Morris County Historical Society Fall Newsletter 2010

8/8/2019 Morris County Historical Society Fall Newsletter 2010

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Visitors to Acorn Hall this holiday sea-

son can enjoy a Victorian-style Christ-mas throughout December and into toJanuary 2011. Acorn Hall will offer lav-

ish holiday decorations in all sevenperiod rooms and two hallways. Itwas the 19th century, after all, thatgave the world Christmas trees,Christmas cards, store-bought orna-ments, early electric lights, poinset-tias, and other staples of todays holi-day celebrations. The Halls famous

upside-down Christmas tree, an hom-age to Queen Victorias 1860 holiday,will once again hang in the library.Also on view is the stunning Gownsexhibit (until February 20). AcornHalls Victorian Christmas celebra-tion begins Friday, December 3, andends Sunday, January 16. The Hallwill be open from noon till 4:00 onSundays (closed December 26), from10 till 4 on Mondays and Thursdays,

and from 1 till 7 on Friday, December3, 10, and 17 (see Festive Fridayson page 5).

FALL 2010

VICTORIAN CHRISTMASAT ACORN HALLPlease welcome thefollowing new members:

Jennifer Agnello andDouglas Waller

Jenalyn August

Barbara Jo Brothers

Doreen Byrnes

Erin Byrnes

Judy Casey Faye and Irving Fishman

Barbara Fowler

Ulysses Reyes

Paula Scerbo

Melanie and Louis Sta-matellos

Veronica Stevans

Historical Happenings 2

From the Director 3

Home Garden Club 3

Victorian Fashion Plate

Workshop

4

Oakleaf Gallery Update 4

Festive Fridays 5

Wreath-making

Workshop

5

Armistice Ball, contd 6

In Memoriam 6

Membership 7

Inside this issue:

Morr is County H istor ical SocietyAt Acorn Hal l

STEP OUTATTHE ARMISTICE BALL

The Morris County Historical Society and the MetropolitanVintage Dance & Social Club will host its third annual 1918-style Armistice Ball on Saturday, November 6, at the CliftonCommunity Recreation Center, 1232 Main Avenue, Clifton,NJ, from 7 to 10 p.m. The Met Club Orchestra will once

again provide hot dance tunes of the early 20th

century. Weencourage period 19-teens, 20s, or modern formal or cock-tail attire or military uniforms no jeans, please. A work-shop on early 20th-century dances will be taught at the CCRCfrom 2 to 4 p.m. that day. Tickets for the workshop anddance are $30 per person in advance or $35 at the door. Tick-ets may be purchased online at www.armisticeball.com, orchecks payable to Morris County Historical Society may besent to MCHS, 68 Morris Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960.

(Continued on page 6) Jennifer Ochman and Al Seabraenjoy a spin on the dance floor.


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Boonton Historical Society

Saturday, October 16 Walking

Tour of Historic Main Street ledby Lloyd Charlton. 10 a.m. Beginsat Canalside Park at the top ofMain Street. Suggested donation$5. 10% discount at certain MainStreet eateries and businesses fol-

lowing the tour.

Friday, December 10 HolidayOpen House at the Museum. Re-freshments and entertainment. 7p.m.

For additional information:

973-316-0976

www.boonton.org/Community/

HistoricalSociety.htm.

Dover Area Historical Society

Tuesday, October 19 Historyof Paul Guenther, by Ulla Shuler.7:30 p.m. Guenther Hosiery Mills,69 King Street. $5 donation.

Sunday, October 31 HalloweenYard Sale and Clam Chowder So-cial at the Flea Market.

Saturday, November 6 Historyof the Dover Fire Department. 6p.m. First Presbyterian Church ofDover. $5 donation.

Tuesday, November 16 HarrissGlass Negatives. 7:30 p.m. Dover

History Museum House, 55 WestBlackwell St., Dover.

Tuesday, December 21 Mu-seum House Holiday Open House.5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Refreshments willbe served.


973-361-3525

www.doverhistoricalsociety.com

Lake Hopatcong

Historical Museum

Saturday, November 20 LakeHopatcongs Famous ThreeLotta Crabtree, Hudson Maxim

and Joe Cook. 6 p.m. The

Arlington.


973-398-2616www.hopatcong.org/museum

Mt. Tabor Historical Society

Monday, October 5 A His-torical View of Gardens in Mor-ristown, a joint meeting withthe Mt. Tabor Garden Club. 7

p.m. The Bethel.

Thursday, October 8 GhostTales with Historical Flavor,presented by storytellers CarolTitus and Ken Galipeau. 7 p.m.The Bethel.

Thursday, November 11Growing Up in Mt. Tabor Apanel of long-time residentsshare memories about their Mt.Tabor childhood. 7 p.m. The Be-

thel.

Friday, November 12 Tellabration, storytelling forgrown-ups. 7 p.m. The Bethel.


973-586-1564

www.mounttabornj.org

Historical Society of

Old Randolph

Saturday, October 30 HistoricBus Tour of Randolph. Take aride around the township, learnabout historic landmarks withintown borders and learn aboutRandolph history. 2 p.m. $5 foradults, children under 12 free.Ticket includes admission to theRandolph Museum and theFriends Meeting House. Tourdeparts from Randolph Museum,

Freedom Park, Millbrook Ave-nue.


973-989-7095

www.gti.net/randolph/hsor

Washington Township

Historical Society

Tuesday, October 19 WTHSCelebrates 50 years, includes aslide show of members and ac-tivities through the years. Re-freshments. 7:30 p.m. WTHSMuseum, 6 Fairview Avenue,Long Valley.

Saturday, December 11 27thAnnual Historic House Tour.Tour historic homes at your ownpace, route map and Tour Bookprovided. Complimentary home-baked refreshments and craft

sale at the Museum, 6 FairviewAvenue, Long Valley. Tickets$20 per person. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.


908-876-9696

www.wthsnj.org

HISTORICAL HAPPENINGS

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MCHSFALL 2010


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PAGE 3

In our last newsletter, I was able to report on the tremendous success of our annual Yard Sale. I amthrilled to report even more good news in this newsletter! Countless hours spent on grant applicationsearlier this year have paid off. In June we received notification that we were awarded two grants from

the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund, in August we received notification of awards fromthe New Jersey Cultural Trust and the New Jersey Historical Commission, and most recently we re-ceived a general operating support grant from the F.M. Kirby Foundation.

So, what does all this good news mean? Well, first and foremost a construction grant from the MorrisCounty Historic Preservation Trust Fund will be used to analyze, stabilize, and repair the bay windowarea of the dining room. This is a critical project. A non-construction grant will be used for a new pres-ervation plan for Acorn Hall. This plan will be used to create guidelines for the continued care andmaintenance of the Hall and will explore options for interpretation of the homes history as well as po-tential uses for the Carriage House. The New Jersey Cultural Trust award will fund a membership study.We want to learn what our members want and how best to serve you. Youll be hearing more about this

project soon. We are so pleased that the New Jersey Historical Commission was able to fund not onlyMCHS, but historic sites and museums across New Jersey. Funding for the Commission comes from aspecial hotel/motel tax that was created to use tourism dollars to fund state tourism infrastructure.

Despite all of this good news, we still need your support. Matching funds are needed for both the baywindow project and the preservation plan, in an amount in excess of $16,000. While we did our best toplan for the bay window project, there is still a strong possibility that the project will cost more than an-ticipated. You will shortly receive our annual campaign appeal asking for your financial support. Weunderstand that this is a difficult time for many people, but whatever amount you can give will be grate-fully received and will go directly towards these important projects.

Bonnie-Lynn Nadzeika

MCHSFALL 2010

Wednesday, October 13

Catch the buzz! Joe Lelinho ofthe Essex Beekeepers Societywill speak about the importanceof bees in society, bee-friendlyplants, and the significant pestsaffecting bee colonies. Mr.Lelinho operates Hilltop Honey

FROM THE DIRECTOR

HOME GARDEN CLUB NEWSand maintains commercial andresidential colonies throughoutEssex County. He has been fea-tured in the Star LedgerandNewYork Times, and has won numer-ous awards in the New JerseyState Annual Honey Competi-tion. 1 p.m. at the FrelinghuysenArboretum.

Wednesday, November 17

Dish garden demonstration andworkshop with Peggy Koehler.

Dish gardens differ from con-tainer gardens in that they aredesigned for indoor use. Ms.Koehler is an award-winningdesigner and member of the

Garden Club of New Jersey.The fee is $20 for the work-shop or $15 if you bring yourown six-inch dish. 1 p.m. atthe Frelinghuysen Arbore-tum. For more details and toregister contact Ilona at 908-879-0232.


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Be your own Victorian clothingdesigner at our Fashion Plateworkshop! At one time, it was a

fad to take fashion plates out ofladies magazines like GodeysorHarpers Bazarand dressthe figures using scraps of fab-ric, lace, ribbon, and other trims.Framed examples of this craftare on display in our current ex-hibit, Gowns: From Birth toBedroom to Ballroom. Partici-pants in the workshop willdress a reproduction image in

this same manner.

The workshop will be held Sun-day, October 17, beginning at12:30 p.m. at the Frelinghuysen

Arboretum. The cost is $6 forMCHS members and $12 fornon-members. The cost includesall materials and supplies, in-cluding a reproduction image,fabric, lace, ribbon and othertrims (frame not included). Res-ervations are required. For addi-tional information or to make areservation call 973-267-3465.Reservations can also be made

online at www.acornhall.org/

Calendar.htm.

VICTORIAN FASHION PLATE WORKSHOP

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MCHSFALL 2010

OAKLEAF GALLERY UPDATE

In mid-November Acorn HallsOakleaf Gallery gift shop willagain be transformed into amagical holiday shop. TheChristmas tree will take centerstage and offer unique orna-ments that make wonderful giftsand mementoes. Candles, booksand other holiday items featur-ing snowmen, Santa Claus, and

angels will be clustered through-out the shop. Special holidaystocking stuffer items will beavailable for the young andyoung at heart.

Returning this year will be ourpopular $10 grab bags. In addi-tion to the bags of regularmerchandise, this yearthere will also be specialholiday gift bags. Thesebags make fun gifts forfriends or a truly memora-ble hostess gift.

For those looking to givethe gift of history, our shopoffers a wide variety oflocal history titles andbooks on Victorian archi-tecture and fashion.

So skip the crowded mallthis year and do your shop-ping at Acorn Hall. Not

only will you find unique gifts,your purchases will supportMCHS programs. The OakleafGallery accepts all major creditcards, and members always re-ceive a 10% discount, with a

special 20% discount availableon Festive Fridays.


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FESTIVE FRIDAYS BRIGHTENTHE SEASON

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MCHSFALL 2010

Were thrilled to announce theintroduction of Festive Fri-days for this holiday season.As part of our extended hoursin December, we will havethree special evenings of music

and fun at Acorn Hall on Fri-day evenings.

Ladies Night Out will be

held on December 3. In ad-dition to the opportunity tostroll through Acorn Halls

wonderfully decorated pe-riod rooms and theGowns exhibit, LadiesNight will also feature achance for fun, food, andfriendship. Live holidaymusic will float through theair. The Oakleaf Gallery giftshop will provide an inti-mate setting for your holi-day shopping. Wine and

cheese will be served. Allladies will receive a specialgift for attending and doorprizes will be given out aswell. Dont miss this unique

chance to take a break from theholiday madness and enjoy your-self!

Family Night will be held onDecember 10. Santa Claus will

be on hand for photo opportuni-ties and each child will receive aholiday photo card. A familycarol sing-along will take place

around the historic Chickeringgrand piano. Hot cocoa andcookies will also be served.

Wassail and Wine will befeatured on December 17. Forthose who have always won-dered exactly what wassail is,well prepare this traditionalholiday drink for sampling.Live music will again be fea-tured and attendees will getanother chance to completetheir holiday shopping in the

Oakleaf Gallery. Each visitorwill receive a holiday gift anda chance to win special doorprizes.

Hours for Festive Fridayswill be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.Admission is $6 for adults, $5for seniors, $3 for students.MCHS members and childrenunder 12 are free. MCHS

members will also receive aspecial 20% discount on theirpurchases in the gift shop onFestive Fridays.

If youve ever wished you coulddecorate your home in the lavishVictorian style created everyholiday season at Acorn Hall,this workshop is for you! A

hands-on wreath-making sessionconducted by the MCHS staffwill be held on Saturday, No-vember 13, from 10 a.m. to 12

p.m. at the Morristown MasonicTemple. Attendees will be ableto decorate a faux holidaywreath just like the ones whichadorn Acorn Hall. The workshopprice includes all materials andsupplies, including wreath, rib-bons, bows, and other decorativeitems. You are welcome to being

WREATH-MAKING WORKSHOPany special trimmings of yourown, as well.

The workshop is $10 for

MCHS members and $15 fornon-members. Reservationsare required. For additionalinformation or to make a reser-vation call 973-267-3465. Res-ervations can also be made on-line at www.acornhall.org/Calendar.htm.


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ARMISTICE BALL, CONTD

PAGE 6

IN MEMORIAM

MCHSFALL 2010

All proceeds benefit the Societysprograms.

The Met Club Orchestra featuresScott Black on cornet, Will ReardonAnderson on reeds, Bryan Wright onpiano, and Sue Fischer on drums andtraps.

The afternoon workshop will allownovices to master the basics of suchragtime-era dances as the one-step,foxtrot, tango, blues, and waltz.These dances are fun and easy to pickup! It will be taught by instructorsJan and Al Seabra of Raritan, whoteach classes in vintage dance inBridgewater, NJ. They have partici-pated in dance demonstrations inNew Jersey and Pennsylvania asmembers of the Metropolitan VintageDance & Social Club.

The first Armistice Balls were im-promptu celebrations of the end ofthe First World War (on November

11, 1918). The tradition of holdingballs around that date continuedthough the 1920s, dying out as theDepression worsened and a new war

threatened.

We are saddened to report theloss of long-time MCHS memberWilma Lewis Sagurton, who alsoserved as secretary of the MCHSboard of trustees. A musicteacher by profession, she was apassionate advocate for local his-tory. Born at her parents dairyfarm on Combs Hollow Road in

Randolph, which had beenin her family since the1730s, she strongly be-lieved in preserving the ag-ricultural history of MorrisCountys past. She wroteThe Lewises of Combs Hol-

low and was featured on theDVD Girl on the Farm,which recorded her memo-ries of growing up on her

familys farm. The DVD wasfeatured at the Societys 2009Local Harvest program.

Mrs. Sagurton loaned and do-nated many items to MCHS andother local museums. She main-tained a magnificent collection ofhistoric artifacts ranging from

Native American arrowheads toearly 20th century agriculturalimplements which she carefullycataloged and kept in their ownbuilding on her property. Thebuilding even featured a repro-duction open hearth kitchen. In1991 she received the Local His-torian Award of Distinction fromthe New Jersey Historical Com-mission.

Right up until her death at theage of 94 she was active in thecommunity. She was a tremen-dous resource for MCHS andwas always willing to share herknowledge as well as her amaz-ing collection. She will bemissed.

Last years dance workshop led by Jan and Al Seabra


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MCHSFALL 2010

THIS FORM IS SUPPLIED FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF NEW MEMEBRS. IF YOU ARE ALREADY A

MEMBER, YOU WILL RECEIVE A RENEWAL REMINDER IN THE MAIL WHEN YOUR MEMBERSHIP

IS COMING DUE. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Account#_______________________________________________________

Expiration_______________ Signature_______________________________

Make checks out to: Morris County Historical Society

68 Morris Avenue

Morristown, NJ 07960

NAME_______________________________________________________

ADDRESS____________________________________________________

CITY_____________________________________________STATE_____

ZIP___________PHONE(___)_____________EMAIL________________

I have enclosed a matching gift form. I would like to volunteer.

www.acornhall.org

Where did you get this newsletter?_________________________________

MasterCard Visa Discover American Express

Student $15 Family/Institution $50 Sponsor $500

Senior $20 Contributor $100 Patron $1000

Individual $30 Sustaining $250 Life $2500

MEMBERSHIP


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MCHS

Board of Trustees

Barbara BenedictLearned T. BulmanWayne DAngeloRobert H. DonaldsonHeather EmelanderDavid G. HoldsworthSteven. K. JohnsonGregory C. Kurlander

HoursAcorn Hall: Mon. and Thurs.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun. 1 p.m.-4 p.m.Office: Mon. to Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

This newsletter is published quarterly bythe Morris County Historical Society, headquartered at

Acorn Hall, 68 Morris Avenue,Morristown, NJ 07960-4315

Phone: 973-267-3465 Fax: 973-267-8773www.acornhall.org

The mission of MCHS is to discover, preserve,and make known the history of Morris County

through exhibits, programs, publications,and preservation advocacy.

MCHS receives operating funds fromthe Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders,

the F.M. Kirby Foundation,and the New Jersey Historical Commission.

President of the Board David G. HoldsworthDirector Bonnie-Lynn Nadzeika

Curator Debra Westmoreland

Outreach Coordinator Karen Ann KurlanderEducation Coordinator Carie Levin

MORRISCOUNTY

HISTORICALSOCIETY

AtAcornHall

68MorrisAvenue

Morristown,NJ07960-4315

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Documents

Morris County Historical Society Fall Newsletter 2010