Spirit of the Jerseys - State History Fair

09/19/2019

Another successful Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair! Who did you meet this past Saturday at Monmouth Battlefield State Park? A special thanks and HUZZAH to the NJ Division of Parks and Forestry media specialist for this fun recap video ...

09/16/2019

The weekend has passed and the 2019 Spirit of the Jerseys State Fair planning committee has almost completed its post-event clean-up at . It was another successful one for the books and we sincerely thank every one of you who attended and engaged with all our exhibitors, reenactors and speakers. A very special and much appreciated THANK YOU to all our 2019 participants and presenters! We’ve said it before and it will always be true...there wouldn’t be a “Spirit of the Jerseys” without you! And THANK YOU to all of you who have liked/followed our page and helped us spread the word by sharing our posts. To those of you who attended, we hope you enjoyed the event and will share some of your pics and feedback with us. Until next time - HUZZAH and KUDOS to everyone!

09/14/2019

September 14th is here and dawn will soon be breaking on the historic fields of in Manalapan! In a few short hours the 2019 Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair will be underway! The skies will be dry and the exhibitors will be in place and waiting for you. So get up, have that coffee, tea, OJ and energizing breakfast then join us for a full day of Jersey Spirit and fun. This is an event not to be missed! We are all looking forward to seeing you!

09/12/2019

Less than two days away and it looks more and more like it will be a day of DRY SKIES - HUZZAH! Are you coming! YES...YES I am, are you? I wouldn’t miss this uniquely Jersey event or the chance to experience 500 years of the state’s history in such a fun, interactive and engaging way. The planning committee has been hard at work piecing all the parts together to bring the 2019 Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair to life. They’ve worked to build a memorable and successful event for you and they look forward to seeing a large, supportive turn-out this Saturday. Groups/organizations, speakers, reenactors and living history professionals from NJ, NY, CT, PA and DE have signed-up to participate and are excited to share their stories with you. So dig your most comfortable walking shoes out of the closet, get the kids ready and arrange to meet your family and friends at in Manalapan between 11 am - 5 pm on Saturday, September 14th. A $10 per car parking donation is suggested to help defray the costs of the event. Come and experience the Spirit of the Jerseys with us! We can’t wait to see you!

09/08/2019

We are in the home stretch! It’s less than a week to go. THEY ARE ALMOST READY for you so start planning your day! Here they are - the 2019 SPIRIT of the JERSEYS program with the final performance schedule and updated list of exhibitors as well as a children’s autograph book, sample professional development certificate for educators and even a list of requirements for scouts to meet while attending the fair! Click on the link to download/print the PDF files for use on Fair day or bookmark it to keep handy and make sure to check back for any last minute updates/changes: www.dandrcanal.com/NJHistoryFair. As in past years, the schedule is filled with a large variety of presentations and activities! From 19th century baseball and farm activities all day, to presentations by significant - and lesser known - players from NJ's past and a question/answer session with the host of NJTV’s “Drive By History” to artillery and musket demos, children's military drills and musical performers. And that's just what is on the official schedule! As you walk the fair grounds you’ll find a Lenni Lenape camp, children’s games, digging for “artifakes”, interpreters, reenactors, military camps, foodway demonstrations, exhibitors of all kinds and an assortment of displays and living history presentations everywhere - ALL DAY (well...from 11 am-5 pm anyway)! So much to see, hear, experience and absorb...where to start?! I'd suggest arriving early and plan to stay for several hours. Take a peek at the schedule and note those presentations you just don't want to miss. Where else can you experience over 500 years of history in one afternoon? In the great state of New Jersey at the on September 14th at in Manalapan that's where! It's almost here so prepare to step back in time...SEE YOU THERE!

Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair

09/05/2019

September is finally here and the State History Fair is now less than two weeks away! To help you prepare for your day at , and give you and idea of what to expect, we are able to share working drafts of the performance schedule for the day and the overall fair map to help you plan your way around the timeline and to the various performance/activity areas (stay tuned for the final documents as both may yet see small revisions). As in past years, the 2019 program schedule is jammed packed with a wide variety of speakers, presentations and activities all day! Look this draft over, make a mental note of the speakers to put on your "must see" list and don’t forget to make time to cheer on your favorite 19th century baseball club, try your hand at driving a plow team, see Rev. War artillery and musket demos and watch your kids learn Rev. War musket drilling. And remember...there will be many other attractions, games, hands-on activities and exhibitors to visit and experience throughout the day. So make sure you have the date marked on the calendar and get ready to step back in time and be part of the “Jersey Spirit” with us - Saturday, September 14th from 11 am - 5 pm at Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Manalapan! You might want to block off the entire day...there will be A LOT of NJ history to take in!

08/31/2019

News Flash!! We are excited to share with our followers the FIRST DRAFT of the Exhibitor List for the 2019 Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair! Although it is not finalized (there may yet be changes in the next few days), we have it on good authority that the fair committee is hard at work planning the placement of groups for this year's ! This first draft gives a good idea of where the 145+ registered exhibitors (with 550+ individual participants) will be located on fair day. It is a BIG list that represents over 500 years of diverse NJ history presented by groups and living history professionals from across the state as well as NY, PA, DE, CT and MD! Truly, something to interest every history lover. A HUGE THANK YOU to all of them for both their participation and “Jersey Spirit” - there wouldn't be a fair without them! Come celebrate NJ's diverse story with them by coming to in Manalapan on September 14th between 11 am - 5pm for a day of history fun. More to come soon so stay tuned...

08/22/2019

With registration officially closed for the State History Fair, we come into the home stretch and our Fair Committee begins the final phases of planning and preparation for the event. As we sort through the list of 140+ exhibitors and over 550 individual participants we see a diverse mix of stories places and people from New Jersey’s past who will gather at in Manalapan on September 14th from 11 am - 5pm to engage with the public. Many have joined us before and we are thrilled to welcome them back. Among them is the Dr. James Still Historic Office Site & Education Center which is operated by the Medford Historical Society. Dr. Still, known as the "Black Doctor of the Pines," was a renowned herbalist and healer who was born into poverty but died one of the wealthiest men in Burlington County. He was one of 18 children born to former enslaved Africans Levin and Charity Still. His brothers included abolitionist William Still, one of the founders of the Underground Railroad, and Peter Still, who rescued himself from slavery. Dr. Still, and the Still family of New Jersey are one among MANY of the compelling African American stories that have been overlooked in the broader historical narrative of New Jersey - a slave-holding state into the 19th century. Recognizing the significance of the site, and Dr. Still’s legacy, the house was purchased by the State in 2006 in an effort to preserve, restore and interpret it. Working with the Medford Historical Society, and a dedicated group of volunteers, that vision is moving forward! We encourage everyone to come to the to meet and speak with Dr. Still for the opportunity to hear his story and that of his family, firsthand! It is a story you DON'T want to miss! Make sure you mark the date, time and the place - September 14th from 11 am - 5pm at Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Manalapan, NJ!

08/14/2019

Who says history is boring? Come to the State History Fair at in Manalapan on September 14th with your family and watch your kids get excited as they learn about the past and have fun at the same time! Here history comes alive and is experienced first-hand. For a start, they can take the reins of a plow team, get mustered into the Continental Army, become part of a Revolutionary War cannon detail, experience the feel of sitting side saddle, learn about Lenni Lenape foodways and life, try-on period clothing, play long forgotten children’s games, search for “artifakes”, watch a 19th century baseball game, be amazed by one of the greatest traveling flea circus showman and a host of other hands-on and engaging activities. So while the is anticipated by many adults in the history community, we want to remind everyone that there is MUCH offered that will capture the imagination and interest of the next generation of future history lovers. THIS is the event that can help ignite a lifetime of curiosity and passion for history! So gather the kids and come to this family-friendly event on Saturday, September 14th (rain date on the 15th) from 11 - 5 at Monmouth Battlefield State Park. Step back in time with us and experience the "Spirit of the Jerseys!"

08/04/2019

Presenting the 2019 cast of historical figures and special features! Step back in time with us to meet an impressive list of individuals from NJ’s past. From the indigenous Lenape people to a varied mix of notable and everyday men and women from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Speak with General George Washington and Molly Pitcher about their time in NJ during the Revolutionary War. Hear from Hercules, enslaved chef to the Washington household who eventually made his escape to freedom. Meet an impressive selection of female role models from the tireless suffragist Alice Paul and women’s rights advocate/aviator Amelia Earhart to lesser known figures, but no less notable, like “The Widow Tennent”-Catherine Van Berg, Civil War nurses Cornelia Hancock and Sister Veronica, vaudevillian Mabel Fenton and automobile pioneer Alice Ramsey. Pass the time with “The Good Grey Poet”, Walt Whitman; ponder his poetry and wish him a Happy 200th Birthday. Learn about life serving in the US Navy before and during the Civil War from Admiral David Farragut. Sit with Theodore Roosevelt - The Conservation President - and learn about his time in NJ. Listen to WWI-era songs and music, sing-along to pirate/sea shanties, enjoy a 20th century live army radio show, cheer on your favorite 19th century baseball team and see how ice-cream and Dutch meals were prepared in the 18th Century. AND you must not miss the hilarious 19th Century phenomenon that is Phydeaux’s Flying Flea Circus & Wahoo Medicine Show! These are just a sampling of the people and moments from New Jersey’s past that you will encounter on Saturday, September 14th at in Manalapan from 11-5. SO MUCH TO SEE, DO and EXPERIENCE! Make sure the date is marked, be ready to travel back in time and plan to spend the day at the ... you won’t want to miss a minute of this fun and educational family-friendly event!

07/31/2019

LAST CALL to all groups, organizations, living history and military reenactors whose mission includes preserving, educating, interpreting and/or providing outreach about New Jersey's history! AUGUST 16th is the deadline to register for the 2019 - ONLY 2 WEEKS LEFT! Have you signed up to participate? If not there is still time to be a part of this amazing, one-of-a-kind, state-wide event. Registering is easy to do online and it's FREE to participate: https://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/historic/centennial/vendorform.htm! Don't miss this opportunity to reach a broad audience and tell them about the good work you do. Come do your part to help educate the public about the significant role our state plays in the nation's story. Over 115 exhibitors are registered. Is your group on the list (https://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/historic/centennial/hf-exhibitor-list.htm)? If not, there is still time to be included! DON’T GET LEFT OUT! If you want to participate make sure to get that registration form completed by the deadline! We do hope you consider joining as exhibitor but if you can't participate, make sure to attend with your family and friends. Please continue spreading the word to help make this our best attended fair to date!