Below is a list of the upcoming scheduled Fireside Chats. Details about each event will be posted on this web page as they become available.

January 15: Fireside Chat " General Slocum Disaster" held at the Van Wickle house 2 pm

Relive the General Slocum Disaster at the Meadows on Jan. 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.

February 26: Fireside Chat "The Freedom Quilt" held at the Hageman House and Farm 2 pm


Please join us on Sat., February 26, 2 p.m., at the Van Liew Suydam House, 280 S. Middlebush Rd., Somerset, when we celebrate Black History Month. Noted presenter Trish Chambers will speak about the “Legend of the Freedom Quilt.” This tells a family’s story of the lessons taught to the slaves to prepare and guide them on their journey on the Underground Railroad. Ms. Chambers, who will appear in period dress, will share a brief history of the Underground Railroad and will discuss the use of quilts as a method of teaching the slaves how to survive while seeking freedom.

We will also explore how African traditions gave rise to the concept of the “story cloths,” the meanings and instructions represented by the various quilt patterns and the similarity of the lessons on the quilt patterns to the lessons taught in spirituals.

Admission is $10/person and tickets can be reserved by calling 732-748-7657 or via e-mail to chrisflp@aol.com. Please call 732-748-7657 on the day of the program if the weather is, or has been, bad the past 48 hours. Your safety is our first concern.

March 19: Fireside Chat "Life of Mary Todd Lincoln" held at the Van Wickle house 2 pm

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.

The event will be held at 2 p.m. at the Van Wickle House, 1289 Easton Avenue at the intersection with DeMott Lane. Admission to this not-to-be-missed event is $10 and includes refreshments served in the historic home’s lovely dining room. Reserve your seat today by calling Meadows president Christine Retz at (732)748-7657 or e-mailing her at chrisFLP@aol.com

April 16: Fireside Chat: "Pre-1900 Presidential Scandals" held at the Van Wickle house 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.

November 19: Fireside Chat: "Celebrate New Jersey" held at the Van Wickle house 2 pm