October 31: CALL TO ACTION! Postponed Crane Test for Construction of Cell Towers in Protected Area Rescheduled for Saturday!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31
9:00AM to 12:00PM
ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO
**MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD**
Just say, "Elsewhere!"

As reported here on the RMVE blog earlier this month, the construction of two industrial cell towers is planned within the--now NATIONALLY--protected Millstone Valley Scenic/Historic Byway. This is an explicit violation of the agreed upon Corridor Management Plan's specific prohibition of cell towers within this area.

Due to inclimate weather, the test that was to take place two weeks ago at 139 Green Avenue in Montgomery, near the Staats Farm Road intersection, has been rescheduled for Saturday, October 31, from 9:00AM to 12:00PM.

Please come out to the site on the day of the test to take pictures to document this violation! With your permission, we would like to share your photos with the RMVE Blog community.

Click HERE for more information about these violations of the prohibition of cell towers and information to learn what you can do to help stop the intrusion upon these pristine historic and natural treasures. Please voice your objections by clicking on "comments" at the bottom of this blog entry!

Click HERE to learn more about the recent national designation of the Millstone Valley Scenic/Historic Byway.

October 16, 2009--Washington, DC: THE MILLSTONE VALLEY & DELAWARE RIVER SCENIC BYWAYS ARE HONORED WITH NATIONAL BYWAY DESIGNATION!!!

Barbara and Jan ten Broeke officially accepting the Millstone Valley Scenic Byway national designation in Washington, DC.

Among the 43 American byways that were granted National Byway designation by the US Department of Transportation were two local gems, the Millstone Valley Scenic Byway (a.k.a. Millstone Valley Scenic-Historic Corridor) and the Delaware River Scenic Byway. Jan and Barbara ten Broeke accepted the honor on behalf of the Millstone Valley Preservation Coalition which initiated and accomplished this wonderful achievement, ensuring that Central New Jersey heritage will be protected and enjoyed by generations to come.

The Millstone Valley Scenic/Historic Corridor (Scenic Byway) encompasses large expanses of open green space and nature preserves with wonderful hiking and biking trails. The Byway also protects an area of extensive historic continuity including Native American settlements, Dutch and Huguenot farms, Revolutionary War sites (Crossroads of the American Revolution and W3R), the Delaware & Raritan Canal, and much, much more!

So get out there and enjoy our local--and National!--treasures, and just imagine that one day, families in flying cars will be doing the same!

Below are pictures of the designation event in DC!

Jan ten Broeke (proudly displaying the Designation Plaque), Cindy Bloom-Cronin (NJ DOT Scenic Byway Program), Jim Klein (one of the authors of the Millstone Valley Scenic-Historic Corridor Management Plan, a requisite for national designation), and Barbara ten Broeke.

Barbara and Jan ten Broeke representing the Millstone Valley Scenic Byway, and Cindy Bloom-Cronin and Edie Sharp representing the Delaware River Scenic Byway.

Edie Sharp officially accepting the Delaware River Scenic Byway national designation.

Cindy Bloom-Cronin and Edie Sharp proudly displaying the Delaware River Scenic Byway national designation plaque.

EVENT ROUND-UP: October 2009 (Updated 10/8!)

O sun and skies and flowers of June,
Count all your blessings together,
Love loveth best of all the year
October's bright blue weather.
-October, by Poet Helen Hunt Jackson (1830-1885)

And LUCKY YOU happen to be in the one of the most exciting (see below) and beautiful (see below below) corners of the world to experience October in all its glory!

Updated List of Participating Sites!
Oct.10-11 27-SITE WEEKEND JOURNEY THRU THE PAST--FREE

Oct 10 MEADOWS BANQUET @ HAGEMAN, PUBLIC WELCOME
Oct 10 FALL FROLIC FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES--FREE
Oct 10-11 LIVING HISTORY, WYCKOFF-GARRETSON--FREE
Oct 10-11 27-SITE WEEKEND JOURNEY THRU THE PAST--FREE
Oct 17 TALK: WHY DID THE HINDENBURG EXPLODE?
Oct 25 PUMPKIN PATCH & HAUNTED FOREST HALLOWEEN

October 25: PUMPKIN PATCH & HAUNTED FOREST HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL!!!

They're heeeeeeerrrrre! Please join the Meadows Foundation and Franklin Township Parks & Recreation for an afternoon of spooky-good, family fun with the return of the annual Pumpkin Patch and Haunted Forest to the Van Wickle House!!!

DATE: Sunday, October 25
TIME: 12:00PM to 3:00PM
PLACE: The Van Wickle House
1289 Easton Ave., Somerset
TKTS: $3.00/Person, Children under 2 free!
INFO: (732) 873-1991
info@themeadowsfoundation.org

This Howlin' Happy Halloween Haunt-fest will include:

• Pumpkin Decorating!
• Guided Tours Through the Enchanted Forest!
• Scary Good Eats & Treats!
• Goblins, Witches, & Beasties!
• Games, Contests, & Prizes!
• Surprises Everywhere!
  
• Much, Much, More!

[From the website]
"In cooperation with the town-wide event, The Meadows Foundation volunteers set up a refreshment stand with hot chocolate and other beverages as well as hot dogs and desserts."

October 10: MEADOWS FOUNDATION BANQUET AT HAGEMAN FARM--PUBLIC WELCOME!!!

Come enjoy a delicious dinner in a Colonial setting and meet people who share your interest in historical preservation at the Meadows Foundation's annual banquet at the Hageman House!

DATE: Saturday, October 10
TIME: 6:00PM
PLACE: The Hageman House
209 South Middlebush Rd., Somerset
TKTS: $40.00/Person
INFO: (732) 560-1977

BANQUET MENU
Hors D'oeuvres:

• Miniature Crabcakes
• Meatballs

Main Course Selections:

• Sliced Roast Pork with Gravy
• Chicken Fricassee
• Candied Carrots
• Creamed Celery with Pecan Dumplings
• Mixed Green Salad
• Cornbread and Butter

Dessert:

• Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce
• Coffee, Tea, and Decaf

Last year's banquet featured an authentic Colonial meal, amidst Colonial re-enactors in accurate period costuming, and 18th Century music performed on the harpsichord, baroque flute, and recorder!

October 17: Fireside Chat, WHY DID THE HINDENBERG EXPLODE?

Please join the Meadows Foundation and noted New Jersey historian, Glenn LeBoeuf, for a fascinating exploration of the theories surrounding the infamous airship explosion that killed nearly 100 people in Lakehurst, NJ, on May 6, 1937.

DATE: Saturday, October 17
TIME: 2:00PM
PLACE: The Van Wickle House
1289 Easton Ave., Somerset
TKTS: $10:00 per person
RSVP: (732) 560-1977
Reservations Strongly Recommended

This exciting talk is the second of the Meadows Foundation's ever-popular lecture series of "Fireside Chats". Please stay tuned to the RMVE Blog for information about future talks in this series.

October 10: FALL FROLIC FOR CHILDREN AT THE BLACKWELLS MILLS CANAL HOUSE!

The Meadows Foundation is tickled to invite children of all ages to celebrate this magical season with an afternoon of pumpkin decorating, games, and a dazzling performance by Unbei, the Canal House Clown!

DATE: Friday, October 10
TIME: 1:00PM to 4:00PM
PLACE: The Blackwells Mills Canal House
Blackwells Mills Rd. & Canal Rd., Somerset
INFO: (732) 873-2133

Fun and prizes for all!

ADMISSION IS FREE!!!

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."

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.