1896: TO FUTURE AND PRESENT VISITORS TO KUSER MANSION

Note that the beautiful sign constructed by the Boy Scouts outside the Kuser Mansion is in error. Had it been put up next to the Goldy farm house that once was on the site of Kuser Farm, it would be accurate.Construction of the Fred and Theresa Kuser "Country Home"  home was finished in 1896, not 1892.

2006: TOM GLOVER'S KUSER MANSION PROGRAMS

As Township time permits, I will be doing onscreen historic presentations and music programs at Kuser Mansion and also at the Hamilton Township Public Library meeting rooms. These programs will be of interest to those who are interested in our local history and also those who like to sing along to music from an era when there was lovely melody, understandable lyrics, and no twangy guitars and strobe lights. Just laid back "easy listening," "easy singing" songs that lift the spirit. Above is a graphic from 2006 detailing one of my on screen presentations at the Kuser Mansion.

2010: A COZY CORNER IN THE KUSER MANSION "SITTING ROOM"

Edna Kuser always referred to this little ante room off of the Kuser Living room as the "sitting room." It was here that she decorated with the many flowers that were in the little Kuser formal garden. I remember one year when she cut a few branches from a raspberry bush, embellished them with other greenery, and had a lovely vase with real live raspberries. Fritz Kuser loved raspberries as I do strawberries.

2010: SPRING HAS SPRUNG AT KUSER MANSION; Come Join Us!

Tonight, ( March 10 ) from 7 to 8:30 PM, I will be bringing another of my popular "The Music We Grew Up With" sing along programs to those of my visitors who are within commuting distance of Kuser Farm Park. Check out the graphic above and if you want to spend a really enjoyable hour and a half hearing all those great songs we grew up with, stop in for a very enjoyable evening. There will be a sprinkling of Irish music, along with a song or two from that great Broadway musical, "Momma Mia!" See 'ya there!

JoeB said...

Tom:

I hear you guys had a great time tonight, even got my wife to sing with you. Sorry I couldn't make it. The Holy Name meeting at St Raphaels was more inportant. See upi next time.

THANKS JOE, WE DID INDEED HAVE A NICE GROUP. THEY WERE ALL REALLY SINGING THEIR HEARTS OUT. I AM WORKING ON A WAY TO HAVE SONNY DO A SONG FROM MY MUSIC REPERTOIRE. THE NEXT TIME I WOULD WANT TO HAVE HER THERE BEFORE PROGRAM SO WE CAN WORK OUT A SONG THAT SHE'S FAMILIAR WITH, AND ALSO ONE THAT I CAN CHANGE TO A COMFORTABLE KEY FOR HER TO SING. ALL MY MUSIC IS SET FOR MALE BARITONE.

TOM

2009: Come Sing With Me and Also Remember Kuser School Days

For those local residents who were unable to attend the June 4th Centennial Dinner Dance at the Nottingham Ballroom, I will be presenting my onscreen multimedia presentation,
"KUSER SCHOOL: A LOCAL LEGEND" on Sunday afternoon during my regular singalong program. The program will be from 1 to 3 PM in the Kuser Mansion theater. I hope to see you there. Call 890-3630 to reserve a seat or seats.

2009: SINGALONGS, HISTORICAL TREASURES AT KUSER MANSION

Spring has just about sprung! Tomorrow afternoon from 1 to 3 P.M. I will be doing a singalong program with "The music we grew up with," along with a few Irish songs to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. I hope to see a few of my visitors who are not attending Trenton's St. Patrick's Day parade. Above is an article from the Trentonian announcing the programs for March 2009 at Kuser Mansion. Kim Daly, will be recalling many Irish traditions on March 15th, in a program of Irish wit and traditions.

2009: SINGALONGS, HISTORICAL TREASURES AT KUSER MANSION

Spring has just about sprung, and the township of Hamilton is helping us celebrate. Above is an article from the Trentonian announcing the programs for March 2009 at Kuser Mansion. Kim Daly, will be recalling many Irish traditions on March 15th, in a program of Irish wit and traditions. I will be bringing the music we grew up with to those of us who remember when music had beautiful and more importantly, understandable lyrics, and an even more beautiful melodies.

2009: THANKS TO YOU ATTENDED OUR KUSER MANSION PROGRAM!

Many thanks to that wonderful group of 25 or more who attended the Kuser Mansion program we had this afternoon. I can honestly say that you all were one of the most receptive and enthusiastic groups I have had the pleasure of performing for in my 25 or more years of presenting "The Music We Grew Up With." We had a wonderful two hours of music and memories, and I was really impressed with how enthustically you sang, and more impressively, how you remembered the words to some songs you haven't heard in 60 and 70 years! Thanks so much for being there. I hope we can do it again soon.

2009: KUSER SCHOOL PROGRAM AT KUSER MANSION

This Sunday afternoon, February 22, from 1 to 3 PM, I will be presenting my music program " When Music Was Music" at Kuser Farm Mansion, Cedar Lane and Newkirk Avenues in Hamilton. We will be singing the songs of Patti Page, Dean Martin, Barry Mannilow, Joni James, Andy Williams, and all of the "easy listening" songs from the 40's, World War II, and choice ballads and novelty songs through the 60's and 70's. This year, in recognition of the centennial of Kuser School, I will also be recalling grammar school in the years of my (and our) youth. Once again we'll be singing "Do You Know the Muffin Man," "Go In and Out the Windows," and other school playground songs, and recalling ink wells, blackboards, milk boards, girlfriends, lavatories, cloak rooms and all those fascinating vestiges of a now vintage era. I can pretty much guarantee a fun filled two hours. I hope to see you there. Call 890-3630 and leave a message to reserve a seat (or seats). I hope to see y'all there!

2009: "THE MUSIC WE GREW UP WITH"

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

1986: Kuser Farm Mansion's Curator, Denise Zemlansky

Denise was the nearest personality who had the same love for the Kuser Mansion as did Edna Kuser. Denise retired in August, 2008, and she is sorely missed by those of us who were active in the affairs held at the mansion. Her dedication to the mansion was complete.

YOU KNOW THAT OLD SLOGAN THAT HAS BEEN
TRIPPING AROUND FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS:

"SUPPOSE I GIVE A PARTY AND NO ONE COMES?"

WELL, THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENED! THE WEDNESDAY EVENING HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTATION, AND THE KUSER SCHOOL PESENTATION A FEW MONTHS EARLIER ,TURNED OUT A PITIFUL FEW HISTORY-ORIENTED CITIZENS. CAN YOU SPELL "APATHY?" IN THE WEDNESDAY EVENING HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTATION, ALUMNI FROM THE CLASS OF '39, '46 AND '47 ATTENDED, AND APPRECIATED THE PROGRAM, SO THAT MADE IT ALL WORTH WHILE.

THERE WAS LITTLE INTEREST IN THE KUSER SCHOOL PRESENTATION WHICH IS COMPLETELY PUZZLING, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE KUSER CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. HOWEVER, I, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER FOLKS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN GATHERING AND RECORDING HISTORY HAVE TAKEN A PAGE FROM THE GOOD BOOK AS WE RECALL THE ADMONITION IN THE "GOOD BOOK:"

"WHEREVER TWO OR MORE ARE GATHERED IN MY NAME...."

I LEARNED A VALUABLE A LESSON: JUST BECAUSE I HAVE A DESIRE TO SHARE LOCAL HISTORY WITH THE COMMUNITY, I SHOULDN'T HAVE ASSUMED THE COMMUNITY HAS THE SAME ZEAL FOR HISTORY. LESSON LEARNED. I WILL CONTINUE COMPILING HISTORICAL DATA, AND KEEP ADDING IT TO THE COMPUTER.

NO HARD FEELING BUT SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTED.

2008 IMPORTANT MESSAGE AND PRESS RELEASE

I HOPE TO SEE A FEW VISITORS TO MY WEBSITE AT THE KUSER FARM MANSION PROGRAM WHERE I WILL BE PRESENTING A PROGRAM WHICH IS VERY APPROPRIATE FOR THE GRADUATION SEASON. THE ON SCREEN PROGRAM, "HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL: THE GOLDEN YEARS" IS A COMPUTER GENERATED PROGRAM HERALDING THE HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL FROM ITS INCEPTION IN 1930 AND UP TO THE 1960'S. NEARLY EVERY CLASS IS REPRESENTED IN THE HALF HOUR PRESENTATION. FOLLOWING THE ON SCREEN PRESENTATION, I WILL RECALL ALL THOSE WONDERFUL HIGH SCHOOL MEMORIES: SATURDAY NIGHT CANTEENS, TOONE TOWNE, WENDEL "SNEAKY PETE" PHILLIPS, MAX JORDAN, JIM "JIM CROW" COURSEN, CHARLES "POP" MITCHELL, AND MANY OTHER VESTIGES OF THOSE DISTANT YEARS. CALL AND RESERVE A SEAT TODAY. YOU WON'T BE SORRY. WHEN YOU CALL THE NUMBER BELOW, MS. DENISE ZEMLANSKY WILL ANNOUNCE VARIOUS KUSER FARM ACTIVITIES. WAIT FOR HER MESSAGE TO FINISH, AND AT THE "BEEP" LEAVE YOUR RESERVATION(S). SEE YOU THERE!

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“Graduation Day:
A Day To Remember”
At Hamilton’s Kuser Farm Mansion
Free Admission
Join Tom Glover in an incredibly nostalgic evening as he presents a digitally projected on-screen presentation entitled, “Hamilton High School: The Golden Years.”
Tom’s presentation took many months to put together. It traces the history of Hamilton High from its opening in 1930 through the early 1950’s.
After the digital on-screen presentation, we will recall “Class Night,” “Baccalaureate Service,” and most of all the annual Graduation Ceremony at the Trenton War Memorial Building.
The program will be presented
in the 45-foot dining room
of Kuser Farm Mansion on Wednesday, June 4th at 7:00 p.m.
This will be an evening to enjoy
at Hamilton’s Kuser Farm Mansion.
Advance Reservation Required
Free Admission
Call (609) 890-3630 at Kuser Farm Mansion
Entrances Located at: 390 Newkirk Avenue
and also Kuser Road at Ferrante Lane
Hamilton (Mercer County), New Jersey

1897: A QUEEN ANNE HOME SIMILAR TO KUSER MANSION

PRESS RELEASE FROM HAMILTON TOWNSHIP

I HOPE SOME OF THE LOCAL VISITORS TO MY WEBSITE WILL JOIN ME THIS COMING WEDNESDAY AS I PRESENT A PROGRAM OF LOVE SONGS AT THE KUSER FARM MANSION. I HAVE SEEN POLITICALLY MOTIVATED SUGGESTIONS IN THE LOCAL NEWS THAT THE PROGRAMS ARE AN UN-NECESSARY EXPENSE. NOTE THAT ALL OF MY EFFORTS ARE ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS, AS ARE ALL THE OTHER CITIZENS WHO BELIEVE IN GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY WE LOVE. HERE'S THE TOWNSHIP PRESS RELEASE; I SURE HOPE TO SEE A FEW OF YOU THERE:

“April Love”

Wednesday, April 16^th at 7:00 p.m.

Advance Reservation Required

Musical Program By Tom Glover

Enjoy an evening musical program presented by Tom Glover in the 45 foot dining room of the mansion. Tom will bring his music on his computer, and you’ll have a lovely evening listening to his love ballads. Guests are invited to join in, by singing along during the entire evening. Tom always presents a memorable evening.

NOTE: Tom Glover presents this program on a volunteer basis – and therefore it is not at taxpayer expense. Residents may call 890-3630 to confirm reservations.

==============

(WHEN YOU CALL, WAIT FOR THE RECORDED MESSAGES TO PLAY, THEN LEAVE YOUR MESSAGE AT THE BEEP.)

"THE WAY WE WERE" TOMORROW EVENING

TOMORROW EVENING FROM 7 TO 9 PM AT KUSER MANSION, I WILL BE BRINGING A PROGRAM ENTITLED, "THE WAY WE WERE" TO THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN LIFE IN THE HAMILTON/TRENTON AREA OF THE 1940'S AND 50'S, AND HISTORIC PHOTOS OF THE HAMILTON-TRENTON AREA FROM THE ANCIENT PAST. THE PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE AN ON-SCREEN PRESENTATION FOLLOWED BY A MUSICAL SINGALONG. CALL 890-3630 FOR RESERVATIONS. AFTER CURATOR DENISE ZEMLANSKY'S RECORDED MESSAGE, WAIT FOR THE "BEEP" AND LEAVE YOUR NAME AND HOW MANY ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND. THE PROGRAM CONCLUDES AT 9 PM. SEE YOU THERE!

2007: Kuser Farm Program Schedule

Denise Zemlansky, Curator at Kuser Farm Mansion has posted the events which will be presented at Kuser Mansion during the coming year. The events are free, but reservations are required. For an Adobe Reader copy of the brochure, click on the link below. I will be doing a number of history/nostalgia/music programs during the year. There are some very fascinating programs scheduled, so check it out.

1. Kuser Programs 2007
   
   

1989: Christmas at Kuser Farm

This vignette photo was extracted from a feature I did back in 1989 for the late, lamented "Mercer Messenger." Seventeen years ago...How time does fly!

2006: Kuser Farm

Here's a spectacular digital photo of the beautifully decorated Kuser Mansion. The beautiful old "Country Home" of Fred and Teresa Kuser has witnessed 114 seasons and with the beautiful restoration now in progress, will be there for many more!

CAPE MAY SPLENDOR RIGHT IN HAMILTON!

Here's a photo taken just this afternoon (November 10) of the restoration in progress at Hamilton's Kuser Mansion. The stately old girl is being brought back to her former splendor, and the workers are now painting the "gingerbread" highlights of that beautiful old mansion. Fred and Theresa Kuser and Edna And Fred Kuser are smiling down on us from above. Well done, Hamilton Township!

(Click on the image to get a better view of the gingerbread highlights being added to the house.)