Webinar Replays
Winter 2023 Virtual Programs
March 20, 2023
- Women of the Hermitage– with Marion Brown
- From the time of the Revolutionary War, Anne DeVisme and her daughter Theodosia Prevost defended the property from wartime confiscation. The Rosencrantz family kept the house for 163 years, first as a Victorian showplace, then as a tearoom as their fortunes declined. Mary Elizabeth, the last of the Rosencrantzes, fended off developers looking to raze her home until her death in 1970 when she gave the property to the state. One woman you will hear about was the daughter of Judge John Suffern and another was a direct descendant of Lucas Kierstede son of Hans Kierstede and Sara Roelofs of Mahwah. Marion Brown talk about the lives of these strong and determined women and the enslaved people and indentured servants for both the Prevost and Rosencrantz families.
February 11, 2023
- Researching Your Military Ancestor– with Cathy Moran Hajo, Ph.D.
- Most family trees contain more than one member who served in the military. Finding information about their service can expand your understanding of your ancestor, the wars and conflicts that they experienced, and how their service impacted your family. Cathy Moran Hajo will provide an introduction to conducting genealogical research using military records.
Spring 2022 Virtual Programs
February 7
- Immigration and Mahwah’s History – with Cathy Moran Hajo, Ph.D.
- Looking at the settlement of people in Mahwah over its long history, you see the history of the United States in small-scale. From the earliest settlement of Native Americans, colonization by Dutch and British settlers, and waves of 19th and 20th century European travelers, diverse cultures shaped the town, its development, its churches, and its businesses. This talk looks at the different groups that made Mahwah a unique and diverse community, focusing on its founding to 1940.
March 14, 2022
- The Story of Cragmere Park – with Tom Dunn
- Cragmere in the Ramapos was on the cutting edge of real estate development in 1909. It was promoted by Leo Bugg, as “a country place” for city dwellers who needed the railroad to commute to New York. Tom Dunn has been studying this important part of Mahwah since 1974 and periodically updates the story with new pictures and tales. He will tell the 110 year old story of historic homes and modern places that then and now is a vibrant community in Mahwah.
April 23, 2022
- The Story of Les Paul’s Artifacts in the Mahwah Museum – with Sean McClowry, Ph.D.
- Sean McClowry discusses the artifacts from Les Paul’s home studios which are on display at this museum. The unique collection, not seen anywhere else, is on long term loan from the Les Paul Foundation. Special attention will be given to the “Octopus,” the “Monster,” the Sound on Sound machine (Ampex 300), and the Wally Jones Mixer. Sean will go through the music made on each of these machines, the origins of the machines, they way they function, and the dates that Les used them.
May 21, 2022
- The Anatomy of Les Paul’s Hit Lover – with Sean McClowry, Ph.D.
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Sean McClowry, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Music Industry at the College of St. Rose, talks about the recording of Les Paul’s first hit Lover. In the late 40s, Les was experimenting with new techniques in his search for his New Sound. Sean demonstrates the use of the lathe while cutting a record using sound on sound techniques. In the biography, Les Paul in His Own Words, Les notes that he spent hundreds on acetate discs while recording Lover. Les’s first hit Lover was made on the lathe which is displayed in the Les Paul in Mahwah exhibit.
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Spring 2021 Virtual Programs
March 22
- Steadfast: Frances Perkins, Champion of Workers’ Rights – Q&A afterwards with author Jennifer Merz
- Local author and illustrator, Jennifer Merz, presents her latest picture book, Steadfast: Frances Perkins, Champion of Workers’ Rights. Perkins was eyewitness to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in 1911 and became a champion for workplace health and safety laws affecting factory workers in the early 20th century. Eventually Perkins was appointed U.S. Secretary of Labor by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933. Jennifer Merz discusses Perkins’ enduring legacy as inspiration for this new historical nonfiction story for children and presents her unique illustrative process and style.
April 12
- Les Paul: The Early Years in Waukesha– Q&A afterwards with Sue Baker
- Sue Baker talks about Les Paul growing up in Waukesha, Wisconsin and the creative things he did as he explored playing his guitar and entertaining audiences in and around his hometown.
May 3
- Ramapo College Architecture From Birch Estate to Campus– With Tom Dunn and Richard Roberts
- Tom Dunn moderated a program with Richard Roberts about the growth of Ramapo College facilities from a Black Angus cattle ranch to the first-class undergraduate college that it is 50 years later.
May 17
- Photographs of Les Paul Through the Lens of Chris Lentz– Q&A afterwards with Chris Lentz
- Chris Lentz shows a selection from the thousands of photographs he has taken over the years. Through these photos and his commentary, Chris will gives the audience a unique and intimate look at Les Paul, not just on stage, but backstage as well, when Les was in a relaxed environment. Chris will provide context as to who is in the picture with Les and what was going on at the time.
May 24
- The Early Life of George Potter: A Video Biography – Q&A afterwards with Tom Heed
- June 7
- Celebrating Les Paul’s 106th Birthday– with Chris Lentz, Wade Morgan, Walter Brinkman, Gary Mazzaroppi and Paul Nowinski
Winter 2021 Virtual Programs
January 4
- Agitating for Woman Suffrage- A Webinar – Q&A afterwards with Ann D. Gordon, Ph.D.
- The story of woman suffrage is different in every state. Women of New Jersey spent decades trying to break men’s lock on political power in the state. Resistance to equal political rights was powerful. In the end, it took federal action, through the 19 th Amendment, to get the job done here. Highlights of the long history will be presented in this talk.
January 23
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Starting Your Family Tree- A Webinar – Q&A afterwards with Cathy Moran Hajo, Ph.D.
- Do you love learning about your family history? From gathering photographs and stories, selecting genealogy tools and platforms, dabbling in DNA and collaborating with distant cousins, Cathy Moran Hajo will take you through the steps of starting work on your family tree.
March 1
- Stitches in Time: Quilts, 1800-1976 – Q&A afterwards with Peggy Norris
- American quilts have decorated our beds and kept us warm for two centuries. Peggy W. Norris explores the great variety of quilts from 1800 to 1976, with a special look at quilts made in Bergen County, New Jersey.
March 20
10th Anniversary of Ramapo College: Roast of President George Potter – Film Screening
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- In 1981 Ramapo College celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a roast of its first president George Potter. It was a joyous occasion enjoyed by all, especially President George Potter. In addition to President Potter seven faculty were roasted as well.
Fall 2020 Virtual Programs
October 5
- An Inside Look at Palisades Amusement Park – Moderated by Vince Gargiulo with guests speakers
- It has been 49 years since Palisades Amusement Park closed its gates for the last time. But the memories of the legendary fun center are still as vivid today in the minds of the over-50 crowd as they were back in the park’s heyday.
October 19
- Life at Ramapo College in the 70’s: Student Perspective – Moderated by Charlie Carreras with alumni guest speakers
- Ramapo College students from the 1970’s, including Vincent Marchese, Carol Ryan Peterson, and Dean Shapiro, share their memories of the early years of the college. Afterward, other Ramapo College students of the 70’s to discuss their experiences and share their memories of the formative years of the school.
November 9
- The Making of a Village: Ridgewood Grows Up, 1894-1905 – With Peggy Norris and Joe Suplicki
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- Ridgewood has long been a center of Bergen County. Using documents, maps and historic panoramic photos, they bring to light the many changes that occurred during the critical years at the turn of the century. Peggy and Joe share their love of regional history by giving lectures and talks on a wide variety of topics including genealogy, local cemeteries, quilts, and the history of Bergen County’s Camp Merritt.
November 14
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- In the webinar Life at Ramapo College in the 1970’s: Faculty Perspectives, founding members of the Ramapo College’s faculty and staff describe their experiences, the obstacles they overcame, and the creative ways they launched a progressive curriculum.
December 7
- All Things Les Paul: The Early Years of Recording – With Gene Paul, son of Les Paul
- This talk is part of the Les Paul Legacy Series hosted by the Les Paul in Mahwah exhibit at the Mahwah Museum. Les Paul’s son, Gene Paul, discusses the multifaceted history of Les and his many accomplishments.
Summer 2020 Virtual Programs
- The Mahwah Museum Held a Virtual Celebration Of Les Paul at 105, featuring special performances by:
July 17
- A Discussion of Les Paul’s Innovative Recording Techniques – With Gene Paul, Sean McClowry, and Frank Rush
- A conversation with Gene Paul (chief engineer at G&J Audio and son of Les Paul), Sean McClowry (Associate Professor Of Music Technology) and Frank Rush (formerly of Ampex) discuss Les Paul’s contributions to sound recording.
Be sure to check out the rest of our videos on our YouTube channel!