Nature Done Wright

Next week is my unofficial Fell House Week, featuring three free talks about the historic John Fell House and neighboring Celery Farm Natural Area and topped off by the free John Fell Day at the Fell House on Sunday, April 23 — including two reenactments of John Fell's arrest by British loyalists 240 years ago.

In the talks, I'll illuminate the history of Allendale’s Celery Farm nature refuge and the Fell House – two subjects near and dear to my heart. The talks will be enhanced by archival images and beautiful nature photography.

In the talks, I'll not only explain the unsung John Fell’s heroic role in the Revolutionary War, but I'll also discuss the house that bears his name  and the swamp that he owned – better known today as the 107-acre Celery Farm. 

I'm in in a unique position to talk about  John Fell and the Celery Farm. I've  written extensively on both subjects, and I'm a deputy warden of the natural area — once called Fell’s Meadows. 

Here's the schedule of the talks:

Monday, April 17, 7 p.m. Mahwah Public Library.  100 Ridge Road, Mahwah, mahwahlibrary.org

Thursday, April 20, 10:30 a.m. Northvale Public Library.  116 Paris Ave., Northvale. northvalelibrary.org

Thursday, April 20, 7 p.m. Lee Memorial Library.  500 Crescent Ave., Allendale. leememoriallibrary.org/

Here's all the info on John Fell Day:

Sunday, April 23, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Fell House, 475 Franklin Turnpike, Allendale. Join the Friends of the Fell House as we host a day of free  history and Earth Day oriented events. At 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m, the Heard’s Brigade will reenact John Fell’s historic arrest by the British Loyalists on April 22, 1777, and explain its significance. 

We’ll also have colonial history activities and Earth Day activities throughout the day. I'll read my "Ghosts of Allendale at 1:30 p.m., featuring illustrations by former Northern Highlands High School art students.