SPECIAL EVENTS & PROGRAMMING
UPCOMING EVENTS
18th CENTURY CHOCOLATE AT ROCKINGHAM
Sunday, April 6th, 2025
1:30 p.m.
When you had chocolate in the 1700s, first, you had to be a person of means, and second, you most likely drank it. While there were a few recipes for chocolate biscuits or pudding (and wine!), chocolate was primarily consumed as a hot beverage. George and Martha Washington enjoyed the drink and orders of chocolate for their household were from 1 to 50 pounds at a time.
On Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., Susan Plaisted of Heart to Hearth Cookery returns to the Rockingham barn to present a program on “CHOCOLATE! in the 18th Century.” During the program, she will use a heated metate (or mealing stone) to process the cacao beans, with participants helping to create their own “cake” (a little soft chunk of chocolate). Making hot chocolate will be the end result and there will be tastings! A PowerPoint program and a display of chocolate-related items will also be included. Attendance at this program will be limited and REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED by calling the site, 609-683-7132.
The event is free, but donations to Rockingham are always welcome! The event is sponsored by The Rockingham Association and NJ State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites. The Museum Store will be open before and after the program.
GEORGE & MARTHA WASHINGTON: A LOVE STORY
Sunday, June 1st, 2025
2:00 p.m.
Details to come.
PAST EVENTS
A TOAST TO GENERAL WASHINGTON’S 293RD!
Saturday, February 22th, 2025
The Washington Birthday trivia tours returned to Rockingham for the first time in six years! George Washington, retired Continental Army Commander in Chief and First President of the United States, was celebrated at Rockingham on Saturday, February 22, 2025, with tours commemorating his 293rd birthday. While Washington was only present in spirit (and in the form of our wonderful life-sized mannequin on the second floor), visitors learned about his life and times, before, during and after his famous careers.
PRESERVE OR PERISH: 18TH-CENTURY FOOD PRESERVATION AT ROCKINGHAM
There was no refrigeration in the 18th century, no supermarkets with food flown in from around the world—most people are aware of that. But how did the colonists and early Federalists ensure that there was food in the winter for themselves and their families when most things did not and could not grow (especially in a time of a little ice age)?
Susan Plaisted of Heart to Hearth Cookery returns (cheesemaking and ice cream programs) to the Rockingham barn to present “Preserve or Perish: 18th-Century Food Preservation.” Techniques for food preservation were discussed and presented via actual preserved products, with limited hands on, and augmented with Power Point pictures.
Matthew Dodd returned to Rockingham to present “Songs and Stories of the American Revolution.” Matt last presented this rousingly enjoyable program at Rockingham in 2016. Dressed in Colonial garb, before a set of a colonial tavern, Matthew took audiences back in time to the days of the American Colonial settlement and the American Revolution. Using rousing period songs and stories that put the songs into the context of the time, Matthew brought to life the exciting Days of 1776.
FROM COW TO CHEESE -- THE 18TH-CENTURY WHEY!
Susan McLellan Plaisted, Proprietress of Heart to Hearth Cookery presented “From Cow to Cheese: The 18th-Century Whey”. Susan showed the process of cheesemaking from rennet to cheese by making an actual fresh cheese, displaying her 18th-century cheesemaking equipment, and augmenting the program with selected slides of her preparing cheese with 5 to 8 gallons of fresh cow's milk.
Saturday, November 20th, 2021
The Rockingham Association presented The Practitioners of Musick in a virtual program entitled “Nothing More Agreeable - Music in the Washington Family”. A recording of this program can be found on YouTube.
Recent events have also included:
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a workshop "From Fleece to Wool and Flax to Linen", explaining harvesting, preparing and spinning sheep's wool and flax in the 18th century; attendees were given the chance to card wool and spin yarn on a drop spindle.
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a celebration of George Washington's birthday. Director Lisa Flick designed an afternoon of special Washington themed tours and trivia questions for which visitors--adult and children alike--could win prizes. Special birthday tri-corner hats, Washington cake and punch were provided to all those who attended.
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"Anatomy of a Death: Death and Dying in the 18th Century" - Volunteer actors re-enacted the activities which occurred after a death in the colonial period. Participants then followed a trail along the Delaware and Raritan Canal to the Kingston Presbyterian Church Cemetery for a tour of the gravestones there.
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entertainment by The Practitioners of Musick with English flute and harpsichord.
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reenactments of the Berrien family and Revolutionary War artillery units
Please check the website regularly for announcements of future events and programs.
OUTREACH PROGRAMS
History to Go!
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The Children's Museum at Rockingham sponsors an outreach history project: History to Go!. This program is an opportunity for your groups to prepare to come to Rockingham, or to have Rockingham come to them! This program enables groups to see and use some of the most popular items from our Children's Museum in the convenience of their own classroom, living room or civic center.
How did this program begin?
Rockingham, with the support of the New Jersey State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, realized that many people of all walks are interested in learning about American History. The most effective way of teaching is a "hands-on" approach where one can touch items, play games, and try on clothing from Colonial times. Rockingham wanted a program that would be available to all, regardless of their ability to come to our historic site.
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Who can use this program?
Anyone who wants to learn! Classroom groups that are planning to come to Rockingham while studying the Revolutionary War may use History to Go! In preparation for their visit. Other schools who are unable to come to Rockingham may want to use this project to supplement textbook explanations of the Colonial period. Scout troops, church groups, community centers, clubs, families, or home school organizations and all interested parties are encouraged to contact the site office for further information.
What is included in the project?
The basic program consists of lesson plans, recipes, children's period-style clothing pieces, accessories, hats, personal items, games, books and craft projects all housed in three baskets. Extra quill pens with ink can be requested (must be ordered in advance) for an additional charge of $4.00 each.
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What is the fee for?
There is a $35 fee for this program, to be paid at the time the baskets are picked up.
To Reserve the Program:
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Call the Office (609) 683-7132 when the site is open to arrange a time to see the baskets and contents. We will help you to tailor the program to the needs of your group!
Or write:
Rockingham State Historic Site
P.O. Box 496
Kingston, NJ 08528
This program was made possible by a generous donation of the New Jersey State Society of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Children of the American Revolution, Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission, and Forbes Newspapers.