Folklife
BUZZING WITH HISTORY Middlesex County is rich in history, much of which can be explored at East Jersey Old Town Village and the nearby Cornelius Low House. Located in Johnson Park, The Village is a collection of historic structures from the 1700s and 1800s and offers historical interpreters, indoor and outdoor activities for families, special events, and more. But for the past few years, a much younger community has been growing in this historic setting. The Village and the Cornelius Low House property are currently home to four beehives, with each hive housing roughly 50,000 bees. Cared for by volunteer and Master Gardner Patricia Evans, the bees are sourced from many different farms or apiaries, including sources in Italy and Canada, making this bee community nearly as diverse as the County’s human community. Evans supervises the collection of honey from the hives, which is then sold in the The Village gift shop. The all-natural wildflower honey is shaped by the native flora and fauna the bees consume, which includes cherry blossom, clover, maple trees, honeysuckle, and more. Visit the The Village gift shop to purchase a jar today!
ARTS
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THE CORNERSTONE OF A THRIVING COMMUNITY
led by Director Lindsay Erben. In 2023 alone, $2.3 million was granted to the arts community to support theater, dance, history, visual art, literary art, music, folklife, and more. Since 2015, Middlesex County has become a regional destination for the arts. Home to the State Theatre New Jersey ― which the County helped renovate and revitalize through a $12 million grant from the Middlesex County Cultural Trust Fund ― and performing arts centers it helped fund in Avenel, Carteret, and New Brunswick, Middlesex County is teeming with opportunities for residents to observe or participate in a range of arts and cultural performances, activities, and events year-round. Middlesex County also serves as a state-designated Regional Folklife Center, with its Division of Folklife and Cultural Heritage, under the Arts Institute of Middlesex County, promoting, supporting, and presenting cultural traditions practiced by County residents. This year, they launched FolkLIVE, a series of live musical performances focusing on different cultural communities.
In an era when smartphones are replacing the need for real life interaction, Middlesex County is investing in something that brings people together: arts and culture. As one of the most diverse counties in the nation, Middlesex County recognizes that equitable access to the arts improves residents’ overall quality of life, transforms communities, and supports economic growth. This commitment to supporting arts and culture is driven not only by the Board of County Commissioners, but by County residents themselves. In 2015, the Middlesex County Cultural Trust Fund was established by a non-binding referendum supported by 64% of residents seeking arts, culture, history-based programming, infrastructure, and art institutions throughout the County. In January 2020, the County created the Arts Institute of Middlesex County, an office within the Department of Economic Development, to ensure that arts and culture is accessible to all and continues to thrive in Middlesex County. To date, nearly 9,000 artists have received County funding through the Arts Institute of Middlesex County, which is
FIND ARTS, CULTURE, AND HISTORY AT
Earlier this year, the County launched an online hub for news and updates on all arts, culture, and history events in Middlesex County ― with countless ways to personalize your browsing experience. Visit MiddlesexCountyCulture.com today to find free and low-cost experiences for you and your family to enjoy.
SCAN HERE TO VISIT THE SITE
DID YOU KNOW?
“Folklife,” sometimes referred to as “folklore,” refers to the everyday things people do and make that express their identity. It encompasses the everyday knowledge, art, expressions and ceremonies that form culturally specific traditions.
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First debuted 2022
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First debuted 1963
Performances from Hezekiah Walker, Jekalyn Carr, and local talent
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middlesexcountynj.gov 13
12 Your Middlesex | 2024 Issue 2
First debuted 2023
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