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CROSSROADS GAZETTE
Your resource for all things Revolutionary New Jersey!
October 2016
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Octo
ber brings seasonal treats to visitors across Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area: a month of Halloween chills and thrills, chances to discover surprising and fascinating history in your own backyard, and much, much more. Who knows which Revolutionary spirits will cross your path?
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With a chill in the air, it's not long before thoughts turn to ghosts, goblins and all things Halloween! Why not add a little Revolutionary spirit into the mix? If you can't get enough haunting and good scares, you're in luck: historic sites all around New Jersey are getting into the spirit with special events all month. They're popular, so be sure to reserve your place soon to avoid disappointment. Here are just a few options:
Waterloo Village in Stanhope hosts
Shadows of the Past Lantern Tours every Thursday evening in October. Walk among historic buildings as leaves fall and October winds blow. Who knows who you might "meet" along the way?
More information.
In the dark of night, ghosts, ghouls and monsters fill the
Haunted Village of Allaire in Farmingdale. Take a haunted hayride, visit Mr. Allaire's house and experience the Village in all its spooky glory. Enter if you dare! October 14, 15, 21 and 22.
More information.
George Washington and his troops left nearly 240 years ago. Do other spirits remain? Paranormal researcher Gordon Ward reveals results of his studies of
Ford Mansion at Morristown National Historical Park on October 15.
Tickets and more information.
What ghosts wander through the storied homes of New Jersey's midsection? Open-minded mortals will see photos and hear audio evidence of spooky visitors during Fireside Chats - Historic Haunts of Central Jersey at the
Wyckoff-Garretson House in Franklin on October 15.
More information.
They're baaaaack! The historic Cumberland County town of
Greenwich once again hosts
Halloween Ghost Walking Tours on October 15, 22, 28 and 29. This seasonal evening walk through one of New Jersey's best-preserved Colonial communities is bound to raise a few goosebumps along the way.
More information.
Rumor has it that British soldiers were frightened from
Liberty Hall in Union by the sight of a ghost after the Battle of Connecticut Farms... but is it true? Discover the scary side of the fight for independence during a nighttime walk around the mansion grounds in
Revolutionary Woods: Six Terrifying Tales from the American Revolution. October 21, 22, 28 and 29.
Tickets and more information.
Looking for a gentler Halloween experience? Bring the little ones to the heart of the Pinelands as
Batsto Village in Hammonton presents Haunting the Pines for kids 12 years old and younger, accompanied by parents. Trick or treating and more! October 30.
More information.
With so many centuries-old homes, there are bound to be spirits all over
Bordentown City's Historic Ghost Walk. Guides tell different stories every year, so don't miss out! October 30.
Tickets and more information.
These are just a few of the Revolutionary Halloween events occurring around the Crossroads Heritage Area. Check our
events page for more holiday and fall season events, find your favorite and reserve your spot soon!
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Drive through time during County History Weekends
Fall is the perfect time to take a road trip close to home. Visits to local historic sites fit perfectly into busy family weekend schedules, or venture a bit farther to another county. This October, four New Jersey counties invite you to pile into the car to explore our rich heritage. There's something appealing for everyone in the family, from Colonial and Revolutionary-era stories all the way up to events and places that made the headlines in the 20th century. Visit each event's website for maps and descriptions, and plan your route today!
Morris County's Pathways of History, October 8 and 9, spans 20 individual sites, with several reflecting Dutch stone, German folk, Georgian and Saltbox styles. Choose from three "tour within a tour" options to discover historic sites conveniently located near each other.
More information.
Somerset County's Weekend Journey through the Past, October 8 and 9, invites you to participate in "What in the World is That?" to identify mystery items at each participating location. Plus, adults who visit at least four participating sites can enter a contest to win a gasoline gift card.
More information.
Sussex County's Heritage Weekend, October 8 and 9, mixes heritage and agriculture as historical sites, museums, farms and wineries welcome visitors of all ages. Why not book a room at a local B&B and make a weekend of it?
More information.
Union County's Four Centuries in a Weekend, October 15 and 16, encourages you to pick your route by historical era, from farm life in 1686 through commerce and industry in 1920. Nearly a dozen sites reflect the Revolutionary era.
More information.
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Crossroads Executive Director Noreen Bodman (L) chats with DAR members Pat Sanftner (center) and Jan Hunold (R) during networking session.
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Advisory Council shares insights at recent session
The Crossroads team is privileged to count on a knowledgeable and diverse group of historians and preservationists steeped in New Jersey Revolutionary-era heritage. This Advisory Council helps guide staff members as we build and manage programs to support our partners and promote heritage tourism in the region.
More than 20 Advisory Council members gathered in September at Piscataway's Metlar-Bodine House Museum for the latest on Crossroads ongoing and planned programs, including our historic signage program, development strategies, website improvements, social media strategy and an upcoming historic house recognition program. Team members also offered perspectives from their historic sites and organizations.
Sharing historical research that's equal parts factual and fun, Jan Hunold, regent of the
General William Maxwell Chapter of the NSDAR shared an entertaining look at Revolutionary Jersey Girls, women who provided support to the cause of independence during the war. As Jan showed, evidence proving their service is often challenging to track down, leading to adventures in research.
A big thank you to the Metlar-Bodine House Museum team (particularly Hara Durkin, June Sadlowski and David Alberts) for being such gracious hosts for our meeting and networking session! Visit the house's
website for more information on the house and its role in preserving the story of America's first official Independence Day celebration.
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Remembering Sally Dudley
The staff and trustees of the Crossroads of the American Revolution were saddened to learn of the passing earlier this year of former Crossroads Trustee Sally Dudley. A longtime environmental champion, Sally was also executive director of the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) from 1987 to 2002 and served on several preservation and land trust councils around the state. We join countless friends in the environmental conservation and historic preservation communities in mourning her loss while celebrating her contributions to the betterment of the state.
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Burlington Lyceum evolves with community need
A historic gem is returning to its roots in Mount Holly as the Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences undertakes a year-long renovation of its home at the Langstaff Mansion.
Founded by an act of the New Jersey Legislature in 1860, the Lyceum was a small organization of interested and prominent citizens of Mount Holly who shared their research on science and local history while amassing a huge collection of natural science objects. It later evolved into a public library that served Mount Holly's needs even as the county library system grew.
The mansion will be closed for several months, but the Lyceum will continue to provide programs in other locations. Look to the organization's website and the Crossroads event page for scheduled events.
More information.
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Is your group a Heritage Partner? If not, we have a scary good deal for you!
Historic sites and organizations throughout New Jersey are enlisting in the cause of heritage tourism as they become Crossroads Heritage Partners. While they tell their part of the story of the American Revolution here in the Garden State, each Partner enjoys programming and marketing support that helps them reach even more visitors. Partner representatives are also eligible to participate in workshops and professional development seminars to help make the most of their organizations' historical offerings.
We're very happy to introduce the most recent additions to our Heritage Partner family:
We're also grateful for the continuing membership of these renewed Heritage Partners:
Whether your site is open seven days a week, isn't yet ready to welcome visitors, or is somewhere in between, Crossroads can help.
And until October 31, your group can save on a multiple-year membership with Crossroads. Join at a two-year membership rate and get the third year free!
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Get Revolutionary at this month's Heritage Partner events
Celebrate New Jersey history at these events at our partners in the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area. Visit our
website
and
Facebook page
for even more activities through the month, and watch for our mid-month events email.
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Revolutionary Jersey Girls in Warren County
October 1 at 11:00 a.m.
Entertaining genealogist Jan Hunold tells stories of New Jersey women who supported the Patriot cause.
Contact the Gen. William Maxwell Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution for location and more information.
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Household "Confiscation" Auction at the 1759 Vought House in Clinton
October 1 from 9:30 a.m.
Witness the recreation of the auction of household goods confiscated from a Hunterdon County Loyalist homestead... and maybe pick up some deals for yourself! More information.
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Open House at the Burrough-Dover House in Pennsauken
October 2 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Come tour this 306 year old house - one of the oldest structures in Camden County - and learn about Colonial life in South Jersey. Nostalgia museum also open for viewing.
More information
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General "Mad Anthony" Wayne in the Battle of Monmouth, at Monmouth County Library in Manalapan
October 6 at 7:00 p.m.
He was the most active and maybe the best officer on the field. Learn more about his role in the Battle of Monmouth at this meeting of the Friends of Monmouth Battlefield.
More information
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Honeybees and Beekeeping at Rockingham Historic Site in Kingston
Resident beekeeper Pier Guidi shares the fundamentals of beekeeping and the interesting lives of bees.
More information
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Legends and Myths of Morristown, NJ at the Wick House in Morristown
Join us for a campfire program to discover if there's truth behind the legends and myths spread during the Halloween season.
More information
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Board of Trustees
Thomas H. Kean, Honorary Chair ● Patrick Murray, President ● Laura Szwak, Vice President ● David Siegfried, Treasurer ● Sally Lane, Secretary ● Leslie Bensley
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Richard Bousquet ● Kathleen Ellis
● Dale Florio ●
John Hardiman ● Ira Jersey
● Martha Lieblich ● John S. O'Donnell ● Chris Paladino ● Milly Silva
Crossroads Staff
Noreen Bodman, Executive Director ● Tanika Jones, Office Administrator ● Kate Knowles-Brindle, Program Manager ● Sue Kaufmann, Communications and Social Media Coordinator
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Join us!
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