Watchung History Comes to Life With Museum Opening, War Reanactment, Concert

The opening of the Watchung Texier House Museum on Saturday will kick off Watchung History Day, which will also include a Civil War reenactment and a concert at the Watchung Arts Center.

The museum, which is located at 10 Mountain Blvd., illustrates many parts of Watchung history, including Moldenke's Elsinore Castle, local sports champions, Congressman Charles A. Eaton, ice cutting at Watchung and Best lakes, antique farm tools and other items.

The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m.

The Watchung Fire Department will have a 1949 Mack fire engine on display and a 1950's vintage ice cream truck will serve treats. Admission is free.

The Watchung Historical Committee will also hold a Civil War encampment on the Village Green.

"The Reenactor/Living history organization, the 3rd New Jersey Volunteer infantry, will encamp and portray an 1863 'post Gettysburg' recruiting encampment where 'Company A' has returned, tired and depleted, to their native state to recruit, rest and refit," according to a release from the historical committee.

Children under the age of 10 can win prizes for reciting the entire "Gettysburg Address" and a "drill" with wooden muskets for kids.

"The kind and gentle Sergeants of the 3rd NJ will, within a 10 minute time span, turn the children into trained marching 'soldiers' for 'Uncle Abe' Lincoln," the release states.

Teachers and scout leaders can obtain a list of possible questions to ask the soldiers to help earn extra credit assignments or merit badges by contacting Susan Tucker at tuckre@aol.com.

The day will be capped with a performance by musician/historian David Kincaid at the Watchung Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Kincaid will perform songs and present history of the Irish in the Civil War.  

There are 100 seats available for the concert. To purchase tickets, visit the arts center website.

For more information on Watchung History Day, contact Susan Tucker of the Watchung Historical Committee at 908-432-1388.