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!

October 10-11: SOMERSET COUNTY'S WEEKEND JOURNEY THROUGH THE PAST!!!

Somerset County's 3rd Annual Weekend Journey Through The Past is simply one of the year's grandest and most exciting events with 27 of the most historically significant sites in Somerset County open, free to the public, and hosting very special exhibits, programs, and tours!

DATES & TIMES
Saturday, October 10, 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sunday, October 11, 12:00PM to
CONTACT: Click HERE to receive info by email!
Click HERE to receive info by snail-mail!

ADMISSION IS FREE!!! So bring the entire family!

ACTIVITIES & DEMONSTRATIONS INCLUDE:

• Re-enactments!
• Early Furniture Making!
• Historic Forge Blacksmithing!
• Children's Games & Period Toys!
• Period Music & Dance!
• Family Scavenger Hunts!
• Candle Making Demonstrations!
• Open Fire Cooking!
• Videos, Talks, & Tours!
• Military Drills!
• Antique Exhibits!
• And Much, Much More!

With so much going on, it might be difficult to know where to begin! So to help you make the most of your Journey Through the Past, the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission in conjunction with the participating historical organizations have grouped the sites into three convenient tours based on location! Maps are included with the links below:

THE NORTHERN TOUR: The Watchung Mountains
THE CENTRAL TOUR: The Old York Road
THE SOUTHERN TOUR: The Delaware & Raritan Canal

UPDATED LIST OF ALL PARTICIPATING SITES: Adults who visit four or more of the participating sites will be designated "History Traveler" and will be eligible to participate in a free drawing for one of 10 $25. gas cards!
[N=Northern Tour, C=Central Tour, S = Southern Tour]

Brick Academy, Basking Ridge (Bernards) [N]

Codington Farmhouse, Warren [N]

Farm Museum, Skillman [S]

First Reformed Church of Rocky Hill [S]

Gen. John Frelinghuysen House/Raritan Public Library, Raritan [N]

Griggstown School House, Griggstown (Franklin) [S]

Kennedy-Martin Stelle Farmstead, Basking Ridge (Bernards) [N]

Kirch-Ford House, Warren [N]

Mount Bethel Meeting House, Warren [N]

New Cemetery, Somerville [C]

Old Millstone Forge Blacksmith Shop & Museum, Millstone [S]

Old Presbyterian Graveyard, Bound Brook [C]

Relief Hose Co. #2/Raritan Firehouse, Raritan [C]

Daniel Robert Mansion, Somerville [C]

Somerset County Historic Court House & Lord Memorial Fountain, Somerville [C]

First Dutch Reformed Church, Somerville [C]

South Branch School House, Branchburg [S]

Abraham Staats House, South Bound Brook [C]

Andrew Ten Eyck House, Branchburg [C]

U.S. Golf Association Museum, Far Hills [N]

Jacobus Vanderveer House, Bedminster [N]

Van Horne House, Bridgewater [C]

Van Veghten House, Bridgewater [C]

Vermeule Mansion, North Plainfield [N]

Wallace House, Somerville [C]

Wyckoff-Garretson House, Somerset [C]

[From the Website]
This annual event is the perfect opportunity for a fun and exciting outing! A visit to Somerset County's beautifully preserved historic sites offers a unique educational experience for all ages, as well as a chance to visit some of Central New Jersey's most picturesque and unspoiled areas.

Many of the sites have significant Revolutionary War histories and are the reason for the area's honorable designation as the "Crossroads of the American Revolution State Heritage Area." Many local historians will be on hand to share their knowledge and stories about Somerset County's rich historical and cultural heritage.

September 12&13: CANAL DAYS AT THE ABRAHAM STAATS HOUSE!

The Friends of the Abraham Staats House invite you to stroll the cool canal-side grounds and tour the historic 1740 house while learning about the Delaware & Raritan Canal in its heyday!

DATES: Saturday & Sunday, September 12 & 13, 2009
TIMES: 10:00AM to 4:00PM
PLACE: The Abraham Staats House
17 von Steuben Lane, South Bound Brook
TKTS: House Tour & Artifact Exhibit $5.00/person
Free for children under 12!
Parking & walking the grounds are free for everyone!
INFO: info@staatshouse.org

"Canal Days at the Abraham Staats House" Will Feature:

• A Fascinating Slide Presentation About the Canal!
• Living History Civil War Re-enactors!
• Live Music & Folk Songs!
• An Exhibition of Authentic Civil War Era Artifacts!

September 12&13: LIVING HISTORY WEEKEND: CIVIL WAR ENCAMPMENT!

The Meadows Foundation it thrilled to invite you and your entire family to weekend of living history, when the re-enactors of the 6th New Hampshire Volunteers, Co. C occupy the grounds of the Van Liew-Suydam House!

DATES & TIMES:
Saturday, September 12, 10:00AM to 4:00PM
Sunday, September 13, 10:00AM to 2:00PM
RAIN OR SHINE!
PLACE: The Van Liew-Suydam House
280 South Middlebush Road, Somerset
TKTS: $5.00 per Carload
INFO: (732) 690-6621

The brave soldiers from this regiment fought in many major engagements of the Civil War, including the Battle of Antietam, Cold Harbor, and Fredericksburg. The brave re-enactors at the Van Liew-Suydam House will demonstrate cooking techniques and other other aspects of Civil War soldiers' daily lives, play music, display authentic reproductions of soldiers' clothing and gear, and have drills for both children and adults!

Complementary Refreshments Will Be Served!

May 9: COME SHARE YOUR IDEAS ABOUT MEETING THE CULTURAL & HISOTRICAL NEEDS OF SOMERSET COUNTY!!!

The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission and the Heritage Trail Association invite you to participate in an open forum to exchange ideas, make recommendations, and recommendations, and reexamine how the cultural and heritage needs of Somerset County are currently being met, as well as to explore collaborative efforts to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our common objectives!

DATE: Saturday, May 9
TIME: 9:00AM to Noon
PLACE: Van Horne House
941 East Main, Bridgewater
RSVP: Pre-Registration is Appreciated, Not Required
Register On-Line Here
INFO: (732) 356-8856
info@heritagetrail.org
PARKING: Behind the Target, 200 Promenade Blvd
Patriot Stadium lot, east side of Main St.

REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED!

Among the topics that will be included on the agenda are:

• The needs survey conducted by the SCC&HC in 2006
• The Crossroads of the American Revolution Association and what that organization can offer the historic community and what we can offer them
• The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail
• Signage for historical sites and historic routes
• Event marketing and communication with the public
• Educational programs

Should you have specific topics, projects, or ideas that pertain to the general history community, please let us know in advance so that they can be included on the agenda. To insure that every active historical group in Somerset County is represented, please consult with other members of your organization and encourage at least one member to join us. If you have materials to share with other participants, a display area will be provided for flyers, newsletters, event calendars, etc.

THIS IS A FREE EVENT!

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.