Spirits of Revolution and a Thanksgiving Toast

Raise a glass to our revolutionary past—and to preserving Durand-Hedden’s future

A spirited fundraiser on Thursday, November 19, beginning at 6:30 pm at Durand-Hedden

MAPLEWOOD, NJ – November 2026 – Join local wine and spirits expert Hank Zona for a festive and fascinating evening exploring historic and contemporary libations on Thursday, November 19. This special fundraiser will support the preservation of the Durand-Hedden House and its major roof replacement project planned for 2027.

The evening will unfold in two parts. Beginning at 6:30 pm, Zona will guide guests through tastings of port, Madeira, sherry, and other libations enjoyed during the Revolutionary era, offering a glimpse and a taste of how Americans drank in the late 18th century.

Then, beginning at 7:30 pm, the evening turns toward Thanksgiving, with festive samplings of local wines and beers selected with the holiday table in mind.

Tickets for the 6:30 pm “Spirits of the Revolution” tasting include admission to “A Thanksgiving Toast” beginning at 7:30 pm.

6:30–7:30 pm — Spirits of the Revolution

A guided tasting of port, Madeira, sherry, and other libations of the Revolutionary era.

Limited to 20 guests. Ticket price: $250 per person, including admission to “A Thanksgiving Toast.”

7:30 pm onward — A Thanksgiving Toast

A festive tasting of local wines and beers for the Thanksgiving table—and an opportunity to gather with friends of Durand-Hedden in the spirit of the season.

Ticket price: $75 per person.

Tickets at Durandhedden.org.

Proceeds support the preservation of Durand-Hedden House, including its major roof replacement project planned for 2027. Parking for Durand-Hedden House is available on nearby streets.

About Durand-Hedden House and GardenThe Durand-Hedden House and Garden Association is Maplewood’s historic house museum, dedicated to creating engaging and informative educational programs about the local history of Maplewood and surrounding communities, natural history, and other related topics. The House, at 523 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood, is open once a month between September and June. For more information, visit our website at durandhedden.org. To arrange group tours, write to info@durandhedden.org. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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The People’s House? The Reality of Personal Taste in the White House

A talk with Ulysses Grant Dietz at the Woodland Parlor, 60 Woodland Road, Maplewood

Sunday, October 11, 2 pm, followed by a reception at Durand-Hedden

MAPLEWOOD, NJ – October 2026 – Join Durand-Hedden for The People’s House? The Reality of Personal Taste in the White House, a talk with Ulysses Grant Dietz. Dietz will survey how the interiors at the White House have changed from the 1817 rebuilding after the 1814 burning, to the sixty-six years since the Kennedy renovations of 1960. Historical images will underscore the reality that no administration has ever left the White House alone, all making changes to represent their vision of home, and how the president and his family would be represented in the world. 

Dietz worked with the Newark Museum for 37 years, much of that time as the curator of decorative arts. He is the author of books on Victorian furniture, art pottery, studio ceramics, jewelry, and the White House. He is the great-great-grandson of U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant.

Doors will open at 1:30 pm on Sunday, October 11, and the talk will begin at 2 pm at The Woodland Parlor, 60 Woodland Road in Maplewood. Pre-registration is requested and available at DurandHedden.org. The talk will be followed by a reception with light refreshments at Durand Hedden House, 523 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood.

Durand-Hedden House & Garden Members should choose Member tickets, with additional event-specific donations always welcome. The event is free for all, but non-members are asked to consider making a donation when getting tickets to support the House, grounds, and our programming. Information on Membership is available on our website. Membership starts at just $25 a year.

Parking for Durand-Hedden House is available on nearby streets.

About Durand-Hedden House and Garden

The Durand-Hedden House and Garden Association is Maplewood’s historic house museum, dedicated to creating engaging and informative educational programs and materials about the local history of Maplewood and surrounding communities, natural history, and other related topics. The House, at 523 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood, is open once a month between September and June. For more information, visit our website at durandhedden.org. To arrange group tours, write to info@durandhedden.org. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Visit our event page and register here.

Flyer (download here).

Applications and submissions due for My MAPSO, a curated photography exhibition at Durand-Hedden House

Applications due October 22; submissions due October 29

The Durand-Hedden House Historic House Museum invites both professional and amateur photographers to submit photographs of sites that are part of the histories of Maplewood and South Orange. Entries must use pre-digital formats, and we encourage the use of nineteenth-century photographic processes. These may include, but are not limited to, pinhole cameras, salt prints, and cyanotypes. Artists may submit up to 3 pieces. Submissions may include prints on paper or fabric, flipbooks, panoramas, or other traditional print formats. There is no entry fee. 

Please send the following to dhhphoto26@gmail.com no later than Thursday, October 22, at 5 pm:

·         JPEGS of the photographs

·         a 50-word bio

·         a short note about the photographic process you chose

Please reach out to dhhphoto26@gmail.com with any questions.

Upcoming dates and deadlines:

• Applications due: Thursday, October 22, by 5 pm

• Artwork drop-off: Thursday, October 29, 4 pm to 7 pm at the Carriage House at Durand-Hedden House (523 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood)

• Opening reception: Friday, November 6, 6 pm to 8 pm at Durand-Hedden House

• Exhibition at Durand-Hedden House: Saturday & Sunday, November 7 and 8, 12 noon to 5 pm

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