Osborn Cannonball House Museum Open November 5th from 2p.m. to 4p.m.

1 November 2023

Photos of Jonathan Hand Osborn's headstone carvings and tools used by headstone carvers.

Our new exhibit shows the work of Scotch Plains’ native gravestone carver, Jonathan Hand Osborn, along with tools used by gravestone carver’s of that period. The Osborn Cannonball House will be open for visitors on Sunday, November 5, 2023 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Come visit our Colonial-era museum where you’ll hear the story of the Osborn Family, who were instrumental to the early development of Scotch Plains.  

The Museum is located at 1840 Front Street, Scotch Plains, NJ  07076. Admission to the museum is free but donations are always welcome. 

For more information email Info@HistoricalSocietySPFNJ.org or call 908-322-6700 Extension 230.

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DIA DE LOS MUERTOS (DAY OF THE DEAD)

16 October 2023

Photo of two plaster skulls decorated for Dia de los Muertos.

Halloween decorations and costumes abound. Halloween has long been a widely celebrated holiday in the United States. Now near the traditional Halloween store displays you will see colorful skulls, skeletons of people and animals, banners, marigolds, frames etc. These are just some of the items used to decorate and to celebrate Day of the Dead:  El dia de los Muertos. This is a holiday traditionally celebrated in all of Mexico but is now celebrated world wide. It is a holiday of joyful celebration of friends and family who have died. Ofrendas (altars/offerings) are built, then decorated with  colorful coverings and marigolds. The Ofrendas hold the favorite food & beverages of the the departed along with candles, photos and memorabilia of the deceased. These items encourage visits by the souls to hear prayers and words during this reunion. Family and friends dress in festive clothes and hats with their faces decorated like calaveras (skulls). It is common to give gifts to friends such as candy sugar skulls (calaveras), share traditional pan de muerto (bread of dead) and to write light hearted and irreverent verses in the form of mock epitaphs dedicated to living friends and acquaintances (Calaveras Literarias).

In 2008 this tradition of the Dia de los Muertos was inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

The Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood is very excited to present the history of El Dia de los Muertos and afterwards to celebrate this holiday ourselves. Some of the Spanish Honor Society members from Scotch Plains & Fanwood High School will give a history with slides about this wonderful holiday. The Society will have an Ofrenda decorated and adorned with traditional items.  Calavera masks and tattoos will be available and we encourage you to come in colorful clothes to make this evening a true celebration. We encourage you to bring photos and memorabilia of your deceased loved ones for the altar. We also encourage you to bring your own verses written for your living friends. And bring the friends. The heart of this holiday has remained the same over thousands of years. It’s an occasion for remembering and celebrating those who have departed.  We look forward to celebrating with you on Wednesday October 25th. The evening starts at 7:30PM and is held at the historic Shady Rest Golf and Country Club located at 820 Jerusalem Road (at the corner of Plainfield Ave.) in Scotch Plains.

The upcoming meeting is free and all are welcome. Refreshments and fellowship will follow the presentation. For questions, please email Info@HistoricalSocietySPFNJ.org or call 908/322-6700 Extension 230.

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Four Centuries in a Weekend at the Osborn Cannonball House Museum, Saturday, October 21 and Sunday, October 22

11 September 2023

Six ladies dressed in 18th and 19th century fashions in the kitchen of the Osborn Cannonball House Museum

Tour the 18th century Osborn house, which was hit by cannonball fire during The Battle of the Short Hills, and hear about the many accomplishments of one of the most important founding families of Scotch Plains.
 
Learn about two of the Osborn brothers who grew up in the house, Jonathan Hand Osborn and Henry Osborn, who were Revolutionary War soldiers and prolific master gravestone cutters, with examples of their work still viewable in many NJ cemeteries. There will be photos of the Osborns’ stones on display and an exhibit of the tools used by these skilled tradesmen.
 
The Osborn house will be open on both days from 12 pm until 5 pm and decorated as a “haunted” house for Four Centuries in a Weekend. Children will be able to get an early Halloween treat and make their own ghost dolls!  Admission is free to all. Docents will also be offering tours, on both days, of the fully-furnished circa 1760 town home.

The Museum is located at 1840 Front Street, Scotch Plains, NJ  07076. Admission to the museum is free but donations are always welcome. 

For more information email Info@HistoricalSocietySPFNJ.org or call 908-322-6700 Extension 230.

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