FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 2, 2009

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HTHS HARDWICK TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 2, 2009 PO BOX 348 Blairstown, NJ 07825 HTHS s Vass Farmstead, in Hardwick, NJ on Stillwater Road at White Lake, will host some

1 HTHS HARDWICK TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 2, 2009 PO BOX 348 Blairstown, NJ HTHS s Vass Farmstead, in Hardwick, NJ on Stillwater Road at White Lake, will host some fabulous events this summer at the historic site. As the house and barn nears its architectural restoration, questions about how to use and interpret the site are being developed. Stop by and have a look so you can join the process of opening the house to the public in 2010! Vass Farmstead, Hardwick Township, NJ Address: rohl742@embarqmail.com Contact Person: Richard Ohl Phone For more digital photographs ahufnag@gmail.com Vass Farmstead Physical Address: 40 Stillwater Road, Hardwick, NJ (Located between Blairstown and Stillwater on the road that is today labeled Route 521) Membership and Donations: Mail any donation, any amount helps! $5 on up HTHS PO BOX 348 Blairstown, NJ Membership costs: $25.00 individual and $40 for a family. HARDWICK TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNOUNCES SUMMER PROGRAMS 1

2 About the Vass Farmstead The Vass Farmstead is a 19 th century stone farmhouse with German style red barn from the1820s. The site is leased from NJ State DEP and is managed by the Hardwick Township Historical Society. The Farmstead s mission is To preserve, protect, and enhance the historic, artistic, cultural, interpretive, educational, and recreational resources of the Vass Farmstead. Further the mission states the goal To locate within Hardwick Township a viable resource and a cultural center to promote knowledge of the history of the area, development, the way of life in the agricultural economy of the 19 th and 20 th centuries, and the ecology and natural history of the Ridge and Valley Region. The Vass Farmstead is a great case study for life in 18 th and 19 th century Warren County, New Jersey. About the HTHS It is hard to believe that it has been almost a decade since the Vass Farmstead was slated for demolition. When news of this became public it was said, in counter measure, that members of the Hardwick Township Historical Society would lie down in front of bulldozers if that were what it would take to save the architecture. Thankfully no such action was required, although it should be said that the efforts that followed have been no less valorous. From a group of dedicated volunteers emerged an almost unfathomable mission to save a significant stone house and barn from the early 1800s. The Hardwick Township Historical Society (HTHS) has raised almost a million dollars for the project, and the twenty-five year old non-profit does so in conjunction with NJ State and County resources. The larger site is NJ State owned White Lake and just under 1000 acres of preserved land owned by both NJ State and Warren County and managed by The Nature Conservancy. The HTHS currently has approximately 100 members, and has a strong and dedicated volunteer base; we are working on a range of programs to increase the cultural presence of the Farmstead. Volunteers Welcome! About This Season s Pubic Programs The Vass Farmstead is currently not open to the public except on a handful of days annually, but the grounds are open daily. We are working to be known on the NJ State Heritage Trail and here is a link that tells you a bit more history This summer, we have 4 public events scheduled on the exterior grounds of the Vass Farmstead; and we will offer partial tours of the restoration progress on those days. These events are all developed in collaboration with local non-profit agencies whose mission s crosspollinate the mission of the Vass site. HARDWICK TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNOUNCES SUMMER PROGRAMS 2

3 This year, we are busy writing grants and developing programs that will enable the Farmstead to open to the public one day soon. We hope to open as a community resource, teaching agriculture and food ways history, environmental education, arts education with emphasis on landscape, sustainability education, and non-competitive recreation programs. Program ideas for 2010 include Fort Building with an Architect, Toy Boat Building, winter skating parties, kid s hiking clubs, fish printing and landscape painting. Additionally, we are forming a Vass Farmstead Recreation Consortium, which is a group of 7 Township recreation committees who have committed funds (with more pending). Their citizens will use the facility in innovative ways as well as receive a subsidized rate for programs with fees. This is their reward for being part of the start-up process for a new community resource. June 20 th - White Lake Days In Collaboration with The Nature Conservancy Fish Printing 10-3pm 10-3pm Vass Farmstead Open House and FISH PRINT WORKSHOP Participants will find large tables covered with fish, inks, rollers and dabbers, and each participant can choose a format for their print. Prints range from $2.00-$8.00 depending on materials selected for printing. Participants will learn the Japanese style of fish printing, known as gyotaku (pronounced, guy-oh-ta-koo), and means fish rubbing (gyo = fish, taku = rubbing). Participants will make art and learn about Warren County fish. Participants can also bring their own t-shirts and pillowcases! White Lake Days also includes other activities organized by the Nature Conservancy including a family bike ride and hiking with a naturalist! You can find out more about these programs at Saturday July 18 th 5-10pm FEED AND FILM Co-sponsored with the Foodshed Alliance and The Nature Conservancy Sustainable Potluck Dinner and OUTDOORS FILM NIGHT Food 5-7pm Movie at 8:30pm or when dark enough Film: Ghostwaters (Documentary, unrated) The Nature Conservancy and the HTHS team up again to offer an evening out under the stars in a pristine lakeside landscape. Bring a dish to pass, a blanket and chairs, and settle in for food and an outdoor movie projected on the side of the old barn. The site has plenty of level field for setting up for an evening in the park. If it rains, the event is canceled. Dinner requires bringing a dish, made with local ingredients, to pass! Movie Portion is Free HARDWICK TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNOUNCES SUMMER PROGRAMS 3

August 22nd, 2009, 5-10pm FEED AND FILM Co-sponsored with the Foodshed Alliance and The Nature Conservancy Sustainable Potluck Dinner and OUTDOORS FILM NIGHT Hike 7-8pm Movie at 8:30pm or when dark

4 August 22nd, 2009, 5-10pm FEED AND FILM Co-sponsored with the Foodshed Alliance and The Nature Conservancy Sustainable Potluck Dinner and OUTDOORS FILM NIGHT Hike 7-8pm Movie at 8:30pm or when dark enough Film: OVER THE HEDGE (Rated G) The Nature Conservancy and the HTHS team up again to offer an evening out under the stars in a pristine lakeside landscape. Bring a dish to pass, a blanket and chairs, and settle in for food and an outdoor movie projected on the side of the old barn. The site has plenty of level field for setting up for an evening in the park. If it rains, the event is canceled. Dinner requires bringing a dish, made with local ingredients, to pass! Movie Portion is Free September 26th, pm Open House and MAKING ENVIRONMENTAL ART WORKSHOP Using the art of Andrew Goldsworthy as a point of departure, participants will use the grounds around the Vass Farmstead, and materials found there, to make environmental art installations. These structures are temporary and yet will tell an aesthetic/materials story of the place in Warren County. Participants will practice the art of intervention in the landscape with the end product being an installation that explores sculptural forms, color. We will also review the ways in which creative building can change the way one sees land and natural materials. $4.00 per person; Family for $10 HARDWICK TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNOUNCES SUMMER PROGRAMS 4

Vass Farmstead Barn, oil painting by artist Arthur Kvarnstrom OTHER ONGOING PROGRAMS This summer, the Vass Farmstead will set up a printmaking table at the Foodshed Alliance s Blairstown Farmers

5 Vass Farmstead Barn, oil painting by artist Arthur Kvarnstrom OTHER ONGOING PROGRAMS This summer, the Vass Farmstead will set up a printmaking table at the Foodshed Alliance s Blairstown Farmers Market on Saturdays at Givens-Belet Post Hall Route 521 in Blairstown, NJ. PRINTMAKING 10-2pm Participants may make note cards for $2.50, rice paper and cloth prints for $5; and tee shirts for $15; all to support the Vass Farmstead s developing education programs. July 25 th - 10am-2pm Fish and Plant Printing August 29 th - 10am 2pm Fish and Plant Printing September 12 th 10am-2pm Puzzle Piece and Veggie Printing October 10 th 10am to 2pm Puzzle Piece and Veggie Printing HARDWICK TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNOUNCES SUMMER PROGRAMS 5

The Partnership Wild & Scenic Rivers Program

The Partnership Wild & Scenic Rivers Program BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 2017 Proven, cost-effective protection for 770 miles of rivers and thousands of acres of riparian land Westfield River, MA (L) and Farmington River, CT (R) Partnership Wild &