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.

November 22: SOMERSET COUNTY HISTORICAL ANNUAL MEETING & PRESENTATION

The Somerset County Historical Society is proud to invite the public to visit the newly renovated Van Veghten House for the society's annual meeting and a presentation by historian and author of Washington's General: Nathanael Greene and the Triumph of the American Revolution, Terry Golway.

DATE: Sunday, November 22
TIME: 2:00Pm
PLACE: Somerset County Historical Society
Van Veghten House
9 Van Veghten Drive, Bridgewater
INFO: www.schsnj.com
CONTACT: schs@schsnj.com
(908) 218-1281

ADMISSION IS FREE!!!

The Van Veghten House was used by General Nathanael Greene during the Middlebrook encampment, from 1778 to 1779. Mr. Golway's biography of the general provides a rare glimpse into the man who, in the face of such desperate times, was forced to become a suburban military tactician and brilliant quartermaster general.

"Nathanael Greene was an unlikely warrior - a Quaker with a pronounced limp - he surprised fellow patriots by rising quickly to become George Washington's favorite soldier and heir apparent. After taking command of the failed Southern Army, Greene formulated an unorthodox guerrilla strategy-to win by surprise attacks and hasty retreats, which cut the enemy's supply lines until the outwitted British leaders grew tired of hunger and bloody sacrifices. His strategy of turning defeat into victory allowed the rebel army to gain momentum toward a final push, setting the stage for the victory at Yorktown."

Terry Golway is a frequent contributor to American Heritage, The Boston Globe, and The New York Times. His other books include: So That Others Might Live, The Irish in America, For the Cause of Liberty, Full of Grace, Together We Cannot Fail, and Irish Rebel.