Rockingham Dec. 2010

Annual Holiday Candlelight Tours
Sunday, December 12, 2010
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Reservations are Required! Call: (609) 683-7136

KINGSTON – The yuletide holidays are quickly approaching and we invite one and all to join us at Rockingham Historic Site, which will be offering its Annual Candlelight Holiday House Tours on Sunday, December 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m, with tours scheduled every half-hour; the last at 3:30. This year, visitors can learn more about people in General Washington’s household and guests he hosted while at Rockingham such as William Lee, his personal slave; Annis Stockton, who wrote poetry to the general; and James Madison, a member of Congress while it met in Princeton.

Guided tours will be given by docents in period dress, with 18th-century English flute airs provided by Practitioners of Musick in one of the rooms. There will be decorations, hot cider and cookies available and the Museum Store will be open for your shopping pleasure. This event is sponsored by the Rockingham Association, the Stony Brook Garden Club and the Montgomery High School Live Historians. A donation of $5 is suggested and advance reservations are required to guarantee admittance to the tour by calling (609) 683-7136

Please Note: Rockingham will be closed
Wednesday, December 8 and Thursday, December 9
AND
Friday, December 24 through Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Reopening for the New Year 2011 on Wednesday, January 5

GPS Coordinates (84 Laurel Avenue, Franklin Township, [Kingston] NJ)
House 40° 23′ 02.92″ N 74° 37′ 08.82″ W
Parking Entrance 40° 23′ 11.31″ N 74° 37′ 17.54″ W
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NOW AVAILABLE

The award-winning DVD, "Rockingham-The Road to Peace", is now available by mail.
Download the order form from the Rockingham Website.

DECEMBER 13 Call to Action! Hearing on the Dredging of the Delaware & Raritan Canal!

Please attend this hearing about the planned dredging of the D&R Canal to protect this beautiful and unique historical treasure!

DATE: Monday, December 13, 2010
TIME: 5:00 to 7:00
PLACE: Franklin Township Municipal Building
675 DeMott Lane, Somerset

Public Notice

Dredging of the Delaware and Raritan Canal

The New Jersey Water Supply Authority (Authority) is developing a program to dredge a 10.5 mile stretch of the Delaware and Raritan Canal from Lincoln Highway (Route 27) to Amwell Road in Franklin Township, Somerset County. Flow in this section of the Canal is being impeded by sediment accumulation and is compounded by the growth of weeds during the summer months when flow demand is the greatest. The water surface elevation of the Canal is typically raised during these periods, which causes water to discharge over the lower elevation spillways. The objective of the project is to remove an estimated 250,000 cubic yards of sediment from the Canal to restore flow capacity.

The Canal serves as a source of drinking water for millions of residents in central New Jersey and provides recreational opportunities for its numerous visitors. The dredging design will address the water supply needs for the area and take into account the surrounding cultural and natural resources.

In 1973, the Canal was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. This action placed the Canal under the protection of Section 106 of the National Historic Register Preservation Act of 1966 whereby any actions undertaken or licensed by as Federal agency which impact upon the resource are subject to review by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The Canal, which is within the D&R State Park, is also on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places whereby projects that impact the Canal require prior written authorization or consent from the NJDEP Historic Preservation Office. Accordingly, any rehabilitation or construction work undertaken along the Canal must consider the historic and cultural significance of the Canal and adverse effects to these features must be minimized.

An open house to discuss the project is scheduled for Monday, December 13, 2010 from 5:00 to 7:00 at the Franklin Township Municipal Building, 675 DeMott Lane, Somerset NJ. Members of the Urban Dredging Consultants design team and the URS Corporations, cultural resource consultants for the project, will join Authority staff to discuss project progress, schedule and answer questions raised before or during the meeting. There will be a presentation of the project at 6:00 that evening.

Old Dutch Parsonage and Wallace House, Somerville

Friday, Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m.
18th Century Candlelight Concert
at The Old Dutch Parsonage ~
Featuring Linda Russell

These Evening Concerts with Linda Russell feature Music of the 18th century performed in the Authentic Candlelit Atmosphere of the Old Dutch Parsonage.
Ms. Russell sings Popular Songs and Ballads
and Plays Instruments of the Period, including
Hammered Dulcimer, Guitar and Tin Whistle.
Seating begins at 7 pm. Call 908-725-1015 to reserve.

Sunday, Dec. 19, 5-8 p.m.
"Six Days Before Christmas"
Colonial Christmas Tours
at the Wallace House
A special Christmas event featuring candlelight tours through the Wallace House. Guides in period clothing explain how Christmas was celebrated in the American colonies. Enjoy the holiday atmosphere of this Colonial-era home, decorated authentically in the 18th century manner to celebrate the season. Refreshments will be served.

All Events: $10 per person. Reservations: in advance. Contact Jim Kurzenberger:
Phone: 908-725-1015 Email: whouse3@verizon.net
Parking for events: 71 Somerset Street, Somerville (Lot across from Circle Floors. There is a short walk to the houses.)
About the Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage historic site:
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/historic/olddutch-wallace/odwh-home.htm
Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage Historic Site
71 Somerset Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
Office: 908-725-1015 Fax: 908-526-6187
State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
For more about Linda Russell: http://www.lindarussellmusic.com/

Blackwell Mills Canal House, December 2010

December 11:	CHRISTMAS OF YESTERYEAR: An old fashioned holiday awaits you at the historic canal house. Boughs of holly to see, sleigh bells to hear and Santa arrives by canoe at 1:00 p.m. for a visit and photo session. Happy Holidays to all! HOURS: Saturday, December 11, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Jan 1, 2011:	NEW YEAR'S DAY OPEN HOUSE: Our long time tradition continues! The door is open wide for the New Year celebration. Greet old friends and make new ones. HOURS: Saturday, January 1st ~ 1 p.m. - 4 p.m

Why not sign up as a member of the Blackwells Mills Canal House Association and get in on the fun? Your membership will help to preserve this small part of the Delaware and Raritan Canal's important past! Why not help polish this historic old gem to the lustre it deserves and make sure it continues to serve its mission of education and be a source of community pride. If you are interested, please click the link below to access a copy of our membership form which can be downloaded or printed and then sent to the Canal House Association. If you have any questions about our group or becoming a member, please call either of the following telephone numbers to obtain further information:
732.257.4557
732.297.5548
Blackwells Mills Canal House Association Membership Form