Postponed: LIVING HISTORY SERIES SHOWCASES COLONIAL COOKING!

Unfortunately, this event has been postponed due to Friday's predicted snowstorm, please stay tuned for further information.
The Meadows Foundation is proud to invite you to a delicious installment to their Living History Series with Michele Dansak's "Historic Foodways Demonstration and Lecture"!

DATE: Saturday, February 27, 2010
TIME: TBA
PLACE: Wyckoff-Garritson House
215 South Middlebush Road, Somerset
TKTS: $10.00 per Person
RSVP: Space is limited to 20. Please call or email to reserve your spot.
PHONE: (732) 560-1977
EMAIL: Meadowsreserve@aol.com

Michele Dansak is a expert at the nearly lost art of colonial open-hearth cooking and she is the unit cook and seamstress for Outwater's Militia. Attendees will assist Ms. Dansak in the preparation of a historically inspired dish, and there will be plenty of opportunity to learn- and ask questions about colonial foodways while the dish cooks over the fire. When it is ready, everyone partakes in the best part--eating!

Why not become a member of the Meadows Foundation or volunteer and get in on all the fun?

February 20 & 27: BLACK HISTORY EXHIBIT & HOUSE TOURS

Come celebrate Black History Month with free tours of the Abraham Staats House featuring a fascinating exhibit on slavery and the contributions of blacks to our national heritage, presented by local historian, Mrs. Joyce Smith!

DATE: Saturday, February 20 & 27, 2010
TIME: 12:00 to 2:00PM
PLACE: The Abraham Staats House
17 Von Steuben Lane, South Bound Brook
INFO: info@staatshouse.org

ADMISSION IS FREE!!!

This special Black History Month event is brought to you by 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. Historian, Mrs. Joyce Smith, is a member of the Women's Guild.

Why not become a Friend of the Abraham Staats House and get in on all the fun? Click here and discover what a wonderful, life-long friend a house can be!

Postponed: BLACK HISTORY: FISK JUBILEE SINGERS!

Unfortunately, this event has been postponed due to parking issues at the Hageman Farm--please stay tuned for further information.


Please join the Meadows Foundation's celebration of Black History Month with a presentation by noted musicologists Charlie and Pam Horner about the original Fisk Jubilee Singers!

DATE: Saturday, February 20, 2010
TIME: 2:00PM to 4:00PM
PLACE: The Hageman Farm
209 South Middlebush Road, Somerset
TKTS: $10.00 per Person
RSVP: Reservations by phone or email strongly recommended.
PHONE: (732) 560-1977
EMAIL: Meadowsreserve@aol.com

[From the Meadows Website]
"In 1871, the Fisk University Jubilee Singers left Nashville on a series of tours to raise funds for their impoverished school. They battled prejudice and oppression, as well as the hardships of the road. But through their perseverance they sang their way into the hearts of the nation and the world.

Our 2010 salute to Black History Month about the original Fisk Jubilee Singers features noted musicologists Charlie and Pam Horner. Their presentation will include a brief analysis of the importance of spirituals during slavery, including their use in communication, secret meanings to lyrics, etc.; history of the Fisk Jubliee Singers’ 1871–78 tours of the U.S. and Europe, including performances for President Grant, Mark Twain, and Queen Victoria.

In addition, the talk will include photos of Jubilee singers, their songbooks and memorabilia, and sound clips of spirituals. The presentation will also touch on the use of Black quartets in productions of Uncle Tom’s Cabin and minstrel shows, and the influence of spirituals on our American musical heritage."

Why not become a member of the Meadows Foundation or volunteer and get in on all the fun?

February 14: FREE FIVE GENERALS BUS TOUR!

The Heritage Trail Association invites you and your entire family to enjoy a thrilling tour back through time to discover the five original historic houses that served as General staff headquarters during the Second Middlebrook Encampment, 1778-1779!

DATE: Sunday, February 14, 2010
TIME: Five separate tours depart on the hour:
10AM, 11AM, 12PM, 1PM, & 2PM
DEPART: The Van Horne House
941 Main Street, Bridgewater
RSVP: Space is limited--Reservations Required Reserve by phone, email, or Click Here to reserve on-line.
PHONE: (732) 356-8856
EMAIL: info@heritagetrail.com

TICKETS ARE FREE!!!

The five historical houses on the tour include the Van Horne House in Bridgewater, the Van Veghten House in Finderne, the Abraham Staats House in South Bound Brook, the Jacobus Vanderveer House in Bedminster, and the Wallace House in Somerville, where George Washington stayed.

[From the Heritage Trail Association Website]
"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. During the encampment, General Washington dated all of his dispatches from Middlebrook even though his headquarters was in the Wallace House, five miles away.

A perfect opportunity for a weekend family outing, a visit to these historic sites offers a unique educational experience, for young and old alike to learn about these unique places and the generals who made them their homes and offices during the American Revolution."

Why not become a volunteer with this organization and get in on all the fun?

February 20: KINGSTON BIRD WALK

Please join the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park's Naturalist Staphanie Fox and NJ Audubon volunteer Arlene Oley for a leisurely guided walk in search of the beautiful overwinter birds in the Kingston area!

DATE: Saturday, February 20, 2010 [Weather Permitting]
TIME: 10:00AM
DEPART: D&R Canal State Park Kingston Office
145 Mapleton Road, Kingston
RSVP: Space is very limited, pre-registration by phone or online (click here) is REQUIRED.
PHONE: (609) 924-5750

ADMISSION IS FREE!!! This event is appropriate for all ages!

February 13: FREE VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY AT THE HISTORIC BLACKWELLS MILLS CANAL HOUSE!

No need to spend Valentine's Day alone! The Blackwells Mills Canal House Association would LOVE for you to attend their annual fun-filled, family-friendly Valentine's Day Celebration and Open House!

DATE: Saturday, February 13, 2010
TIME: 1:00 to 4:00PM
PLACE: Blackwells Mills Canal House
598 Canal Road @ Blackwells Mills Road, Somerset
INFO: (732) 873-2133 (day of event only)

ADMISSION IS FREE!!! No pre-registration required!

Enjoy the fireplace and view rarely seen vintage Valentine's Day cards from local private collections. If you are inspired, there will be plenty of supplies on hand for you to create your very own card for your loved ones!

Why not become a member of this organization and never miss out on the fun?

February 13: TORY JACK DAY AT THE ABRAHAM STAATS HOUSE!!!

Friends of the Abraham Staats House invite you and your family to a very exciting 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 by noted historian and interpreter, Joe Becton, and military support by the fearless re-enactors 3rd Regiment United States Colored Troops of the Civil War!

DATE: Saturday, February 13, 2010
TIME: 11:00AM to 4:00PM
Presentation begins at 11:ooAM.
House tours begin after presentation.
PLACE: The Abraham Staats House
17 von Steuben Lane
South Bound Brook
TKTS: Suggested donation for presentation, $3.00/adult
INFO: info@staatshouse.org
PHONE: (732) 469-3198

[From the SCCHC 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 Ho

use, Inc., and in partnership with the Women’s Guild of South Bound Brook, will present eminent historian Joe Becton.

He will speak on 'Choosing sides in the American Revolution', which focuses on the difficulty of that decision for African-Americans during the war for independence. The talk will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010 at the historic Abraham Staats House. 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 3rd 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."

Why not become a Friend of the Abraham Staats House and get in on all the fun? Click here and discover what a wonderful, life-long friend a house can be!

RESCHEDULED to February 24: SOMERSET COUNTY VISUAL ARTS ROUNDTABLE

The Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission [SCCHC] is hosting a forum for the visual arts community to exchange ideas, identify concerns, and look for cooperative solutions to common issues--and you are invited!

DATE: Wednesday, February 24, 2010
TIME: 5:30PM to 8:45PM
PLACE: Somerset County Administration Building
20 Grove Street, Somerville
Free parking in the parking deck behind the building and accessible from East High Street.
RSVP: Pre-Registration Required
INFO: Cindy Mellusi, (908) 707-1749
CulturalHeritage@co.somerset.nj.us

ADMISSION IS FREE!!! Please pass this info along to everyone you know who might be interested!

[from SCCHC]
"We are pleased that Sue Nyoni, a well known technology strategist and and social media consultant, will be joining us to share her insights on social networking for artists. She is the former manager of information systems for the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and will offer ideas on ways to promote and sell your works."

JANUARY'S HIATUS IS OVER!!!

Dear Friends & Readers of the RMVE Blog-

Many of you may have noticed that the RMVE Blog went on an unannounced hiatus during the month of January. Some of you may know that the reason for the hiatus was that, on Christmas Eve-eve, I slipped on a patch of ice and broke my hip, and I have been in rehabilitation ever since.

We at the RMVE certainly hope that you found your way to one or more of the many wonderful historical and environmental events sponsored by the preservation organizations with which we work ! Links to some of those events are posted below, as is a picture of me in the hospital, when I was just beginning my way down the road to recovery.

Enjoy Life & Love !

Jan ten Broeke
Director, RMVE Blog

Jan 1 BWM CANAL HOUSE NEW YEAR'S DAY OPEN HOUSE
Jan 13 RARITAN VALLEY: THE OPERA
Jan 16 THE STUDY OF POOLOGY
Jan 16 SOUTHERN BELLES AT HAGEMAN FARM
Jan 16 WALK THE TOWPATH TO EAST MILLSTONE
Jan 18 CLEAN UP @ THE MAPLETOM PRESERVE
Jan 23 THE GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT

February 6: KIDS' GROUNDHOG DAY CELEBRATION!

Many would argue that there should be at least one day of every month to honor everyone's favorite roly-poly, weather forecasting rodent the Groundhog!

But since there is but one Groundhog Day a year, be sure to make the most of it by joining the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park's celebration of the day the friendly critter's is said to emerge from his burrow. Legend has it that the appearance of the groundhog on February 2 may signify a speedy end to the cold winter days, unless he sees his shadow, in which case he will scurry back into his cozy burrow, signifying we can expect six more weeks of winter.

DATE: Saturday, February 2, 2010 [Weather Permitting]
TIME: Program begins promptly at 10:00AM
PLACE: D&R Canal State Park Kingston Office
145 Mapleton Road, Kingston
RSVP: Space is limited, pre-registration by phone or online (click here) is requested and recommended.
INFO: (609) 924-5750

ADMISSION IS FREE!!!

This delightful, hour-long program is appropriate for children ages 4 and up, who will learn about the interesting habits of their furry yard- and park-mates, including hibernation, migration, and the methods these animals use to survive the cold winter months. Everyone will get a Groundhog Day craft to take home!