EVENTS | Van Harlingen Historical Society

Two Great Programs in April: Sourland Mountain: Special Place/Special People-4/10/14 & Sourland Murders and Mysteries-4/30/14

Posted on February 13, 2014 by adminApril 7, 2015

In partnership with Montgomery Friends of Open Space, Sourland Conservancy and Mary Jacobs Library, VHHS celebrates the history and mystery of the Sourland Mountains.

April 10th
Sourland Mountain: Special Place/Special People
VHHS President Judy Peters will host a fun program with photos and stories of the many famous people who once spent time in the hidden hills. Did you know Nobel prize-winner O’Neil escaped to the Sourlands when expelled from Princeton as a freshman?
April 30th
Sourland Murders and MysteriesA dramatic reading by Darlene Prestbo of the Sourland Actors Guild, as she relates the lore and legend of the many mysterious happenings on the mountain. There are sensational stories of murders of anger, theft, jealousy and vengeance dating to the 19th and 20th centuries. Fascinating stuff!
Both programs are presented 7PM at the Mary Jacobs Library
Come enjoy the fun leading up to May in Montgomery !!!

Bald Eagles, Our National Bird: Back from the Brink of Extinction – 3/19

Posted on February 4, 2014 by adminFebruary 4, 2014

What did Benjamin Frankin really mean when he said of the bald eagle, “He is a Bird of bad moral Character… Besides he is a rank Coward”? Find out the answer and more on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at Mary Jacobs Library at 7:00 pm when Van Harlingen Historical presents, “Bald Eagles, Our National Bird: Back from the Brink of Extinction.”

After a brief history lesson explaining the legend of the turkey vs. the bald eagle, Maria Grace, Education and Outreach Manager at Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, will discuss the efforts taken to protect bald eagles and their successful resurgence in New Jersey. These magnificent birds with wing-spans of 8 feet are found in our own area with nests as close by as Princeton and Manville. They also are the stars of a yearly eagle family “show” thanks to a hidden camera at Duke Farms in Hillsborough.

Born and raised in NJ, Maria shares rare wildlife stories with people of all ages. She received her BS in Environmental Studies from Stockton College and her MA in Environmental Education from Montclair State University. She lives in the Sourland Mountains, the largest contiguous forest in central Jersey. Her programs are always fun and informative.

Bald Eagles, Our National Bird is free and open to the public. School-age children are welcome. Space is limited. Register on-line at Mary Jacobs Library somerset.lib.nj.us/maryjacobs.htm or call 609-924-7073. The library is located at 64 Washington Street, Rocky Hill, NJ.

“Sojourner Truth” Will Arrive at Mary Jacobs Library

Posted on November 26, 2013 by adminJune 19, 2014

Dr. Daisy Century as Sojourner Truth

CANCELLED and Will Be Rescheduled
On Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 7:00 pm, presenting in first person interpretation, Dr. Daisy Century brings former slave, abolitionist, suffragette Sojourner Truth to life. The program will presented February 13, 2014 at Mary Jacobs Library, 64 Washington St., Rocky Hill at 7:00 pm.

Born Isabella Baumfree, the slave from a small town north of New York City changed hands several times, sold by one brutal owner to another just as harsh. In 1826 she escaped her cruel owners, only to have an epiphany and became a devout Christian, renaming herself Sojourner Trtuth and becoming a traveling preacher. In 1850, Sojourner began speaking on women’s suffrage, believing the causes of abolition and women’s rights to be intertwined and equally important.

Dr. Daisy Century has had acting in her blood a long time. However, trained as a teacher, Dr. Century’s undergraduate work is in science and she holds a PhD from Temple University, also in Science Education. This naturally talented teacher and actor has continued to inspire through her thoroughly-researched, dramatically intense portrayals.

This event is funded through a grant from the NJ Council for the Humanities. Pre-registration required. Call the Mary Jacobs Library at 609-924-7073 or visit: somerset.lib.nj.us/maryjacobs.htm

Both Chimneys Repaired at the Gulick House

Posted on November 26, 2013 by adminNovember 26, 2013

Both chimneys have received significant repair as well as the wall along Route 601. In addition the peak on the east side was painted professionally since our volunteers were not eager to reach that high! Total repairs since February 2011 including the new furnace, roof and chimney work totaled $28,000. Thanks to a grant from the 1772 Foundation administered by NJ Historic Trust and help from Silvi Companies, our landlord, the cost to VHHS was about $16,000. Thank you to all our loyal donors for your help! We could not have made these necessary repairs without you.

Family-oriented program to be held at the Montgomery Farm Museum

Posted on June 3, 2013 by adminJune 3, 2013

On Sunday afternoon October 7th. noted historian and teacher,

Historian and teacher, Clarissa Dillon, Ph.D

Clarissa Dillon, Ph.D. will host a family-oriented program at the Montgomery Farm Museum. Clarissa’s doctorate in History is from Bryn Mawr College. She has been doing hands-on activities since 1973. Her programs have included Colonial cooking and early American pastimes for children.

Check back later for more information about her VHHS program. To learn more about Dr. Dillon’s current classes and publications please visit her at: http://www.clarissadillon.info/index.html

May In Montgomery – A Taste of the Sourlands

Posted on June 3, 2013 by adminJune 3, 2013

June 1st brought us May in Montgomery’s – A Taste of the Sourlands, a grand wine-tasting at Unionville Vineyards. The Taste of the Sourlands was a fundraiser to benefit the cost of the Gulick House cedar-shake roof.

Attendees invited to taste samplings of Unionville’s fine wines and culinary treats from local chefs, while surrounded by some of New Jersey’s most beautiful, bucolic countryside. Guests were be entertained by the foot-stomping fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin music of the Farmers’ Almanac.

A Taste of the Sourlands – Wine tasting

Image

May In Montgomery – Open House at the Gulick House

Visitors to the Open House at the Gulick house enjoyed the peaceful grounds, refreshed landscaping, and the newly reorganized archives of historic maps, journals, genealogy, photos and local artifacts. A perfect setting to learn a bit of Montgomery’s rich Dutch and Colonial past.

VHHS - Open House 2013 Pat

VHHS members were excited to show our visitors the new cedar-shake roof at the 260-year old stone Dutch farm house, thanks to a matching grant from the 1772 Foundation Grant Program, administered by the NJ Historic Trust.

Click here to continue to photos from our second event, A Taste of the Sourlands – Wine tasting fundraiser for the Gulick house.

May in Montgomery

Two-part May in Montgomery –
History and Wine-tasting!

Another May in Montgomery has come and gone! This year the Van Harlingen Historical Society presented a two-part May in Montgomery with wine-tasting and open-house this year. Attendees were treated to either a delightful celebration of the new roof at the Gulick House and/or a very hot but lovely wine-tasting party at Unionville Winery. Many thanks to all who supported our efforts. Click here for photographs of the events!

Van Harlingen Historical Society is a registered non-profit organization. For more information, email info@vanharlingen.org.

Two-part May in Montgomery – History and Wine-tasting!

Two-part May in Montgomery –
History and Wine-tasting!