Come Join the Parade. Historical characters. Period Music. Children in costume.
Sounds like the makings for a great parade. This year the Spirit of the Jersey’s History Fair will kick-off with a parade. Want to be a part of the parade? Dress-up in old-time clothing and join in. Adults, children and dolls are welcome. Need a costume?

Ten Crucial Days
Meet NJN Producer Lou Presti

View Washington Crossing State Park's new interpretive video "Ten Crucial Days: The Road to Liberty." This 27-minute video, a joint project between New Jersey Public Television (NJN) & New Jersey's Division of Parks & Forestry, depicts General Washington's Christmas Night Crossing of the Delaware River & the turning point victories at Trenton & Princeton. Lou Presti will be available after the video for comments & questions concerning the project. The video will be shown in the Visitor Center Museum's auditorium throughout the day.

Judith Krall-Russo, Food Historian

Did you know that the blueberry has its roots in New Jersey's Pinelands or that the tomato was once considered poisonous until a New Jerseyean proved otherwise? Discover the history, folklore, health benefits and recipes of Jersey's blueberry and tomato, by joining Judith Krall-Russo, food historian, for two enlightening presentations, "Blueberries: New Jersey's Wonder Fruit" and "The Jersey Tomato".

This program is offered through the Horizons Speakers Bureau of the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

CANAL BOAT RIDES

Come take a ride on the Delaware & Raritan Canal. The Canal Society of New Jersey will be offering boat rides on the D&R Canal using their 20' pontoon boat. Learn about NJ's canals while you enjoy the scenery along the canal & Delaware River. Visitors will board the boat a short distance north of the Washington Crossing road bridge over the canal.

The D&R Canal Watch will conduct a hike along the feeder on May 3rd. Meet at the Scudder's Falls parking area at 10 am. We will walk 2.4 miles north to the Spirit of the Jerseys History Fair at Washington Crossing State Park. Lunch on your own as you enjoy the rest of the afternoon at the fair, and then walk back at your leisure.

Einstein Look-Alike Contest

Einstein is a name that has become synonymous with genius. Albert Einstein was named “Person of the Century” by Time magazine in 1999, and a poll of prominent physicists name Einstein the greatest physicist of all time. And, Einstein, one of the smartest human beings in human history chose to live over one-quarter of his life in New Jersey!

To celebrate New Jersey’s connection to Albert Einstein, the SPIRIT of the JERSEYS will feature an Einstein Look-Alike” contest this year. This amusing contest is open to everyone: Adults and children. Participants are encouraged to imitate Albert Einstein at any stage of his life, and prizes will be awarded to the those contestants who best imitate New Jersey’s smartest resident. Categories include Adult (Male & Female) and Children under age 12, Male and Female.) Additionally, contestants can participate in a Pi Contest, with prizes going to the three contestants who can recite pi to furthest decimal.

Please contact Daniel T. Campbell at 609-561-7310 or batstomansion@yahoo.com for further information.

New Jersey History Fair to Honor Native Son Grover Cleveland with Special Postal Cancellation

Grover Cleveland was born in New Jersey in 1837. He became a respected attorney and entered politics at the age of 44 when he ran for mayor of Buffalo, New York as a reformer. His success at that time was the beginning of a meteoric rise, as he rapidly became governor of New York and then President of the United States in 1884. Cleveland was the only president to be married in the White House, and is the only president to have been elected to two nonconsecutive terms. He narrowly lost his re-election bid in 1888, even though he had more popular votes than his opponent, Benjamin Harrison. Cleveland was again elected President in 1892. Grover Cleveland retired to Princeton, N.J. after leaving the White House in 1897, and died there in 1908.

The New Jersey History Fair will commemorate the life and presidency of Grover Cleveland with a Special Station postal cancellation honoring America’s 22nd and 24th president.

Quilt Appraisal

Have you ever wondered how old that that family quilt is? What kind of pattern it is? Or how much it is worth? This year you can come to the Fair and find the answers to these questions.

Two trained quilt appraisers will give verbal appraisals of quilts for a nominal fee of $20. Those wishing to take advantage of this unique opportunity must register by April 30, 2008. Applications will be accepted as they are received. To register for an appraisal, please contact Daniel T. Campbell, Historian, Batsto Village, at 609-561-7310 or batstomansion@yahoo.com.

Professional Development Credit Hours for New Jersey Teachers

The Office of Historic Sites is pleased to offer three (3) hours of professional development credit to New Jersey elementary education and social studies teachers who participate in the fifth annual SPIRIT of the JERSEYS History Fair. Teachers must register at the Washington Crossing State Park Visitor Center between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Attendance at this event meets the Standards for Required Professional Development for Teachers 1, 1.1, 1.2, 3.1.2, 3.1.3, 5.1, 6.2, 10.1, 10.2, 12.2, and enhances knowledge of subject content including the 2004 New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for Social Studies 6.4, 6.4.2A-B, 6.4.4A-B, 6.4.8A-G, & 6.4.12A-L

For further information, please contact Andrew Anderson at the Double Trouble State Park Interpretive Center, 732-341-4098 or dtris@dnetit.com.

The MarketPlace at Washington Crossing

 

For everyone who enjoys finding unique gifts in museum shops, we have a place for you. The MarketPlace at Washington Crossing will feature several museum shops under one tent. You can find a variety of gifts including silk scarves, stationery, jewelry, toys, postcards and books. Come shop through the centuries for your family, friends or yourself.  New to the MarketPlace this year will be craft artisans who will display, demonstrate and sell their handcrafted goods.