2015 Events
Nineteenth Annual Tree Lighting
Friday, December 11, 2015
6:30 p.m.
The Historical Society of Plainfield invites one and all to the Nineteenth Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 11th. Please join us for this festive evening of Christmas caroling, gift giving, and refreshments. A Gingerbread House will once again be generously awarded to one lucky family.
Children are encouraged to participate as Santa will be making a surprise visit, with a gift for every child. In addition to the large Christmas tree in the ballroom, there will be three decorated theme trees in the period rooms of the Museum.
This program is free to the public.
Please note: Due to space limitations and safety concerns we are unable to provide space for baby strollers or carriages.
6:30 p.m.
The Historical Society of Plainfield invites one and all to the Nineteenth Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 11th. Please join us for this festive evening of Christmas caroling, gift giving, and refreshments. A Gingerbread House will once again be generously awarded to one lucky family.
Children are encouraged to participate as Santa will be making a surprise visit, with a gift for every child. In addition to the large Christmas tree in the ballroom, there will be three decorated theme trees in the period rooms of the Museum.
This program is free to the public.
Please note: Due to space limitations and safety concerns we are unable to provide space for baby strollers or carriages.
Christmas and Midwinter Stories
Saturday, November 29, 2015
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Presensted by David Emerson of History on the Hoof
Anecdotes about the origins of holiday customs, the Victorian "invention" of modern Christmas, the popularity of the Christmas tree, and traditional tales about "the most wonderful time of the year" are among the topics presented by David in an hour of holiday storytelling.
This history program is made possible in part by a HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) grant from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Presensted by David Emerson of History on the Hoof
Anecdotes about the origins of holiday customs, the Victorian "invention" of modern Christmas, the popularity of the Christmas tree, and traditional tales about "the most wonderful time of the year" are among the topics presented by David in an hour of holiday storytelling.
This history program is made possible in part by a HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) grant from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Fall 2015 Booster T-Shirt Campaign
Fall Booster T-Shirt campaign page is now live, the new t-shirts will be available through mid-October, to coincide with Union County's Four Centuries In A Weekend celebration.
The American Apparel Jersey T-shirts come in a range of sizes (YS - XXXL) and cost $22.00. Shirts are delivered about 2 weeks after the campaign closes. |
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2015 Four Centuries In A Weekend
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The Drake House Museum will be one of the stops included in Union County’s Four Centuries in a Weekend celebration, which offers a journey through Union County’s history, featuring historic houses, museums and sites throughout the County.
We also invite you to the Drake House Museum on Sunday, October 18th, for a dramatic presentation by interpreter, museum educator, and historian Stacy F. Roth: “Over Here, Molly Pitcher.” Ms. Roth highlights the lives of women who accompanied the Continental Army during the American Revolution. |
This history program is made possible in part by a HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Saturday, October 17, 2015
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Noon – 5:00 pm
Saturday, October 17, 2015
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Noon – 5:00 pm
2015 Passport
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2015 Insert
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2015 Booklet
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The Historical Society and Crescent Concerts
Photo courtesy the Solid Brass ensemble
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Promotional video courtesy the Solid Brass ensemble
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The Historical Society of Plainfield continues their collaboration with Crescent Concerts. On Sunday, October 11, 2015, at 3 PM., the program entitled "A Sonic Spectacular" will be taking place at the Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church. The performance will include arrangements of classical and popular music.
Founded in 1982, Solid Brass is recognized by audiences and critics alike as one of the premier brass groups in the country. The members of the ensemble are some of the New York area’s finest musicians who have performed at Lincoln Center with the Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera orchestras, NY City Ballet orchestra, numerous Broadway Shows, and a host of appearances as orchestral and chamber musicians in the metropolitan area.
Ticket prices are: General Admission $20.00; Seniors $15.00; Student $5.00.
Tickets are available for purchase from the Historical Society Board of Trustees through October 4, 2015, at 602 West Front Street Plainfield, NJ 07060, (908) 755-5831. A portion of the proceeds of tickets purchased through the Historical Society will benefit the Drake House Museum and Society's mission.
Founded in 1982, Solid Brass is recognized by audiences and critics alike as one of the premier brass groups in the country. The members of the ensemble are some of the New York area’s finest musicians who have performed at Lincoln Center with the Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera orchestras, NY City Ballet orchestra, numerous Broadway Shows, and a host of appearances as orchestral and chamber musicians in the metropolitan area.
Ticket prices are: General Admission $20.00; Seniors $15.00; Student $5.00.
Tickets are available for purchase from the Historical Society Board of Trustees through October 4, 2015, at 602 West Front Street Plainfield, NJ 07060, (908) 755-5831. A portion of the proceeds of tickets purchased through the Historical Society will benefit the Drake House Museum and Society's mission.
September Soirée
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Sunday, September 20, 2015
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. At the home of Rebecca Perkins 1788 Fernwood Lane RSVP by September 15, 2015 Supporter - $75 Patron - $125 Benefactor - $250 |
You're Invited! Please join the Historical Society of Plainfield for an evening of cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and music. To benefit the preservation of the Drake House Museum. Featuring a musical interlude with renowned pianist Ernie Scott. (Flyer PDF)
Colorful Seasons - Photography Exhibit by Dorothy F. Bellew
On Sunday, September 13, 2015, 2:00-4:00 PM, the Historical Society of Plainfield will host a lecture, "How to Compose a Better Picture," by Ms. Dorothy F. Bellew. Ms Bellew's photography exhibit, "Colorful Seasons," will be on display in the second floor ballroom of the museum through the end of September.
Ms. Bellew a graduate of Mount Saint Mary’s Academy earned a BA from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. In 2007, she began showing her Photographic Fine Art at outdoor Art Shows in New Jersey and Virginia. Ms. Bellew opened her Dancing Iris Photography Fine Art Gallery in South Plainfield in February 2015, and has displayed her work at the South Plainfield Library, Overlook Hospital and the Mulberry House tea room in Westfield.
Ms. Bellew a graduate of Mount Saint Mary’s Academy earned a BA from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. In 2007, she began showing her Photographic Fine Art at outdoor Art Shows in New Jersey and Virginia. Ms. Bellew opened her Dancing Iris Photography Fine Art Gallery in South Plainfield in February 2015, and has displayed her work at the South Plainfield Library, Overlook Hospital and the Mulberry House tea room in Westfield.
Par For The Course: Leighton Calkins
The Historical Society of Plainfield will celebrate the return of The Barclays to Plainfield Country Club with special evening hours at the Drake House Museum and a lecture, “Par for the Course – Leighton Calkins and Plainfield’s Contribution to Golf.” The lecture, given by Nancy Piwowar, president of the Historical Society of Plainfield, will be presented on Wednesday, August 26, 2015, at 7:30 p.m.
Additionally, the Drake House will be open from 7-9 p.m. from Tuesday, August 25 through Saturday, August 29, and from 2-4 p.m. (regular hours) on Sunday, August 30.
Leighton Calkins was the Mayor of Plainfield from 1915-1920. He is recognized as the creator of the handicap system used in golf today. Calkins designed the system in 1904 for Plainfield Country Club, where each hole still boasts a “Calkins tee.” Calkins was instrumental in building Plainfield’s City Hall.
“We’re delighted to welcome The Barclays back to Plainfield Country Club and celebrate Plainfield’s special connection to golf,” said Nancy Piwowar, president of the Historical Society of Plainfield. “We extend a special invitation to the Drake House to tournament spectators and to everyone in the area who is interested in the history of golf, as well as the unique history of Plainfield.”
Additionally, the Drake House will be open from 7-9 p.m. from Tuesday, August 25 through Saturday, August 29, and from 2-4 p.m. (regular hours) on Sunday, August 30.
Leighton Calkins was the Mayor of Plainfield from 1915-1920. He is recognized as the creator of the handicap system used in golf today. Calkins designed the system in 1904 for Plainfield Country Club, where each hole still boasts a “Calkins tee.” Calkins was instrumental in building Plainfield’s City Hall.
“We’re delighted to welcome The Barclays back to Plainfield Country Club and celebrate Plainfield’s special connection to golf,” said Nancy Piwowar, president of the Historical Society of Plainfield. “We extend a special invitation to the Drake House to tournament spectators and to everyone in the area who is interested in the history of golf, as well as the unique history of Plainfield.”
Crescent Concerts: All Creatures Great and Small
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church
3:00 PM
The Historical Society of Plainfield and Crescent Concerts are collaborating on the program entitled "All Creatures Great and Small". Music by Haydn, Mendelssohn, Copland, Rutter, and others! Tickets are available for purchase from the Historical Society Board of Trustees through May 12, 2015.
Ticket prices are:
General Admission: $20.00
Seniors: $15.00
Student: $5.00
For more information contact us at 755-5831.
Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church
3:00 PM
The Historical Society of Plainfield and Crescent Concerts are collaborating on the program entitled "All Creatures Great and Small". Music by Haydn, Mendelssohn, Copland, Rutter, and others! Tickets are available for purchase from the Historical Society Board of Trustees through May 12, 2015.
Ticket prices are:
General Admission: $20.00
Seniors: $15.00
Student: $5.00
For more information contact us at 755-5831.
2015 Arbor Day
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On Friday, April 24, 2015 the city of Plainfield observed Arbor Day at the Drake House Museum with a tree planting, and the designation of the specimen tree in acknowledgement of Plainfield's Tree City USA award.
The 2015 Specimen Tree is the Magnolia Acuminata of impressive size located in the backyard at 1322 Martine Avenue. Commonly known as "Cucumber Tree ", this Magnolia blooms in the late spring with 3 inch wide blooms and then drops many raspberry red, 1 inch cucumber shaped pods. The Shade Tree Commission is pleased that this handsome tree has weathered all of the storms of recent years and will continue to grace our city.
The Plainfield High School ROTC Color Guard and King's Daughter's Day School participated in the program.
Arbor Day Program (PDF).
The 2015 Specimen Tree is the Magnolia Acuminata of impressive size located in the backyard at 1322 Martine Avenue. Commonly known as "Cucumber Tree ", this Magnolia blooms in the late spring with 3 inch wide blooms and then drops many raspberry red, 1 inch cucumber shaped pods. The Shade Tree Commission is pleased that this handsome tree has weathered all of the storms of recent years and will continue to grace our city.
The Plainfield High School ROTC Color Guard and King's Daughter's Day School participated in the program.
Arbor Day Program (PDF).
Madame CJ Walker: A Self-Made Woman
Sunday, March 29, 2015
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
The Historical Society of Plainfield will host a special presentation, “Madame CJ Walker: A Self-Made Woman” by interpreter Dr. Daisy Century on Sunday, March 29, 2015, from 2-4PM, in the Second Floor Ballroom of the Drake House Museum.
Madame CJ Walker was an entrepreneur, a civil rights advocate, and America’s first woman self-made millionaire. She was a philanthropist and a financial supporter of Black Colleges and Universities.
Walker amassed her fortune through dedication, hard work, and innovation. She began with a small “Special Correspondence Course” business which was founded on her System of Beauty Culture. She focused on her “hair-growing” business, and in 1911 the Madame CJ Walker Manufacturing Company of Indiana was incorporated, and her business grew rapidly.
Dr. Daisy Century brings Madam CJ Walker to life through a thoroughly researched, dramatically intense portrayal. Dr. Century trained as a teacher, and earned a PHD in Science Education from Temple University.
This program is free and open to the public. The program is made possible by the American Historical Theater and is funded by the Horizons Speakers Bureau of the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Seating is on a first-come first-served basis.
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
The Historical Society of Plainfield will host a special presentation, “Madame CJ Walker: A Self-Made Woman” by interpreter Dr. Daisy Century on Sunday, March 29, 2015, from 2-4PM, in the Second Floor Ballroom of the Drake House Museum.
Madame CJ Walker was an entrepreneur, a civil rights advocate, and America’s first woman self-made millionaire. She was a philanthropist and a financial supporter of Black Colleges and Universities.
Walker amassed her fortune through dedication, hard work, and innovation. She began with a small “Special Correspondence Course” business which was founded on her System of Beauty Culture. She focused on her “hair-growing” business, and in 1911 the Madame CJ Walker Manufacturing Company of Indiana was incorporated, and her business grew rapidly.
Dr. Daisy Century brings Madam CJ Walker to life through a thoroughly researched, dramatically intense portrayal. Dr. Century trained as a teacher, and earned a PHD in Science Education from Temple University.
This program is free and open to the public. The program is made possible by the American Historical Theater and is funded by the Horizons Speakers Bureau of the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Seating is on a first-come first-served basis.