Yep. Okay. All right. Good. It's okay. Okay. Y You want to admit, right? Yes. Yes. So if they can hear us, see how exc we're we're waiting for Robin to uh
Robin to arrive. She's a couple minutes behind in weather. Okay. Yeah. Just give us uh give us probably about five minutes and we'll be we'll be rolling. Yeah. Thank you so much.
Hi guys. Can you hear us? Can you hear us? Yeah. Yes, we can. Okay. Okay, great. Um, Rob's on our way, but I thought we'd we'd at least get started and get rolling. Um there's a couple of
new folks that are here tonight. So we'll let them introduce themselves and uh we'll just go quickly around the room. I think for the for the sake of those joining on Zoom um I can let the folks know uh that you were here at the last meeting and we didn't uh get into
the meeting. Uh Robin's got the agenda and um so why don't we just we'll go around the room. Everyone can introduce themselves again and then we'll go into uh into our agenda and we'll get um we'll get through the
meeting. You want to start? Paul. Hi. Um some of you know me, my name is Paula. Um last name is Verski Sandal and I've been in the house since about um 2020
but we were really close then 2021 um as a trustee and also as a dosent so I normally get tours in the house. I also work with volunteers. I have several um I say uh young teenage girls
that have been training and I also was involved with the dose of training program that we recently did county and um I met two of those volunteers, two of the six that we just did in the house. So, I work with volunteers. I do the um
the tours and I also and then of course showing up at the events. And you get dressed? Yes, I wear the period outfit that I made and you know I enjoy doing that. I I like history so
that's sort of my image. Um I'm also a member of Outlaw's militia. So with them I go to events such as Black Mama and recently went to Massachusetts to be at the 250th anniversary of a woman. So that was really exciting because we had
thousand reenactors there and it was on the news and we had like a man on on a speaker like narrating the events and then a whole ton of um tents set up and it was so I'll go to things like that when I can outdoors and just do the same
thing. Dress up, I'll cook outside. Um yeah, Saturday. Great. Thanks. I'm Daryl Anderson. Some of you met me last week. For those of you who did not, I was um vice president of the friends prior to the new
commission. Um ultimately uh the president uh stepped down and um and now I am I am in uh interim president if you will and um been with the JH 10 plus years and more
uh involved in the on the facility side. But if I were to say um I would consider myself boots on the ground as far as whatever the function needs um volunteer work my hours a little bit difficult because I have a contracting business.
So on this early in the morning or into the night which is okay with me but um that's that really looking forward to the new commission and excited about the 250th and also uh taking JVA to the
next uh to the next level. My name is Norm Penny and I'm new here in Long Valley for 30 years. moved into the hills history land that attracted
your particular I'm assuming the treasure struggles and which investing is um everybody else in kind of history um and I'm looking forward to
participating in any direction. I'm Cynthia Cross and I'm on also um and I've been very active with them um a number of years and uh I just love the history of this area and I
can't wait to get involved with the Vander House because um it's it's just a great place and one of the remaining houses in the footprint from the girls and so it's super important and I really
love yes I am um been a trustee here at house since 2014 I do talk to a lot of school kids my history of revolution is quite extensive I've studied both sides of the work
member Williams artillery. I've been with them for 25 years. I've traveled all over the university in Pennsylvania and New York and elsewhere on reenactments in shows. I'm also pres uh chairman of the work historical
commission. I've been on that commission. I'm still currently chairman and uh I love working with kids. I've talked to over a thousand kids. that start to move in the in the past years of school
groups put on by myself and all that have have worked out really well. We got the kids here that 300 kids out of school at various fies and they walk away here impressed and uh I got many letters school themselves
to me school very important works there and she makes those days every year come here so it's nice to have you know thank My name is Marne Moreski. I live here in
the hills. I've been on Bister County Committee for seven years and I've been the BBH leazison to the committee. But I'm super excited to now be on the committee and more of a working part. Although I did whatever I could to help
these guys out, especially during the day um because I I work full-time job like a lot of people. Um, but this is going to be so much more exciting. I'm thrilled to be here and uh I'm glad all you guys are here too. My name is Lauren
here. I am scout leader scout leader. Um, but we would certainly like to partner more as with missions, landmarks, anything.
I'm apologize. I was late. I got stuck in that storm on two weeks. It was at a standstill. My name is Robin Ray. I'm a tent administrator. I'm just a transition. So well I guess if you don't mind if everybody on Zoom could just say a
couple words. Can you hear me? Sure. Do you want me to start or Yes, please. Okay. So my name is Paul Mureer. Uh I'm the current director of external affairs for the Mars Museum. Also president of Preservation New Jersey. Previously I was executive director of the Redmill
Museum Village for nine years. So looking to bring that experience to help complement all the things that you bring to the uh Jacob's Vander House and and working with you. U I do apologize I'm not in person. U Mayor Jacobs uh knows me because I'm also a mayor and we had a
tree down. My OEM coordinator called in DPW. It seems like the storm has subsided, but we're a small town so I stick local usually when storms start to uh to hit. So uh here happy to join via Zoom and uh look forward to a productive meeting.
Hi. Um, my name is Wendy Hickeyi and I am the uh chairperson of the Bedminster Township Historic Preservation Commission. I am so excited to also join the JVH group and I know that we have
wonderful things in store for our community. And I'm Steve Parker. I was on the uh township committee for nine years, mayor for six, and a longtime supporter of JBH. Great. Thank you so much. Thanks
everybody. Thanks to the new folks that are here. Um so, uh just to give you an update, just some housekeeping. I know, um Robin, there was a question about the donation from the Matthews family and a letter did go out in appreciation uh to
them directly. Um, and I'll check in with Leslie on that because she had asked me if that would if that did happen and I did follow up on that. Um, so do you want me just tell so everybody understands he the room that we have that's downstairs it's a like a library
room he donated that preach because he was the historian at the time and he recently passed away so he gave sizes donations. great very generous donation
and um through the transition there's there's some housekeeping that's coming out trying to get back to folks right away please get back to uh to the to the committee um any of
those questions with answers. So um please feel free um I will make sure that my cell number is on the email but please give me a call happy to meet in person or if you have questions you can email me or give me a call myself. So um
just to go right into the meeting um on the on the transition Craig Sunland um unfortunately cannot be here. He's on a family vacation, but I've spoken to him today and he is working on the transition of uh moving from the JBH
friends over to the town uh along with the banking. He is in uh he's in talks with an attorney. So, we're getting that all that whole process moved over and transferred over to uh over to the panel. So, he is working on that. um
next meeting he'll be able to give us an update on where where things been and um that just gives you an idea on that. He's uh he's working on those items. So that would be the the the banking end of
of things and also the grants and what we have and the status of those grants and how they're being you know secured for upcoming things. The trust fund account has been approved. So the funds it's we have set up a trust fund a dedicated trust at the
township which is separate from the township funds. It's strictly for um JVH and have to be approved by the state and it's been approved. So it's been set up just so everyone knows that is there's a barn project that we're working on and
then there's I'll just say general operating county. The barn project is restricted and can only be used for the barn. And as Robin said, just to make sure that account will be used strictly for the barn, the barn project. I think
since that's a bigger entity and we have some other things that are more pressing in our calendar, we will probably um maybe be working on that behind the scenes, but give everyone an update at the at the meetings when we do have our uh monthly meetings. So everyone has an
idea but to to get everyone involved this point as I said I think there's some more pressing things on the calendar that we need to address and make sure that they are taken care of and then in tandem we will um be working on the barn as well. So uh that's it as
far as the account is concerned uh or the accounts and the grants and next meeting Craig will give us an update. Um, so why don't we go right into Paula and and Rey may have some some uh some comments as well as far as the school
programs. Paula, I think we can wait and then speak to Robin either later on as far as those costs or what the costs are associated with that, but if you could just give everyone a tree top program, that'd be great. So, okay. usually have one in October
and we so the October one since I'm with has been a manual school and then last year we were also joined by school which is very small group um and then in the spring we have the bandare school which
is from some and then in the spring as well we have American Christian school so we have one private school and one public school for each just worked out that way we set up a date in October because um it's kind of on hold if I didn't do it.
But I did reach out this week and I do have the usual folks that can make it. It's just now at this late day trying to converge it so that they can make it the same same day. So the biggest issue is I haven't heard back from man school yet and I'm sure it's
because it's the summer and she has to probably ask the other teachers or whoever's in charge you know what what day. But historically we've always had it around same the same on this weekend journey. So, right out of the middle of October, I believe it was the 16th last year. This year, it would be the
15th. So, that's kind of the date I'm going to although I gave her several dates to choose from. When I eventually hear from her, I'm hoping she say she the others can make it as well. So, what we normally have is we have my um my friend come and he sets up outside and
he does that outside. And we have Noah, who his character's name is Ned, but his real name is Noah. and he portrays an African revolutionary soldier who fought on the side. And so he does a presentation for about 15 minutes to the whole group in the beginning and they
sit under the tent in chairs that we um the tent is provided by the town and so he'll give that presentation and then we split in the full amount of kids into groups and they go to stations. So the black station and another friend
demo. That's another station outside. Then we have the house in the kitchen. We have the sitting ladies in the kitchen. We have the lace ladies. I usually do the tour. Um since we're not going to be touring the upstairs, will probably just be the downstairs.
forget your tent your surrounding jobs and then it's very fun. I'm not explaining it very well but but he does that. So they rotate through the stations and gives us another couple hours and we end up going from about 9:30 to about 11 minutes.
So in the past we haven't charged for it just last which I don't think is reasonable being that I used to teach 13 years ago and at that time I was you know paying
for field trip um so you know it's gone up a little bit since so I don't think as you know asking $5 each is too much but with the clap goes to it does and the the lady um Miss Galbre said
she's going to ask them if they can get so we'll see what happens maybe there is a little bit of an issue in school because they don't buses and they have to rent the buses as an extra cost for them and I believe they need parents paying the buses so I can understand
charging so we can talk about that but anyway I don't I don't have a date we're hoping it'll work out for October 15th Um, and I have all the other demonstrators, lace staining the blacks and federal staff and Noah too. He he's also a bit of an
expensive. No, let's make sure. I think the um the main goal here is um this program and that's really part of what JV is about and to try to spread the word to the class to the students.
So, if there's anything that anybody comes back to and says, "Geez, we're having a tough time meeting our, you know, meeting our uh patient with buses, whatever." Let's try to let's just let us know because something we can work out, we'd like to get maximum
participation from uh the classes. So, there's anything that gets, you know, in the way of that. Um, and I think at this point, um, from from Paula's presentation, just so everyone knows, some of some of the folks here have have
been part of this and understand what goes on. I think through the next couple meetings, you'll probably look you'll probably get a sense of the of the house and how it is how this committee is going to move forward. And I would ask
that you just look and see everyone has good intentions. Um, but I think even you you're going to you're going to look through these meetings and and possibly find a committee that you might want to be part of. Uh, just understand that, you know,
if you do if you volunteer for a committee, just try to be present. Um, and I say that very lightly. I'm not I'm not um passing any judgment, but I think it's just important because there's a lot that goes into the programs, the
events, and that sort of thing. So, if clearly we are blessed to have everyone, but if you find yourself um that you might work better in a certain capacity than other, then that's perfectly fine. Um and I think for those that have been
on boards and been on committees, you know what I'm talking about. So as we'll get back to everyone with the school programs and where we need help. Generally it's the day of the uh Jason from the DPW is very helpful setting the tent and getting chairs. Usually there's
a morning rush of getting chair set up, getting the station set up and then things calm down and then it's breakdown in the afternoon. But we'll get back to everyone with a volunteer list so you can sign up and if you're available that would be terrific. Um, but Paula will
head that and she's on an email thread. So, please feel free if you have questions. So, do we have a date? Uh, we're shooting not not school. So, October 15th is the day we're shooting. Would that be too soon for Mr. school to
come? For us, we don't have to deal with buses. I believe here. I just don't know how many addition students you how many are in the fifth grade it's for fifth grade. So what I would say is if you could find
out I'm still if you could find out if that's available if it is and it's just those 60s we can still go forward with the school day. If Manville can make it on that day, then we can make it a full day program and have perhaps have um
the morning after yours will come in the afternoon. Do it twice. Now, we could do that. We just have to pay more for the actor and you know, we usually give the demonstrators a little $100 each. We can
Hector's good. But anyway, um I mean then but what if N says they can't come, you know what I mean? Like what if they say the week before? Then if you just tell me the date, then I can see why don't we why don't we put the date
out there and we and we see the participation then we can make a decision and if we if we get everybody for that date and then we have to go into an afternoon session, then we'll accommodate that. we'll do what necessarily we have to because it' be great to have their participation. So,
um why don't you Lauren and you and Paul just get on the email or get each other number before we wrap. Uh I did add I did add but I'll send out an updated um list to everybody with everybody's contact.
Will also confirm that's great. Oh, it's a good It's great. Generally the kids the only thing that I see is if we don't have weather do we need to set up install
transportation you get from here for the school here if you're walking. Okay. I mean, so just in case maybe we can have that ready so we know that way because the tent is here and generally the stations
are in the house are always been um so far we've been lucky but one correction we do rent the chairs and I didn't didn't reserve them yet. We can handle
you guys chairs. Okay, that would be a big help. Um I will tell you in the past what we've done at the different schools we did at the Bister school we did manu school years ago was um the plat foundation paid for the bottom.
Yeah, I believe too our bus up to four or three trips. So I don't need a backup. We have to be able to speak to somebody short of bus company. So we can check as well
as well. We can figure out we can figure out just make sure that we have the cover. That way we have we have a plan. Even if it's just your school and will still
Yeah. And the other thing to consider is can't maybe we could do two grades. I don't know how many kids come because none of us come here. Okay. So seven chance and sixth grade coming back. graders. If
you wanted to fill the st Okay, great. Um, any questions on on the school program? Any questions for Paula? Anybody on Zoom? You guys okay? Any questions?
All right, good. Um I think we're ready to pass. Um we've got to see I know that's set at the same time as Fall Fest. So Jerry the pass is 10 to 5 on Saturday
and 12 to 4 on Sunday. Saturday is the township's fall fest which gets about 5,000 people. It's very hectic with parking this summer going in out and about as opposed to out and in. Um, so I guess you just need to figure out what
type of activity that you want to do that day and so because you have to be open for a journey through the past. I don't know. Um, how did how what did you do last year? We did um we had we serve refreshments,
we did hot dogs, you know, we so we had um tours going on, you know, in in the house. We had pretty good participation. We had once the parking from Fall Fest ended up out here, people were kind of breezing by. We also at our at our table
at the Fall Fest, we were letting people know to try and get gain some interest to get people over here. So, we had good participation. Um, yes. Yeah, we had we had a band. I don't know timing wise on that, but we'll uh
we'll begin with Right. and purchased it. So that's terrific. Great. That's fantastic. I reached out to just because people are starting to reach out because it's been
in the news with the Vander House. So um a woman put me in touch with a um a historical reenactor. He did um during COVID he worked with George Washington from American Historical Theater and they did um he's based out of uh does a
lot of Frederick McDonald have a museum in New York who did Washington's um goodbye and um I'll send everybody the link so you can check him out on video. Um he's about $400. He said he would charge us for the full day at um at um
Journey Through the Past, but that means you still have to do something Sunday. He would only he could do both, but you know, we as well. Um Kim Hanley from um American Historical Data, she does an incredible school presentation with
Betsy Ross as well. It's very interactive. just people that would come if you want to spitball some ideas to fill up two days of activities we could do it. Does it just make sense to save the
money and just do because right now you're just using friends money. Um, we don't have any money generated yet trust, but does it make sense just to have the house open for tours and just get make it a hay ride stop on the trying to come up with something that's
less expensive? Just getting people through the house. They play, you know, bass. We always had good participation. People set up lawn chair. They come out for that and ultimately they're going
through the house. So why don't we That's a good point. Why don't we look at the band? We um we can see about the rain actor um about General Knox. I don't know. Maybe that's something that we Yeah. for another time. So Okay.
All right. Good. Um couple other things. I don't know if you want to do it this week or not, but you can always ladies and there's like I don't know if it would be appropriate there, but we've been in the
past Christmas. So, we could possibly do like an active cooking demo where I could cook something because I 18th century iron, right, with oven and you know that would be cool. But I can't do tours and cook. It was so hot. It was just so hot.
So, one or two days, right? be one of the days where it do you think it'd be better to have it during fall where anything outside will get people to come in right
to the house for them to see if they want inside. No, no. Right here or Yeah. Right. Do they do people want to go on their own
or my little assistant? Oh, the next tourn. So, I usually post in the kitchen and go tell them about the stuff that I say because I might be in the other room. So, especially if
it's just me, you know, no charge. Yeah, I think we just took donations. We took donations, just so everyone knows, we took donations for the tours in the house and journey through the past. And we also just did um donations
for the hot dogs. I think we had hot dogs. Um we had we had self serve. It was just basic for folks. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
And that's fine. That's fine. I mean, we we made money at it. That's something that, you know, we can we can make this. It's not a big deal. Literally hot dogs and buns and salads. Anyway, we'll figure it out. Yes, please. It'd be great. It would probably be Saturday.
Yeah, that would be terrific. And then that would be great. Okay. Um fall fast school programs. So, um there's two other things that are kind of pressing on our calendar and
that would be Colonial Christmas and the 250th and those are um obviously those are uh big for JDH. Some of you have been in the past and for those of you that had haven't the house is really um wonderful during Christmas we are
looking for a chairperson um for both those events. The 250th obviously is a very big uh very big event and it's going to take a lot of um a lot of effort on um a lot of volunteers and so I'm not sure if people
are prepared at this point to um to u sign up for um Colonial Christmas the chair Colonial Christmas. Sometimes we do it a co-chair so two people kind of are the driving force for that. Um yeah I think it's
of what government to do or try something different. So the model has been in the past where it's been a school day. That's when we did the school days on on Thursdays. Friday the house was just open and then Saturday
and Sunday the house was open and it was vendors and artisans and people that were all the reenactor staged throughout the house. But it was a four-day event. It was a lot of work. um and it's it had a a cocktail party thrown in between
that model does didn't seem to work any so trying to come up with a new model I think is what this group to figure out what's the best way to get people in the house I don't know if it's a fun if you know if it used to be the signature fundraiser that would bring in between
60 and $70,000 a year and that has you know changed significantly um so it's just deciding how you want to do it. We added a tree lighting to the event um 2015 to add the tree lighting just to
make it more the event to get different set people to the house to visit. Um, but I think you just have to figure out what the model is going to be and then maybe people will feel more comfortable jumping in and taking over on right you know spearheading that
right so I know as Robin said the tree lighting obviously is is housed driven but because of location but really it's turned into a community event so a lot of folks um generally it's a very good
turnout we do hot chocolate warm pretzels and there And we do uh you know we do donations but it it's it's really yeah we do cookie decorating so the kids come through the house or the station set up so that works really well but to
Robin's point it's a series of days or used to be a series of days that are are tree lighting and then um you know different vendors that are set up throughout the house. So there's tours and people ultimately will come through
to the different vendors and do some shopping and that then gets a portion of that get donated to the house and then it uh also a cocktail cocktail party with uh it just depends light fair wine
and then there's a period bartender that comes and has period um period cocktails. So I I don't know if we want to kind of mull on that, if you will, and see if somebody's, you know, interested. So what were I the last two years? It's
always my anniversary weekend, so my husband takes me away. So what was it like the last two years? The participation um end up being the board and then close friends of the board. We were having a tough time
getting back outside of that. So I mean the actual tree lighting that's really what it went back just to a tree lighting house. Yes. Right. How did that fine participation but it doesn't bring money that we really you
know we look at that if that is that's going to be filled with something else. We need to figure out, you know, those avenues or um areas that we can, you know, rely on or at least be ingenious to to be able to, you know, get donations.
Yeah. Do you want it to be a money maker or just a awareness? Um, that's probably a conversation you need to have with everybody, right? In the past, we work hard toward, right? In the past, it was the the conversations
um they they they kind of uh circled around the cost of what it cost to hire a catering company, staff, uh food, all that stuff, and then how much we had to charge to actually make money. Um so I
think that I think the event definitely has some traction. It's a matter of being ingenious on maybe it's an auction of five or six items. I've been to charity events recently up in Newport in Rhode Island and I thought it was very well
done. They actually had a a curator or auctioneer and they were able to auction. There were six items. So, we would go out and garner those six items uh say a golf event for somebody that Trump or whatever the case is and then
they would go up for auction and that money would go towards um towards the house along with if we decide if we're I know in the past we've used Metropolitan to um cater the event and they've done
um then we've chosen the menu but that's part of what the committee would do. So that model seems to have failed. Um it's just people don't want to spend money and stuff like that. So I think at the first meeting that we just had you know Leslie and Jeie were commenting
that we need to just shake it up right this is a new organization breathe some new life into the the event by shaking it up making making it a welcome party something along those lines. everybody, the whole community is invited to come to the house and not focus on a
fundraiser, but get to know the community, right? I mean, that was just one of the things that were thrown around at the last meeting. So, um I don't know. I'm just trying to think about what would be the right maybe Paul from his museum experience would be able
to weigh in what he thinks what I don't know Paul what works in the museum industry these days. Well, I mean this you're I agree. I think trying to reinvent the the the event is interesting. Um I like you know Derek's idea too of the auction. So I was thinking maybe combining them. Um
you know we had started a festival of trees at the Redm Mill. Uh might be something that works in this neighborhood but also getting then because there's a lot of local businesses. Maybe they have we auction the trees because they have the golf outing on the tree or something. So um I was kind of pondering some ideas as I'm
listening to what what you're what you're doing. I mean, I love the idea of a welcome party, but if we can if we have a welcome party and we have the capacity of individuals here, um maybe we can get them to uh also start to uh become accustomed to supporting the house.
I like it. I think it's a great idea because from where we where we've come to where we were in the last couple years to now trying to regenerate some more interest and inviting the whole community and then we figure out what that um you know what that fair would be
whether it's you know whether it's uh you know some light light or darks whatever the case is but that way it gets everyone involved in the community it's invited on a communitywide basis and I think that would be great to get some some real, you know, uh, a ground
swell of interest from the community and some would bet, you know, that would have a drag. So, I'm just looking at dates, right? Typically, um, you know, people are pushing to get everything decorated around Thanksgiving, right? They're pushing to get their trees decorated.
So, a lot of the tree lightings are. And Thanksgiving is when you may have house guests. You're looking for something to do with your house guest. They're there for an extended weekend. Um, I know it was always tough on us to do Colonial Christmas starting the day after Thanksgiving, but um, it it did seem to
work. We seem to get a lot of people out because they're around that weekend. So, maybe do your tree lighting that Friday, the day after Christmas. And that's great, you know, and just kind of that way after Thanks, but yeah, the Friday after Thanksgiving, just do a tree lighting
because everybody's around and they're looking for something to do with their friends. Um and then if you wanted to do something on Saturday which include you know families are looking for things to do. We've got a lot of young families for our area and the children are always
you know the school that kids come here they get excited about the school and I think um Derek you might have even mentioned that kids go through the school day and then they want to bring their parents back right. So you know
yeah do something on that Saturday that you know bunch of activities whether it be up here you do gingerbread house making or you know something along those lines. It kind of kicks off the holiday season but it's not so overwhelming for
everybody right off the bat. There's a lot of people that have never not seen how this has worked. It doesn't have to work the way it always has. Could be something completely different. just a question. Yeah,
sorry. Quest the tree lighting. Is this the official tree lighting for Bedminster or is there another tree as well? No, that's it. Okay. So, there's I think it's a phenomenal opportunity. Some other ideas I can as we get into it, I can start to share some of those. That's great. That's what we're all
about is brainstorming other churches as well. So, so Platform Presbyterian does often compete with this a lot of the stuff that we have, but I have their calendar of events because they're this is their
175th anniversary this year. They're celebrating it simultaneously with the 250th of um of the nation. And so, um I keep thinking Bminister, but it's bigger than that. Um and so I have their
calendar. I don't know when they're doing their tree lighting. But he ended December 30th Sunday. Yeah. Think it's a simple and have more of me standing
more family, right? more family make ornaments for Saturday and then have quite a small Christmas open house for the community. Um, you know, for Saturday night and we could do a lighter uh, you know, a lighter fair and maybe have that the uh,
period uh, cocktail makers. They're always uh, they're always a good draw. I mean, I don't know. That seems like it has good um, you know, good track. Santa that's the same day as a tree. Yeah.
So you're saying do that on Friday? So do the tree lighting on Friday and then the activities on Saturday house few days, right? So the tree lighting strictly just a tree lighting and the house can be open for tours and then the next day you do family activities at the house.
We can do hot chocolate and tree lighting. Absolutely. Yeah, I could still do that. going. So, why don't we have candles? So, why don't you potentially do that on Friday and then we'll we'll warm up to the idea of a kids day, family day, get
the community involved, and then we can fine-tune the event on Saturday night and figure out maybe get a better idea on ideas on what would be good. I've been involved in a number of almost all the colonial Christmases that have been
well since I've been around and I cut my teeth under Robin and Leslie. So I would consider myself a semi-pro. Um so tree lighting would be then um shooting for November 28th for the tree
lighting. Now the tree is dead outside, right? So, we're working on securing a new tree that wouldn't be planted until we get through this icky weather. I'll continue to work with Jason make sure
it would be great to have some kind of new something we can show even if it's just month or whatever years ago we had that letter Washington
and it was on display like nothing new that you could say oh we're going to feature this and people come out to see it, you know. I don't know. Especially going forward into the 250th. I'm just saying we talking about belt
buckle and stuff at Colonial Christmas like a while ago. It's not we talking about bringing out the belt buckle and those things now that we have that be a big draw for Saturday.
[Music] Yeah, that was correct. I don't know. She just took it off her wall and hand it to me. Sure. Mayor Parker has some good contacts over there,
but uh not to put you on the spot. I can I can barely hear you. So, if you volunteered me for something, I don't know yet. We were just talking about some sort of a special exhibit for um you know the
Christmas uh event whether it be a letter that Christine Todd Whitman has that she went to the friends several years ago or the charter that we have at town hall or the belt buckle something along those lines might be of interest.
Yeah. So we could work on that. All right. Great. So I think so that [Music] okay I'm just wondering it's not a very membership
but isn't pretty important. I mean, well, when you say membership, like we have the board and then we have a email list of people that have different events that have supported JBH, but it's not
like a membership. There's no different levels of membership, right? In the last three to four years, that's gone. We tried to change them, make them um more palatable, change what we were giving them because we I think we were
getting like four tickets for events, but we didn't have any tickets anymore. So like the parameters kept changing and then it just then it just it stopped and we stopped talking about it. Yeah.
I don't think we're and Sean who's not here tonight, he has shared with us that you know the museum it's a challenge. Yeah. So it's something that we've managed growth at the historical
society. Uh we actually have pretty good membership now. Um we don't charge I mean we have a range of things we charge. not that much. But then, you know, like you're talking about a new members
event, welcome party, right? And that would be a free kind of welcome. I think it's a great idea if people are inclined to want to support the house. Yeah. I already put your name down next to me.
something around you might take a couple from you. I mean, I think it's kind of like blood organization. we moved out. I think for us as simple
as when we were out in the journey in the past, we were we had we both set up barbecue. I mean, people were giving5 and $10 donation. We never thought and and those
those couple days I mean we probably made $1,000 that you wouldn't fake it but revolutionary hot There were other there were other areas that were dwindling in interest but we were trying to be ingenious as there
were other ways that we didn't you know raise uh you know raise money for the house. Yeah, that's a great idea. Also out that committee list. So there was a you know there were bylaws, there were committees, everybody was divided on subcommittees and had something that
they worked right. Um this is still figure out how to do it. The first thing is just to hit these calendar event ideas. I think right we need to get a calendar in place open and then I think the rest is going to start to come. I don't think we don't have everybody here
because the vacations. We knew that, but we just need to get some of these talented things worked out. But I think um you know going forward, you'll have to uh come up with who's going to be your chair, your overall uh commissioner for the commission. We need a vice commissioner. We need a treasurer that
will interface with the township um treasury system that we have in place, our finance department, and then you'll need a secretary to do it. I'm going to do them now, but going forward you'll, you know, you need to find that. And then all of that stuff, how we structure
committees, if you want to go back to like what the manager house, that's fine, too. Just whatever everybody decides to put all those, you know, important pieces together in order to make the organization think. Right. Now, your goal is just to tackle some calendar items, right?
Right. Yeah. The short term and the big picture. I think the 250th is really important. Um, but it seems like there's some good interest in the Christmas and we can further we can further that, you know, into our next meeting, but I think we still have time
to have a have a good event. I mean, absolutely. There's plenty of time. Yeah, I think we're okay with that. Just locking in the dates. Yeah. And I think those are it seems like those dates are good dates. And generally, so everyone knows, we generally put out there a volunteer, you know, board or a calendar. So, and you
you know you just fill in where you can volunteer at those events, you know, and whatever it may be, clean up, set up, whatever the case is. So, um So, can I ask you on 250th is the next thing. Um the 250th, the Summerson Hills
Historical Society. What are they doing for the 250th if you don't mind? What have you have you heard from the county? the county is heading up for all of Well, we they they put me in in sort of in the lead on on America 250.
Okay. So, um we we have had one event which we were calling the kickoff and that was July 6. Um it was speaker uh panel speak speaker panel at the brick academy. So,
you know, we didn't get that many people. we got maybe 25 um to 30, but you know academy is not that big. So it still looked pretty full. But um the speaker was the national uh expert on
Washington u revolutionary trail, you know, the 700 mile trail that came and um this speaker was actually quite entertaining. We had to pay him um
pay for we actually got a grant from Somerset County for it. You know, it was only 2,000, but um they were looking for people to apply for a grant. So, we got it and um I think it went well. Um the
other speaker, Mount U, but the one who was the national expert was quite entertaining and I think people enjoyed it. So, that that was kind of the kickoff. Um, have you attended any county meetings yet? Well, we went um
that was kind of a county thing. Yeah. Um Sue and I also uh were um you know responsible for August representing the historical society August 2nd at
Barrett Valley Community College where the I think it was the Somerset County Historic Society had put on what they called a membership and um you know we really expected something
more than what happened during the I think Sue counted about five people who showed up and it was four days four hours a day. So it was really
us that was but yeah we're we're a partner with revolution rev you know revolution um so and then I am also I'm supposed to sit on Burnersville
uh we have somebody from the board sitting on Burns Township American 250 they have their own 250 committee I don't know That's something have at this point. These township, some of the townships have their
committee. So, I'm supposed to also sit on the Burnsville one. Um, and uh, but that nothing has happened here yet. Nothing has really happened. So, that's the same thing we're finding.
So, we all signed up within Bedminster Township. Township committee passed the resolution that they would support Revolution New Jersey. Um I'm on the mailing list as the contact municipality. Um I've only received one piece of correspondence, but they are gearing up to do things. So we'll just
kind of keep funneling everything. Um I was speaking with the mayor um about this whole process. he did feel that the 250 would be better served if it was in the hands of the commission um to spearhead whatever B minster is doing
forward. So, um, you know, missionary war tie, obviously. So, I'll just keep funneling things once we decide to everybody and there's, um, at some point we're going to need someone to take the lead here for the van, you know, for the
municipality for the two big deal. I know Wendy Kiki is very interested in working on it. Steve at at the risk of saying something that might get me volunteered, but an idea for for next year's July 4th only
because we have the great stage for it. What if we made JVH? What if we brought some a reenactor in on horseback coming down River Road and then found his way to the JVH and got off horseback as if
he had just come from Philadelphia and uh and and brought a copy of the Declaration and read it. I love it. That's cool. And then you can have everything just around that. I love that, too. I mean I know it realistically would have been days later
but they're bringing the news of the declaration and and then we can have whatever accuchant we want and reenactors and you know what however you want to set it up and and then whatever goes around that but that can be your event.
That's brilliant. Yeah, that's perfect. And and we have people with horses in town. It's the I don't know I don't know if Mr. the late Mr. Pon Con's uh family if there's a carriage that's of that vintage. But you know, we got a lot of resources in that realm.
We certainly do. The Johnson's have a lovely carriage. Yeah. So anyway, there's lots of opport especially since we have school people here. Um I keep pushing it. I'm not we have the brick academy has its own
school program also. So I keep pushing you know rev and j have what they call revolutionary schools history happened here. It's like a whole program where the schools sign up to be a revolutionary school and then you know
the record that happens. So I think that's something definitely to consider as well as part of the America 250. That's great. I wonder what day of the week July.
It's hard to see vote in the Rev. Uh they're really trying to push it and I think it it just Well, for us I for Brook Academy I think it's a natural because we are a early American
schoolhouse. That's what the Brook Academy is, right? next year, which is good. You can see, but it's kind of like signing up organization
that you can sign up other things. All right. So, I'll just keep everybody keep sending emails to everyone until you come up with a person that's going to be the main head of uh the 250th. Great. Okay. You want to say something?
You're on mute. Um, this is Wendy. This is Wendy. I'm very interested in the 250th. Uh, we're working on some ideas with the Historic Preservation Commission and I'm also working with Steve Parker's wife, Caitlyn. She's been writing articles for
um clearance still in public libraries newsletter and uh she has lots of ideas for good topics to cover. So I'm excited about the 250th. That's great. So that's the thing. So she uh Wendy just mentioned the library.
Um it's not just should not just be all on the commission shoulder. That's a it's a group of everyone partner. It's a partnership. But this is the two this is the historic revolutionary court home that's associated with the two it's really the two big deals. So they would
be taking the lead. I I have an idea for Bedminster school. I want to co-opt field day of field day is held right by in Miller Lane Park right by our municipal building. And I
really believe that field day 2026 should be a patriotic adventure. It involves students from every grade. Normally when the HPC gets involved with this school, we only work with the fourth grade because they study um New Jersey history. Field day
is an opportunity to work with every grade. Yeah, I do want to add we don't do field day that way anymore. I don't think the school has done that for a number of years. They do field day now. Um I guess my understanding is it used to be down in Miller Lane and run by the town. Um,
now it's um different days based on different grade levels and it's at the school property. I don't know how that came to be, but I've been with the What a shame. Uh, and it hasn't been that way in a while. I think it was because it was
parent organized. I'm showing my age. I think it shifted to be having to be like run by this. Yeah, it was parent organized and um I used to run it. I did it for 20 years. And uh and then when I stopped doing
recreation, it kind of went through a different model. So yeah. So I I think it's a great idea. I'm just even thinking going back to what we were first talking about with the school of events to me capitalizing on it being the 250th year more of a justification
than anything for school to get uh with the tours or if you did another spring event here to focus on the 250. I mean that you could bring in so many county I don't want to make it bigger then
so would be able to want to have their students come the Saturday was that Saturday would be out schools wouldn't even be able to secure buses but I think it would have to be a weekday but I
think if school districts know ahead of time hey there's a local place in the in the county whether it's in their town or not um that are doing activities based around the 250th anniversary. So that would be maybe it would be a different kind of school day where we
just open the house and invite people to come. Of course they have to let us know that they're coming but we wouldn't have no one through the presence. We wouldn't have the tent and the chairs. It's just there and then they can come and they draw a hot dog or a free little like
magnet or something like that. Parents bring their kids in. It's like oh this is something fun to do. I don't mind giving $10 because this kept my kids busy for 30 to 45 minutes and then they see it and then the parents you might get parents draw in
maybe it's an open house with the focus because generally I know since Willow is signed up like not only the kids I'm not sure who knows which one feedback, but a lot of the parents come and they really
they they enjoy it. So that was another means of traction of getting some some interest from not only the kids but also the parents. They like So would that be like May or June? Would June be too late? I don't think you have
a nice warm day. So I think we're doing that just Okay. So maybe we still do our spring day with the Somerville school that we normally do then have an open house school day just inviting local districts whoever wants to come and connect them. And don't forget we've got Neil too from
the Brexit Marlin who's not here today but he's got lots of ideas. He's got lots of connections, right? And probably all your connections, but uh you should use the resources that we even like start thinking like the encampments. We've always wanted to have
encampment here. We've had um lamb's artillery does a great job, right? Outside they're wonderful. Um, we've there's a we used the what is it? Um, the North Jersey Brigade. Is that what it is? That um does the cannons there?
An artillery brigade. We had them at the French alliance wall when we did that at Trump that um I know the second New Jersey. Yes. So there's a lot we invite them all to come and not the same key date that everybody
else is grabbing these groups because they're going to be very popular this year. But we have the space to have an if we could get lon on the same day as we have open house that would be awesome because they can be set outside, you
know, we can do the outdoor cooking, you know, so good things that those are all school district too would be more than willing to advert Friday folders. I know comparing Basking Ridge we see things from local groups you know
in the Friday folder. So again parents are always looking for things to bring their kids to that are either free or low cost to do. So, you know, the the So, you've got a bunch of good calendar items, a
lot of good discussion that's starting. Um, just, you know, a couple thoughts is, um, so you've got next on the list is to figure out who's going to, you know, take over certain areas or at least lead those certain areas, I should
say. Um, to keep everything organized because that's the next big thing. But um also I think you know rem messaging with starting with the press release which I know Larry said he's changing the press release a little bit. I did
send it to you to take a look at. Yes. And then um so it's the re messaging. It's um kind of it's not re it's kind of rebranding if you will. And then also enga re-engaging the list of folks that you guys have from your membership list and former
trustees, your honorary trustees, your um those folks all need to be engaged and hear the message so we can get these people re-engaged again. We got to start with some of the basics. while still continuing to push forward on the counter of events.
So, they should be in right because I know she's been having trouble um getting into some of the files from Christina, but maybe she get into what our membership actually is. you know
those names that maybe they they haven't heard from us in a while that they throw them into and see if we can get that together even before the next meeting. Yeah, I think you just send everybody that press release and get the note. Get
the press release going, get it out there to everybody and that'll start the wheels turning and hey, here's our next and then send them again. Here's the the events we've got lined up so far. More to come, right? And that's great. Be getting on that stuff.
So, I think that's pretty good. I think you covered everything. So as far as the chair, vice chair, treasurer, I don't know how how people are people have interest for positions of
committee and people can think about it. It's probably better once we have Craig and have some, you know, the next meeting we can consider that um or at least have it for a topic discussion. I think that um yeah so I know there's a
lot of support here and I know as you can imagine you know the number that we have now um that are present tonight via Zoom or in person before um it would be anywhere from five to seven people. Now
also there was um Paula's husband John is very very helpful. He's a reenactor as well and we do get a lot of support internally from the from the family, spouses, family members. Um they have no choice. Yeah.
Yeah. My hobbies are hobbies. Yeah. So anyway, think about that. Think about if there are roles that you see yourself in. Obviously, um whether that be uh chair, vice chair, treasurer. Um right
now so everyone knows Craig has committed to stay on um uh through this year and beyond as far as the grants, the accounting um any of the the the treasurer roles. Um but it doesn't mean
that we can't start to develop someone in that position or um uh in that um yeah in that position because Craig has been uh he's been you know with the board for for some time and been a aid
supporter and member. Uh so I think that you know as we go through the meetings people get to meet one another. People get to see strengths where you uh you feel you might be a good fit for whether it be a chair for an event whether it be
the 250th or the Colonial Christmas. I think there's a great group of uh great group of individuals with some great background that we have we all have some good reach. Anything else? And I
two seconds on this. Um, a woman emailed this to me the other day after hearing about the the house in the news and they're part of a group called the forgotten victory trail and they come up
with these these kiosks around the county. And I'm just thinking as I look at that that that could be if we wanted to participate that might be an event kind of thing where we put the kiosk together and if that here at the house at River
Road Park somewhere in between that would be something we can have an event around. Yeah. I told her I would pass the information. I know we're not quite there yet, but if we wanted our mother she
doesn't walk. Yeah. [Music] That's great. actually from do you know we could be you know have a lot
it looks pretty we don't have a good sign up around the house to tell you what you're looking at but um and I don't know if there was at some point because I know there were a lot of things in the past that we had pictures and sketches and architectural
design that seemed to disappear here. I mean, they're here, but we don't talk about this. Great. I should also add one thing that John Sidell. Yes. Okay. So, John Sidell, for everybody who's out there listening, um John
Sidell was the archaeologist. There were three archaeologists that work on the Puck site as well as the Vandavir House. and John Sidell um helped to assist with the video of um General Knox riding his
tour and then a view of the uh conement site Sharon Pluck. It's on the co house website. He is the one who gave you all the artifacts back that he has. Um he now has a historical revolutionary war
um library that he'd like to donate to the friends. he'd like to come up and and help with any fundraisers that you're doing. Um he'd like to come up and um give a presentation just to the board to the commissioners so everybody understands the history of the house and
the um historical importance of the artifacts that they found and what they actually mean. So if that's something we want to do for later in the year, we can certainly do that. Just keep that in fact in mind. So sorry, I I promised him I would do the float.
Great. Do you know where the videos are that these guys did? Did you do one of them? I think we had three videos done for the house. It must be on the Are they on the website? Okay. Maybe you want to do something a little bit bigger with them
or have them play on a on a real in the house when we're doing tours because they seem to be done pretty nicely. They thought about putting in my iPads and so the people that can't get upstairs can just hit the iPad and see the video. Maybe you know we have three
iPads here, right? We had a breakingbody like you have anything any comments? It was great meeting a lot of great ideas floating around. Uh so I looking forward forward to uh all the positivity but nothing that to add at this point.
Great videos and maybe no electricity if you had a charger or something. All right. So, the next meeting is coming up at the end of August. Again, we'll just put some more structure to
some of these events. I'll have something written up, typed up. Um, you'll check back on [Music] what's the date of the next. Yeah, we're just going to hit it fast and furious so we can just get things
organized. So, Okay. And Robin, can we consider you are still the communications go between? Yes, I'll still be the communications go between for now until we get Yes. So maybe a suggestion because I know
we've got some things to do. we don't have everybody here and I don't know if we'll have everybody on the 27th but you know these leadership positions these uh committees maybe between now and the next time we meet uh if people either want to call or email Robin either if
they want to volunteer for something or if they may say I think they want to volunteer somebody else uh that might be a good idea so that we can come to a meeting and and maybe start racking and stacking and listing names um and move
move forward. And I can understand if people don't want to necessarily do it around a big table, but you know, we might be able to start gathering names. That's great. Good idea. Thank you, Steve. That's great. I'll send that out in an email. I'll remind everybody if they have any
interest in any of the committees or commissions um committees or um a leadership position um to please let us know and I'll put a list together. That's great. Thank you. All right, great. Thank you very much everybody.
Thank you. Good night. Good evening. Ed 26.