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Historic Churches of Northern Somerset County
Location: Basking Ridge Community Center
For the early settlers of Somerset County, religion played a central role in their lives. Their parents and grand-parents had come to America from Europe seeking a refuge from religious intolerance. Embracing the religious freedom offered by the colonies, the settlers, who represented a diverse cross section of English, Irish, French, and Dutch, established new congregations and erected churches that reflected the architectural fashion of the time.
On May 14th, the Heritage Trail Association is offering a narrated bus tour that will explore Somerset County's religious history and visit a number of its historic churches. This is a unique opportunity to learn about the role that religion and churches played in the lives of early Somerset County settlers.
The two-and-a-half hour bus tour will visit four churches: Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, Grace Fellowship Church in Bedminster, Peapack Reformed Church, and St. Mark's Episcopal Church Chapel in Basking Ridge. Narrators will recount the history of these and the 12 other churches that we pass along the route.
There will be 2 tours: one at 10 a.m. and one at 2 p.m. They each will leave from the Bernards Township Community Center, 289 S. Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge.
The cost is $20 per person and reservations are required. Free parking is available at the Community Center in Basking Ridge.
Call (732) 356-8856 for reservations, or sign up online: register.
A second bus tour, focusing on the churches of southern Somerset County, is scheduled for Saturday, September 24, 2011. Watch for announcements.
Phone: 732-356-8856
Website: Click to Visit
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Somerset County Historic Society's Spring, Open Public Meeting
Location: Van Veghten House
Phone: 908-218-1281
Website: Click to Visit
Special guest speaker: Gordon Bond, author of My Patron:
The Friendship of James Parker & Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin is probably the best known colonial-era printer. As he changed careers and moved into the role of statesman, he formed partnerships with promising young printers. The partnership he formed with New Jersey's James Parker was probably the most important partnership outside of Philadelphia. James Parker went on to establish a major print shop in New York, the first permanent print shop in New Jersey, and start the first newspaper in Connecticut. His trials and tribulations would help to shape the concept of the 'freedom of the press' that would become so important to the foundation of the fledgling United States.
The Van Veghten House stands on its original site on the north bank of the Raritan River. The present structure evolved from the first house built by Michael Van Veghten before 1720.
Michael Van Veghten settled in Somerset County in 1685. In 1694, he acquired 836 acres of land on the north side of the river. Michael's son, Derrick, who was born in the house in 1699, inherited the property after his father's death.
The house served as headquarters for Quartermaster Nathanael Greene during the Middlebrook Encampment in 1778-1779. Derrick offered his property for the use of the Continental Army. Portions of the Pennsylvannia troops were encamped on his fields at the time.
While in residence here, General Greene wrote a letter to Jeremiah Wadsworth describing 'a pretty little frisk' held in the house on March 17, 1779. Throughout the course of the evening, General Washington danced with Mrs. Greene 'upwards of three hours without seting [sic] down'. In appreciation of the Van Veghten's hospitality, the Greenes, upon leaving the house, presented Mrs. Van Veghten with a mahogany tea table, which is in the possession of a family descendant.
After Derrick Van Veghten's death in 1781, the house passed through several families. From the 1850's through the early 20th century, the house was renovated several times. Evidence of alterations can be seen throughout the house.
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May 15 through September 10, 2011
Museum of the American Hungarian Foundation. 300 Somerset Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903
ART EXHIBIT: Idaherma – Joy In Watercolor and Woodblock Print.
Suggested Donation - $5
For museum hours and details call 732.846.5777. info@ahfoundation.org
Sunday, 22 May, 2011, Starts at 10:00 AM.
Cost: Luncheon: $25
Sunday in Millstone
Location: Millstone, 1 Amwell Rd. Millstone, NJ United States 08844-5110
Phone: 908-904-0436
The Camp Middlebrook Chapter of the DAR and the the Raritan - Millstone Heritage Alliance invite you to join them for a Sunday in Millstone, NJ. Enjoy self-directed, walking tours of Millstone and East Millstone. Walk along the D & R Canal, visit the historic Old Millstone Forge Blacksmith Shop & Museum, and tour other historic sites. A number of special events have been scheduled:
10:00 am: Services at the Hillsborough Reformed Church
11:30 am: Re-dedication of the grave site of Sarah Van Arsdale Van Nostrand in the Cedar Hill Cemetery
1:00 pm: Luncheon at the Hillsborough Reformed Church Social Hall with a presentation by Robert Mettler, 'Scenic By Ways of the D&R Canal and the History of Millstone'
Millstone was the site of Somerset County's first courthouse and the scene of several important events during the Revolutionary War. Washington's army camped in the town while on route to Morristown following the victory at Princeton in January 1777; and, French troops, commanded by Rochambeau, camped there in 1781 on the way to final victory at Yorktown, VA. In 1779, the Queens Rangers commanded by Lt. Colonel John Simcoe burned the courthouse, jail, Dutch Reformed Church, and two homes in the the village.
Event Contact Info Sarah IsraelEmail: sarahtisrael@yahoo.com
Phone: 732-828-3508
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http://www.scchc.com/events/
Sunday, 01 May, 2011, 2:30-3:30 PM
Cost: $20 Adult/$10 Kids/$6 Under 6
'Big Jeff'” will entertain the youngest music fans and the young at heart. He's known as the hardest-working six-foot-six-inch singer-songwriter in family music. His blend of humor, learning and “super-interactive” audience participation has been captivating young audiences across the New York Metropolitan area for the past ten years.
Along the way, he’s toured up and down New England and California, sold over 10,000 CDs and DVDs, and has grown a large and loyal family fan base. Jeff began writing songs for his own young daughters 13 years ago, and started playing them for the children at the New Jersey daycare center where he worked as an aide and bus driver. He developed his material by testing it with various groups of two- to eight- year-olds as he quickly transitioned into a full-time traveling troubadour.
Winner of 2004 Children's Music Web Award -- Classic Preschool Recording
Farmstead Arts CenterEmail: farmsteadartscenter@gmail.com
Phone: 347-927-8748
Website: Click to Visit
The KMS Farmstead consists of an 18th century dwelling, a circa 1800 wagon house, a mid-to late 18th century barn, and a number of 19th century outbuildings. The farmhouse, wagon house, and English barn are significant as early examples of English and modified Dutch framing techniques, as well as for their association with the Reverend Samuel Kennedy, a distinguished local minister and educator; and Colonel Ephraim Martin, a Revolutionary War hero and New Jersey Legislator.
The Farmstead sits along the Passaic River.
Email: farmsteadartscenter@gmail.com
Phone: 347-927-8748
Website: Click to Visit
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