FRENCHTOWN: Next 300th event is tavern tour

The Hunterdon County Tricentennial Committee continues to schedule a full slate of events. A tavern tour at the historic National Hotel in Frenchtown is on tap for this Saturday, Oct. 11. For tickets, call 908-788-2020.

Originally built in 1833, the hotel was a 19th-century stagecoach stop, according to the National Hotel history website. The original building on the site was a smaller inn, called "The Sign of the Buck," built by Samuel Powers. It was rebuilt in 1850, renamed "The National Hotel" or "Upper Hotel" by its owner, Robert L. Williams, when the railroad came to town. The Postal Annex on the site was a blacksmith shop, hotel stable, 15-car garage, saloon and billiard parlor, horse shed and restaurant. Additions to the building were made in the 1890s.

Any wayfarer in Hunterdon will notice many longstanding churches dotting the landscape. On Oct. 14, the Tricentennial Committee will host "Less Stately Mansions: The Historic Churches of Hunterdon County, in Building No. 1 at the county complex at 314 state Route 12. Admission is free.

Historian Frank Greenagels powerpoint exploration will focus on the architectural styles, historic roots and interesting and quirky facts about the churches. Following the presentation, Dr. Greenagel will sign the tricentennial edition of his book "Less Stately Mansions," which will be available for sale. This is the companion lecture for the bus tour that will visit some of these churches Oct.18.

General Daniel Morgan, born in Bethlehem Township, fought in the Revolutionary War and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He will be the subject of a talk by Kingwood Township historian Sal DeSapio at the north branch of the county library system, at 65 Halstead St. in Clinton, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21. Admission is free.

Governor Reading was one of the founders and trustees of the original College of New Jersey, which later became Princeton University.

Just in time for Halloween, author Gordon Thomas Ward will present a spooky and scary discussion from the stories found in his book, "Ghosts of Central Jersey." He cautions that these tales may be too scary for children under the age of 13. Refreshments follow.

For information and to sign up for upcoming tricentennial events, go to http://www.hunterdon300th.org.

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FRENCHTOWN: Next 300th event is tavern tour