An Afternoon of Colonial Music, March 10th, 2-4 pm
Music and dance played an integral role in colonial era life. Ballads relayed stories of love, bravery, and ordinary life. Dance was a way to socialize. Drum calls and fife tunes served an important military role. Come enjoy the program, tour the fully furnished c 1740 house, and stop in at the Frazee Kitchen where our cooks will be demonstrating 18th century open-hearth cooking using authentic early American techniques and recipes. Admission is $5 ages 13 and older; $4 ages 3-12 and free under age 3. No reservations are necessary.
Sheep to Shawl Festival, Saturday, April 13th, 1-4 pm. RAIN OR SHINE
It’s spring, and the sheep are due for their haircuts! The process of sheep shearing will be performed by a master shearer, using hand shears as was done in early America. Museum docents in period costume will also be demonstrating wool-related period crafts including carding, spinning, weaving, and knitting. 18th century farm tasks such as wash day and soap making will also be demonstrated and our cooks will showcase eighteenth-century colonial cuisine over an open hearth. Children can enjoy story time and a craft. Admission is $5 ages 13 and older; $4 ages 3-12 and free age 2 and younger. No reservations are necessary.
Broom Making in Early America, April 28th, 2-4 pm
Did you know that the inventory for the Miller-Cory House from 1802 includes 31 brooms? Brooms could be made by the broom maker, or a simpler version could be made by the homeowner. Learn how brooms were made from the garden to the finished product and see some examples of colonial brooms. The fully furnished c1740 farmhouse will also be open for viewing and our cooks will be demonstrating 18th century open-hearth cooking. Admission is $5.00 for adults and children 13 and older, $4.00 for children ages 3 to 12 and free under age 3. No reservations necessary.
2024 Most Endangered List- May 4th, 10:00 AM -2:00 PM
Preservation NJ will host the announcement and networking activities on Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 10:00am – 2:00pm at the Miller Cory House in Westfield, NJ.
PNJ will be joined by the advocates for this year’s endangered historic places to support New Jersey’s threatened cultural and architectural heritage. The 10 Most Endangered Historic Places program spotlights irreplaceable historic, architectural, cultural, and archeological resources in New Jersey that are in imminent danger of being lost. The act of listing these resources acknowledges their importance to the heritage of New Jersey and draws attention to the predicaments that endanger their survival and the survival of historic resources statewide. The list, generated from nominations by the public, aims to attract new perspectives and ideas to sites in desperate need of creative solutions.
Child’s Play on the Farm: Old-time Toys and Games, May 5th, 2-4 pm
Did children in rural colonial New Jersey have time to play? Their first job was working hard alongside their families with the many tasks required of daily life on a farm. Still, they managed to find time in between chores to play and most houses had a few toys. Bring your children (or your own inner child) and join us at the historic c.1740 Miller-Cory House Museum as we demonstrate and play some old-fashioned games and showcase some interesting colonial-era toys. Our cooks will also be busy cooking over our open-hearth using period recipes and techniques. Admission is $5 ages 13 and older; $4 ages 3-12 and free age 2 and younger. No reservations are necessary.
Lenape Lore with Story time & a Craft, May 19th, 2-4 pm
Join us for a special program highlighting the earliest inhabitants of New Jersey, the Lenape Indians. Various aspects of everyday life such as beliefs, families, home, food, clothing, medicine, and games will be presented. Storytelling was an integral part of Lenape society. Not only was it a way to pass along wisdom and cultural practices to the next generation, it also fostered a sense of community. The fully furnished c1740 farmhouse will also be open for viewing and our cooks will be demonstrating 18th century open-hearth cooking. Admission is $5 ages 13 and older; $4 ages 3-12 and free age 2 and younger. No reservations are necessary.
Please ask about our weekday tours for groups and school programs. Phone: 908-232-1776 Email: millercorymuseum@gmail.com
Open select Sundays fall through spring, we are located in at 614 Mountain Avenue, Westfield, NJ 07090
Located in Westfield, New Jersey, the mission of the Miller-Cory House Museum is to keep early American history alive through re-creating and interpreting the activities of daily life on a farm in the period 1740-1820. Our goals are to teach, provide understanding, stimulate curiosity, and encourage lasting interest in the time period. We are open September through May.