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From: Sharon / Harry Colquhoun <>
Subject: [NJHUNTER] Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead Museum
Date: Fri, 08 Sep 2000 13:58:58 -0400


Today's Princeton Packet newspaper had an article by Susan Van Dongen in
the magazine section regarding "The Old Ways". I'll include excerpts,
directly quoting Ms. Van Dongen.

The Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead Museum will hold its 4th Annual
Celebration of Farming at the farmstead, 1605 Daniel Bray Highway (Route
29), Lambertville, Sept. 9-10, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. The event is free. For
more information, call (908) 782-6653.

The Farmstead Museum is a living homage to Hunterdon County's
agricultural heritage. The property was once part of John Holcombe's
plantation, according to his 1742 will. The adjacent farmhouse was
built by John Wey and dates back to at least 1711, and came into the
possession of Milo and Rachel Jimison in the early 20th entury.
However, the state's construction of Route 202 and the nearby toll
bridge threatened the property with seizure by eminent domain.

"Because Mr. Jimison had documentation back to 1733 - from the original
sale of the house - he was able to appeal to the (Hunterdon County)
Historical Society to have it preserved," Ms. Hockenbury says.

In 1968, the Farmstead was donated to the Historical Society by the
Jimisons, who retained life rights. In turn, the property was deeded to
Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead, Inc. in 1984.

Using a combination of grants and individual donations, the Museum's
volunteers and trustees have restored the property and added
outbuildings for the Post Office, Blacksmith Shop and carriage shed.
Inside the barn are displays including an early 20th century kitchen, a
carpentry shop and a collection of farm machinery patented and
manufactured by Flemington inventor and millionairs Hiram Deats.

One very special display looks as though it was frozen in time, in
1911. It is a replica of Quakertown doctor-dentist Morris Leaver's
office, complete with apothecary bottles and surgical equipment, a
dentist's chair and exquisite period cabinetry.

The Holcombe-Jimison house is one of the oldest standing farmsteads in
the state, dating back to 1711. Today the farm is a museum dedicated to
preserving the memory of the old farming ways.

Please DO NOT email me for more info - I don't have any further info - I
only read the paper and thought I'd forward the info to those who might
be interested. If you want more information please contact the museum
at the number given above. Thanks.

Sharon Moore Colquhoun
Belle Mead NJ

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~hsc

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