Everything old is New Again

On Sunday, September 21, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., rediscover Durand-Hedden House, Maplewood’s historic house museum, which was freshly painted over the summer and transformed. It is now wearing a new “old” color scheme of straw, dark green and maroon, which represents the era 1865-1880. Find out about the work that was done and the techniques used for this startling change. Go on to stroll Durand-Hedden’s picturesque grounds, Maplewood Township’s Grasmere Park. Explore the Herb Garden, a project of the Maplewood Garden Club created in 1979 to enhance the House. This year, a new group of volunteers, under the leadership of landscape designer Judy Halesky, have planted, weeded and watered this lovely horticultural gem. Be sure to treat yourself to a taste of mint pesto with vegetables and an herbal tea. Visitors will also be able to peruse the exhibit, “The Maplewood Theater: Its Forgotten Saga,” which explores the ever-changing 87-year history of the Maplewood Theater, spanning silent films, vaudeville, talkies, live theater, neighborhood cinema, and the current multiplex. The Country Store will be open and featuring historic-themed treasures, many at discounted prices: mini school slates, early American children’s games, books and toys, facsimile documents, quill pens and ink, historic cook books, cookie molds, tin lanterns, hand blown blue birds, reproductive decorative items and ceramics, and more. The hard-to-find original Doors of Maplewood poster and Smile, the history of Olympic Park, will also be available. The Durand-Hedden House is dedicated to telling the history of the development of Maplewood and the surrounding area in new and engaging ways. It is located in Grasmere Park at 523 Ridgewood Road in Maplewood. For more information or to arrange group tours call 973-763-7712.