MONTGOMERY: Historical Society hosts ‘A Taste of the Sourlands’

By Stephanie Vaccaro, Staff Writer
   MONTGOMERY — Residents enjoyed “A Taste of the Sourlands” at Cedardale Farm Saturday evening, where they sampled local wines, food, music and history.
   The Van Harlingen Historical Society hosted the fund-raiser, which broke with tradition as it has hosted an event called “May in Montgomery” for the past 32 years. The new name and new flavor this year were well received by the guests, who each paid $45 to attend. Unfortunately, a light rain put a damper on the festivities.
   The event was held to benefit the historical society that was founded in 1965 to help preserve the heritage of the Montgomery Township area. Its mission is to educate the community about the history and to advocate for the preservation of meaningful sites and settings.
   ”One of the things that we are trying to do specifically is to replace the wood-shake roof that’s going to need to be done on the 1752 Dirck Gulick House,” said Anne Woolley, president of the society. “The Gulick House is one of our real historic treasures that the Van Harlingen Historical Society works very hard to maintain and preserve. It’s our headquarters. It’s where our library is. It’s where we meet.”
   The society also maintains the Bedensville Schoolhouse.
   ”The entire third grade class goes through a program every fall that one of our volunteers leads and she portrays a schoolmarm,” said Ms. Woolley.
   The society also has a farm museum and just took possession of a wagon that was built in the late 1800s on a farm in Skillman, which was donated by the great-granddaughter of its owner, said Ms. Woolley.
   ”This is something very new and different,” she said. “We’ve never done an event like this, and we’re very pleased with the turnout.”
   ”Unionville Winery has been terrific, and the restaurants that have contributed food have been exceptional,” she said.
   May in Montgomery began in 1979 as a means for the society to introduce newcomers to the township’s agricultural past with an arts and barns tour. The event changes each year. They have hosted home tours, church tours and country fairs.
The society is seeking volunteers to help organize and catalog folders of archival documents and memorabilia. It is also seeking volunteers for its Montgomery Farm Museum, which has a collection of more than 800 early farm and household items.
   For more information, contact [email protected] or call Ms. Woolley at 908-874-4820.