Heritage Weekend has a number of special events planned

ANDOVER - -On Oct. 15 and 16, historical museums and heritage organizations throughout Sussex County will join the Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council for a Heritage Weekend. It’s a weekend to explore the history and uniqueness of Sussex County, and learn a little about its musicians and the music in days of yore. The weekend was inspired by New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music exhibition, which is at the Council’s gallery until Oct. 30. The exhibit is a Museum on Main Street project, a partnership of the Smithsonian Institution, the Federation of State Humanities Councils, and state humanities councils nationwide. The show traces the history of American music and is traveling to galleries, libraries, and other venues across our country. The Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council is honored to be one of the few sites in New Jersey chosen as a host. The following participating organizations will be open during Heritage Weekend: At the Andover Museum, the Historical Society of Andover Borough has organized a show on the Cornet Bands from Andover. The museum also displays memorabilia about the mining, the railroad, and the dairy history of Andover and it has a gift shop with items depicting historic scenes. After nearly ten years, the museum has reopened at 137 Main Street/Route 206, Andover Borough (upstairs in the municipal building). It will open Oct. 16 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 973-786-7833 The Franklin Heritage Museum at 95 Main Street, Franklin, has a display about the Franklin Town Band. Originally known as the Franklin Furnace Band, it was organized in 1870 and is one of the oldest known community bands in New Jersey. The Franklin Band continues the tradition by marching in parades and performing concerts. The museum will be open Oct. 15 and Oct. 16 from noon to 4 p.m. The Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum’s Joe Cook exhibit shows the history of this leading vaudevillian and Broadway musical comedy star from the teens through the 30’s. Instruments and music sheets are on display. The museum is located on the grounds of Lake Hopatcong State Park in Landing, 2 miles off Route I-80 at exit 28. It is open Oct. 16 from noon to 4 p.m. The Montague Association for the Restoration of Community History will open the Foster-Armstrong House Museum at 320 River Road, C.R. 521, Montague, for a display of old instruments and music artifacts. Come by Oct. 15 or 16 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. On the 16th, you might catch a banjo minstrel strumming one of the old tunes. 973-293-3106. The Newton Fire Museum at 150 Spring Street, Newton, is open Oct. 14 and 15 from noon to 8 p.m., and Oct. 16 from noon to 4 p.m. Ogdensburg Historical Society will open their Schoolhouse and Firehouse Museum at 6 Passaic Avenue, Ogdensburg, on Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Victrolas, old records, music books, and old school plays are on display. 973-209-7443 Sussex County Historical Society in the Hill Memorial Museum at 82 Main Street, Newton, will be open Oct. 15 and 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Historic music items are on display at the Roseville School Museum at 10 Mansfield Road, Byram. It will be open Oct. 15 and 16 from noon to 3 p.m. The Stirling Hill Mine at 30 Plant Street, Ogdensburg will be open Oct. 15 and Oct. 16 from noon to 4 p.m. Tours will begin at 1 p.m. The Franklin Mineral Museum at 32 Evans Street, Franklin will be open Oct. 15 and Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Waterloo Historic Village Heritage Days, in Byram, are Oct. 8 and Oct. 22, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council is located at 133 Spring Street, Newton. For additional information or an updated schedule of corresponding events, go to the Council’s website www.scahc.org, click on Events, then click on New Harmonies, or call 973-383-0027. Gallery hours for the duration of the New Harmonies exhibit are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon. to 4 p.m.