Home | Entertainment | Family Travel | History | Museums | Zoos | Outdoors | Theatre | Music & Dance | NY | PA
Home | Entertainment | Family Travel | History | Museums | Zoos | Outdoors | Theatre | Music & Dance | NY | PA
PLEASE NOTE: Hours, prices,
exhibit and event information are subject to change.
Please call ahead or use the convenient website links to get the latest
information prior to your visit.
908-558-2550. Developed by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs with the advice of teachers and parents, the free activity kit reinforces the fourth grade curriculum and meets criteria for scout badges by highlighting seventeen of Union County's history museums.
6 Court St. (across from Morris CountyCourt House), Morris-town, 973-631-5151. Open Mon.-Fri. 10-4. Excel-lent one-stop source of information about -destinations and events in Morris County. Brochures, maps and -calendars available. Hosts themed walking tours of historic Morristown. Pick up walking tour for kids brochure or view online at www.morristourism.org.
www.visitnj.org
New Jersey is filled with homes and sites of historic -interest. Listings
below are noted for programs specifically geared to children and families.
For a complete list of -historic sites and additional events throughout
the state, consult the State of New Jersey's official website at www.visitnj.org.
Acorn Hall
68 Morris Ave., Morristown, 973-267-3465. Mon. &Thurs. 10-4, Sun. 1-4.
Guided tours every half hour. Group tours by appointment. Adults $6, srs.
$5, students $3, under 12 free. Italianate Victorian mansion, built in 1853,
is the head-quarters of the Morris County Historical Society. From the back
of the garden, a short trail leads down to the Whippany River and to the
site of a Revolutionary War gunpowder mill. On and off-site speakers and
educational programs; traveling trunks available for rental. Gardens and
gift shop.
Exhibitions
Open
Games Victorians Played.
Open
Aug 24
Who's Minding the Store, demonstrates
how people once shopped for food and essentials.
Dec 13-
Jan 25
Key Ingredients: America by Food, Smithsonian
Institution's traveling exhibition at The Gallery at the Morris County Library.
Selected Events
Jul 27
Ol
Harvest Tea, sit-down afternoon
tea. 2:30-4:30pm. Fee, reservations required.
Nov 9
The Jersey Tomato, lecture. 2pm, Frelinghuysen
Arboretum. Free.
Allaire Village
Allaire State Park, Rt. 524 (exit 98 GSP), WallTownship. Village: 732-919-3500,
Park: 732-938-2371. Historic buildings open Memorial Day-Labor Day: Wed.-Sun.
12-4; May, Sept.-Nov.: Weekends 10-4. Open special weekends in winter. Admission
fee to visit historic buildings on weekends May thru Nov.: Adults $3, ages
6-12 $2, 5 &under free. Parking fee: Memorial Day weekend thru Labor
Day.
Living museums display artifacts from the Howell Iron
Works village of 1822-1848. Costumed interpreters explain the history and
demonstrate various crafts. The Pine Creek Railroad, a narrow
gauge rail line operating both diesel and steam locomotives, makes a 1.5
mile loop in the park and runs 10-4:30pm weekends & holidays April-Nov.
1; weekdays July & Aug. Tickets are $4 ages 3 &over, free under
3. The Christmas Express operates weekends in late Nov.-Dec. with tickets
on sale beginning Oct. 1. (732-938-5524).
State park features hiking and multi-use trails, camping, nature
center (staffed Memorial Day thru Labor Day) with interpretive programs
(732-938-6707), picnicking, snack bar, playground, canoeing and fishing
on the Manasquan River.
SelectedEvents
$5 per car unless noted.
Jun 8
Maria Allaire's Wedding, 1:30pm.
Jun 14
Summer Flea Market, 8-3.
Jun 15
School Days in the 1830s, 1 &2:30pm.
Jun 29
Independence Day Celebration, 1836
militia muster. 1-4pm.
Jul 12
Summer Crafters' Market, 10-4pm.
Jul 20
Towne Meeting at the Allaire Chapel, 2pm.
Dec
Christmas Lantern Tours, 5-8pm. 90-min.
tours every 15 min. $10/person, advance tickets.
Bouman Stickney Farmstead
114 Dreahook Rd., Stanton, 908-236-2327. Open 1-4pm year round first Sun.
of every month. 1741 stone Dutch House on 68 acres with outbuildings including
a Revolutionary era New YorkDutch barn offers traditional craft demonstrations
and guided tours of buildings and grounds. Self-guided nature trail is available
daily during daylight hours.
Cooper Gristmill
County Rt. 513 (old Rt. 24), Chester, 908-879-5463. May-Oct.: Sat. 10-5,
Sun. 12-5, last tour at 3:30. Closed holidays except Memorial Day. July
&Aug.: Also open Wed.-Fri. 10-5. Adults $3, srs. $2, children 4-16 $1.
Visitors can watch the water-powered millstones grind
grain into flour at a turn-of-the-century gristmill on the Black River.
Different demonstrations of life in the 1800s on most Sat. and/or Sun. School
programs; group tours, 973-631-5343; summer day camp (see Travels in
Time under Camps), 973-829-8419.
Jun 14
Blueberry Muffin Baking, children's
workshop. 11 & 2pm. $10 per family, pre-payment and pre-registration
required.
Jun 15
Awesome Anvil Antics, with blacksmith
Kevin Perry. 1-4pm. Free admission for dads. Free bag of flour or meal
for dads, while supplies last.
Jul 5
Independence Day Celebration, bring
a picnic lunch and blanket. 11-4pm.
Jul 6
Sail,Sail Your Boat, children can
decorate boats and sail them. 1-3pm.
Jul 12-13
Military Timeline Living History, Sat.
10-5, Sun. 10-3. Candlelight tour of camp, 7-9pm on Sat.
Jul 19-20
Creating Charcoal &Art, see charcoal
made, gristmill is open for artists to work 10-4pm. Art classes 1-3:30pm
for ages 9+. Reservations required for class by July 11.
Aug 2
Color Wheels &Water Wheels, mill
open for artists and tours 10-3:30. Basic painting class for ages 9 and
up 1-3:30pm. Reservations required for class by July 2
Sail,Sail Your Boat, children can
decorate boats and sail them 1-3pm.
Aug 9
Lace Creations at the Mill, tatting
and bobbin lace-making 1-4pm.
Aug 16
Miller's Pancake, adaptation of Eric
Carle's Pancakes, Pancakes! 1pm.
Aug 23
1880s FunDay, 1880s songs, clogging,
dancing and games.1-4pm.
Aug 24
Sail,Sail Your Boat, children can
decorate boats and sail them. 1-3pm.
Sept 13
National Milling Day, celebrate inventor
Oliver Evans' 253rd birthday. 1-4pm.
Sept 30
Hacklebarney Mines,Black River &Kay
Environmental Center Walk, with Chester historian Len Taylor. 1-4. Bring
water and snack.
Oct 4
Yeast Bread Baking, 11-2pm. $10 per
person, children must be accompanied by adult. Pre-registration required.
Oct 11
Apple Muffin Baking, 11 &2pm.
$10 fee per family, pre-payment and registration required.
Oct 18
Celebrate Apples, demonstration of
cider pressing, try an apple peeler, decorate an apple. 1-3:30pm.
Oct 25
A Miller's Halloween, 1-3:30pm. Spooky
story-telling at 1 & 2:30pm.
Crane House Museum
110 Orange Rd., Montclair, 973-744-1796. Open year-round for guided tours
on the hour Fri. and Sat. 1-4pm and Sun. 2-5pm. Last tour one hour before
closing. Museum Shop open Sun. 2-5pm. Adults $5, ages 11-17 $2, 10 &
under free.
Owned and operated by the Montclair Historical Society,
this 1796 house was home to three generations of the Crane family, one of
the founding families of Montclair. Furnished period rooms plus temporary
exhibits. Adult and family programs on local history offered year-round;
summer history camps. Open for tours and group tours by appointment. Offices
and local history library at 108 Orange Rd. open Mon.-Fri. 9-5.
Jun 7
18th Century Garden to Gastronomy, cooking
and tasting adventure for families. 10-12pm. $25 one child and adult, $10
ea. additional family member. Pre-registration required.
Jul 7-11
Historical Skills Summer Camp, children
learn historical skills from living history artisans. 9-12pm. Ages 8 &up.
Deserted Village of Feltville/Glenside
Park
Glenside Ave., Union County Watchung Reservation, Berkeley Heights, 908-527-4900.
Listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, this site
has been a farming community, mill town, deserted village, and summer resort
over the course of two centuries. Ten buildings remain and the Church/Store
building has been restored as an interpretive center. A 1-mile self-guided
walking tour begins in the parking lot off Glenside Ave. Guided tours are
offered periodically. Call for information about Operation Archaeology site,
a school program for 5th grade students, 908-558-2550.
Oct 18-19
Four Centuries in a Weekend, staffed
activities during Union County's house museum open house. Sat. 10-5, Sun.
12-5. Guided tours at 2.
Oct 24-26
Haunted Hayrides, with historical narrative
and costumed characters. Tickets on sale from mid-Sept. at Trailside Nature
&Science Center, 908-789-3670.
Drake House Museum
602 W. Front St., Plainfield, 908-755-5831. Open Sat. 10-1, Sun. 2-4pm
or by appointment. Beautifully restored rooms portray the farm life of the
Nathanial Drake family in the 1700s and the Victorian life of New York City
banker, John S. Harberger, during the late 1800s. The original 1746 farmhouse
served as headquarters for George Washington during the Battle of Short
Hills in 1777. Significant American paintings, folk art, period furniture
and decorative pieces are on display. Group tours; Traveling Trunk exhibit
available for school and community groups.
Drumthwacket
354 Stockton St., Princeton, 609-683-0057. Suggested donation $5. Tours
of the official residence of the Governor are given most Wed. throughout
the year (except Aug. and Dec.).Spring, summer and fall tours include the
formal Italianate gardens. Reservations required, call or visit website.
Dec
Holiday Open House, Drumthwacket is
decorated for the holidays. 11-2pm.
Durand-Hedden House & Garden
523 Ridgewood Rd., Maplewood, 973-763-7712. Sept.-June: Sun. 1-4pm. Donations
appreciated. Historic house circa 1790 has been restored to show the continuum
of its life from 1790 to 1930. Open houses are held each month with tours,
-children's activities and country store. Jr. docent after-school program
for members and jr. members in grades 3 & 4. School tours available.
East Jersey Olde Towne Village
Johnson Park, 1050 River Rd. (intersection of River Rd. &Old Hoes Lane),
Piscataway, 732-745-3030. Tues.-Fri. 8:30-4:15; Sun. 1-4. Guided public
tours: Tues.-Fri. &Sun. 1:30. Group tours by appointment.
A collection of original, replica and reconstructed 18th
& 19th century structures depict the farm and merchant communities once
found in central New Jersey. Storytellers and crafts are periodically presented.
Edison National Historic Site
Main St. &Lakeside Ave. (exit 9 Rt. 280),West Orange, 973-736-0550.
Glenmont,Edison's home in Llewellyn Park, is open for tours on the hour
Fri.-Sun. 12-4pm. Call for expanded summer hours, 973-324-9973.
Closed
Laboratory closed for major renovation.
Consult website for reopening info.
Thomas A. Edison Memorial
Tower & Menlo Park Museum
37 Christie St., Edison, 732-549-3299. Tues.-Sat. 10am-4pm. Donations welcome.
Free tours during operating hours. 13-ft. replica light bulb sits atop 131-ft.
Memorial Tower where over 400 patented inventions were developed including
the phonograph and electric light bulb. Many inventions are on display in
the museum.
Fleming Castle
5 Bonnell St., Flemington, 908-782-4607. Open 2nd Sat. 1-4pm. Tours by appointment
for scout and school groups. Visitors to the c. 1756 building can play with
Colonial toys and games and discover Castle artifacts in a scavenger hunt.
Children's workshops and special events are held throughout the year.
Ford Mansion & Museum/Washington's
Headquarters
10 Washington Place (exit 36 I-287), Morristown, 973-539-2016 ext. 210.
Daily 9-5. Ford Mansion shown by guided tours on the hour 10-4. Adults $4,
ages under 16 free.
Mansion served as the military headquarters of General
George Washington during the winter encampment of 1779-80.
Closed
Museum is closed for major rehabilitation
&expansion. Ford Mansion tours are offered begin-ning from temporary
Visitor Services Trailer.
Selected Special Events
Jul 4
75th Anniversary Rededication Program includes
activities, opening of two museum exhibits and reading of Declaration of
Independence.
Jul 5
75th Anniversary Celebration Family Picnic,
Lewis Morris County Park, fireworks at dusk.
Jul 6
75th Anniversary Concert on the Morristown
Green, 11-piece sextet solid brass. 1:30-2:30.
Fosterfields
73 Kahdena Rd., off County Rt. 510 (old Rt. 24), Morristown, 973-326-7645.
April-Oct: Wed.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5. Adults $6, seniors $5, children 4-16
$4, under 4 free. Add $2 for special events. Memberships available.
Farmers can usually be found engaged in one of their many
daily chores from tending the crops to animal care on an operating farm
from 1880-1910 era. Weekends feature different demonstrations of farm chores
and early crafts. Tours of the Willows, one of New Jersey's finest Gothic
Revival restorations, are available Wed.-Sun. afternoons. Group &school
tours. Travels in Time summer program for ages 10-12 (see Camps).
Wed-
Sun
Guided Tours of The Willows, Wed.-Sun.
at scheduled times for adults and children ages 8+.
Children's Tour for children 8 and
under accompanied by an adult is offered at special times. Add $1
to admission for ages 2 and up.
Parental supervision required at all activities.
Jun 14
Little Engine That Could, learn about
one-cylinder engine. 10-10:30am.
Hay Trolley Swings into Action!, 1-3pm.
Jun 15
Plowman for the Day!, for adults and
older teens. 1:30 &2:30pm.
Family Activity Center, picture frames,
kites and pinwheels. 1-3:30pm.
Jun 22
Dairy Day, 1-3:30pm.
Open House for Children, children's
tour of the Willows for children up to age 8. 2pm.
Jun 28-29
Watch Them Grow, weigh-in of the piglets.1:30
&2:30pm.
Jun 29
Family Activity Center, straw dolls
and grapevine wreaths. 1-3:30pm.
Jul 4
Hurrah for Independence Day!, bring
a lunch, old-time games, horse-drawn wagon rides. 12-3.
Jul 5
"Explore the Farm" Wagon
Ride, 10:15-11:15am. Call to pre-register.
Garden on the Grow: Secret Gardeners &Bug
Patrol, 1-3: 30pm.
Jul 12
Little Engine That Could, learn
about one-cylinder engine. 10-10:30am.
Take Me Out to the BallGame, 19th-century
baseball game. 2pm.
Jul 13
Keeping a "Working Farm"
Working, walking tour. 12-2pm. Call to pre-register.
Checking the Hives:How Sweet It Is, 1-3pm.
Greeting Card Craft, ages 10 &
up. 1-3:30pm.
Jul 20
Open House for Children, children's
tour of the Willows for children up to age 8. 2pm.
Jul 26-27
Wash &Wear Sheep, 1:30 &
2:30pm.
Aug 2
"Explore the Farm" Wagon Ride,
10:15-11:15am. Call to pre-register.
Garden on the Grow: Picking, Pulling &Pigging
Out, 1-3pm.
Preserving Your Past: Photographs, how-to
session. 3-5pm. Call to pre-register.
Aug 3
Dig Spuds, 1-3pm.
Greeting Card Craft, ages 10 &
up. 1-3:30pm.
Aug 10
Butterflies for You &Me, ages
5 & up. 1-2pm.
Aug 17
Open House for Children, children's
tour of The Willows for children up to age 8. 2pm.
Aug 30-31
Watch Them Grow, weigh-in of the piglets.
Aug 31
1:30 & 2:30pm.
Sept 6
"Explore the Farm" Wagon Ride,
10:15-11:15am. Call to pre-register.
Sept 7
1920s CountryFair &Farm Market, period
music, crafts, exhibits, games, demonstrations, farm market and hands-on
activities. 12-5pm.
Sept 13
Little Engine That Could, learn about
one-cylinder engine. 10-10:30am.
Garden on the Grow: Sunflowers Dominate
the Garden, 1-3: 30pm.
Sept 14
What is Ensilage?, 1-3pm.
Sept 20
Natural History Walk: On the Wing, 45
min. walk appropriate for ages 5 &up. 1:45pm.
Sept 21
On the Move: Transportation Day, 1-3:30pm.
Family Activity Center, 1-3:30pm.
Sept 27-28
Watch Them Grow, weigh-in of the piglets.
1:30 & 2:30pm.
Oct 4
"Explore the Farm" Wagon Ride,
10:15-11:15am. Call to pre-register.
Garden on the Grow: Year-End Harvest &Storage,
1-3:30pm.
Family Activity Center, corn husk dolls.
1-3:30.
Oct 5
Curator's Tour of The Willows, guided
tour and slide show. 1pm. Call to pre-register.
Oct 11
Little Engine That Could, learn about
one-cylinder engine. 10-10:30am.
Oct 12
Cara's Cottage, 1-3pm.
Autumn Tea, fundraiser. $30 donation,
reservations required.
Oct 18
Brownie Girl Scout "Through the Years"
Badge Day, by pre-registration of troops only. Call 973-631-5343 to
register.
Oct 19
Open House for Children, children's
tour of The Willows for children p to age 8. 2pm.
Oct 25
Let's Talk Turkeys, 1:30 &2:30pm.
Oct 26
Family Activity Center, jack o'lanterns
and Halloween games. 1-3:30pm.
Dec 6-7
A Country Christmas, festive decorations
and cooking preparations at The Willows. 12-4pm.
Feb 1
A Winter's Day on the Farm, maple tree
tapping, help with chores, visit the kitchens, meet the animals. 12-4pm.
The Hermitage
335 N. Franklin Tnpk. (GSP exit 165 to Rt. 17N), Ho-Ho-Kus, 201-445-8311.
Guided tours Wed.-Sun. 1-4, last tour starts at 3: 15. Adults $5, srs. &
students $4, ages 6-12 $2. Stone house, renovated in 1847-48 in Gothic Revival
design, was visited during the Revolutionary War by Washington and was the
site of the marriage of Aaron Burr and Theodosia Prevost. Living history
events are held throughout the year. History lecture series, on-site and
in-class school programs, scout, after-school programs and summer history
camps are offered.
Historic Speedwell
Rt. 202 (333 Speedwell Ave.) at Cory Rd., Morristown, 973-540-0211. April-Oct.:
Wed.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5. Adults $4, srs. $3, children 4-16 $2 (except
participants in girl scout badge day). Restored 19th century mansion and
ironworks buildings on 7.5 acres capture the daily life of the Vail family
and their contributions to the American Industrial Revolution. The Factory
building was the site of the first successful public demonstration of the
telegraph in 1838. Group tours; scout programs; picnic area; adult and children's
craft series; summer history camp for children (see Camps).
Selected Events
Most workshops are free with admission, unless noted. For events that require
pre-registration or for more information about special events, call 973-285-6550.
Jun 14
Girl Scout DayYarn &Fabric Arts,
11-4. $10 per scout, pre-registration required.
Jun 21-22
Civil War Weekend, camp life demonstrations,
artillery drills, battle re-creations. 10-4.
Jul 8-11
History Survivor Camp, ages 7-10. 9:30-12:30
daily. $75, pre-registration required.
Jul 19
The Outrageous, Absurd, &Impossible:
Historical Puppet MakingWorkshop, ages 7 &up. 1-4pm. Pre-registration
required.
Jul 22-25
History Survivor Camp, ages 11-14.
9:30-3:30 daily. $125, pre-registration required.
Aug 16
Carriage House Craft Series: Make a Victorian
Game, ages 6 & up. 1-3. Pre-register.
Sept 13
Dig It 2! An Archaeology Program for Kids,
1-3pm.
Sept 14
Carriage House Craft Series: Candle
Making, ages 8 & up. 1-3.
Sept 27
Girl Scout Badge Day: MuseumDiscovery,
11-4. $10 per scout, pre-registration required.
Oct 4
Carriage House Craft Series: Corn Husk
Dolls, 1-3.
Oct 11
Girl Scout Badge Day: Paper Works, 11-4.
$10 per scout, pre-registration required.
Oct 26
Historic Haunting: Halloween at Historic
Speedwell, 1-4.
Home School Days
Educational and interactive programs designed for Home School students and
instructors. 1-3pm. $4, pre-register.
Jul 10
A Picture's Worth A Thousand WordsPortraits.
Aug 14
Slavery in the 19th Century.
Sept 11
The GardenPart 3Harvest.
Oct 9
1840s School.
Nov 13
Arts Fair, enter science, art,
history or agriculture projects to be judged, prizes awarded.
Howell Living History Farm
101 Hunter Rd., Titusville (off Rt. 29 2 mi. south of Lambertville), 609-737-3299.
Open Sat.: 10-4 on specified dates, with field or craft programs from 11-3.
Open Sun. for self-guided tours only: April-Nov. noon-4pm. Open Tues.-Fri.:
Feb. thru Nov. 10-4. Closed Mon., holidays and month of Jan. Free admission,
materials fee for craft.
A working farm for 200 years is being restored to operate
like a typical family farm circa 1900. Farmstand (open Wed. &Sat. July-Oct.);
group programs; Farmhands activity program for ages 6-9 with adult;
The Hatchery program for ages 3-5 with adult; Working Hands for
teens; and summer farm camp for ages 6-12.
Craft programs, which take about 20 min. to complete,
are offered most Saturdays during open season from 11-3. Materials fee varies
from $1-3. Groups of 8 or more must preregister. Call for date-specific
craft information.
Saturday Programs
Jun 14
Haying.
Jun 21
Hog Slopping &Weighing.
Jun 28
Old Time Baseball.
Jul 5
Ice Cream Party.
Jul 12
Wheat Harvest.
Jul 19
Evening Hayrides.
Jul 26
Evening Hayrides.
Aug 2
4-H Fair.
Aug 8
A Summer Barn Dance, 7-9pm.
Aug 9
HoneyHarvest.
Aug 16
Pleasant Valley Tours.
Aug 23
Fiddlin' on the Farm.
Aug 30
Plowing Match.
Sept 6
Potato Harvest.
Sept 7
Church History Day, 12-4pm.
Sept 13
Back to School.
Sept 19
A Picture History of Pleasant Valley, 7-9pm.
Sept 20
Canning.
Sept 27
Popcorn &Pumpkin Harvest.
Oct 4-5
FallFestival.
Oct 11
Quilting.
Oct 18
Fall Foliage Hayrides.
Oct 19
Wooden's Poultry Farm Tour, 12-4pm.
Oct 25
Blacksmith &Horseshoeing.
Nov 1
Bacon, Sausage &Scrapple Making.
Nov 8
Corn Harvest for Wildlife Center.
Nov 9
John Phillips House Open Hearth Cooking,
12-4pm.
Nov 14
Harvest MoonDance, 7-9pm.
Nov 15
Cider Making.
Nov 22
Auction.
Nov 29
Thanksgiving Hayrides; Wreath &Sleighbell
Sale.
Dec 6
Christmas on the Farm.
Industrial Heritage Tours
Morris County Park Commission, 973-829-8666. Historians lead easy to challenging,
212-hour to full-day hikes to mines, dams, canals and other sites of significance
to Morris County's industrial heritage.
Jockey Hollow
Tempe Wick Rd. west to Visitor Center parking, Morris Township, 973-539-2016.
Visitor Center: daily 9-5. Park: daily 'til sunset. Free. Follow in the
footsteps of General George Washington and his continental army during the
winter of 1779-80 as you explore the forests and rolling terrain of Jockey
Hollow National Park. 1750 Wick House and farm; herb garden; NJBrigade site;
5 reconstructed soldier huts; 21 miles of hiking trails include Old Camp
Road Trail (blue blazes) built by Washington's army, the Aqueduct Trail,
and yellow trail to the site of the original soldier huts and actual hearthstones
that were placed by Washington's soldiers. Trail map available at
Visitor Center.
Ongoing
Morristown National Historical Park Junior Ranger Badge, children
ages 6-12 can learn about the American Revolution at Washing-ton's Headquarters
or Jockey Hollow, complete -activity booklet and earn a Junior Ranger Badge.
Call 973-539-2016 x210 for reservations for school or scout groups.
Liberty Hall
Museum
1003 Morris Ave., Union, 908-527-0400. Wed.-Sat. 10-4, Sun. 12-4 (last tour
3pm). Adults $10, srs. $8, college students with valid ID $5, ages 3-17
$4, members and children 2 and under free. Beautifully preserved estate,
built in 1772 and lived in until 1995 by seven generations of the Livingston/Kean
family. Liberty Hall is an intact, fully furnished home, which reflects
two hundred years of New Jersey and United States history. Guided tours,
formal garden, apple orchard, carriage house, ice house and wagon shed.
Picnic area and gift shop; meeting and wedding facilities. Group educational
programs offered Mon.-Fri.
Thru
Dec
The Pleasure of Your Company: The Politics
& Power of Victorian Dining, explores the life of Lucinetta Halsted
Kean, one of the most powerful women in Washington D.C. during the early
20th century.
Special Events
Wed
Afternoon Tea, every Wed. from
2-4pm. $30 per person includes house tour. Reservations.
Jun 7
Father's Day Kids' Craft, 10-1pm.
$4 per child, includes all materials.
Jun 14
A Day in the 18th CenturyUnion County
Bicentennial Event, historical re-enactors and interactive activities
bring the 18th century to life. 10-4pm. Free.
Sept-
Oct
Apple Harvest Time, every weekend
in Sept. and Oct. Apple fee: $3 small bag, $5 large bag.
Sept 7
Grandparent's Day, make a craft, enjoy
ice cream, play games. 1-3pm. $4 per child, grandparents free. Reservations
required.
Sept 27
A Day in the 19th CenturyUnion CountyBicentennial
Event, historical re-enactors and interactive activities bring
the 19th century to life. 10-4pm. Free.
Oct 18-19
Four Centuries in a Weekend, all of
the historic house museums in Union County are open. Sat. 10-4pm, Sun. 12-4pm.
Oct 25
Pumpkin Patch Weekend, pumpkin carving,
painting, Halloween crafts, hayride and house tours. 10-4pm. Reservations
required.
Nov 8
A Day in the 20th CenturyUnion Township
Bicentennial Event, historical re-enactors and interactive activities
bring the 20th century to life. 10-4pm. Free.
Nov 22
Thanksgiving Kids Craft, 10-noon. $4
per child, reservations required.
Dec 6, 13
Gingerbread House Workshop, children
build their own Gingerbread House. 10-11:30 and 12-1:30pm. $15 per child,
reservations required.
Dec 7
Christmas Tree Ornament Workshop, children
create four Victorian-style Christmas ornaments, two for the Liberty Hall
tree and two to bring home. 10-12. $4 per child, reservations.
Dec 13, 20
A Victorian Christmas Celebration, caroling,
waltzing lessons and a one-act turn-of-the-19th-century play. 5-8pm. Reservations,
not recommended for children under 10.
Liberty
State Park
Morris Pesin Dr. (Exit 14C NJ Tnpk.), Jersey City, 201-915--3440. Daily
6am-10pm. Exhibits at CRRNJTerminal open Mem-orial Day-LaborDay 8-6, limited
exhibits year 'round. Free. Statue of Liberty Ferry fees: Ages 13+ $12,
srs. $10, ages 4-12 $5.
As the launching point to the Statue of Liberty and
Ellis Island, Liberty State Park offers dramatic waterfront views,
a visitors center, interpretive center, and exhibits at the -historic Central
Railroad of New Jersey Terminal where about two-thirds of all immigrants
boarded trains to their new homes from 1892-1954. Ferry service runs year
round from Liberty State Park to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
For ferry information: 877-523-9849, www.statuecruises.com.
Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island info: 212-363-3200, www.nps.gov/stli
The park also features a giant playground; bike/walking
paths; Liberty Walk, a 112 mile promenade along the Hudson River; dining
at the marina and visitors center. Water taxis and scenic cruises leave
from Liberty Landing Marina. For programs at CRRNJ, call 201-915-3440; for
programs at inter-pretive center and outreach programs, call 201-915-3409.
See listing under Outdoor Education Centers for interpretive center
programs.
Open
Statue of Liberty, "Monument
Access" is available at no cost with the purchase of a ferry ticket
from www.statuecruises.com.
Monument access requires a secondary screening and enables holders to visit
the museum gallery and pedestal observation levels of the Statue.Reserved
tickets are strongly recommended on weekends, holidays and May-Sept. A limited
number of monument access tickets are available daily at the ferry ticket
booths.
Junior Ranger Program booklet available at Liberty or Ellis
Island Information Centers, recommended for ages 7-12.
Park in a Pack educational kit available "on loan"
free of charge to educators for 2 week periods. Includes teaching guide,
activities and 4 videos about the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island for
grades 4-8, 212-363-3200.
Open
American Family Immigration History Center
at Ellis Island Museum and on the internet at www.ellisisland.org provides
advanced computer technology for geneology research. Visitors can access
records of more than 22 million immigrants through 41 computer terminals.
Selected Interpretive Programs Free
Jun-Aug
Commuters, Immigrants &Vacationers,
Oh My!, CRRNJTerminal walking tours. 10-2 daily. 201-915-3412.
Jun 15
Historic Interpretive Bike Tour, all
levels. 10am.
"All Aboard" Architectural History
of the CRRNJ Terminal, 1pm.
Jul-Aug
Movies, Talks &More: The CRRNJTerminal's
Summer History Series, weekends 10-2.
Jul 6
Tugboats on the Hudson, 1pm.
Jul 13
Historic Interpretive Bike Tour, all
levels. 10am.
Trails to Rails, history program, 1pm.
Aug 3
3-D Railroad Slide Show, 1pm.
Aug 17
10,000 Years in 30 Minutes, 1pm.
Sept 14
10,000 Years in 30 Minutes, 1pm.
Longstreet Farm
Holmdel Park, Roberts & Longstreet Rds., Holmdel, 732-946-3758. Daily
10-3:45. Memorial Day-Labor Day: 9am-5pm. Farmhouse open weekends &
holidays Mar.-Dec. noon-3:45 or by reservation. Life on a general farm in
the 1890's is recreated by costumed interpreters working in fields and buildings
throughout the 9-acre site. Discovery Room at Holmes-HendricksonHouse. Park
features picnic areas, snack bar, playgrounds, walking trails and arboretum.
Seasonal Highlights
Summer
Cultivating, some harvesting.
Fall
Harvesting, plowing, threshing, cider
pressing.
Winter
Craft & cooking demonstrations.
Spring
Plowing, blacksmithing, sheep shearing
and cooking, newborn farm animals.
Macculloch Hall
45 Macculloch Ave., Morristown, 973-538-2404. Open Wed., Thurs. &Sun.
1-4pm. Group tours by appointment. Garden open daily dawn to dusk. Adults
$6, srs. &students $5, under 12 free. Federal-style mansion built in
1810 is furnished with fine 18th & 19th century decorative arts and
a display of Thomas Nast (the original artist to depict Santa Claus as we
know him) memorabilia. Guided tours, changing exhibit galleries with occasional
related workshops for children.
Exhibitions
Thru
Jun 22
ABCs of Furniture.
Thru
Sept
The Splendors of Silver, explores
the role of silver in society.
Thru
Dec
Presidential Politics &Thomas Nast.
Summer Events
Wed
Lunch with the Librarian, Wednesdays
at noon July 9 to Aug. 13. Pack a blanket and picnic lunch with the Morristown
Library's children's librarian. If too hot or rainy, the program will be
held inside.
Shakespeare in the Garden
Jul 13
The Learned Ladies, by Moliere. 4pm.
Jul 27
Richard II, by Shakespeare. 4pm.
Aug 24
Poets in the Garden, Susan Jackson
and Dave Petrozelli. 4pm.
Millbrook Village
Delaware Water Gap, Old Mine Rd., 12 mi. N I-80, 908-841-9531. Grounds open
dawn to dusk daily. Selected buildings open weekends summer-early fall and
for special events. Re-creation of a late 19th century rural community with
schoolhouse, general store, woodworking shop, blacksmith shop, carriage
shop, weaver's house, church, some homes and barns. Run by Millbrook Village
Society with the National Park Service. Self-guided tours, demonstrations
of 19th-century folk-life skills weekends in summer.
Jun 28
Old Fashioned Independence Day Celebration,
old time games, tours, demonstrations. 10-4.
Sept 6
Art in the Park &So Much to Sew, local
artists display works, sewing demonstrations. 10-4.
Oct 4-5
MillbrookDays 2008, the village comes
alive with over 100 costumed volunteers. 10-5pm.
Oct 25
Octivities, corn husk and apple head
doll making, clothes pin dolls, paper quilt squares and more kids activities.
10-3pm.
Dec 6
Victorian Christmas, decorations, games
and holiday activities.
Dec 7
Christmas Hymn Service, held in MillbrookChurch
followed by social gathering. 5pm.
Miller-Cory House Museum
614 Mountain Ave., Westfield, 908-232-1776. Open Sundays during school year
(except holiday weekends). 2-4pm. Adults $2.50, students $1, under 4 free.
Costumed docents guide -visitors through 1740 farmhouse and skilled crafts-people
demonstrate crafts and tasks of the 18th century farm family. Open hearth
cooking demonstrated most Sundays (except Jan. & Feb.). Museum shop.
Weekday tours for groups avail-able. Showcase of 18th Century Skills visits
local schools.
Selected Events
Jun 8
Better Not to Get Sick-18th Century Medicine.
Summer
Closed.
Sept 14
TBA.
Sept 21
Primers, Readers &Merit Cards.
Sept 28
Scarecrow Day.
Oct 5
TBA.
Oct 18-19
Four Centuries in a Weekend, Union
County's
Oct 19
historic house museums are all open. Free.
The Art of Quilting &Quilt Collection Display. Sat. 10-5p, Sun.
12-5pm.
Nov 23
Annual Thanksgiving Dinner &Table Customs
&Manners.
Dec 7
Gingerbread Sunday.
Dec 14
Christmas Traditions-Red &Green Rule
the Season!
Dec 21
GermanChristmas Customs.
Morven Museum & Garden
55 Stockton St., Princeton, 609-924-8144. Open Wed.-Fri. 11-3, tours every
hour 11:15-2:15. Sat. &Sun. 12-4, tours every hour 12:15-3:15. Adults
$5, srs./students (appropriate for ages 8 & up) $4. Former New Jersey
Governor's Mansion and 18th century home of Richard Stockton, a signer of
the Declaration of Independence, Morven now showcases fine, folk and decorative
arts of New Jersey. Museum tours year round, garden tours May-Oct. Strollers
are not permitted.
Wed
Tour &Tea, served at 1pm.
$15, reservations required (not available in Dec.)
Open
Picturing Princeton 1783: The Nation's
Capital, more than 70 portraits, decorative arts and historic artifacts
tell the story of Congress' five-month stay in Princeton to establish a
national government after the Revolution.
Jul 4
July Jubilee at Morven, family day
with horse &carriage rides, re-enactments, early-American games, storytelling,
Scottish dancers. Free.
Dec-
Jan
Colonial Holidays: Festival of Trees, 13
galleries festively adorned for the holidays.
New Jersey State House
West State St., Trenton, 609-633-2709. Tours on the hour every Sat. 12-3pm
and on regular business days when the legislature is not in session (Mon.-Sat.
July &Aug.). Free. Reservations required for groups of 10 or more. Tours
of the nation's second oldest state capitol in continuous use include the
recently restored Senate and Assembly chambers, caucus rooms and the Governor's
Reception Room. Welcome Center houses interactive exhibits and theater.
Old Barracks Museum
Barrack St., Trenton, 609-396-1776, 609-777-3599. Daily 10-5. Adults $8,
srs. & children 6 & over $6, 6 & under free. A registered State
and National Historic Landmark built in 1758, this is the last surviving
barracks built for British regulars during the French & Indian War.
The barracks was also actively used in the American Revolution as a barracks
and army hospital. Interpreters recount life during the American Revolution.
Visitors can explore the process of -historic preservation through hands-on
activities in the History Lab. Group programs; youth camp-ins; private tours;
summer camp. For outreach -programs, call Education Dept. at 609-777-4042
or Red Mill Museum Village
56 Main St. (exit 15 Rt. 78), Clinton, 908-735-4101. April-Oct.: Tues.-Sat.
10-4, Sun. noon-5. Adults $8, srs. $6, children 6-12 $5. 10-acre historic
site features 12 structures, including the landmark Red Mill, and a permanent
collection of 40,000 regional objects. Craft workshops; group programs,
outreach programs; many special events; outdoor concert series; summer history
camp for grades 4-8.
Exhibitions
Thru
Oct 12
Lace, the Lovely Luxury.
Just Sew! Clinton Quilts: 1860 to Today.
Selected Special Events
Adults $9, srs. $7, children 6-12 $5, unless noted.
Jun 14
Treasures of the South Branch Environmental
Fair, demonstrations, exhibits, children's games, live entertainment,
food, vendors. 10-4. Free.
Jun 15
Spring Classic Car Show, 10-4pm.
Jul 26-27
Revolutionary War Days, 18th century
camps, demonstrations. Sat. 10-4, Sun. 10-3:30.
Jul 27
Morgan Log Cabin Day, guided tours,
18th century lifestyle and craft demonstrations.
Aug 24
Old Time Teddy Bear Picnic &Children's
Concert, an afternoon for children up to age 8 with their favorite teddy.
12-4pm. Special admission.
Sept 21
FallClassic Car Show, 10-4pm.
Sept 28
Blacksmith Hammer-In &Tool Swap, 10-4pm.
Adults $8, srs. $6, children 6-12 $5.
Oct 17, 18, 24, 25
Haunted Mill, and haunted hay ride
for children and fearless adults. Doors open 6pm. Special admission.
Selected Special Events
Nov 28-29
Dickens' Days, annual Clinton holiday
event. $5 per car parking fee benefits Museum Village.
Red Mill Concert Series
Jul 10-13
Black Potatoe Music Festival, independent
music festival. Special admission.
Jul 19
Big Band Concert: Salute to World War II
Veterans. Gates open at 5:30 for picnics, music begins at 7:30pm. Adults
$10, srs. $8, children 6-12 $6.
Aug 16
Bluegrass Concert: Featuring the Travis
WetzelTrio &String Fever. See July 19 for details.
Sterling Hill Mining Company
30 Plant St., Ogdensburg, Sussex County, 973-209-7212. April 1-Nov. 30:
Daily 10-5. Open weekends Dec. &March, weather permitting. Closed Jan.
&Feb. Tours at 1pm; at other times for 10 or more visitors. Adults $10,
seniors $9, children under 12 $7.50. Group discounts with advance notice.
Recommended for ages 6 & up. A 2-hour guided tour takes you into underground
tunnels to learn first-hand about zinc mining in New Jersey and see the
spectacular display of fluorescent minerals. Exhibit hall features mining
artifacts, equipment and rare minerals. Light jacket recommended, proper
footwear required.
Stickley Museum at Craftsman
Farms
Rt. 10 West and Manor Lane (3 mi. west of Rt. 287), Parsippany, 973-540-1165.
Open April-Nov.: Wed.-Fri. 12-3 (tours at 12:15 &1:45), Sat.-Sun. 11-4
(tours each hour 11:15-3:15). Adults $7, students/srs. $6, ages 6-12 $4.
Explore the simple life philosophy advocated by furniture manufacturer,
architect, and publisher, Gustav Stickley, at his family home. Guided tours;
group tours; museum shop.
Selected Events
Jul 5
Summer Family Day, old-fashioned summer
festival. 12-4pm. Children $7, accompanying adults free.
Sept 20
FallHarvest FamilyDay, hayrides,
pumpkin-painting, games. 12-4pm. Children $7, accompanying adults free.
Oct 11, 18
Autumn at The Farms: Plein Air Painting
Workshops, all levels.
Dec 6-7,
13, 14
1915 Holiday Open House, period-style
decorations, music, children's activities and a visit from Mrs. Goody Claus.
Tuckerton Seaport
120 W. Main St. (GSP exit 58), Tuckerton, 609-296-8868. April-Dec.: daily
10am-5pm. Nov.-Dec.: Fri.-Sun. 11-4. Closed Dec. 22-April. Adults $8; srs.
$6; ages 5-12 $3, 5 & under free; group rates; student rates. Recreated
seaport village traces the area's maritime history with docents and artisans
bringing the village to life. Buildings include Tucker's Island Lighthouse,
a cafe, oyster house, sawmill, boat works, decoy shop, yacht club and houseboat.
Selected Special Events
Jun 21
Baymen's Seafood &Music Festival, 10-5.
Jul 5
Red Wine &Blues, 3-8.
Sept 7
Antique &Classic Boat Show, 10-5.
Sept 27-28
26th Annual Ocean County Decoy &Gunning
Show. 7-5.
Oct 18-19
New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge, 8am-8pm.
Oct 25
Haunted Seaport, 6-9.
Nov 1-
Jan 6
Christmas Through the Decades, 10-5.
Van Horne House
941 E. Main St. (across from Commerce Bank Ball Park), Bridgewater, 732-356-8856.
Open Sat. 10-12, Sun. 12-2. Four exhibits trace the rich history of the
Van Horne House and highlight other Revolutionary war sites in Somerset
County.
Washington
Crossing State Park
355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Rd., Titusville, 609-737-0623. Interpretive
Center: 609-737-0609. Johnson Ferry House: 609-737-2515. Interpretive Center
& historic buildings open Wed.-Sun. year 'round. George Washington and
the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River and landed at this site
on Dec. 25, 1776, leading to pivotal events in the American Revolution.
Living history demonstrations are frequently held on weekends at Johnson
Ferry House, an early 18th-century farmhouse. Outdoor education programs
are offered at Interpretive Center. Hiking trails; fishing; picnic facilities;
playground; group campsites; outdoor air theater; cross country skiing &snowshoeing
in winter.
Selected Interpretive Programs Free
Jun 15
Stream Stomp, 1:30-3, Nature Center.
Jul 4
Independence, video. 2pm, Visitor Center.
Jul 6
Pond Study, 1:30-3, Niederers Pond.
Aug 2
Founding Fathers: Rebels with a Cause,
video. 2pm, Visitor Center.
Aug 9
Founding Fathers: Taking Liberties,
video. 2pm, Visitor Center.
Aug 16
Founding Fathers: You Say You Want A Revolution,
video. 2pm, Visitor Center.
Aug 23
Founding Fathers:A Healthy Constitution,
video. 2pm. Visitor Center.
Sept 12-14
31st Annual "Days of the Past"
Old Time Power &Equipment Show, 10-4. Minimal fee.
Sept 13-14
New Jersey Frontier Guard Encampment,
10-4.
Sept 14
Trees of the Park, 1:30-3, pre-register.
Sept 27
National Public Lands DayVolunteer
Effort, 10-2. Visitor Center.
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