NOVEMBER 13-20 Awsome Events on the Delaware & Raritan Canal!

November 13 (Saturday)

Kingston Loop Walk: Join the naturalist of Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park in a loop walk that leads through the historic D&R Canal State Park, Mapleton Preserve (former site of Princeton Nurseries), Cook Natural Area, Middlesex County Open Space Park and the Heathcote Meadow Preserve. This hike is approximately 3.5 miles along mostly flat, dirt/gravel pathways and will start at 10:00 am. Participants will meet at the D & R Canal State Park’s Kingston Office located at 145 Mapleton Road. All ages are welcome. Pre-registration IS REQUIRED. INCLEMENT WEATHER CANCELS. Register for this program

Nov. 13 & 14 (Saturday & Sunday) Art Exhibit and Sale at the Blackwells Mills Canal House: Stop by the historic canal house on the corner of Blackwells Mills and Canal Road in the Franklin Township section of Somerset for this exhibit and sale. Landmarks and scenery of the area will be displayed as well as paintings by artist Barbara Della Peruta and artwork from the collection of Biff Heins. The house will be open on Saturday, from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm and on Sunday from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. Registration is NOT required and admission is FREE! November 14 (Sunday) Canoe/Kayak the D & R Canal: Join the Sierra Club for this 11-mile paddle from Kingston to Amwell Road that begins at 9:00 am - this is the 4th Sierra Club fall paddle this season. There is one canal lock portage so bring portage wheels if you have them. The group will meet in Kingston directly off Route 27 (across from Eno Terra restaurant). Bring your own boat, equipment, lunch and beverages. Rentals are NOT available. Please contact leaders to confirm trip and participation. INCLEMENT WEATHER CANCELS. This ride will be lead by George & Leona Fluck and sponsored by the Sierra Club. For further information please call 609-259-3734 or email Leona@pineypaddlers.com. November 20 (Saturday) Canoe/Kayak the D & R Canal: This is the last of the fall 2010 Sierra Club paddles along the D&R so join them for this 9-mile trip from Amwell Road to Demott Lane beginning at 10:00 am. There are 3 canal lock portages so bring portage wheels if you have them. Bring your own boat, equipment, lunch and beverages. Rentals are NOT available. Dinner option at Pooja's in Somerset. Please contact leaders to confirm trip and participation. INCLEMENT WEATHER CANCELS. This ride will be lead by George & Leona Fluck and sponsored by the Sierra Club. For further information please call 609-259-3734 or email Leona@pineypaddlers.com

OCTOBER 9-10: Colonial Times IV, Event & Banquent!

Please join the Meadows Foundation for their fourth annual Colonial Times Event & Banquet at the Wyckoff-Garretson House!

DATES/TIMES: Saturday, October 9, 2010, 10AM-5PM
Sunday, October 10, 2010, 12PM-5PM
PLACE: Wyckoff-Garretson House
215 S. Middlebush Rd., Somerset

Exciting & FREE family-friendly events include:

• Live Music of the Period!
• Open Hearth Cooking Demonstrations!
• Encampment of Daniel Morgan's Rifle Company & John Lamb's Artillery Company!
• Rifle & Cannon Demonstrations!

THE BANQUET
DATE: Saturday, October 9, 2010
TIME: 6PM
PLACE: The Hageman Barn
209 S. Middlebush Rd., Somerset
TKTS: $30.00 per person
Checks payable to: Van Wickle House, 1289 Easton Ave, Somerset, NJ, 08873
RSVP: MUST reserve before October 4

After dinner, Dr. Marc Mappen will speak about his latest book, There's More to New Jersey than the Sopranos! Books will be available for purchase and signing for $20.00.

SEPTEMBER 11 & 12 Civil War Camp at the Van Liew Suydam House!

The Meadows Foundation welcomes the 6th New Hampshire Co. C Volunteers back to the Van Liew Suydam House!

DATES & TIMES Rain or Shine
Saturday, September 11, 2010: 10AM to 5PM
Sunday, September 12, 2010: 10AM to 2PM
PLACE: Van Liew Suydam House

280 South Middlebush Road, Somerset
INFO: 732-748-7657

ADMISSION IS FREE!!! ($5. Parking Donation per Car Appreciated!)

The 6th New Hampshire Co. C Volunteers will demonstrate camp life for the average Union soldier of the Civil War, including drilling events for children and firing demonstrations! Complementary refreshments will be served!

MAY 1: Mini History Fair at the Abraham Staats House!

Please join the Friends of the Abraham Staats House for a fascinating Mini State History Fair celebrating the exciting heritage of historic New Jersey!

DATE: Saturday, May 1, 2010
TIME: 10:00AM to 4:00PM
PLACE: The Abraham Staats House
17 von Steuben Lane, South Bound Brook
TKTS: Tours of the Staats House, $7.00/Adults, $3.00/Children under 12
Admission to grounds & parking are free!
INFO: info@staatshouse.org

Come experience New Jersey heritage first hand as historical organizations and re-enactors bring four centuries of local history to life! Participating organizations, performers, and presenters include:

• The Long Hill String Band, a 5 piece acoustic band, will play fun, old-timey music throughout the day!

• The New Jersey Militia/Heard's Brigade and Outwater's Militia will set up camp and demonstrate what life was like for American militia during the time of the American Revolution!

• Arthur Lefkowitz, prominent New Jersey historian and author, will discuss his notable works which include The Long Retreat: The Calamitous American Defense of New Jersey, George Washington’s Indispensable Men, Bushnell’s Submarine: The Best Kept Secret of the American Revolution, and Benedict Arnold’s Army: The 1775 American Invasion of Canada.

• Harrison Brook Farm operators will discuss agricultural history, preservation and sustainable farming, and will also have plants for sale.

• The Hunterdon County Historical Society will exhibit artifacts that contrast historic and current lifestyles. Since 1885, the Hunterdon County Historical Society has collected and preserved Hunterdon’s social and material culture and shares it through its c.1845 Doric House museum and genealogical research library

• Somerset County Historical Organizations participating for the day will include the Somerset County Cultural and Historic Commission, Somerset County Historical Society and the Van Veghten House, Heritage Trail Association, and the Women's Guild of South Bound Brook.

• New Jersey Fire Museum - Help support their plans for the museum and the memorial for the fallen firefighters of New Jersey.

ATTENTION RE-ENACTORS, SUTLERS, & EXHIBITORS! Disappointed in the cancellation of the "Spirit of the Jersey's History Faire"? Your participation is very welcome at the Mini New Jersey State History Fair at the Abraham Staats House! Click here for registration information, and/or call (732) 469-5836, or email bkfaulks@gmail.com.

APRIL 17: Arbor Day Celebration at the Mapleton Preserve!

The Friends of the Princeton Nursery Lands (FPNL) and the D & R Canal State Park welcome one and all to the Mapleton Preserve for a fun-filled day in celebration of Springtime and nature!

DATE: Saturday, April 17, 2010
Rain Date: Sunday, April 18
TIME: 10:00AM to 11:30AM, & 1:00PM to 4:00PM
PLACE: D & R Canal State Park Headquarters
145 Mapleton Road, Kingston
INFO: Karen Linder, (609) 683-0483
www.fpnl.org

All Celebration Events Are FREE!!!

• 10:00AM: History Walk! Vicki Chirco, D & R Canal State Park historian, will lead a walk beginning at the Park Headquarters and highlight the history of the canal and Princeton Nurseries. Click HERE to pre-register (REQUIRED).
• 1:00PM: Tree Walk! Jim Consolloy, former Head Grounds Manager for Princeton University, responsible for maintaining the university's 2300 acres and 400 species of trees, will lead a tree walk featuring spring-flowering trees and the unique tree varieties that grow at the Mapleton Preserve, and share tips on tree identification and care.
• Learn the Proper Way to Plant a Tree! After the Tree Walk, join the FPNL in their traditional planting of trees donated by the Princeton Nurseries, which once operated a wholesale tree nursery on the site. The Arboretum is named for the Flemer family, which included William Flemer III, the legendary plantsman who developed some of the best loved plants in American horticulture, including the Princeton Sentry Gingko, the 'Snow Queen' Hydrangea, and the October Glory Maple.
• 3:00PM: Traditional Seasonal Dancing! Four different dance groups, Handsome Molly, The Griggstown Lock Rapper Sword Team, Millstone River Morris, and The Princeton Country Dancers, will perform traditional Springtime dances including the "molly", "rapper sword" dances, the "morris", and Maypole dances. For more information, please visit www.fpnl.org.
• Each participant will receive a baby flowering or evergreen tree to take home!

APRIL 10 & 11: Battle of Bound Brook & Middlebrook Encampment

THE REDCOATS ARE COMING!!! Please join the Friends of the Abraham Staats House (FASH) in waging the Battle of Bound Brook and rallying Washington's army at the Middlebrook Encampment!

TIME: Saturday & Sunday, April 10 & 11, 2010
DATE: 10:00AM to 5:00PM
PLACE: Abraham Staats House
17 von Stuben Lane, South Bound Brook
INFO: info@staatshouse.org

This two-day program explores the exciting events of the American Revolutionary War surrounding the Battle of Bound Brook and Middlebrook Encampments, from 1777 to 1779, and extremely important time in New Jersey and American history!

Weekend Activities and Events Include:

• 18th Century Soldiers' Encampment on the grounds of the Abraham Staats House, illustrating the daily life events of American and British troops during the American Revolution.
• Tours of the Historic Abraham Staats House (c. 1740), home of the Staats family for over 200 years, which served as the headquarters for George Washington's "Drillmaster", Baron von Steuben.
• Presentations and Demonstrations, staged throughout the weekend, include: a lecture by noted historian Robert A. Mayers, author of The War Man: The True Story of a Citizen-Soldier Who Fought from Quebec to Yorktown; an exhibition of Native American trade beads and wampum by collector Earl Becker; and, eminent historian H. Kels Swan and accomplished musician Tom Harabin (President of FASH) will play music of the Colonial Era throughout the weekend.

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!

Other Sponsors of the Battle of Bound Brook: Borough of South Bound Brook & the Borough of Bound Brook, Bound Brook CommUnity Development Association, The Sheriff's Department of Somerset County, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of USA

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?

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 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!

December 13: AN OLD FASHION CHRISTMAS AT HAGEMAN FARM!

Gingerbread houses ready to be decorated & transformed into homes!
[Photo, gingerbread houses by Barbara ten Broeke]

The Meadows Foundation warmly welcomes you and your family to celebrate an Old Fashion Christmas at the Hageman Farm!

DATE: Sunday, December 13
TIME: 1:00PM to 4:00PM
PLACE: The Hageman Farm
209 S. Middlebush Rd., Somerset
INFO: Bob Hosh, (908) 892-6962

Admission is FREE so bring the entire family! A $5 donation per carload is appreciated as it will go toward the ongoing upkeep of these beautiful historic house and barns!

This family-friendly, fun-filled event will include tree decorating, refreshments, a performance by the nationally-known Franklin High School Madrigal Singers, children's holiday crafts such as decorating miniature gingerbread houses to take home, and tours of the historic house and property! Please see the schedule below so that you do not miss a single exciting event:

All Day
Children's Crafts & Ornament Making
Tours of the Hageman House & Barns

1:00PM: Holiday Food from 19th Century Recipes
1:30PM: History of Late 18th & 19th Century Tree Ornaments
2:00PM: FHS Madrigal Singers
3:00PM: Tree Decorating

[Click on image to enlarge and/or print flier.]

December 6: SINTERKLAAS FESTIVAL AT THE VAN WICKLE HOUSE!!!

The Meadows Foundation is DELIGHTED to invite you and your entire family to one of their most popular, lively, and fun events of the entire year, the Sinterklaas Festival at the Van Wickle House!

DATE: Sunday, December 6
TIME: 1:00PM to 4:00PM
PLACE: The Van Wickle House
1289 Easton Avenue, Somerset
TKTS: FREE, $3.00/car suggested donation
PHONE: (732) 249-6770
EMAIL: info@themeadowsfoundation.org

[From the Meadows Foundation website]
"Sinterklaas, the Dutch Saint Nicholas, visits the Van Wickle House every year on the first Sunday in December after Thanksgiving weekend. Dressed in his red Bishop’s robe and miter, he rides in on a white horse accompanied by his companion and helper Zwarte Piet. In the Netherlands St. Nicholas day, December 6, 2008 is a very special holiday for children and families. In honor of this Dutch tradition the Meadows Foundation sponsors a celebration with music and dancing and hands on activities for the whole family.

"Visitors are presented with a little slice of the Netherlands as dancers in traditional costumes perform Dutch Klompen Dances, and the beautiful Dutch street organ, the Violanta, plays Sinterklaas songs. All are invited to learn a dance or two or sing along with the Violanta. The highlight for every child is a chat with Sinterklaas, who keeps a record of good deeds and bad. Good boys and girls receive a small gift from Zwarte Piet.

"Inside, the Van Wickle House is festooned with Dutch provincial flags and Dutch artwork. Participants may wish to try their hand at Stipwerke, a type of dot painting. Traditional Dutch food, including, almond pastry, and Sinterklaas spice cookies known as Speculaas, are on sale. The aroma of fresh baked cookies fills the air as the art of making the Speculaas is demonstrated."

Jan ten Broeke (RMVE Blog Director) gets poetic justice in 2008.

The Dutch Tradition of Sinterklass

"All Dutch children know that Sinterklaas lives in Spain. There he spends most of the year recording the behavior of all children in a big red book, while Piet stocks up on presents for next Sinterklaas Eve. After mid-November Sinterklaas mounts his milk-white steed, Piet swings the sack full of gifts over his shoulder, and the three board a steamship to set course for Amsterdam harbor and a formal welcome by the Mayor and a delegation of citizens. A fabulous parade through town marks the beginning of the St. Nicholas season.

"From now on, time and space merge as the old bishop and his helpmate are everywhere at once. At night they ride across Holland’s rooftops. While Sinterklaas listens through the chimneys to check the children’s behavior, Piet sees to it that the hay or carrot, left for the horse in each little shoe by the fireplace, is exchanged for a small gift or some candy. In the daytime they are even busier visiting all classrooms and hospitals as well as many department stores and private homes.

"But if they are busy in the days before Sinterklaas Eve, so are the Dutch – all of them. Shopping is the least of it, for a Sinterklaas present is not at all like a Christmas present three weeks ahead of time. Dutch tradition demands that all packages be camouflaged in some imaginative way, and that each gift be accompanied by a fitting poem. For this is the essence of Sinterklaas: Sheer unadulterated fun on the one day when plain kidding is not only permitted, but expected without the slightest regard for differences in age and social status.

"To be truly appreciated, presents must be concealed or disguised. Recipients must be willing to follow a trail of directions all over the house to look for them.

"To write a poem to go with each present is another challenge. For in these Sinterklaas rhymes – long or short; good or bad – the real kidding comes into the open. The giver has his fling. He’ll bring out some foible, a love interest, a recent incident, in fact, anything to cause embarrassment, as long as it is good natured and in good taste. The butt of the joke, who has to open his package in public and read the poem aloud amid general hilarity, does this manfully; for he too has something in store for his tormentor. Just wait!"

[From the Meadows Foundation website, Excerpted from Santa Claus The Dutch Way, Albani The Hague, Holland]

October 10-11: LIVING HISTORY WEEKEND AT THE WYCKOFF-GARRETSON HOUSE!!!

The Meadows Foundation is delighted to invite you to hop into that beautiful time-capsule they call the Wyckoff-Garretson House and travel back to Colonial Times at the 5th Annual Living History Weekend!

DATES & TIMES
Saturday, October 10, 10:00AM to 4:00PM Sunday, October 11, 12:00PM to 4:00PM
PLACE: The Wyckoff-Garretson House
215 South Middlebush Rd., Somerset
SUGGESTED DONATION: $5.00/Carload
CONTACT: (732) 828-7418
info@themeadowsfoundation.org

[From the Website]
"The Colonial Living History Alliance brings a unique depiction of what 18th century life was like for many Colonists. Estimates vary slightly, but in the 1750’s, there was an estimated English population of 1.2 million people. At it’s height during the American Revolution, only about 20 to 30 thousand, or roughly about 2.5% of the population, were directly involved in the military.

What about the other 97 percent? They were the Farmers, Shopkeepers, Tavern keepers, Midwives and other civilians that continued to go about their daily lives, in spite of the European power struggles going on around them. The Colonial Living History Alliance creates this experience for us with their beautiful and authentic recreations of life in the 18th Century."

September 26: MILLSTONE CELEBRATES WASHINGTON/ROCHAMBEAU REVOLUTIONARY ROUTE (W3R) MARCH WITH PICNIC AND PARADE!!

Please come to the quaint Borough of Millstone's 4th Annual W3R March to Victory Celebration featuring a community picnic, a festive parade, the Fifes and Drums of the Old Barracks Museum, and a day full of exciting events!

DATE: Saturday, September 26, 2009
TIME: TBA
PLACE: Begins at the Hillsborough Reformed Church
Corner of Main St. & Amwell Rd, Millstone
Festival continues at Borough Hall & other locations
INFO: Christine Fung, (908) 904-0436
www.millstoneboro.org

PARTICIPATION IS FREE!!!

The day of family friendly events will also include:

• A Children's Parade!
• Revolutionary War Re-enactors!
• Picnic at Borough Hall!
• Guided Walking Tour of the Borough's National & State Listed Historic District!
• And Much, Much More!

[From the SCCHC website]
During the American Revolution, French soldiers commanded by the French General, the Comte de Rochambeau, fought alongside American soldiers in the battle for freedom from Britain. In August 1781, the French army camped in Millstone during the long march to Yorktown, Virginia. At Yorktown, the joint American and French forces defeated the British army under Lord Cornwallis, effectively winning the American War for Independence. Millstone is proud of its history and the part that New Jersey played in the American Revolution, and on September 26, 2009, the Borough plans to celebrate the courage and dedication of those who fought for our freedom. Millstone invites your participation in a day of family-oriented events highlighting out heritage and honoring an important time in the history of this country.

This event is supported in part by a grant from the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission (SCCHC) and the Friends of the SCCHC!

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!

NY400: NEW YORK CELEBRATES THE 400TH ANNIVERSARY HENRY HUDSON'S LANDING ON "NEW AMSTERDAM"!

These New York City based events for are bit outside of the RMVE Blog's range, but any one interested in the history of Dutch Culture in the New World should explore these many opportunities to discover and celebrate the past and present influences of America's Dutch Heritage, at NY400!

TIMES & DATES: Year 'Round!
Browse the calender of events for specific information and frequent additions to the program!
NY400 WEEK: September 8 to 13, 2009
New Island Festival: September 10 to 20, 2009
PLACE: Various Sites Through Out NYC & the Hudson River Valley
CONTACT: NY400 Website

NY400: Holland on the Hudson events showcase many important aspects and contributions of Dutch culture, including:

• History!
• Arts!
• Lifestyle!
• Technology!

June 6 & 7: THE EYES OF 1777, REVOLUTIONARY WAR ENCAMPMENT AT THE FRANKLIN INN

The Meadow's Foundation it delighted to invite you and your entire family to step back through time for the Eyes of 1777, an exciting reenactment of the Revolutionary War encampment on the site of the historic Van Liew Homestead in 1777!

DATES & TIMES:
Saturday, June 6th 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sunday, June 7th 10:00AM to 3:00PM
PLACE: The Franklin Inn
2371 Amwell Rd., East Millstone
CONTACT: (732) 735-1074

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY & ADMISSION IS FREE!!!

Demonstrations by the renowned Revolutionary War reenactment organization, Captain John Outwater's Company of Militia, will include:

• NJ Militia Drills and Musket Firing
• Children's Drills
  
• Displays of Period Clothing and Equipment
• A "Trial of King George" for Tyranny
• Discussion and Q&A About Life During the Revolution

Other Exciting Demonstrations and Talks Include:

• Reenactor Martin Buckelew--direct descendant of a Revolutionary War soldier--will demonstrate period woodcrafting techniques.
• Revolutionary War expert Iain Haight-Ashton will give a presentation on everyday life in 18th Century America, including food and drink, and displays of antiques and wares.

May 30: GARDEN WORKSHOP AT HAGERMAN FARM

Victory over garden troubles is yours!



Please join the Meadows Foundation for an afternoon of garden talks and planting demonstrations at the Hageman Farm!

DATE: Saturday, May 30, Rain or Shine
TIME: 1:00PM to 4:00
PLACE: The Hageman Farm
209 South Middlebush Rd., Somerset
TKTS: $5.00/Carload
1st 50 cars will get a free packet of seeds!
INFO: (908) 789-2206

Topics to be discussed include butterfly gardens, flowers, shrubs, planting a Victory Garden, herbs and vegetables, and heritage gardening! There will also be tours of the Hageman House and Barns, and a sale of gently-used gardening books and cookbooks!

April 18 & 19: LIVING HISTORY WEEKEND--THE BATTLE OF BOUND BROOK!

The Friends of the Abraham Staats House are thrilled to invite you and your entire family to one of the most exciting events of the year, living history with the Battle of Bound Brook: Washington's Army at Middlebrook! This Crossroads Celebration will feature compelling speakers, powerful historical interpretors and reenactors, historic house tours, demonstrations, delicious food, and much, much more!

DATE: Saturday & Sunday, April 18 & 19
TIME: (See Schedule of Events Below)
PLACE: The Abraham Staats House
17 Von Steuben Lane, South Bound Brook

The two-day program explores the American Revolutionary War during the time-frame of the Battle of Bound Brook and Middlebrook encampments, 1777 – 1779. Learn about and experience this important period in New Jersey’s and America’s history. Weekend activities include:

• 18th century Soldiers’ Encampment on the grounds of the Abraham Staats House! Come walk through camp and see what life was like for American and British troops during the time of the American Revolution.
• Historic house tours: The Abraham Staats House, with the original structure c.1740, was home to the Staats family for nearly 200 years and served as the headquarters for George Washington’s “Drillmaster” Baron von Steuben.

Lectures and presentations at the Abraham Staats House, throughout the weekend, include:

• Collector Earl Becker offers a talk and display of his collection of trade beads and wampum (Saturday, 1PM & Sunday, 11AM)
• Wayne Daniels, Senior Historical Interpreter at the Old Barracks, Trenton, presents “The Approaching Storm,” ~ chronicles New Jersey as it is drawn inexorably into the turbulence of the American Revolution. (Saturday, 2PM)
• Eminent historian H. Kels Swan presents information and a map of the first Middlebrook Encampment of 1777. (Sunday, 12:30PM)
• Noted historian and author Arthur S. Lefkowitz, a color slide presentation of 18th century artistry during the American Revolution (Sunday, 1PM)
• Gary DePaolo, New Jersey Militia, Heard’s Brigade, portrays a surgeon of the Colonial era. Learn about medical practices of the 18th century and view surgical instruments used during that time. (Sunday)
• Tom Harabin, President, Friends of Abraham Staats House, plays music of the Colonial Era (throughout the weekend.)

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!

March 28: SPRING DANCE OF THE WOODCOCK

Come watch these adorable little birds celebrate spring and dance and sing their way into the hearts of their potential mates!

DATE: Saturday, March 28
TIME: 6:30PM Until Dark
PLACE: Meet at the parking lot located up the hill of the driveway entrance located at 1091 Canal Road, just west of the Griggstown Causeway.

The American woodcock--a long-billed woodland bird that probes in the soft wet soil and eats its weight in worms in a day--returns in early spring to mate and nest. Males of the species begin calling and performing an aerial courtship display flight when the afternoon shadows are almost gone.