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Nearby and notable destinations for one-day outingsDesperate for Downton Abbey? (Yes!) As fans prepare for Season 3 to reach American shores and television stations on January 6, here's a daytrip to put viewers in the mood. The lush and lavishly-decorated Ballantine House at the Newark Museum was built in 1885. Jeannette and John Holme Ballantine built the home with 27 rooms, including eight bedrooms and three bathrooms. Part of The Newark Museum since 1937, the house was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1985. The period rooms are restored to 1891, representing the "ideal home" in America over a century ago. The first-floor rooms…
In the heart of Paterson's historic downtown, just steps away from the Great Falls, the Paterson Museum is the the restored Thomas Rogers Locomotive and Machine Shop. At the corner of Market Street and Spruce Street, a locomotive announces the museum. Inside, visitors can see a submarine and the large silk looms that give "Silk City" its moniker. A large and remarkable collection in the museum shows patent and prescription medicines from the 1920s and beyond. A longtime Paterson pharmacy donated a collection of remedies, bottles, and even a book full of old-time prescriptions. For those who …
Think tank, West Orange-style! The Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange is open during the holiday week. After undergoing extensive renovations, the Laboratory Complex reopened in October 2009, when Patch visited. The original music recording studio, Thomas Edison's private laboratory, and a photography studio are now open to the public for the first time in the history of the park. The original furnishings have been moved back into many rooms and the vast and unique museum collections are available for all to see, hear, and experience. Installation of an elevator and stair …
Kip's Castle is a nearby home, and a gem of Essex County, now open to the public, with a storied past. Verona Historical Society president Robert Williams explained the history of the residence and cleared up some old rumors. "This house is a real tangible link to the Gilded Age," Williams said. Although the Rhine-style castle, built by Frederick Kip between 1902 and 1905, may resemble an old English residence, it has many roots in Verona. The castle, built for Kip's wife, Charlotte, was constructed using trap rock from the Marley Quarry, which used to be at the site near where Bloomfield …
Time to get out of the house? Ready for a new and nearby adventure? The Newark Museum is hosting Holiday Fun Days on Dec. 28, Dec. 29 and Dec. 30. The Museum will be open from 12:30–4:30 pm each day. Here are the activities: Celebrate the end of 2012 with a top 10 list at the Newark Museum!10. Take photos: Take pictures on a gallery scavenger hunt9. Dance: Get fit while learning a new dance move8. Make Noise: Make a musical instrument and play a tune in the galleries7. Eat: Cooking lessons for young chefs-in-training6. Touch: Get a close up look at some of our teaching collection objects5. …
