace House in Somerville, the Van Veghten House in Finderne, the Abraham Staats House in South Bound Brook, and the Vanderveer House in Bedminster. The houses will be open from 11 am until 4 pm.

The village of Middlebrook was located just east of the Van Horne House in an area that is now the west end of Bound Brook. The main body of Washington’s Continental Army was encamped along the first Watchung Mountain and at various locations around Somerville. During the encampment, General Washington dated all of his dispatches from Middlebrook even though his headquarters was in the Wallace House, five miles away."

EVENT ROUND-UP: February 2009 [Last updated, 2/16!]

Best.
Black.
History.
Month.
EVER.




But--brrrrrr!--maybe also the coldest! Good thing February is shaping up to be chock-full'o body-and-soul-warming events celebrating the unique historical and cultural contributions of African Americans!

And don't forget Valentines & Presidents' Day!

CLICK ON AN EVENT LINK BELOW FOR MORE DETAILED INFO:
2/6 TASTE OF AFRICAN DANCE--FREE!
2/7 FESIVAL OF AFRICAN DANCE--FREE!
2/14 UNDERGROUND RAILROAD RE-ENACTMENT
2/14 TORY JACK DAY, STAATS HOUSE
2/14 VALENTINE PARTY--FREE!
2/15 FIVE GENERAL BUS TOUR--FREE!
2/15 WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY LUNCH
2/21 JOE BECTON SINGS AMERICA
2/22 WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY, ROCKINGHAM
2/28 AN EVENING OF GOSPEL MUSIC--FREE!

BRING THE ENTIRE FAMILY!!!

Share your personal photos of these events with the RMVE Blog!

• Please email any photos you are willing to have posted on the RMVE blog in .jpg format (no more than 200K each, please) to the blog's primary writer/editor/monitor, Jan ten Broeke, at tensart@gmail.com.
• Please include any identifying information with your submissions including site location, activities, and names of individuals prominent in the photo(s).
• While no compensation for your photos is available, you will be providing everyone who views them with lasting memories and joy, as well as helping your community document these significant activities for the benefit of many generations to come. In that spirit, we hope you will be generous--and judicious--in your photo submissions!

February 28: AN EVENING OF GOSPEL MUSIC!

The Franklin Township Community/Senior Center proudly presents an inspiring and uplifting "Evening of Gospel Music"! Featuring the joyous gospel stylings of:

• The Ecstatics of New York
• The Singing Pastors of Piscataway
• Exodus 4:12
• Zion Hill Men's Ministry of God and the Zion Hill Liturgical Dancers

DATE: Saturday, February 28
TIME: 7:00 pm
PLACE: Franklin Township Community/Senior Center, 505 DeMott Lane, Somerset
TKTS: FREE!!!
INFO: (732)873-2500 ext.310

"We'll be feeding you!" --An Event Sponsor

This performance--and the delicious food that follows!--comes HIGHLY recommended by R-ME Blogger, Jan ten Broeke, and his wife, Barbara--see you there!

February 14: A VALENTINE PARTY & OPEN HOUSE AT THE HISTORIC BLCKWELL MILLS CANAL HOUSE!

No need to spend Valentines Day alone! The Meadows Foundation LOVES you and hopes with all its heart that you and your family will join in a Valentines Day Party & Open House at the Historic Blackwell Mills Canal House!

DATE: Saturday, February 14
TIME: 1:00 to 4:00PM
PLACE: Blackwell Mills Canal House
598 Canal Road @ Blackwell Mills Road, Somerset
(Map/Directions)
INFO: (732) 873-2133 (day of event)
info@themeadowsfoundation.org

• Make your own original valentines--plenty of craft supplies will be provided!
• View adorable antique Valentines Day Cards!
• Tour the beautifully preserved Canal House!
• Fun for all ages!
• Admission is FREE, so bring the whole family!

February 21: Fireside Chat Series, JOE BECTON SINGS AMERICA!

In honor of Black History Month, the Meadows Foundation is pleased to invite you and your family to stomp your feet and clap your hands with noted Philadelphia musical artist, Joe Becton, as he signs from his repertoire of of inspiring 19th Century spirituals and rousing Civil War songs!

DATE: Saturday, February 21
TIME: 2:00 to 4:00PM
PLACE: The Tulipwood House
1165 Hamilton Street, Somerset
(Map/Directions)
TKTS: $10:00, Reservations Recommended
INFO/RSVP: (732) 560-1977

This event is another exciting installment in the Meadow's popular Fireside Chat Series!

February 14: TORY JACK DAY AT THE ABRAHAM STAATS HOUSE

The Friends of the Abraham Staats House invite you and your family to a very special celebration for Black History Month, Tory Jack Day, honoring the life of a slave in the Staats who reputedly supported the American Revolution by spying on the British! The celebration will feature a presentation about the Underground Railroad by historian and re-enactor Joe Becton and a re-enactment of the 3rd Regiment United States Colored Troops Civil War!

DATE: Saturday, February 14
TIME: 11:00AM to 4:00PM
PLACE: The Staats House,
17 von Steuben Lane
South Bound Brook
(map/directions)
TKTS: Suggested donation, $3.00
INFO: info@staatshouse.org

[From the Staats House Website]

As part of its annual “Tory Jack Day” program celebrating Black History Month, the South Bound Brook Historic Preservation Advisory Commission, in conjunction with The Friends of the Abraham Staats House, Inc., and in partnership with the Women’s Guild of South Bound Brook, will present eminent historian, Joe Becton. Mr. Becton, will speak on the topic “Samuel Burris Speaks: Conductor on the Underground Railroad” at 11:00 am. Mr. Becton, a National Park Service Interpretive Park Ranger, has been recognized with the Community Service award for setting a standard of excellence in interpretation and for his role in connecting Americans to our national parks through wonderful stories and varied media.

Members of the 3^rd Regiment United States Colored Troops Civil War re-enactors will also participate as part of the presentation, and be on hand to answer questions and interact with the public.

Following Mr. Becton’s presentation, the public is invited to tour the historic Abraham Staats House and view an exhibit on slavery and the contributions of blacks to our national heritage, presented by local historian and Women’s Guild member, Mrs. Joyce Smith. Tours will end at 4 pm.

February 14 : Living the Experience, UNDERGROUND RAILROAD REENACTMENT

[Click on Image to Enlarge]

Please join the Franklin Township Department of Community Resource & Services Black History Committee for this INCREDIBLE opportunity for you and your family to experience this dramatic chapter in American history come-to-life with Living the Experience: Underground Railroad Reenactment!

DATE: Saturday, February 14
TKTS: Includes transportation & Southern-style buffet lunch!
Adult: $60.00
Child: (12 & under) $40.00
INFO: (732) 873-2500, X310
Franklin Twp. Dept. of Community Resource & Services,
935 Hamilton St., Somerset

[form the flier above]
Join us on the Underground Railroad for an interactive journey back to the 1800's. During the reenactment, you will meet the conductors, Freedom Fighters, and others who participated in the Underground Railroad here in Lancaster and surrounding counties. Experience the anticipation of freedom. Experience the joy of finding a welcoming home where you can rest for the night. Experience the fear, as the far-off sound of dogs with their "catchers" comes even closer. Experience the working faith of the Free Africans. Take part in the praise and worship services as we glorify God! The spirituals will touch your soul. Then, enjoy an authentic 1800's Southern style buffet lunch. Visit the Freedom Gift shop and our vendors for your shopping pleasure.

February 7: Zawadi School of African Dance FESTIVAL OF DANCE!

Franklin Middle School welcomes the Zawadi School of African Dance's presentation, "Festival of Dance"!

DATE: Saturday, February 7
TIME: 7:00PM
PLACE: Franklin Middle School Auditorium, 415 Francis Street, Somerset
(formerly, Franklin Township High School)
PHONE: (732) 249-6410

February 6: TASTE OF AFRICAN DANCE WITH AUDREY DAVIS

Come celebrate Black History Month at the Old Bridge Library with a very special program featuring the ever-energetic Audrey Davis, the African Dance Lady, and live African drums!

DATE: February 6, 2009
TIME: 6:30PM
PLACE: Old Bridge Library, 1 Old Bridge Plaza
INFO: (732) 721-5600, X5033

Bring friends and family, admission is FREE!!!

[From the website]
Taste of African Dance will appeal to all ages and entertain everyone! Ms. Davis will be performing spirited, traditional West African dances--including marriage and warrior dances--accompanied by live percussionists! She takes great pride and joy in sharing the richness of African dance and culture with the public and will outline the history, cultural context, and foundational steps of the dances, as well as discuss the traditional African clothing and instruments!