President's Letter
April 2024

Dear Durand-Hedden Association Members and Supporters,

Spring is an exciting time at Durand-Hedden House, as we continue to bring you exciting programs for people of all ages.

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On April 14th, in honor of Earth Day and our recent Earthquake, Greg Pope, Professor of Earth Sciences at Montclair State, will help us imagine Maplewood and the South Mountain Reservation as they were 20,000 years ago -- and what the impact of climate change will be in the coming decades. In addition, Columbia HS students from the Accomplishing Artists Collective will mount an art show in the Carriage House.

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May is Asian-American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month, and on May 19th we will explore the world of tea -- from its origins in China to its impact in Revolutionary War-era New Jersey. We'll have an historical reenactor for the latter and Chinese tea experts demonstrating traditional tea preparation -- and offering samples.

 

Our Fifth Annual Juneteenth is coming on June 23 -- with historical reenactors, African drummers, singers, and an array of other activities. We continue to collaborate with the SOMA Community Coalition on Race for this event.

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Be sure to check the website for further details.

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Each event is made more interesting and exciting by the people who work with us in researching and creating the exhibits (no experience necessary!), as well as visitors of all ages who come to enjoy them and to learn new, intriguing information about the history of our community. 

 

Please become a member or renew your membership online at durandhedden.org. Your contributions are critical in helping Durand-Hedden to develop interesting programming and to maintain the House and the collections at our Maplewood archive, the Robert H. Grasmere Local History Center.

 

If you want to share your time or talents as a volunteer, please write to us at info@durandhedden.org.

 

We look forward to seeing you!

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Gail R. Safian

President, Durand-Hedden House Board of Trustees

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