Sketching Out Blog: Sketches of art, watercolor, photos, recipes, books, interviews, Jewish topics, and Highland Park, New Jersey

Should Women Vote?

Allaire State Park - Re-enactment of vote of 1836
Allaire State Park - Re-enactment of vote of 1836

Yesterday we had the fun of visiting Allaire State Park in Farmingdale, New Jersey, including the historic village and the train ride. The historic village featured Election Day 1836 – should women get the vote? The man without a hat was arguing with the women suffragettes to his right that that was a ridiculous notion.

allaire_blue
The actors played their roles with great oomph and and in an impromptu fashion – they talked directly to the audience (there was no stage, and we were part of the show). The boy on the right was handing out blue ballots for his party, and he handed them only to the men in our party (my husband and a friend), but not to the women. I joked that I could influence my husband’s vote by telling him for whom to vote. My daughter and her friend, however, wanted the pink ballot party to win, no matter what the agenda, so they kept sneaking into the building to cast ballots for the pink party. They succeeded once or twice, but they also got caught and got a good “scolding” – all in good fun.

allaire_ghoul
I wasn’t allowed to photograph the insides of the Allaire Village buildings – too bad, there was a lot of good history. We took the short train ride near the village at the end of our day. I’ll post the train another day, but here’s a great ghoulish guy at the train stop. He’s just there around Halloween time, have no fear.

For more photos with a little red or a lot of red, visit Ruby Tuesday:
RubySlippers_morris

mother in israel says

That sounds like so much fun!

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Ilana-Davita says

Your shots are really good, the last one being my favorite.
Funny you wrote about women and the right to vote, I heard something about the American discussion today on the radio.

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Leora says

The last one is your favorite? I wouldn't have "thunk" (I mean thought).

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Ilana-Davita says

It is a fine combination of colors and framing set against an eerie blurred background.

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Ralph says

Who wants voting to be male-only? It is a nice thing to have the franchise to vote, and daughter Allegra was able to vote for the first time last year, and it made a difference to her to be able to participate...

I like the true (not electronic) interactive apps. The costumes bring us back quite a bit, and we pay attention as history comes alive!

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EG Wow! says

I like the idea of the audience being a part of the play. Great fun and very educational.

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Robin from Israel says

I love those living history museums, so much more fun than dry artifacts. Your ghoul is a bit creepy for me though, buy hey, I'm a wimp.

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Leora says

The little boy near me was scared, too; he couldn't figure out why I was photographing that thing!

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ramblingwoods says

I wonder why you couldn't photograph inside... My brother is a civil war buff and took part in the one of reinactments of one of the battles. He had a great time... Michelle

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Leora says

For some reason, they were pretty strict about no photography inside. I don't remember that from past visits, but then again, in the past the furnished homes hadn't been open, and this time they were.

There was a bible in the main house that the tour guide wasn't even allowed to touch. Supposedly, the family bible had a lot of history of the family, too (the Allaire family).

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Dimple says

Very interesting! About photography inside: I understand that the light from the flash damages the objects inside. Possibly something like sunlight does. And touching old objects, like books, contributes to decomposition by leaving body oil, which is acidic.

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Leora says

Thanks for the explanation, Dimple. That makes sense. I think just opening that old Bible would probably make the pages fall apart.

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Baila says

I went to the Allaire State Park with Isaac when I was pregnant with Liat (16 years ago). What a great place.

And before Isaac got his citizenship, he used to say to me, "You know in my country, the men tell the women how to vote", to which I used to answer, "welcome to America, babe". :-)

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Leora says

“welcome to America, babe”
- I love that!

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mizhelle says

aww thanks for sharing! love it!

u may view mine if u have time

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chubskulit says

If voting will result to the last picture, I wont do it lol..

How about an ornery little fella for Ruby Tuesday?

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Eileen says

Very interesting post. I am so glad things have changed with time.

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Louise says

What a terrific thing to take your children to. Education and fun at the same time can't be better.

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Carletta says

Re-enactments are a wonderful way for children to learn and adults as well I suspect.
Wonderful shots!
I like the last one as well - pretty cool costume.

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Paz says

What a fun day and very nice photo captures.

Paz

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Dianne says

I thought that last guy was one of the candidates! ;)

great shots

I learned recently that in many Southern states women were not allowed to be jurors - and this was in 1960!!

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Napaboaniya APAD says

Yes, all woman should have the right to vote :P
That Halloween face is pretty freaky!! :P

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Meikah Delid says

Oh the last photo was one ugly creature! :O:

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Junie Rose says

Oh, my! This was a very interesting post to read and great pics too!

Junie

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moosh says

I love visiting historic places. This sounds like afun trip and nice for kids and adults. HRT

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eden says

oh, that is so interesting to watch.

great job for capturing very nice photos..

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pinkyshelo says

That was a lovely trip.. and the Halloween photo is so creepy..

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Nonizamboni says

Creepy and colorful! And a gentle reminder of what we enjoy now. Nicely done, as always.

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Patti V. says

That looks like it was a lot of fun, as well as being educational. I enjoy seeing history re-enactors. I also believe women should have the right to vote.... and I'll be doing so in about an hour. ;-)

I like your great ghoulish guy alliteration, Leora. Not too fond of his face, though. Eeek.

Happy Ruby Tuesday and thanks for stopping by!

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Hootin' Anni says

I would've so loved being there! Terrific tour.

My R T is posted now. "I came, HE SAWED, we conquered". come see. Here is the permalink to my Tuesday post.

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Icy BC says

It's interesting and fun to read your post! The photos show their expressions so well..

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AuntieE says

Great trip. We women should vote and I,m glad we can. Oh the last photo just made me cringe. good thing he is only there one day. The Women may not want to vote for fear of a haunting,lol.

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storyteller at Small Reflections says

I love reinactments as a way to teach (and relive) historical moments! That last photo is pretty scary. Thanks for visiting MY Ruby Rose at Small Reflections.
Hugs and blessings,

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Leora says

My apologies to you and to anyone else I scared! I thought it hilarious, that ghoul of a guy.

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Melissa says

It's good to be back. I have missed reading your blog.

I love how you always take us to great places and teach us so much along the way.

Melissa

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Leora says

Melissa, I even think, what will my blog readers enjoy, when I go on a trip...sometimes my kids start to talk that way, too. It's infectious!

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annie says

oooh, seriously spooky, that last one.

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amanda says

That is a shame you could not take photos inside but you got some great stuff outside Leora!

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Leora says

Truth is, I got tons of outdoor photos. It's nice to look at stuff without looking into a lens, too. One doesn't have to photograph everything...

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Sandy "From the Heart of Texas" says

Great post and photo! I too love the last one! Very vibrant red!

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Jim says

Hi Leora. I think you need to start a movement that bloggers be allowed to take pictures inside places like that. Bloggers ARISE!!
Happy RT! :-)
..

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Leora says

Hi, Jim! Well, as Dimple said, it could be hazardous to the furnishings, so I wouldn't want to be a cause of problems. The whole village was free (we only paid for the train ride, which is separate), so respecting their wishes is the least I can do.

We did buy some toys in the general store (nothing old-fashioned, just some stuffed animals the girls wanted).

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Ellie says

Such a great story and pictures. Good thing everybody can vote now. Some even want to let the kids vote - that will secure the whole craziness of the world. Congrats on your new Governor - hope he will do something good for NJ - politician so rarely keep their campaign promises...

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Leora says

Regarding New Jersey - we shall see, we shall see.

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