Tag Archives: NJSL Presents

May 13 talk: The Creation of American Law: The 1790s Supreme Court with Jude Pfister

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On May 13 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Level 2 Reading Room, author Jude Pfister will talk about his book, The Creation of American Law: John Jay, Oliver Ellsworth and the 1790s Supreme Court.

May 1st is Law day and so we are recognizing the topic of Law for this May talk. The book by Jude Pfister serves as a history of America’s national law with a look at those–such as John Jay (the first Chief), James Iredell, Busrod Washington and James Wilson–who set in motion not only the new Supreme Court, but also the new federal judiciary. These Founders displayed great dexterity in maneuvering through the political landscape of the 1790s.

Jude M. Pfister, D.Litt. is Chief of Cultural Resources, Morristown National Historical Park. He has been at Morristown since 2004 where he oversees the museum, archival, and library programs. He has been with the National Park Service in the field of historic preservation and cultural resource conservation since 1993. A historian by training, he has experience in a variety of settings impacting many of our nation’s most important historic sites. His professional interests include American constitutional development and the development of American historiography as a separate discipline. He is the author of several books, including America Writes Its History, and Morris County’s Acorn Hall, as well as multiple articles and reviews. His new book The Creation of American Law, on the first decade of the Supreme Court, was published in December, 2018.

All are welcome to this free program. RSVP is appreciated. Please RSVP to Cindy Warrick at 609-278-2640 or cwarrick@njstatelib.org.

April 15 author talk on New Jersey Civil War Photographers with Gary Saretzsky

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On April 15 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Level 2 Reading Room, the State Library will host a presentation entitled: ‘Ere the Shadows Fade: New Jersey’s Civil War Era Photographers with Gary Saretzsky. This presentation features several notable examples of New Jersey’s Civil War Era photographers.  The Civil War boosted the photographic trade, and in New Jersey, both soldiers and families demanded more images of loved ones. Numerous new photo galleries opened to meet the demand.   Join us to find out more about New Jersey’s Civil War Era Photographers.

Gary D. Saretzky, archivist, educator, and photographer, was Archivist of Monmouth County (1994-2019). He served as Coordinator, Internship Programs, Rutgers-New Brunswick History Department (1994-2016) and taught the history of photography course at Mercer County Community College from 1977 to 2012. Saretzky has been researching 19th century New Jersey photographers for more than thirty years. He has published more than 100 articles, reviews, and exhibition catalogs on conservation of library materials, history of photography, and other topics and lectures regularly through the Public Scholars Program of the New Jersey Council for the Humanities and under other auspices.

All are welcome to this free program. RSVP is appreciated to: Cindy Warrick at 609-278-2640 ext. 172 or mailto: cwarrick@njstatelib.org

Publishing Your Genealogy for Amateurs

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A popular way to memorialize and share genealogical research is through publishing.  However, the road to publication can be confusing and daunting.  Please join us as Lew Mexler, Caryn Alter, and Stephen Cohen, discuss their experiences regarding publishing genealogical research and stories.  Lew Mexler will focus on his father-in-law’s memoir and his collaboration with academic colleagues while Caryn and Stephen will discuss their genealogy workbook titled What’s in a Name? A Young Person’s Jewish Genealogy Workbook, which serves as a wonderful guide for budding genealogists in terms of writing and publishing your work.

Lew Meixler is currently the Chair of the Jewish Genealogy Club of Mercer County and has given two previous talks on Genealogy at the State Library.

Caryn Alter and Stephen Cohen, both longtime genealogy enthusiasts, are founding members of the Mercer County Jewish Genealogy Society at Beth El Synagogue.  Professionally, Caryn is a registered dietitian and has done freelance writing; Steve has a PhD in chemistry, and is a writer, calligrapher, and occasional choral-music arranger. He is the co-author of America’s Scientific Treasures (2nd ed.), due out this Fall from Oxford University Press.

 

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Author talk: Finding Kate: The Unlikely Journey of 20th Century Healthcare Advocate Kate Macy Ladd

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Join us on March 25, 2020 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Level 2 Reading Room to hear about Kate Macy Ladd. The Gilded age is dominated by figures such as Rockefeller, Carnegie, and Vanderbilt and we can hear and read of them easily. However, their wives and daughters often lived behind closed curtains and were only seen on the society pages.  While Kate Macy Ladd, standard oil heiress, seems to be one of these women, a deeper look at her life reveals a woman who was fiercely committed to the welfare of ordinary people and who ultimately became a medical philanthropist with her creation of the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation.

Author Meryl Carmel will share with us from her book, Finding Kate: The Unlikely Journey of 20th Century Healthcare Advocate Kate Macy Ladd. She will reveal one woman’s life of faith, charity and resilience.

Meryl Carmel is a writer, historian, and nature lover. She was wholly unprepared for the perfect storm that developed when her three lifelong interests collided in 2007, never anticipating that her visit to the Somerset County Park called “Natirar” would lead to ten years of research in pursuit of the little-known story of New Jersey philanthropist Kate Macy Ladd. In her journey to find Kate Macy Ladd, Meryl became involved in the FINDING of Kate’s living descendants as well as the descendants of some of her most devoted employees.

An enthusiastic gardener and explorer, the author is a former teacher, curriculum specialist, and museum director with degrees from Beloit College and Edgewood College in Wisconsin and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Her graduate studies emphasized the roles and contributions of American women in our nation’s past.

All are welcome to this free program. RSVP is appreciated. Please RSVP to Cindy Warrick at cwarrick@njstatelib.org or 609-278-2640 ext. 172.

March 10 author talk: NJ Women in American Politics with Jim DelGiudice

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It’s been 100 years since the 19th amendment was ratified and March is Women’s History Month. This is a great time to hear: From Suffrage to the ERA: NJ Women in American Politics with Jim DelGiudice.

Please join us on March 10th from noon to 1 p.m. in the Level 2 Reading Room to hear this lecture, which examines a wide-ranging list of colorful individuals in the social context of their times.  In the beginning of the twentieth century, women were outsiders to the American political scene. Today, they have moved into all aspects of public life. New Jersey pioneers–from Alice Paul to Milicent Fenwick–set the stage for the political success of today’s New Jersey women.

Jim DelGiudice, a lifelong Morris County resident, has used his eyes and voice to document the New Jersey scene for more than half his 56 years. His architectural photography for books published by Rutgers University Press twice won him the state’s Historic Preservation Award, and his plays have been produced by such venues as the Bickford Theatre and Kean University. In the millennium year, Jim was cited by both the state and county legislatures for his lifetime contribution to the arts. He is an adjunct assistant professor at County College of Morris, and also lectures frequently at Drew and Columbia Universities, as well as adult and professional groups around the metropolitan area. Most recently, he served as photo editor for A Lifetime with Shakespeare, published by McFarland & Company.

All are welcome to this free program. RSVP is welcomed. Please RSVP to Cindy at cwarrick@njstatelib.org or 609-278-2640 ext. 172.  For information on New Jersey State Library classes and other events, please visit www.njstatelib.org events.

 

WEBINAR – Shining a Light on Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in all Levels of New Jersey Government

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Our tax dollars fund the State of New Jersey so it is important to ensure that our money is being spent properly.  Fraud, waste, and abuse cause unnecessary burdens to be placed on not only the taxpayer, but different branches, departments, and agencies.  In 2007, the Office of the State Comptroller was created to battle fraud, waste, and abuse through accountability, audits, and investigations.  It also provides an avenue for citizens and groups to report suspected abuse, fraud, or waste to help the agency carry out it’s duties.  Please join us as Nicole Acchione and Rich O’Brien of the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller, Investigations Division, discuss the work of their office and what you can do if you suspect government fraud, waste or abuse.

 

Click here to register!

Mindfulness to Reduce Stress

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We live in a busy world. We are often consumed by schedules and to-do lists that don’t make time for self-connection. Mindfulness practices have been shown to reduce stress, improve physical and mental health and brighten our overall outlook on life. Chelsea Hoagland, a licensed clinical social worker from Capital Health – Behavioral Health Specialists will speak on the powerful effects of incorporating mindfulness into your daily life.

 

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Introduction to Finding Grants

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Are you new to the field of grant seeking?  Discover what funders are looking for in nonprofits seeking grants and how to find potential funders in this introductory class.  This class will cover the 10 most important things you need to know about finding grants, and you will have an opportunity to do some hands-on funding research using the Foundation Directory Online Professional database.

*Registration is limited to 16 participants.  Please register only if you can attend*

 

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Chair Yoga

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Yoga is both physical and mental originating in India dating back to 3300 – 1900 BCE. The physical practice of yoga consists of asanas, which means body postures. In modern yoga, props such as blocks and straps are widely used. In chair yoga, we are simply adding one more prop to help us. You will still get all the benefits of traditional yoga classes including a good stretch and a general sense of well-being.

Samantha Benson is a 200 RYT (registered yoga teacher) having completed her training at Lotus Yoga in Montclair, NJ. She is currently pursuing her 500 hour teacher training certification at Yoga Stream in Princeton with Lara Heiman who has a physical therapy background. Samantha has been practicing yoga for over 20 years and owns a gym (Metabolic Functional Fitness) with her husband John of 15 years. In addition to teaching three classes a week at her and John’s gym, Samantha also teaches at a hot power yoga studio in Ewing called Empower.

*Registration is limited to 14 participants.  Please email adauphinee@njstatelib.org if you wish to attend*

African American Cemeteries in New Jersey

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History is made everyday by ordinary people, much of which relates to our own family history.  The story of our families is unique and well-worth preserving.  One way we try to preserve that history and the memories of our loved ones are through cemeteries.  As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, Cherekana Feliciano, from the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical, will touch on this very personal aspect of history by examining African American cemeteries in New Jersey.  She will provide an overview of the history of these cemeteries in New Jersey, their current state and what the future may hold for them, including examining what role/responsibilities the general public and the African American community at large has in ensuring their upkeep and survival.

 

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