MAY IN MONTGOMERY 2023
SATURDAY, MAY 6
Please Don’t Take Everything for Granite!
After a multi-year hiatus, the Van Harlingen Historical Society is proud to once again present May in Montgomery.
While we usually highlight local history going back two or three hundred years, this year we’re going back two or three hundred million years.
On May 6, we offer you your choice of morning or afternoon bus tour/ field trip led by Pierre Lacombe, USGS hydrogeologist (ret) and president of the Geological Association of New Jersey.
The two-hour tour will include several ‘get off the bus’ stops to see geological formations up close and personal, and to visit two colonial houses. Rain date is May 7. Tickets are $40. A tasty box lunch is included.
And that’s not all! On April 26 at 6 pm, you are invited to attend a geology talk at the Montgomery Library to get warmed up for the May 6 event. The lecture is co-sponsored by the library and is free and open to the public.
Details will be forthcoming as they develop so please check back to this website frequently.
If you have questions or would like to reserve your tickets, please contact Candy at library@vanharlingen.org.
* * * * September 10th 2022 * * * *
The Keith Line with Joe Grabus and Bruce Blair – 2-4pm
at the new Montgomery Library meeting room
(no reservations required)
The “Why” and the “How” of Province Line Road, a remnant of the dividing line between East Jersey and West Jersey determined by surveyors in 1686 is a tale of amazing skill, remarkable endurance and intractable disagreements preserved in a name.
The true story of how George Keith leading a little survey crew over salt marsh, through pine forest and over steep hills to lay down a perfectly straight line 60 miles long in five weeks using only primitive instruments will be told for us in April by two of the old deans of surveying with transit and compass, Joe Grabus and Bruce Blair.
This is a don’t miss special treat.
Please join us in celebrating the 250th anniversary of Montgomery Township with Stories of Montgomery’s Bicentennial Quilt at the Harlingen Reformed Church on May 22, 2022 from 2PM-4PM.
Show your civic pride – get your Montgomery flag
Montgomery Township proudly flies the official Montgomery flag at Veterans Memorial Park. A 2.5 x 4 foot “ home” size version of the flag is now available to the citizenry of the Township. The Van Harlingen Historical Society is selling a limited quantity of flags, made in the USA, for $40.
To order, contact info@vanharlingen.org for more information. A 2” x 4” stick flag is also available for $5.
VHHS fundraiser – Limited Quantities…
Get yours while they last!
Fall PROGRAM Canceled
We look forward to a time where we can all be together again
The Keith Line with Joe Grabus and Bruce Blair – postponed to 2021
The “Why” and the “How” of Province Line Road, a remnant of the dividing line between East Jersey and West Jersey determined by surveyors in 1686 is a tale of amazing skill, remarkable endurance and intractable disagreements preserved in a name.
The true story of how George Keith leading a little survey crew over salt marsh, through pine forest and over steep hills to lay down a perfectly straight line 60 miles long in five weeks using only primitive instruments will be told for us in April by two of the old deans of surveying with transit and compass, Joe Grabus and Bruce Blair. Watch for date and details. This is a don’t miss special treat.
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Seeing the Sourlands with Jim Amon – Feb 27th
Seeing with a keen and knowing eye lets us discover a wonderland of nature according to Jim Amon. Those who go on his popular nature walks and follow his blog, Seeing the Sourlands (https://www.sourland.org/seeing-the-sourlands) , agree.
So, Van Harlingen Historical Society has invited him to expand on that theme for us at Mary Jacobs Library, Thursday, February 27, 7 pm. in a talk about his new book, Seeing the Sourlands, published just last year by the Sourland Conservancy.
A self taught naturalist, Jim Amon spent 29 years cultivating that interest while he was the executive director of Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission, developing an abandoned waterway into our state’s most visited park, and after that 10 years as director of stewardship for D&R Greenway Land Trust working to restore nature preserves.
To be sure of a seat, sign up in advance with Van Harlingen Historical Society at info@vanharlingen.org or 908 359 8304.
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Enjoy an afternoon of Local History at Blawenburg Church – with Dave Cochran
On Saturday, March 7, Van Harlingen Historical Society and Blawenburg Church will present a free afternoon of history for the community at Blawenburg Church. The program, entitled Tales of Blawenburg, will begin at 2:00pm with a multimedia presentation by local educator and author David Cochran. The presentation will chronical several periods of time in the history of Blawenburg.
Some of the questions that will be answered in the presentation include:
- Who were the indigenous people in this area? When were they here and why did they leave?
- When did the Dutch arrive and why did they come to Montgomery Township?
- How did Blawenburg get its name?
- When did the historic village develop and what led to its development?
- Which were the first houses and businesses built in the young village?
- When/how was Blawenburg Church built and how did it serve the village and farm residents?
- What are some unique events that drew thousands of people to Blawenburg over the years?
The program will also tell the tales of some famous people who were connected with Blawenburg—a famous business family, a long-serving postmaster, entertainers including a child star and two Hollywood actors, one of New Jersey’s oldest bands, and a world-famous scientist.
Following the presentation, there will be an opportunity for self-guided tours of the 1830 sanctuary. Guides will be on hand to provide information about the history of Blawenburg Church and to answer questions.
The program will continue in Cook Hall, where exhibits about the history of Blawenburg prepared by Van Harlingen Historical Society will be displayed. Photos and artifacts from the Society’s archives will relate to the Dutch beginnings, Blawenburg Church and Cemetery, the general store and post office, the Blawenburg Band, and more. Refreshments will be served.
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