Inspection of artifact collections from the Abbott Farm at the New Jersey State Museum, Trenton (3:00-4:30); opening of the new museum exhibit, Cultures in Competition: Indians and Europeans in Colonial New Jersey 4:30-6:00).  Around 1600, the Indians of New Jersey lived an apparently peaceful life in a number of small villages. They grew crops, hunted, fished, and collected wild plants and shellfish. They had probably seen and heard of strangers arriving in North America in ships from across the Atlantic, but Europeans had not yet ventured into the New Jersey Indian’s territory. Drastic changes were to occur in the Indians lifestyle during the following decades as the Dutch, the Swedes, and the English began to compete for control of what is today New Jersey. The exhibition traces the impact of Europeans settlement in New Jersey on the Indian’s way of life. The exhibit opening is sponsored by the Friends of the New Jersey State Museum.

The museum event is open to everyone, although transportation is not provided unless you are a part of the Abbott Farm walking tour. Driving directions to the state museum will be available at the meeting registration desk or can be seen on the museum’s website at http://www.state.nj.us/state/museum