SPRINGTIME TEA
"Tea for Two" is a wonderful ditty, but can't match the wonderful "Springtime Tea" that we are planning for you on Sat., April 30, 2 p.m. Van Liew Suydam House, which will be decorated for the occasion. We'll have delectable tea sandwiches from the famous Teaberry's in Flemington, scones, 4 kinds of tea, all the fixins', entertainment, and prizes. Tix are $25/person and MUST be paid for in advance. A flyer about this is attached too. If you can't open the attachments please let me know and I'll send you the information in another fashion.

FIRESIDE CHAT: PRESIDENTIAL SCANDALS- Saturday, April 16 held at the Van Wickle House at
2 pm Former presidents Nixon and Clinton are small timers compared to some of their predecessors. Corruption, bribery, vote stealing, and the back-room deal are just a few of the scandals rarely mentioned in our history books.

What was the “XYZ Affair”? Who was Sally Hemmings? What was the “Petticoat Affair”? What were “Credit Mobilier” and the “Whiskey Ring”? Who really was the “Pa”? Were these icons from the past real men at all?

Be prepared to laugh and cry at the final Fireside Chat of the season, which will deal with pre-1900 presidential scandals. It will be held on Sat., April 16, 2 p.m. at the Van Wickle House, 1289 Easton Ave., Somerset. Admission is $10/person. Reservations can be made by calling 732-748-7657.

FIRESIDE CHAT SERIES: LIFE OF MARY TODD LINCOLN
Civil war buffs Paul Serge and Judi Cox will shed new light on the tumultuous life of Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of our nation’s 16th president, in a Fireside Chat presented by the Meadows Foundation on Saturday, March 19. 

Judi will explore Mary’s early life, her engagement and marriage to Abe, the births of their four sons, and their life in the White House during the Civil War, up to the president’s assassination. She will show how Mary was affected by the hostilities of Northerners toward her because of her Southern roots and the devastating losses she suffered. Other highlights will include Mary’s visits with wounded soldiers at Soldiers Home in Washington and the last day she and Abe spent together, before going to theater.

Judi’s presentation will be enhanced by the music of Paul Serge, who will play a variety of Civil War songs on a Martin acoustic guitar, an instrument popular during that period, as well as some of his own compositions. A question-and-answer period will follow.

FIRESIDE CHAT: GENERAL SLOCUM ON JANUARY 15
The horrendous General Slocum disaster of 1904 and its surprising connections to  New Jersey will be the topic of a fascinating  Fireside Chat presented by the Meadows Foundation on Saturday, Jan. 15.

The tragedy occurred when a steamer headed for a pleasure outing up the Hudson River caught fire and burned in the East River, taking the lives of more than 1,000 passengers, mostly immigrant women and children from the New York German community. The high death toll caused a public furor over boat safety and inspections and resulted in a sensational trial.

Mark Nonestied of the Middlesex County Cultural & Heritage Commission will provide perspective on the aftermath of the disaster within Central New Jersey, sharing new research on the disaster that includes rediscovered photos of the burned hulk of the steamboat after it was purchased by a Perth Amboy resident who operated a marine salvage yard. 

Mr. Nonestied’s talk will begin at 2 p.m. at the Van Wickle House, located at 1289  Easton Avenue at the foot of Demott Lane and Easton Ave. Refreshments will be served. Be sure to reserve your seat today by calling Christine Retz at (732) 748-7657.

SINTERKLAAS IS COMING ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5
  
For more than 30 years, the Meadows Foundation has been presenting an authentic Dutch event—the visit of Sinterklaas, the Dutch Santa Claus. This year will be no exception! Please join us from 1-4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 5, at the Van Wickle House, 1289 Easton Ave., Somerset, for a wonderful family afternoon. In addition to the visit of Sinterklaas during this afternoon, you will enjoy Dutch dancing by the Van Wickle Dutch Dancers, music played on the violanta, Dutch foods and crafts, drawing, storytelling, and more.

Admission is $5/carload. This is a terrific chance to introduce children of all ages to holiday celebrations in a different country, and to say that we really are a global village!

MEADOWS PRESENTS A PORTRAIT OF A REAL SOLIDER OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Please join us on Saturday, December 4, for an extraordinary presentation. Using letters, service records, and oral family history, Robert A. Mayers reconstructs the campaign life John Allison from the freezing Canadian wilderness, through the Sullivan-Clinton campaign against the Iroquois, to the bitter winter at Morristown, and the decisive American victory at Yorktown. During Allison's eight-year military career, he survived numerous battles across the colonies, was promoted to the rank of corporal, and returned home a local hero. The War Man is a unique opportunity to follow the entire course of the American Revolution through the eyes of a front-line volunteer.

FIRESIDE CHAT SERIES: " SPIRITED WAR"- GHOSTS OF THE REVOLUTION
Halloween may be over, but the Meadows has a wonderful ghostly treat for you on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2 p.m., Van Wickle House, 1289 Easton Ave., Somerset. Don Peck will join us to discuss his book, The Spirited War, which deals with Washington and the ghosts of the American Revolution in central New Jersey. Specifically, he will discuss the historic peace conference of September 11, 1776 and the ghosts he has uncovered at the Conference House on Staten Island, where the failed conference took place. Mr. Peck discovered many other ghosts in historic central New Jersey during his research, and will discuss them during the Q&A after his presentation.

Copies of The Spirited War will be available for sale and signing after the presentation. Priced at $20, the book is an excellent way to start your holiday shopping.

COOL WOMEN POETS OF NEW JERSEY
Please join us on Saturday, November 6, 2 p.m. at Tulipwood, 1165 Hamilton St., Somerset, for a new poetry reading by the very popular “Cool Women” poets. Audiences have come to expect the unexpected from “Cool Women.” Even the poets themselves don’t know, until their jazz-like ensemble begins a performance, which poems will be shared. They tune like musicians around a theme—first to their audiences, always to each other, making each reading unique. 

“Cool Women” members have mentored gifted young women poets at the YWCA of Princeton. Several are Poets in the Schools, under the auspices of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, as well as “Dodge Poets” with the Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Foundation.  All have a broad range of books and publications to their credit—prose as well as poetry. As a group “Cool Women” have published four anthologies and cut two CDs.

Poems from the group’s new CD, “Cool Women in Their Element,” will be featured at this reading. Copies of their books and CDs will be available for sales and signing. Admission is $10/person. Reservations may be made by calling 732-560-1977, or to chrisflp@aol.

PUMPKIN PATCH AND ENCHANTED FOREST
Pumpkin Patch is held Sunday, October 31, 2010 from 1-4 p.m. at the Van Wickle house. Admission is $ 3, children 2 and under are free. The pumpkin patch is sponsored by the Franklin Township Parks & Recreation. In cooperation with the town-wide event, The Meadows Foundation volunteers set up a refreshment stand with hot chocolate and other beverages as well as hot dogs and desserts.
Directions for the Van Wickle house.

MEADOWS TO HOST CANAL HISTORIAN AT FIRESIDE CHAT
Please join us at the Van Wickle House, 1289 Easton Ave., Somerset, on Sat., October 23, 2 p.m. for a fascinating presentation by D&R Canal enthusiast Linda Barth. Ms. Barth will discuss little-known facts about the canal and its building, is the author of  The Delaware and Raritan Canal and The Delaware and Raritan Canal at Work. Q&A and refreshments will following this most informative presentation.
Admission is $10 each and reservations, which are strongly recommended, may be made by calling 732-560-1977, or to chrisflp@aol.com

COLONIAL TIMES VI WEEKEND
On Saturday, October. 9, 2010 and Sunday., October 10, 2010 the Meadows Foundation will host “Colonial Times VI.” Part of a county-wide event, the Wyckoff-Garretson House, 215 S. Middlebush Rd., will be open from 10-5 on Sat. and 12-5 on Sun. There will be demonstrations of open-hearth cooking, live music of the period, and house tours. Daniel Morgan’s Rifle Company and John Lamb’s Artillery Company will be encamped at the house for the weekend, giving rifle and cannon demonstrations.

On Sat. evening, October. 9, 6 p.m. our annual Colonial Times banquet will be held in the Hageman Barn, 209 S. Middlebush Rd. Dr. Marc Mappen  will speak after dinner about his latest book, There’s More to New Jersey than the Sopranos. Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing for $20. Banquet tickets are $30, and advance reservations are a MUST by October 4. Banquet checks should be sent to the Van Wickle House, 1289 Easton Ave., Somerset, NJ 08873.

HAGEMAN FARM HARVEST FESTIVAL FAMILY EVENT
Join us Saturday, September 11, 2010 for the Hageman Farm Harvest Festival Family Event. This old-fashioned harvest festival will feature historic house tours, an apple pie contest, apple tasting, and 19th-century games and crafts for children and adults. Admission is free but a donation is suggested for parking. For more information, please call, (908) 447-8360

CIVIL WAR LIVING HISTORY EVENT
Once again, the Meadows Foundation will open its program year with the return of the 6th New Hampshire Co. C Volunteers, who will demonstrate camp life of the average Union soldier during the Civil War. Included in this memorable rain-or-shine event will be drilling events for children as well as firing demonstrations for one and all.

This exciting camp out will take place Sept. 11 and 12 at the Van Liew Suydam House, 280 S. Middlebush Road, Somerset. Hours are 10-5 Sat. and 10-2 Sun. The event is free but a $5 parking donation per carload is appreciated. Complimentary refreshments.

WASHINGTON SPIES TOPIC OF SEPTEMBER FIRESIDE CHAT
The Meadows Foundation proudly opens its 2010-11 Fireside Chats series on Sat., Sept. 25, 2 p.m. with a talk by noted historian George Dawson, who will speak on American spies of the Revolution, particularly Franklin resident John Honeyman, who spied for Washington in 1775–76. Honeyman was instructed to continue trading as much as possible behind the American lines in Griggstown and, if necessary, flee to Trenton on the pretext of the danger posed to his family due to his double-dealing. This deceptive plan was so believable that a mob of angry American patriots raided Honeyman's house in Griggstown, shown above.  The talk will take place at the Van Wickle House, 1289 Easton Ave., Somerset. Admission to this event is $10/person. The event is open to the public, and Meadows members who present their membership card will receive a $1 discount at the door. Reservations to
732-560-1977 or to chrisflp@aol.com

MEADOWS TO HOST ROCHAMBEAU EXPERT ON MAY 15
You are most cordially invited to come to the Van Wickle House, 1289 Easton Ave., Somerset, 2 p.m., on Sat., May 15, when Robert Selig will discuss the 1781 Washington–Rochambeau Revolutionary Route through NJ, which stretched along the entire west side of Franklin Township.

Dr. Selig is a specialist on the role of French forces under the Comte de Rochambeau during the American Revolutionary War and currently serves as project historian to the National Park Service for the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Project. Historians and history enthusiasts won’t want to miss this talk!

QUEEN'S DAY RETURNS TO THE MEADOWS
W e had such a wonderful time at the inaugural Queen’s Day Celebration last year that we’re doing it again on Saturday, May 1. Please join us from 11-4 p.m. at the Van Wickle House, 1289 Easton Ave., Somerset, as we celebrate Koninginnedag—the birthday of Queen Beatrix. Events include a street fair, music on the violanta (the Dutch street organ), performances by the famous Van Wickle Dutch dancers, games for children, lunch items for sale, and souvenirs. 

MEADOWS TO SALUTE TO WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH WITH ROSIE THE RIVETER
Please join us on Saturday, March 20, 2 p.m., when we present our annual “Salute to Women’s History Month.” Trish Chambers returns with an original program on Rosie the Riveter. Attendees will learn how middle-class women had to fight cultural blockades to get into the workforce, how various women’s volunteer and military groups fit in, the working conditions of women photojournalists such as Margaret Burke White of Middlesex, NJ, and how the seeds of the ’60s Cultural Revolution were sewn. The event will be held at the Van Wickle House, 1289 Easton Ave., Somerset. Admission is $10/person. Reservations can be made by calling 732-560-1977, or to Meadows Reserve@aol.com

LIVING HISTORY SERIES SHOWCASES COLONIAL COOKING - This event has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 17 2 p.m. at the Wyckoff-Garretson, 215 S. Middlebrush Road, for our program on colonial open-hearth cooking given by Michele Dansak, who will give a “Historic Foodways Demonstration and Lecture.”  She is unit cook and seamstress for Outwater’s Militia in Hillsborough and has given many demonstrations at the Wallace House in Somerville.

MEADOWS SALUTES BLACK HISTORY MONTH
In 1871, the Fisk University Jubilee Singers left Nashville on a series of tours to raise funds for their impoverished school. They battled prejudice and oppression, as well as the hardships of the road. But through their perseverance they sang their way into the hearts of the nation and the world.

Admission is $10/person. This event has been rescheduled to Saturday, March 27, 2-4 p.m. at the Hageman Farm, 209 S. Middlebush Road, Somerset. Reservations, which are strongly recommended,  can be made by calling 732-560-1977 or to ReserveMeadows@aol.com

SOUTHERN BELLES RING AT THE MEADOWS
Yes, Virginia, there really are Southern belles living in New Jersey.  Please join us on Saturday, January 16 at Hageman House and Farm when we separate fact from fiction.  Dressed in period attire, our special guests from New Jersey’s Isaac W. K. Handy Chapter 2658 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy will talk about the real reasons why the South fought and how Southern women really lived during the War Between the States.

COME CELEBRATE AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS AT HAGEMAN FARM
On Sunday, Dec., 13, 1-4 p.m., the Meadows Foundation will proudly present its annual “Old-Fashioned Christmas at Hageman Farm.” The event will include tree decorating, children’s holiday crafts including decorating miniature gingerbread houses to take home, refreshments, and a special appearance by the nationally known Franklin High School Madrigal Singers.

SINTERKLAAS FESTIVAL
In 2009 the Festival of St. Nicholas will be held December 6, 2009 from 1 to 4 PM at the Van Wickle House. Admission is free, but a donation of $3.00 per car, to further the ongoing work of the Meadows Foundation will be appreciated.  For information call 732-249-6770. Learn more about Sinterklaas below.

WYCKOFF-GARRETSON DEBUTS "LIVING HISTORY" LECTURE SERIES
On Saturday, December 5, 2 p.m., the Meadows Foundation will proudly debut its new Living History series, which will feature talks about historic figures in American history as well as demonstrations of cooking in colonial times, medical procedures, militia demonstrations, etc. The series will bring history to life.

THE LIZZIE BORDEN CASE
A famous ditty has it, “Lizzie Borden took an axe, and gave her mother 40 whacks, and when she saw what she had done, she gave her father 41.”  Lizzie, a New England spinster, was tried and acquitted of the gruesome August 4, 1892 axe murders of her hated stepmother and skin-flint father.

There was no love lost between the occupants of the Borden household, but was there enough hatred for murder? Does the timeline of the crime fit Lizzie’s known movements that hot August morning? Why did the police refuse to use the newfangled science of fingerprinting of the hatchet and the suspect?  Who were the other suspects?

Please join us on Saturday, November 21, 2009 2 p.m. at the Van Wickle House, 1289 Easton Ave. for a deliciously tantalizing rehash of the murder. We welcome you to bring your own theories of the murder to share. Tickets are $10 each, and can be reserved by calling 732-560-1977.

MEADOWS SETS ANNUAL MEETING DATE
The Meadows Foundation will hold its annual meeting on Saturday, November 21, 2009, at  4 p.m. at the historic Van Wickle House, 1289 Easton Ave. The meeting is open to paid-up members. Light refreshments will be served.

This meeting will be preceded by a Fireside Chat presentation on Lizzie Borden. The Fireside Chat, which begins at 2 p.m., is open to the public at a cost of $10/person.

A quorum is needed to conduct official business, so please call president Christine Retz, 732-748-7657, to reserve your place, or e-mail her at chrisflp@aol.com

MEADOWS FOUNDATION PRESENTS N.J POETS
Charles Johnson and Diane Lockward will be the featured poets at the annual Meadows Foundation presentation of New Jersey Poets.  Both have published several volumes of poetry, appeared in poetry journals and have presented readings throughout the state.  This event will be held at 2PM at Tulipwood, 1165 Hamilton Street, Somerset, NJ on Saturday, November 7, 2009. Reservations can be made by calling 732-560-1977.  The admission fee is $10 and light refreshments will be served at which time there will be an opportunity to meet the poets and purchase their books.

PUMPKIN PATCH AND ENCHANTED FOREST
Pumpkin Patch is held Sunday, October 25, 2009 from 12-3 p.m. at the Van Wickle house. Admission is $ 3, children 2 and under are free. The pumpkin patch is sponsored by the Franklin Township Parks & Recreation. In cooperation with the town-wide event, The Meadows Foundation volunteers set up a refreshment stand with hot chocolate and other beverages as well as hot dogs and desserts.
Directions for the Van Wickle house.

MEADOWS PRESENTS REVIEW OF HINDENBURG DISASTER
Please join us on Saturday, October 17, 2009 2 p.m. at the Van Wickle house. to discover the facts and theories behind the terrible Hindenburg disaster at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station on May 6, 1937. Many theories—fuel leak, structural damage, even sabotage—have been put forth to explain this tragic event, which many people remember with broadcaster Herbert Morrison’s horrified cry of “Oh, the humanity!” The accident served to shatter public confidence, and marked the end of the giant, passenger-carrying rigid airships. Help us separate fact from fiction in this momentous tragedy.

Light refreshments will be served after the program. Tickets, which are $10 each, may be reserved by calling 732-560-1977.

HAGEMAN FARM HARVEST FESTIVAL FAMILY EVENT
Join us Sunday, September 20, 2009 from 12-4 p.m. for the Hageman Farm Harvest Festival Family Event. This old-fashioned harvest festival will feature historic house tours, an apple pie contest, apple tasting, and 19th-century games and crafts for children and adults. Admission is free but a donation is suggested for parking. For more information, please call, (908) 447-8360

"TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST FIRE" TALK INAUGURARES FALL 2009 FIRESIDE CHATS
Please join us on Saturday, September 19, 2009 2 p.m. at the Hageman Farm, 209 S. Middlebush Rd., when noted NJ historian Tom Ainsworth returns to talk about the March 25, 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire—the worst workplace disaster in the history of New York City before 9/11. In a terrible fire that consumed part of the Asch building (now known as the Brown Building of Science at NYU), nearly 150 garment workers, mostly women, either died from the flames or jumped to their deaths.

CIVIL WAR ENCAMPMENT LIVING HISTORY WEEKEND SEPTEMBER 11-13, 2009
Reenactors portray members of a famous New Hampshire regiment that was one of the only regiments to fight in all theaters of the Civil War and return with their original regimental colors.
The cost is $ 5 per carload. For further information, please call, (732) 690-6621

MEADOWS FOUNDATION TO HOST "CLASSIC URBAN HARMONY" PROGRAM
Please join us on Friday evening, June 19, when noted music historians Pam and Charlie Horner present their lively program, “Classic Urban Harmony.” This multimedia presentation will include the history of Rhythm ’n Blues, early 1950s Rock ’n Roll, Doo Wop, and Soul. The program will be held at the Hageman Farm, 209 S. Middlebush Rd. at 7 p.m. Tickets @ $10 each and can be reserved by calling
(732) 560-1977.

FRANKLIN INN TO HOST LIVING HISTORY ENCAMPMENT
The c. 1750 Franklin Inn, 2371 Amwell Rd., Somerset, will be home to “The Eyes of 1777” on June 6th and 7th when Outwater’s Militia, a Revolutionary War reenacting organization, will demonstrate the drill and musket firing of NJ militia, display equipment and clothing, drill the children, have a “Trial of King George” for tyranny and discuss the period with the public. 

MEADOWS TO HOST FARM GARDEN WORKSHOP
Please join us on Saturday, May 30, 1-4 p.m. at the Hageman Farm for garden talks and planting demonstrations. Topics to be discussed include butterfly gardens, flowers, shrubs, planting a victory garden, herbs and vegetables, and heritage gardening. There will also be tours of the Hageman House and Barns, and a sale of gently used gardening books and cookbooks. Children’s activities too! The first 50 cars will get a free pack of seeds. Admission is $5/carload, and it’s a rain or shine event. For more information please call 1-908-789-2206.

WHO KILLED THE LINDBERGH BABY?
Please join us on Saturday, May 16, 2 p.m. at the Hageman Farm, 209 S. Middlebush Rd. when popular New Jersey historian Tom Ainsworth joins us to talk about the 1932 Lindbergh kidnapping. The “Crime of the Century” has hit rural Hopewell. The body of the infant son of Charles Lindbergh is discovered in the Sourland Mountains.

MEADOWS TO HOST MEMBERSHIP SOCIAL
For years you’ve been hearing what great things the Meadows Foundation does. Preserving historic buildings in Franklin; having wonderful, entertaining talks on topics in American history from colonial times to the present; hosting concerts and poetry readings, and events for children too. On Friday,
May 15, 7:30 p.m. we will have a membership social for members and prospective members alike. Find out what we do and how you can help preserve the past for future generations, all while having fun and making new friends. The event will be at our Tulipwood property, 1165 Hamilton St. Reservations are requested as light refreshments will be served. For more information please call 732-873-8334.

MEADOWS TO CELEBRATE "QUEEN'S DAY"
By: Ellen Hamilton
March 20, 2009
On Sunday, April 26, the Meadows Foundation will proudly hold its first annual “Queen’s Day” celebration to mark the official birthday of Queen Beatrix. In Holland this special day, known as koninginnedag, is marked with street fairs, children’s games, etc.

VENDORS WANTED FOR MEADOWS STREET FAIR
The Meadows Foundation, 1289 Easton Ave., Somerset, will hold a street fair on Sunday, April 26, 11-4, in conjunction with its celebration of the Dutch Queen’s birthday. New merchandise only. A card-table-size space is $20, with larger spaces available, and vendors need not be members of the Meadows Foundation to participate.