Barclay Farmstead Museum

      Wednesday, September 11, 2024: Back in the 1990s, I had visited the following place during a Christmas event: Barclay Farmstead Museum, 209 Barclay Lane, Cherry Hill (Camden County), New Jersey (856-795-6265). On Wednesdays and on first Sundays of the month, this 1816 farmhouse has been opened to the public for tours. During my last visit, I didn’t tour the house, but this time I did. Our very informative guide told us about the history of this house and about the families who lived there through the years from the 1816 Thorn Family to later private owners up into the 20th century. In 1974, the Township of Cherry Hill acquired this house and property. Anyway, on two floors, I noticed that the rooms, except for an upstairs bedroom, looked the way it might have looked in 1816. The Thorns were Quakers and the interiors reflected their simple tastes. As for that upstairs bedroom, that was the exception, another owner bought the house in the later—1800s, and he had the house furnished in Victorian-Gothic. Therefore, that one bedroom included most of the furniture and items he owned. In the rest of this house, many of the furniture and items were either from the 1810s, or the restorers displayed reproductions of that decade. Our guide also told us, via the furniture and items in the house, the origin of such terms as “sleep tight,” “toaster,” “gridiron,” and so forth. Overall, I learned a lot more about this house than I did during the last visit. Meanwhile, the special events held throughout the year, especially near Christmas, have been worth attending. In addition to this house, I glanced at other farm outbuildings: a springhouse, a barn, and a corn crib, as well as other sights on this 32-acre property: a kitchen garden, a community garden, some nature trails, a playground, a picnic area, etc. If you are in Cherry Hill, NJ, stop by and see one of the oldest places in this township opened to the public!  

Camden County Farmers' Market

     Thursday, August 15, 2024: Last year, I visited the Burlington County (New Jersey) Farmers’ Market and I wrote about it in my blog (September 9, 2023). This year, the Camden County, NJ, Commission decided to start a farmers’ market: Camden County Farmers’ Market, 508 Lakeland Road, Blackwood (856-225-5576). While I didn’t expect it to be anywhere near as large as the farmers’ market in Burlington County, I also didn’t expect it to be a “work in progress” either. First, the county commission held the market on a weekday (Thursdays in July and August from about 3 PM to 7 PM), and second, they had it in the middle or late afternoon. This was usually the time of day when the worst weather happened. I missed going there twice because of weather issues: super-hot one week and excessive rain the next week! (Thus, I wondered whose idea it was to have the farmers’ market on that day and time.) When I arrived, I saw only one vendor, and he was with one of the sponsors of this market. Therefore, he told me that they sometimes have as many as a half dozen vendors, but on the date above, it felt more like a farmer’s market instead of a farmers’ market. He then informed me that other vendors who had been there sold produce, jarred foods, honey, and so forth. Anyway, this vendor sold some very fresh-looking and colorful produce, and I bought some of it. Nevertheless, if you happen to be in or near Blackwood, NJ, on a Thursday afternoon in July or August in decent weather, a stop here will be worthwhile.         

Burlington County Farm Fair

      Thursday, July 18, 2024: After being a bit disappointed to learn that Camden County, New Jersey, wasn’t going to have a county fair for 2024, I decided to go to the Burlington County Farm Fair, 1960 Jacksonville-Jobstown Road, Columbus, NJ (609-784-8389). (It was located in the same place as the NJ Renaissance Faire back in May.) Anyway, back in 2012, I had been to the Warren County, NJ, Farmers’ Fair, and I was aware that their fair had been voted a few times as the best county fair in NJ. Therefore, I didn’t try comparing Burlington County’s Fair to it. Nevertheless, I did enjoy my few hours in Burlington County’s fair, and yes, it was smaller than Warren County’s Fair, but I would recommend seeing Burlington County’s fair—once. Of course, if you have been the kind of person who enjoyed nighttime entertainment at these kinds of fairs such as rodeos, musical events, amusement rides, and so forth, as well as seeing exhibits, you could easily have spent the whole day here. I mainly attended to see the many exhibits in different tents, and outside I saw a tractor parade and a wood carver carve decoy ducks. Inside the tents, I noticed many exhibits of animals: cows, goats, and sheep, as well as rabbits, alpacas, chickens, and a few other critters. Other tents displayed plants, produce, eggs, crafts—especially quilts, artworks, and other items too numerous to mention. I also observed that many of these exhibits of animals, plants, and other things had been the work of the local 4H Club and the Future Farmers of America. Meanwhile, the fair provided plenty of activities for children as well. Finally, to round out the fair, many vendors sold a plethora of merchandise, other vendors sold food, and I glanced at groups promoting their causes. If nothing else, I got entertained and educated at the same time!   

Downtown Haddonfield

     Tuesday, June 25, 2024: It was un-Christmas day, and I decided to celebrate by spending a few hours in Downtown Haddonfield, Camden County, New Jersey. (June 25th is exactly six months after the previous Xmas and six months away from the next Xmas. I can’t stand those “Xmas in July” sales and TV specials. I guess some people can’t read a calendar.) Once I arrived in town, I noticed that scaffolding covered the Indian King Tavern, the most historic place in town. (I wrote about it in an earlier blog entry.) Nevertheless, the staff kept the building opened for tours. Because I have been there several times in the past, and it was lunchtime, I headed to the British Chip Shop, 146 Kings Highway East (856-364-0204). Opened six days a week, the public could experience a touch of the United Kingdom by eating British and some American foods while watching overseas sports on a big video screen, especially international football (what Americans call soccer). Different UK-themed pictures on the walls added to the atmosphere, and the service was efficient. Meanwhile, the food was very good, and the prices were moderate. This place could definitely dispel the myth of British food being lousy. Afterward, I walked around Haddonfield’s quaint-looking main street, Kings Highway, and browsed at the shops with its plethora of merchandise & food stores as well as other restaurants and a statue of Haddy the dinosaur. (In the 1800s, paleologists found many dinosaur bones nearby.) My favorite store was closed that day, but I’ve been to it many times before: the English Gardener Gift Shop, right across the street from the British Chip Shop. In the last several years, I have bought their imported British Xmas (plum) puddings and mincemeat pies during the holiday season. In addition to themed gifts and foods for certain holidays, this store sold a large amount of edible and non-edible items imported from the UK. For more shopping, there has been a Saturday morning farmers’ market in the warm weather, and Haddonfield plays host to special events throughout the year with its share of vendors!        

New Jersey Renaissance Faire

        Sunday, May 19, 2024: I have been to renaissance fairs in Pennsylvania and New York, but this was my first time visiting the New Jersey Renaissance Faire, 1990 Jacksonville-Jobstown Road, Columbus (Burlington County) (888-864-8222). I’m glad that I arrived early because I did get to park closer to the main gate. Nevertheless, I still had to walk a bit to get to that gate. (Wear your most comfortable shoes.) Along the way, a few musicians sang. Nevertheless, it wasn’t so good when they sang too close to the ticket office, and I had trouble hearing what the ticket seller was saying to me! By the way, if you wanted a receipt for you ticket and you didn’t have a smart phone, you had to give your email to the ticket seller and he or she would send the receipt by way to your computer. (You mean they can’t write up a receipt?) Once I entered the gate, I learned that they didn’t sell maps of the grounds, let alone give maps. (I’m sure they could afford to print some and even sell them for a reasonable charge. If you don’t have a smart phone, try to print a copy or two from their website) Instead, certain areas of the fair displayed marquee signs of the fair grounds and the entertainment schedule. In addition, almost everything was in the sun, except for a few eating and performing pavilions. (Bring an umbrella or wear some sunblock lotion.) Despite these short comings, I did enjoy what I saw: several vendors selling food & drinks, clothing, games, and gifts. The fair provided six stages and different kinds of outside entertainment in the form of music, comedy, and circus acts, as well as jousting, a human chess game, and archery. I also noticed axe throwing and animal displays: a steer pretending to be a cow and a horse with a unicorn horn on it as well as falcons and hawks. Other activities included a few craft people showing how they made their artworks, children’s games, and wearing costumes. Meanwhile, the staff wore a chainmail butterfly pin so that the public could tell them from the others wearing costumes. A few of those costumes looked like clothing worn in the 1500s, but many people wore fantasy costumes, especially a lot of people dressed as fairies. In the afternoon, the fair had a costume contest. Overall, I did enjoy my time here browsing at the vendors’ tents and seeing some of the entertainment, but I thought there were more things to see and do at the PA and NY ren fairs. On the other hand, it was worth visiting--once. (Be warned: You will hear plenty of fake British accents.)                   

Washington Crossing, PA

      Thursday, April 26, 2024: I have been to this place a few times before: Washington Crossing Historic Park, 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing (Bucks County), Pennsylvania (215-493-4076). Then, back in 2022, I visited and wrote about the New Jersey side: Washington Crossing State Park (Mercer County, NJ), in my blog. Nevertheless, I have never written about my past visits on the PA side until the date above. Of course, some very important historical events happened here: During the American Revolutionary War, George Washington and his troops crossed from here to NJ on Christmas night in 1776. This event became known as the “Ten Crucial Days” from the 25th of December, 1776, to the 3rd of January, 1777. It gave Washington and his troops three very much needed victories during those days. I learned about this and more at the Visitors’ Center. Inside, I glanced at the gift shop, and I looked at the exhibits in a small museum. Then, I saw a video presentation that gave more details about those times. Once outside, as I noticed the peaceful, natural setting (except for the busy traffic on some nearby roads), I realized most people would never know that at one time, troops prepared for battle here if it wasn’t for the signs and the Visitors’ Center. Many of the quaint buildings that I could see close by, other people built between 1817 to 1830—long after Washington’s time. One building from Washington’s time, McConkey’s Ferry Inn, was where Washington and his aids ate at before the crossing (and is in the picture above). When this inn was opened during an earlier visit, I viewed a display of an 18th-century kitchen. Another place I saw was the barn where replicas of the Durham boats that Washington used to cross the river were on display. Nowadays, those boats are used on Christmas Day (weather allowing) for a re-enactment of the crossing. Meanwhile, between learning the history around here and observing the flora & fauna surrounding the area, this place could keep me interested for most of the day! 

Haycock Township, PA

     Saturday, December 2, 2023: This trip became a bit of a personal trip for me because my mother was born in Haycock Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in 1925. I wouldn’t give the exact address because since 1937, different people have lived here through the years. According to my mother and her siblings, when they lived there in the 1920s and ‘30s, the house was a two-story log cabin with a tin roof and a root cellar, and the grounds contained about 20 acres. A few times in the 1960s, my parents would drive by this location, and my mother pointed out the house, which by the 1960s had changed a lot. Recently, using the views on Google Earth as a reference, we drove by this place first on the date above, and we noticed even more changes. Then we headed to our first destination: Raven’s Nest Tavern, 625 Old Bethlehem Road, Haycock (or it is listed as Quakertown because Haycock Township uses the Quakertown Post Office), (215-536-5369). In this place that dated from the 1700s, I ate a reasonably priced lunch, and the staff seemed friendly and efficient. Afterward, we stopped at Lake Towhee Park, 800 Old Bethlehem Road (215-757-0571). This Bucks County park offered chances to go boating, fishing, and hiking, as well as a playground for children, a ballfield, and a picnicking area. Finally, I stopped at an event run by the Haycock Historical Society: Kringle Christmas Shoppe at the Haycock Community Center, 1014 Old Bethlehem Road. This has been the 20th year that the Historical Society played host to this event during the first weekend in December where I saw plenty of vendors selling different merchandise in arts & crafts, clothing, jewelry, holiday decorations, books, edible stuff, and other things. Overall, this made for a pleasant day, and it was not far from Quakertown and the Quakertown Farmers’ Market!