The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, in conjunction with local historical organizations, has designated the weekend of October 9 -10, 2009, 'Weekend Journey through the Past.' During the two-day period, twenty-eight of the County's significant historic sites will be open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday and 12:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sunday. Many of the sites have planned special exhibits, programs, and tours. Admission and parking at each site are free.

This annual event is a perfect opportunity for a family outing. A visit to the County's historic sites offers a unique educational experience for young and old alike, as well as a chance to visit some of Somerset County's most picturesque and unspoiled areas.

For more information and a detailed listing of sites, please visit: www.schistoryweekend.com

The Meadows Foundation is pleased to announce its annual Harvest Festival, which will be held at the Hageman Farm, 209 S. Middlebush Road, on September 11. Join us for a charming afternoon sampling 19th-century farm life, including old-fashioned games for children and an apple pie contest.

Hageman Farm committee chair MaryAnne McMillan said, 'We encourage the community to visit the farm, to learn more about the really fascinating history of the farm and the apple itself, and to play games that reflect the history of 19th century farm life.' The properties are publicly financed and cared for by volunteers. Participation supports the township's efforts to preserve and protect these properties.'

'The Final Problem,' a Sherlock Holmes radio play, will be presented by Raconteur Radio at The Red-Headed League of Jersey meeting Friday, Oct. 8, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Madeline's, 518 Vosseller Avenue, Bound Brook, NJ 08805.

New members and guests are welcome. Cost is $30 per person, including dinner and performance. Reservations and payment are due by Sept. 24. For information contact Steve and Linda Morris at 732-356-9560 or RHLeagueNJ@aol.com

'Oh Freedom' Exhibit at the Van Horne House

Historian Joe Becton will be our special guest speaker for the opening of the 'Oh Freedom' exhibit at the Van Horne House on Sunday, September 12. He will discuss the roll that African-Americans played during the American Revolution and the difficult decision many faced in taking up arms.

While the war is often characterized as fight between the colonist seeking independence from Brittan and a foreign king trying to maintain control over his subjects, the issues were far more complex. Initially, less than a third of the population supported the rebellion and about the same number strongly support the Crown. The balance were either pacifist favoring a peaceful solution or chose to remain neutral. The African-American community was no different.

Some New Jersey slaves escaped to the promise of freedom proclaimed by the British and served in loyalist military units. Others enlisted in local militias or in the Continental Army in exchange for the promise of liberty - a promise sometimes not kept. Free African Americans also chose sides as the Revolution in New Jersey became a civil war.

Joe Becton is a member of the Association for the Study of African American History and Life and of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. He has published a number of articles on the War of 1812 and on Africans in the American Revolution. Joe Becton is the co-founder of the 3rd Regiment United States Colored Troops Civil War re-enactors and Vice President of the United States Colored Troops Monument Committee of Philadelphia

The 6th New Hampshire Co. C Volunteers, who demonstrate the camp life of Union soldiers during the Civil War, will return this year to the Van Liew Suydam House. Rain-or-shine, the volunteers will demonstrate how solders lived, drilled, and fought.

The event, which is sponsored by the Meadows Foundation, will take place at the Van Liew Suydam Framstead, 280 S. Middlebush Road, Somerset. Hours are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday and 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Sunday. The event is free but a $5 parking donation per carload is appreciated. Complimentary refreshments will be served.

The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, in conjunction with local historical organizations, has designated the weekend of October 9 -10, 2010, 'Weekend Journey through the Past.' During the two-day period, twenty-eight of the County's significant historic sites will be open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday and 12:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sunday. Many of the sites have planned special exhibits, programs, and tours. Admission and parking at each site are free.

This annual event is a perfect opportunity for a family outing. A visit to the County's historic sites offers a unique educational experience for young and old alike, as well as a chance to visit some of Somerset County's most picturesque and unspoiled areas.

For more information and a detailed listing of sites, please visit: www.schistoryweekend.com

The 6th New Hampshire Co. C Volunteers, who demonstrate the camp life of Union soldiers during the Civil War, will return this year to the Van Liew Suydam House. Rain-or-shine, the volunteers will demonstrate how solders lived, drilled, and fought.

The event, which is sponsored by the Meadows Foundation, will take place at the Van Liew Suydam Framstead, 280 S. Middlebush Road, Somerset. Hours are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday and 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Sunday. The event is free but a $5 parking donation per carload is appreciated. Complimentary refreshments will be served.

Honeyman House, Griggstown

The Meadows Foundation's fireside chats series will start its season with a talk by noted historian George Dawson. He will speak on American spies of the Revolution with a focus on Franklin resident John Honeyman, who spied for Washington in 1775-76.

Working behind American lines, Honeyman was instructed to continue trading with the British as much as possible; and, if necessary, flee to Trenton on the pretext of the danger posed to his family due to his double-dealing. The deceptive plan was so believable that a mob of angry American patriots raided Honeyman's house in Griggstown.

The public talk will take place at the Van Wickle House, 1289 Easton Ave., Somerset. Admission to this event is $10/person.

J Harper Smith House

Guided tours of the former J. Harper Smith Estate in Somerville will be offered Saturday, October 3, 2009. The estate is listed on both the New Jersey and National Register of Historic Places.

The beautiful Queen Ann Eastlake Victorian home - complete with carriage house and fishpond - has ornate stonework, griffins, terra cotta tiles, cherubs, elaborate woodturnings, and iron-crested slate roof. The interior features magnificent stained glass windows, including authentic Tiffany Studio windows in the entrance hall, along with mahogany, cherry, oak and walnut woodwork. Eleven-foot first floor ceilings are graced by molded and carved plaster, and the walls have incrusted decoration. The library, parlor and dining room floors are parquet; the entrance hall floors are marble.

Famed Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer - whose work includes the Duke estate in Newport, RI, Duke University, and Somerville's own St. John's Episcopal Church - designed the French Renaissance-style library. Trumbauer had installed stain-glass windows and a built in-window seat that is flanked by heavily carved columns. Tapestries and mahogany cover the library's walls.

Tours will be conducted for one day only: Saturday, October 9, 2009 from 12 noon till 5 pm. Each tour lasts about 20 minutes, and covers the first floor of the main house, carriage house and grounds. Adult admission is $8.00; children under 12 and seniors are $5.00. Horse Drawn carriage rides will also be available for $3.00 per person. All proceeds will benefit the Somerville P.B.A. Local #147. The J. Harper Smith Estate is located at 228 Altamont Place in Somerville, NJ.

The United Daughters of the Confederacy will host an awards ceremony at the American Legion Post 12, 232 Union Avenue, Somerville, NJ, on September 18, 2010, at 11 A.M.

William Brooke Tunstall will receive two awards:

Cross of Military Service World War II
Platoon Sergeant, United States Marine Corps

and

Meritorious Service Award Korean War
First Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps

The ceremony is open to the public.

The Military Awards currently bestowed by the UDC are an outgrowth
of that Southern Cross of Honor. They are awarded to veterans
who have served or are serving in defense of America, and who
have an ancestry back to one of those honorable Confederate veterans.

They are the most prized awards conferred by the UDC.