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Historic Speedwell | Morristown, New Jersey
Historic Speedwell Historic Speedwell is a beautiful 7.5-acre park that includes the former Ironworks and Village, in historic Morristown, NJ. This is the place where the first electric telegraph was demonstrated. Before the Internet, before television, before radio, and even before the telephone – the telegraph eventually allowed a way to almost instantly transmit messages across the country and even overseas. This is one of the most critical inventions – ever! Stephen Vail was the proprietor of the Speedwell Ironworks. Stephen Vail’s son, Alfred, helped Samuel Morse perfect the telegraph. Alfred Vail and Morse also developed the Morse Code. The village included…
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Pine Creek Railroad at Allaire State Park | Wall Township/Farmingdale, New Jersey
The Pine Creek Railroad The Pine Creek Railroad at Allaire State Park in Farmingdale/Wall Township is one of the oldest continually operating narrow gauge steam preservation railway exhibits in the country. All are welcome to take a trip! All Aboard!!! For more about the Pine Creek Railroad, click here. You can read more about Allaire Village here. You can also check out my posts about The Chapel at Allaire Village, Historic Allaire Village, and Yurts At Allaire State Park. Thanks for visiting New Jersey Memories!
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The Historic Village at Allaire | Wall Township/Farmingdale, New Jersey
The Historic Village At Allaire In last week’s post, I showed you the pretty little chapel at The Historic Village at Allaire, the historic town in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Workers at the Howell Iron Works lived in this self-contained little village. Allaire Village is a peaceful and beautiful little place and a wonderful day trip for the whole family. On the weekends there are docents in period costumes to tell you all about the village, and you can take a trip on the Pine Creek Railroad! You may also check out The Pink Creek Railroad At Allaire State Park. Thanks for visiting New Jersey Memories!
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The Chapel At The Historic Village at Allaire | Wall Township/Farmingdale, New Jersey
The Unusual Chapel At The Historic Village of Allaire The Historic Village at Allaire is a historic bog iron town located in Allaire State Park in Monmouth County, New Jersey. James P. Allaire created the village to house his workers at Howell Iron works from the 1860’s to the 1840’s. The village was a place where the workers never had to leave to live a whole life within the village. The beautiful and simple little chapel is the most famous building in the village. The church is unusual because the bell tower was placed in the back of the church instead of in the front. …
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Can The Atwood-Blauvelt Mansion Be Saved? (2012)| Oradell, New Jersey
The Atwood-Blauvelt Mansion The Atwood-Blauvelt Mansion located on Kinderkamack Road in lovely Oradell, New Jersey, was originally built in 1897. The manse is interesting because it was a fine example of shingle-style architecture. The original owner was Kimball Chase Atwood, and the second owner was Elmer Blauvelt who bought the home in 1926. The property also includes the former carriage house, which has housed the Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum and Foundation, since 1957 (seen on the right of the last of the above photos.) This small museum is a fascinating one, devoted to wildlife art and displays. It is free and open to the public. It is well worth a…
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Grover Cleveland Birthplace | Caldwell, New Jersey
Grover Cleveland Was The 22nd And 24th President Of The United States He was the only President to serve two non-consecutive terms. Cleveland was born in Caldwell, New Jersey, where his father as the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. The family moved away when the future president was four years old. His birthplace is a historic landmark in Caldwell. Visitors are not allowed to take photographs inside the home most of the time, but I took some outside photos of the home dressed up for the holidays! The home is open year-round from Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free. Always call ahead to…
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Sea Bright Rising
Sea Bright Was Hit Hard This small New Jersey shore town was especially hard hit by Hurricane Sandy. Teenager Charlotte Nagy heard about the upcoming storm and decided to make a documentary about the town before, during, and after the storm. The section of the video before the storm is especially poignant since some parts of the town will never be the same. A YouTube Sensation After uploaded the video to YouTube it became a sensation! She used music from the rock group Train and lead singer Pat Monahan saw the video and wanted to help. The band will come to Sea Bright and give an acoustic performance for…
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The Historic Dey Mansion Washington’s Headquarters (2012) | Wayne, New Jersey
The Dey Mansion The Dey Mansion in Wayne, New Jersey, was the temporary headquarters for George Washington during the Revolutionary War. This historic home is now part of the Passaic County Park System. George Washington wrote over 300 letters in the front room (which served as his office). George Washington also slept here! (George slept all over New Jersey!) Further Reading And Viewing Here is a great video about the Dey Mansion: To read about another place where George Washington stayed: Henry Doremus House | Montville, New Jersey and you can also read about the invention of the telegraph: Historic Speedwell | Morristown, New Jersey. Thanks for visiting New Jersey…
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Fort Hancock at Sandy Hook
Fort Hancock At Sandy Hook Fort Hancock in Sandy Hook was a military fort that operated from 1895 until 1974. The fort played an important part in defending New York harbor and New Jersey, especially during World War II and the Cold War. The fort is on the Sandy Hook Bay side of the barrier spit of Sandy Hook, surrounding the iconic Sandy Hook Lighthouse. The next photo is the chapel: The former movie theater, which is now a theater for stage shows: Officers’ quarters: History House, a restored house on Officer Row: The Mortar Battery: The Battery Potter, the nation’s first disappearing gun battery: To…
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Sandy Hook Lighthouse | Highlands, New Jersey
Sandy Hook Sandy Hook is at the very beginning of the New Jersey shore. It is a barrier spit extending out into the Atlantic Ocean. On one side is Sandy Hook Bay, and on the other side is the Atlantic Ocean. New York City is visible in the distance. Sandy Hook Lighthouse is the oldest operating lighthouse in the United States. It was first lighted in 1764. The lighthouse was outfitted with a Fresnel lens in the 1800’s. There are splendid views in every direction from the top of the lighthouse. On one side is Fort Hancock, a former United States Army Fort which was…
