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NJ State History Fair - A Word of Thanks Thank you to all the organizations, vendors and individuals who participated in this year's SPIRIT of the JERSEYS State History Fair. There were over 140 registrants from 18 NJ counties and the tri-state area. We also want to thank the people who supported the Fair by attending the event, as well as those agencies who helped us promote it. The attendance grows every year, demonstrating that the Fair has broad-based appeal and that people are interested in learning about and experiencing NJ's past. If anyone wants to comment or make a suggestion about the 2008 Fair, or have ideas for future fairs, feel free to send an email to historyfair@dep.state.nj.us. For those who have inquired about the status of next year's fair, no decision has been made yet. As soon as we know something, we will post the information. Please check our web site http://www.njhistoryfair.org for updates and for photos of this year's fair which will be posted in the near future. Beverly Weaver, Chair, NJ State History Fair Supervisor, Office of Historic Sites 609-777-0238 Fax: 609-984-0503 May 9, 2008 Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Women's Project of NJ Closes Down The Women's Project of New Jersey, Inc. announces to our friends in the New Jersey history community that after 24 years of work on the history of New Jersey women it has passed its various projects on to other groups and is closing its briefcase. On April 2, 2008 WPNJ, Inc. was formally dissolved. The Women's Project was founded in 1984 " to research and publicize the diverse backgrounds and life experiences of New Jersey women throughout the history of New Jersey" and to "commit to the retrieval of New Jersey women's history, to bringing this history to the general public, as well as students of all ages, and to the integration of New Jersey women's history into educational curricula." Its work lives on in libraries, on the internet, and in school curricula. 1. The New Jersey Women's History Web Site has been given in perpetuity to the Alice Paul Institute of Mount Laurel, which will continue to update its design and add to its content. 2. The WPNJ research and organizational archives are deposited with Special Collections/ University Archives at the Alexander Library, Rutgers University New Brunswick for use by future researchers; the finding aid for the papers has been created in memory of Caroline Coughlin, a former Board member, and will be put on line. 3. The copyrights of the 1990 and 1997 editions of Past and Promise Lives of New Jersey Women have been transferred to the New Jersey Historical Society in Newark, which has control over the future use of these publications. The Board of Trustees of the Women's Project of New Jersey, Inc. is gratified that the work product of the Project now rests in the able hands of entities that share the spirit of WPNJ. We want to thank and salute the more than 250 researcher/writers who worked on the 1990 publication of Past and Promise: Lives of New Jersey Women, many of whom continued their research, lectured and published articles; the dozens of people who worked on various taskforces creating: the traveling exhibit based on the book that circulated between 1990 and 1996, the 1997 paperback edition of the book, the various workshops for teachers on women's history in the curriculum, and the research and design of the various stages of the New Jersey Women's History Website. We salute the vision and support given the WPNJ by Barbara Irvine and the NJ Division on Women, which was our first funder and by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation who gave us our first foundation support. We especially thank the wonderful, dedicated staff of the New Jersey Historical Commission who early on recognized the importance of furthering the field of New Jersey women's history and supported the various efforts of WPNJ with grants and encouragement. Signed: Delight Dodyk, Caroline Jacobus, Gayle Samuels, Ferris Olin, Doris Friedensohn, Barbara Rubin, Anne Aronovitch, Joan Burstyn, Carolyn DeSwarte Gifford - - Delight W. Dodyk 34 Maynard Court Ridgewood, NJ 07450 (201) 652-4440 (phone) (201) 447-1972 (fax) dwd2@optonline.net May 9, 2008 Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
10 Most Endangered Historic Sites in NJ Preservation New Jersey, today announced its fourteenth annual list of the 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites in New Jersey at a press conference held on the steps of the State House in Trenton, NJ. The 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites program is designed to highlight historic sites and buildings that are threatened through demolition, neglect or inappropriate public policy. The list is not intended as a judgment on the significance of these as compared to other threatened sites and through this program, Preservation New Jersey seeks positive outcomes that can be achieved through restoration, creative re-use, stewardship and stronger public policy initiatives that recognize that historic preservation is smart growth. Several challenges face properties listed on this year's endangered sites list: a declining real estate market in some communities making new stewards for landmarks that need them harder to find, while in other places a hot market makes teardowns more frequent than ever; state agencies that openly flout the state and national register laws that are supposed to protect historic places from bad government actions; weak or non-existent local preservation ordinances; and local zoning and planning boards that ignore or don't understand the value of important resources. The 2008 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites in New Jersey are: -160 Willard Avenue, Bloomfield, Essex County -Arneytown Historic District, North Hanover Twp., Burlington County -Atlantic City Post Office, Atlantic City, Atlantic County -Beach Theater, City of Cape May, Cape May County -Belcoville Post Office, Weymouth Twp., Atlantic County -Forney House and Clinic, Borough of Milltown, Middlesex County -Lake Solitude Dam, Borough of High Bridge, Hunterdon County -Sacred Heart Church, Jersey City, Hudson County -Shady Rest Golf Club, Scotch Plains, Union County -Speedwell Avenue, Morristown, Morris County For a detailed description of sites please visit: http://preservationnj.org/ten_most/ten_most.asp?ss2id=0 - - Swathy Keshavamurthy swathy@preservationnj.org May 6, 2008 Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Biography of Philip Vickers Fithian Published The University of Pennsylvania Press has recently published "The Way of Improvement Leads Home: Philip Vickers Fithian and the Rural Enlightenment in Early America* by John Fea. *The Way of Improvement Leads Home* is the first full-length biography of Fithian, one of early America's great diary-writers, a prolific commentator on eighteenth-century life, a native of colonial New Jersey, and a largely forgotten revolutionary patriot. This slice of New Jersey history examines the era of the American Revolution from the perspective of an ordinary farmer. It chronicles Fithian's childhood as a New Jersey grain grower, his years as a student at the revolutionary College of New Jersey at Princeton, his love affair with Elizabeth Beatty, his stint as a tutor on the Northern Neck Virginia plantation of Robert Carter III, and his ministerial tour of the Susquehanna and Shenandoah valley backcountry. The book ends with coverage of his service and eventual death as a chaplain with "Heard's Brigade" at the Battle of Long Island and Harlem Heights. *The Way of Improvement Leads Home* is written as a biographical narrative of Fithian's exciting, yet tragic, life. It explores his sense of ambition and personal improvement, his call to serve his God and his country, and the tensions between his pursuit of a cosmopolitan life and his love for the community in which he was raised. John Fea (Ph.D SUNY-Stony Brook) teaches American history at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa. His work has appeared in numerous scholarly and popular journals and his Stony Brook dissertation was awarded the Alfred F. Driscoll Prize by the New Jersey Historical Commission. Fea's work has been funded by the McNeil Center for Early American Studies, the David Library of the American Revolution, the New Jersey Historical Commission, and the American Philosophical Society. He is currently writing a history of religion and the American Revolution with a particular focus on the role of mid-Atlantic Presbyterian communities. *The Way of Improvement Leads Home* is available at bookstores, at Amazon and other on-line booksellers, or via the University of Pennsylvania Press. For speaking enagements and signings please contact the author directly. - - John Fea Associate Professor of American History Messiah College Box 3051 One College Avenue Grantham, PA 17027 717-766-2511 jfea@messiah.edu http://www.messiah.edu/~jfea May 7, 2008 Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Denville Yard Sale To Offer Antiques And More - May 18 The Denville Historical Society and Museum will hold its Annual Yard Sale on May 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, at the museum on Diamond Spring Road. http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID= /20080510/COMMUNITIES/805100309/1005/NEWS01 Copyright ©2007 Daily Record. All rights reserved.
National Park Memorial Weekend - May 24-26 Morristown National Historical Park Memorial Day Weekend Special Programs May 24th, 25 & 26th 2008 Money of Early America Noon to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25th Washington's Headquarters Museum Join a park guide and learn about the history of money and currency during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. From noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 24th and Sunday, May 25th, Morristown National Historical will display in one exhibit case 20+ items from the park's collection of coins and currency. A park guide will be on hand to explain the effect that currency and coins had on the colonial period, and the problems that citizens and the army encountered during and after the American Revolution due to the lack of a uniform monetary system. Learn about the "St. Patrick's Coppers" brought to New Jersey from Dublin, Ireland. Find out about Walter Mould and the job he had in Morristown, New Jersey. Understand how the 1786 to 1787 Shay's Rebellion was partially caused by most states refusal to issue paper money. And finally, learn where and when the first United States Mint was built. Remembering the Dead 1 p.m. and 3p.m., Monday, May 26th Jockey Hollow Visitor Center Disease, battle, execution and murder were just some of the causes of death of Washington's soldiers. Commemorate Memorial Day by remembering the soldiers who died during the winter encampments at Morristown. Learn how they died and how they were buried. This program will include a short hike to the Bettin Monument where a musket salute will be fired (weather permitting). **** For additional information call the park at 973-539-2016 x210 (Washington's Headquarters) or 973-543-4030 (Jockey Hollow). - - Anne DeGraaf Chief of Interpretation Morristown National Historical Park 973-285-0126 Anne_DeGraaf@nps.gov May 8, 2008 Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
2008 Historic Preservation Conference - Jun 4 See It, Keep It, Use It: The New American Standard Rutgers University, New Brunswick June 4, 2008 The Historic Preservation Office, Preservation New Jersey, the New Jersey Historic Trust, the Middlesex County Cultural & Heritage Commission, Rutgers Certificate Program in Historic Preservation, Rutgers University, and other co-sponsors announce the annual historic preservation conference, planned for Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at the Rutgers University New Brunswick campus. With conference themes of sustainability and historic preservation, lectures and workshops will focus on the intersection of preservation with ecological and economic sustainability. National and regional experts will lead attendees in discussions about topics such as disaster planning, brownfields redevelopment and economic alternatives analysis. http://preservationnj.org/news_events/news_events.asp
Boonton Walking Tour of Ironworks Historic Area - May 10 On Saturday, the Boonton Historical Society and Museum will present a walking tour of the Historic Ironworks residential district. Advertisement The tour considers the history, people and architecture of the Town of Boonton connected with the houses, churches and buildings constructed between the 1830s and 1890s for workers and officials of the New Jersey Iron Company in Boonton. The tour begins at 10 a.m. on the Boardwalk, near 602 Main St. The tour leader will be Harold Johnson, retired pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, which also is discussed on the tour. There is a $5 suggested donation for non-members for this tour, which lasts approximately two hours. Tour participants will receive a 10 percent discount coupon that can be used at many of the Main Street restaurants and vendors between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the day of the tour. The Museum and Gift Shop at 210 Main St. will be open from noon to 4 p.m. following the tour. The museum's current exhibit is "Greetings from Boonton," which features postcards from Boonton. Call (973) 402-8840 or e-mail boontonhistory@yahoo.com. http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID= /20080506/COMMUNITIES/805060366/1005/NEWS01 Copyright ©2007 Daily Record. All rights reserved.
Ten Crucial Days: The Road To Liberty - May 22 Special Showing TEN CRUCIAL DAYS - THE ROAD TO LIBERTY Followed by a Panel with: Thomas Fleming - Prolific Author on the American Revolution, most recently The Perils of Peace: America's Struggle for Survival After Yorktown, 2007 Ed Belding - Author and Retired High School Teacher Mark Lender - Author and Professor & Chairman of the History Department, Kean University THURSDAY, MAY 22 - 7:30PM PRINCETON PUBLIC LIBRARY - COMMUNITY ROOM Sponsored by: Princeton Public Library, Princeton Battlefield Society, NJN, and the Historical Society of Princeton. - - Kip Cherry kcherry@michaelgraves.com May 2, 2008 Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
WPA Art: Our Continuing Legacy - May 14 HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY 50 Walnut Street Newark, N.J. 07102 973-645-3044 WPA Art at the Newark Federal Courthouse Our Continuing Legacy 3rd Floor Frank R. Lautenberg U.S. Post Office and Courthouse, Newark, NJ May 14, 2008 4:00pm Exhibition and a Lecture by Professor Judith Resnik of Yale University School of Law entitled "Representing Justice: Newark's Romuald Kraus's Justice in Context." Dedication of the recreation of destroyed WPA Murals originally created for the 1936 Courthouse. The presentation will be followed by a reception – light refreshments will be served. The Historical Society for the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey is sponsoring a lecture and exhibition detailing the history of WPA era art that was created for the opening of the Courthouse in 1936. Professor Judith Resnik will give a multimedia presentation examining the creation of the statue as well as its place in the depiction of justice in its various forms. In addition, there will be a dedication of the recreated image of the murals that were destroyed before they were ever installed. The Historical Society commissioned Mark Romanoski, an Adjunct Professor at Kean University and Ducret School of Art, North Plainfield, N.J., to create the new depiction. In 1935 the Section on Painting and Sculpture of the Treasury Department of the Federal Government announced two competitions – one for a mural painting and one for a statue to be located in two courtrooms of the newly constructed United States Post Office and Courthouse in Newark, New Jersey, which opened in April of 1936. There was a sculpture competition to select a 7-foot high bronze figure of "Justice", with the winner receiving a sum of $6,500.00 to complete and install the sculpture. The Newark Museum coordinated the competition for a sculpture to grace Courtroom #2. The sculpture selected was created by a relatively unknown artist Romuald Kraus described by local papers as a young artist employed by the WPA. The sculpture was to be located behind the Judge's bench in a special niche designed for the statue by the architect George Oakley Totten. It was not known at the time, but Totten had hoped to have his wife's statue of Justice installed in the space. Unhappy when he found that his wife had not won, Totten wrote to Edward Rowen, Superintendant of the Section on Painting and Sculpture, stating that he was the best judge of what sculpture should be installed and that if his wife's sculpture were not used, then there should be no sculpture in the courtroom at all. In his response Rowen said the sculpture was selected because "it reflects a new kind of justice, dignified, serene and compassionate. An innocent man on trial for his life could look to this figure for hope." Unfortunately, Totten was only the first hurdle for Kraus's Lady Justice. Upon completion of the work, the statue was installed in February 1938 behind Judge Guy Fake's bench. Judge Fake was less than pleased. Judge Fake was quoted as saying that he found the statue to smack blatantly of communism and that it did not represent the spirit of justice, but rather that of ruthless confiscation. Judge Fake wrote a tongue-in-cheek article for the Newark Ledger where he recounted a dialogue that he had with the statue. Judge Fake repeated how the statue had spoken to him. She was misunderstood and did not really belong in the Courthouse without her traditional scales of Justice and her sword. She asked him if she could be removed. Judge Fake granted her wish and had the statue moved to a hallway… no small task since it weighed almost 700 lbs… and so began a long journey around the country to what became a reception of universal acclaim, much to Judge Fake's chagrin. The rest of the world did not share Judge Fake's opinion and when word got out that the statue was languishing in a dark corridor, the museum community responded, inquiring about the availability of the sculpture for display. The statue first traveled to the Museum of Modern Art in Washington, D.C., In December, 1938, permission was given for the sculpture to be move from the Museum of Modern Art to the Golden Gate International Exhibition at the World's Fair in San Francisco. It won first prize, being hailed as one of America's great examples of Modern Art. It was on exhibit there from February to December 1939. Bowing to pressures and mounting notoriety, a meeting was held in November, 1939 among Judge Fake, Judge Clark, Treasury Department officials and Arthur Egner, President of the Newark Museum. An agreement was reached that the statue would return to the Courthouse. It would not reside in the Courtroom but out in the east corridor of the third floor. It was not clear why Judge Fake changed his mind. It could have been the accolades that Lady Justice had received or the possibility that it would grace another Federal Courthouse that had requested it and be lost forever. The statue would spend the early winter of 1940 at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts on its way back home from California. Finally, after winning a national competition, entertaining offers of permanent residence in 4 major museums and several other federal courthouses, Lady Justice returned to her original and permanent home on October 5, 1940, never to leave again. Replicas of the statue can currently be found in the federal courthouse in Covington Kentucky, and the collections of the Museum of American Art in Washington, D.C. and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Recently Kraus was finally vindicated. The statue has been moved to his second choice for a location. It currently resides directly outside Judge Fake's old courtroom in the center of the rotunda on the third floor. The murals suffered a similar fate. Although great effort was expended to create a mural to the exact specifications of the Treasury Department, once again Judge Fake was not happy with the finished project. The winner of the mural competition was a local artist, Tanner Clark of New Brunswick. One of his designs had originally been submitted to a Department of Labor competition. This scene of a child suffering from a factory accident and receiving care was paired with a playground basketball game scene. Judge Fake felt that the labor scene might unfairly influence jurors and ordered that the murals not be installed. Sadly, the murals were placed in storage and were eventually destroyed. However, the Historical Society was able to discover high quality photo images of the murals at the National Archives and worked with Kean University to have them recreated using today's technologies. They are currently on display in the courtroom for which they were originally created on the third floor of the Lautenberg Courthouse. - - Susan Travis 973-645-3044 susan_travis@njd.uscourts.gov Apr 28, 2008 Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Washington Twp Historical Society Flea Market - May 17 WASHINGTON TWP. -- A flea market and rummage sale will be held on the grounds of the Washington Township Historical Society, 6 Fairview Ave., Long Valley, on May 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., sponsored by the Historical Society's Union Church Stabilization Project. All proceeds go to the construction fund. The public is invited to donate items for sale and vendors are welcome to purchase table space for $15. Call Cathy Webster at (908) 852-4514 for all information and to reserve space, as it is limited. In case of rain, the event will be held the next day, May 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museum is next to the Union Church Ruins and surrounding cemetery, which is on the state and national registry of historic sites. http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID= /20080504/COMMUNITIES/805040325/1005/NEWS01 Copyright ©2007 Daily Record. All rights reserved.
Colonial Revival Gardens - May 4 First Sunday at Peachfield Sunday, May 4, 2008 2 to 4 PM Visit Peachfield, a Colonial Revival gem designed by R. Brognard Okie to hear Helen Hamilton speak on the design approach of gardens in the Colonial Revival of the early 20th century. Unlike the utilitarian gardens of the colonial era, the idealized gardens of the revival were more formal in design and incorporated a plant palette different to those available in America in the late 1700s. This informative talk will explore the design elements and the trends typical of the era. An accomplished gardener, Ms. Hamilton is chairman of the Landscape and Garden Committee of Museum Properties for NSCDA, chairman of the Delaware Valley Unit of The Herb Society of America, and a member of the Landscape Committee of Princeton Windrows. The lecture begins at 2 PM; time will be provided for questions and answers after the presentations. Light refreshments follow the program. The fee for First Sundays at Peachfield is $5.00 per person; members of Friends of Peachfield are admitted free of charge. Originally built in 1725 Peachfield was severely damaged by fire in 1928. Philadelphia architect R. Brognard Okie (1865-1945) restored the house to a Colonial Revival interior on its original foundation and original stone walls. Now the State headquarters for the NSCDA-NJ, Peachfield houses the Colonial Dames outstanding collection of china, textiles furniture, clocks and paintings which date from 1730 through 1840. To register or for additional information, please telephone Peachfield at 609-267-6996 or by email at colonialdamesnj@comcast.net. Peachfield at 180 Burrs Road Westampton NJ and the Old Schoolhouse at 35 Brainerd Street Mount Holly are owned and operated by the NSCDA-NJ. For more information about the Society and these two historic sites log on to http://www.colonialdamesnj.org - - Maureen O'Connor Leach Executive Director National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of NJ mocdel1049@aol.com May 1, 2008 Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Preservation NJ: 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites - May 6 In recognition of National Preservation Month, Preservation New Jersey, Inc. (PNJ) will hold a press conference on Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 at 10:00 am to announce its annual List of the 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites in New Jersey. The press conference will be held on the steps of the State House at 125 W. State Street, Trenton, NJ 08625. The 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites program spotlights irreplaceable historic, architectural, cultural and archeological resources in New Jersey that are in imminent danger of being lost. Several challenges face properties listed on this year's endangered sites list: a declining real estate market in some communities making new stewards for landmarks that need them harder to find, while in other places a hot market makes teardowns more frequent than ever; state agencies that openly flout the state and national register laws that are supposed to protect historic places from bad government actions; weak or non-existent local preservation ordinances; and local zoning and planning boards that ignore or don't understand the value of important resources. The program intends to raise public awareness of these historic and cultural resources and landscapes, and the many others that they represent across the state, by generating media attention, inspiring debate about heritage preservation. The list will attract new perspectives and ideas to these sites in desperate need of creative solutions. The involvement of an educated and informed public is critical for positive outcomes. As we acknowledge each year, selections to the 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites List are based on the likelihood that solutions can be found and historic buildings and places can be brought back to useful and productive life. PNJ proudly points to many properties previously listed among the 10 Most Endangered that have now been saved, preserved and brought new life. The following counties will be represented in the 2008 listing: Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris and Union. Founded in 1978, Preservation New Jersey is a nonprofit organization that helps homeowners, organizations, public officials and citizen advocates to work better at preserving the historic neighborhoods and sites that are important to our families and our communities. Preservation New Jersey produces this annual list of New Jersey's Ten Most Endangered Historic Sites; provides educational tours, conferences and training workshops; publishes a quarterly newsletter, interactive website and online magazine; maintains a resource library; and addresses legislation and public policies that impact New Jersey's historic places and communities. The 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites program is funded in part by the PNC Foundation. Visit their website at www.preservationnj.org for more information and directions. For details about National Preservation Month visit the National Trust for Historic Preservation website at www.nationaltrust.org/preservationmonth/index.asp. Please contact the PNJ office at 609-392-6409 if you plan to attend the press conference. - - Swathy Keshavamurthy swathy@preservationnj.org May 1, 2008 Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
NJ Governors and the State Supreme Court - May 8 "New Jersey Governors and the State Supreme Court", a program sponsored by The Rutgers Program on the Governor, the Eagleton Institute of Politics, the New Jersey State Bar Association and the Institute for Continuing Legal Education, will explore the history and evolution of the formal and informal relationship between the state's governors and its highest court. The program will be held on Thursday, May 8, at the New Jersey Law Center, the headquarters of the State Bar Association, located at Constitution Square, Ryders Lane, New Brunswick. Registration and a continental breakfast will be from 8:15 to 9 am, with the program commencing at 9 am and concluding by 4 pm. (The full program is below.) Confirmed speakers and panelists include former Governors Brendan T. Byrne and James J. Florio and retired Chief Justices James R. Zazzali and Deborah T. Poritz. Other participants include retired associate Justices Daniel J. O'Hern, Stewart G. Pollock, Gary S.Stein and Peter J. Verniero; retired Judge John J. Gibbons of the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and founding partner, Gibbons PC; John J. Farmer, Jr., former Attorney General of New Jersey and currently partner, Arseneault, Whipple, Farmer, Fassett & Azzarello; retired Judge Burrell Ives Humphreys of the Superior Court of New Jersey and currently of counsel, Williams, Caliri, Miller & Otley; Distinguished Professor Robert Williams of Rutgers Law School-Camden; Robert J. Del Tufo, former United States Attorney for New Jersey and Attorney General of New Jersey and currently of counsel, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom; Professor John Wefing, Seton Hall Law School and of counsel, Waters, McPherson, McNeill; Joel H. Sterns, former counsel to Governor Richard J. Hughes and founding partner, Sterns & Weinroth; William S. Greenberg, partner, McCarter & English; and John L. Kraft, partner, Lomurro Davison, Eastman, and Muñoz. There is no charge for the event but persons interested in attending should registerby May 5, 2008 a) through our online response form at http://www.eagleton.rutgers.edu/court.html; b) by e-mail to eagleton.events@rutgers.edu; or c) by phone to 732-932-9384 x331 Program: New Jersey Governors and the State Supreme Court Rutgers Program on the Governor; Eagleton Institute of Politics, the New Jersey State Bar Association and the Institute for Continuing Legal Education Thursday, May 8, 2008 New Jersey Law Center One Constitution Square, Ryders Lane, New Brunswick, New Jersey 8:15-9 am Registration 9-9:30 Welcome and Introductions Lynn Fontaine Newsome, President NJ State Bar Association Ruth B. Mandel, Director, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University 9:30 am-10:15 pm The New Jersey Constitution, the Governor and the Supreme Court Robert Williams, Distinguished Professor, Rutgers Law School-Camden 10:15-12-15 pm Governors and the Court: The Formal and Informal Relationship ---Views from the Governors Panel of former governors and justices Moderator: John J. Farmer, Jr, former Attorney General of New Jersey Governors Byrne and Florio; Chief Justices Zazzali and Poritz; and Justices Stein; O'Hern; Verniero; Clifford; and Pollock ---Interchange between governors and justices 12:15-1 pm Luncheon 1-2:15 pm Shaping the Relationship since 1947: Governors and the Court Governor Byrne; Governor Florio; Judge Burrell Humphreys, Williams, Caliri, Miller & Otley; Professor John Wefing, Seton Hall Law School; Robert J. Del Tufo, Skadden Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom; Joel Sterns, Sterns & Weinroth; John L. Kraft, Lomurro Davison, Eastman, and Muñoz 2:15-2:30 pm Break 2:30-4 pm Governors and the Court as Policy Makers: Perfect Together? Judge John Gibbons, Gibbons PC; Senator William Gormley, DLA Piper; William Greenberg, McCarter & English (also justices to be determined) 4-4:30 pm Closing reception - - Don Linky dlinky@rci.rutgers.edu Apr 29, 2008 Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Historic Preservation Trust Fund Grants - May 8 Reminder - The New Jersey Historic Trust is making Guidelines and Applications available for the eighth round of funding under the Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund. This year's grant round will provide matching grants for historic preservation planning and capital preservation projects. A Declaration of Intent to Apply for funding must be submitted to the Historic Trust by May 8, 2008. Applications are due June 26, 2008. Applications, Guidelines and the Declaration of Intent to Apply form are available on the New Jersey Historic Trust's Web site at http://www.njht.org . To request additional information, call (609) 984-0473 or e-mail: njht@dca.state.nj.us . In this grant round, applicants may apply for Historic Site Management Grants, which range from $5,000 to $50,000. The grants may be used to fund the preparation of plans and studies needed to improve site stewardship, maintenance and interpretation. Applicants may also apply for Capital Preservation Grants, which range from $5,000 to $750,000 and may fund the repair, restoration, rehabilitation and preservation of historic resources. All grants require matching funds, and applicants should read the Grant Guidelines for information on eligible activities and special initiatives for 2008. Eligible properties are historic sites that are listed, or are eligible for listing, in the New Jersey or National Register of Historic Places. Eligible applicants are charitable non-profit organizations or units of county or municipal government. The mission of the New Jersey Historic Trust is to advance historic preservation in New Jersey for the benefit of future generations through education, stewardship and financial investment programs that save our heritage and strengthen our communities. - - Catherine Goulet Principal Historic Preservation Specialist New Jersey Historic Trust 609 984 7071 cgoulet@dca.state.nj.us Apr 28, 2008 Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Rockaway Wanted: Veteran Names For Honor Roll The Borough of Rockaway's Historical Committee is instituting a new program to erect an Honor Roll listing the names of all persons who served the country during an active war. This roll would include the names of veterans who served in wars from the Spanish American War through the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The only requirement is that the veterans must have entered the service while living in Rockaway Borough. Persons with information on the names of veterans should contact Edward Miller at (973) 627-5575, Peter Chipko at (973) 627-9197, Pat Giannetti at (973) 627-4149 or Sally Mastras at (973) 361-4009. http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID= /20080430/COMMUNITIES/804300344/1005/NEWS01 Copyright ©2007 Daily Record. All rights reserved.
Central Terminal: Saving a Buffalo Landmark - May 3 A film with an Historic Preservation theme will be screened Saturday, May 3, 4pm at the Broad Street Bank, 143 E State Street, Trenton as part of the 5th Annual Trenton Film Festival. Screening will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by John Hatch, President Preservation NJ. "Central Terminal: Saving a Buffalo Landmark" explores the storied past of the beloved train station in Buffalo, New York. Built on the cusp of the Great Depression, the Central Terminal was a hub of activity. As train travel waned in the 1970s, it was shuttered and for twenty years it suffered from neglect and abuse by private owners. In 1997, local preservationists acquired the building, which had been stripped of its grandeur and was in desperate need of repair. This documentary highlights the building's architectural and social significance and recent efforts to bring it back to life against all odds! "Central Terminal: Saving a Buffalo Landmark" was produced by Kirsten Jahn and Scott Richardson, digital media arts students working under the guidance of Barbara Irwin, Ph.D., director of the Canisius College Video Institute (29 min. Directed by Barbara Irwin.). For tickets to this remarkable documentary on the highly unlikely saving of an extraordinary building, go to http://www.trentonfilmfestival.org or call 1-800-838-3006 (24hr). - - Christina Scott christina@preservationnj.org Apr 25, 2008 Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Rally To Protest The Closing Of The History Sites - May 3 To All the History Community, The Advocates for New Jersey History in coalition with the Keep It Green Movement and the Sierra Club, among other supporters, will stage a rally to protest the closing of the state parks and history sites this Saturday, at 12 noon, in the Washington Crossing State Park just south of Titusville, New Jersey off Route 29. Please attend and express your opinions about closing the 9 parks and historic sites. Cate Litvack, of Crossroads for the American Revolution will speak on behalf of the history community as well speakers for the other sponsoring organizations. There will be cards from Keep It Green to sign and information about the crisis available to take back to your organizations and friends. The New Jersey History Fair is a wonderful event for the state's sites, friends of sites, history organizations, and families with reenactors, displays, and family fun and games. Stay and enjoy! If you like, wear your costume or period dress, see and be heard. Best, Dr. David A. Cowell, Preident The Advocates for New Jersey History dcowell@drew.edu Apr 28, 2008 Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
The Unknown Loyalist Cause in Colonial NJ - May 4 "The Unknown Loyalist Cause in Colonial New Jersey" Sunday, May 4, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Durand-Hedden House, 523 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood On Sunday, May 4 visitors to the Durand-Hedden House in Maplewood will hear the fascinating, often untold account of Loyalists in New Jersey, civilians and soldiers who remained Loyal to the British Crown during the War for Independence. Newark (which then included Maplewood), Elizabethtown and surrounding towns were primarily rebel, but a whole battalion of Loyalist soldiers, the 3rd Battalion, NJ Volunteers, was raised from throughout Essex County. Historian and re-enactor Todd Braisted will tell the story of this region and battalion as well as that of the military career of Isaac Hedden of the 5th Battalion, NJ Volunteers. The audience will also be able to view a display of uniforms, arms and accoutrements carried by Loyalist New Jersey soldiers. Todd Braisted is one of the foremost experts on Loyalists nationwide. He is the creator and webmaster of the leading website of Loyalist studies: http://www.royalprovincial.com. He has appeared as a Guest Historian on the PBS Series "History Detectives" and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's "Who Do You Think You Are?" Mr. Braisted is the co-author of two books and has coordinated the recent New Jersey Network documentary "Ten Crucial Days." The 45 minute talk will begin at 2:00 pm. The public will be welcome to talk with Mr. Braisted, look at his display, and tour the house museum and surrounding grounds, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The Durand-Hedden House, which dates to ca. 1790 is located at 523 Ridgewood Road in Maplewood. The House and surrounding Grasmere Park were designated a Maplewood Historic Landmark in 2006. For more information, please call 973-763-7712. - - Susan Newberry sanewberry@comcast.net Apr 29, 2008 Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Montclair: Firth Haring Fabend Will Be Speaking - May 5 Firth Haring Fabend will be speaking on Monday night, May 5, at 7 p.m., at the Montclair Public Library, 50 South Fullerton Avenue, on her new (and ninth) book Land So Fair, a historical novel set in New York and New Jersey in the eighteenth century, with flashbacks to the Dutch colony of New Netherland. Land So Fair is an outgrowth of her prizewinning Rutgers University Press book, A Dutch Family in the Middle Colonies, 1660-1800. Her topic is "Creating Fiction out of Fact, Making Fact Appear To Be Fiction." Books will be available. Light refreshments also. - - Firth Fabend fhfabend@verizon.net Apr 28, 2008 Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Guest Speaker at Jacobus Vanderveer House - May 7 A museum curator and expert on decorative arts will be the guest speaker at a luncheon on Wednesday, May 7, for the benefit of the historic Jacobus Vanderveer House in Bedminster, New Jersey. Ulysses Grant Dietz, senior curator of the Newark Museum's Decorative Arts Department, will speak at the luncheon at the Morris County Golf Club .His topic will be, "From House to Home, 1750-1850, Transforming the Way We Live." The event will begin at 11 a.m. with a champagne reception, followed by the luncheon and lecture at noon. There will also be a basket boutique, luxury vendors and a selection of house and garden plants. The golf club is located at 36 Punch Bowl Road, Morristown. Tickets are $95 per person, and can be reserved by calling the Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House at 908-212-7000 ext. 616. All proceeds from the luncheon will support efforts to acquire period furnishings and design display cases for the Vanderveer House, which the Friends are transforming into a local history museum. "Since we're in the process of restoring an 18th century home for use as a history museum, Mr. Dietz's lecture is particularly timely," said Jay Petrillo, president of the Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House. "We're looking forward to learning from an expert on how people decorated their homes during this era." The curator of over 80 exhibitions, Dietz restored the Newark Museum's 1885 Ballantine House, which serves as centerpiece of the decorative arts department. He is currently working on projects for the Newark Museum's centennial in 2009, as well as a book on the White House. Jacobus Vanderveer, son of a wealthy Dutch miller, built the house in 1772. In early 1778, Vanderveer and his wife were asked to lend their home to Gen. Henry Knox, who was to command a new artillery encampment and training academy being established by the Revolutionary Armies on a hillside above the village of Pluckemin. Knox and his wife, Lucy, occupied the house until the summer of 1779. Guest Speaker - Ulysses G. Dietz, Senior Curator Decorative Arts Department, The Newark Museum. May 7, 2008 Champagne Reception at 11:00am Luncheon/Lecture - 12 noon. Location: Morris County Golf Club 36 Punch Bowl Road Morristown, New Jersey For additional information visit us on the web at http://www.jvanderveerhouse.com or via email at info@jvanderveerhouse.com Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House PO Box 723 Bedminster, NJ 07921 Tel: 908-212-7000 ext. 616 - - Brooks Betz Board Member - Friends of JVH brooks.betz@historicalsocietyofsomersethills.org Apr 28, 2008 -- Marc Mappen, Ph.D. Executive Director New Jersey Historical Commission 609-984-0902 marc.mappen@sos.state.nj.us http://www.newjerseyhistory.org Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Book Review: Forgotten Ellis Island H-NET BOOK REVIEW Published by H-New-Jersey@h-net.msu.edu (April 2008) Lorie Conway. _Forgotten Ellis Island: The Extraordinary Story of America's Immigrant Hospital_. New York: Smithsonian Books, 2007. 185 pp. Illustrations. $26.95 (cloth), ISBN 0-06-124196-2. Reviewed for H-New-Jersey by Sandra Moss, Medical History Society of New Jersey Ellis Island Remembered In 1998, the Supreme Court gave New Jersey sovereignty over most of Ellis Island, including the hospital complex, the subject of _Forgotten Ellis Island_. Lorie Conway is a Massachusetts filmmaker who has devoted much time to the research and production of a movie about Ellis Island hospitals. This book arose from that project. In the course of producing the film (which one hopes will appear shortly on public television), Conway interviewed and consulted an impressive array of historians and National Park Service experts. She also did the historian's hard, lonely work of sifting through photo archives and scrapbooks. Conway tells her story in such a way that one is left with an indelible impression of voices, not only quoted in and alongside the text, but also easily discernable in the scores of stunning vintage photographs. Little details catch our eyes and draw us in--a group of children clustered about a nurse who is trying to write a report; a detainee in a striped bathrobe reading a newspaper on the locked porch of the Contagious Disease Hospital; a group of nurses, some in high-buttoned white boots and others in more fashionable modern footwear beneath their starched dresses and caps; the traumatized faces of rows of detainees with the dreaded "X" chalked on a coat lapel; bald children with headscarves undergoing therapy for the stubborn scalp infection known as favus; the irritated bleary eyes of children and adults suffering through lengthy painful treatments for trachoma, a dreaded communicable eye infection and leading cause of blindness, which, if uncured, was an automatic ticket back to Europe; and multiethnic clusters of girls and women in hospital-issue dresses with a touch of trim at the collar. The relatively short text and accompanying pictures are arranged in five groups. "Building the Immigrant Hospital" explains the political and medical context in which the massive medical complex was conceived and planned. We all have a mental picture of Ellis Island buildings (at least the already restored main building), but the incorporation of architectural beauty and design into these most functional of government structures, built in a rush at the turn of the century, gives us pause and entices us to linger over the pictures of bricks and mortar. "Walking the Line" describes, from varying points of view, the triaging encounters between boatloads of Europe's frightened and hopeful emigrants and the Public Health Service doctors, nurses, and attendants who guarded the United States against disease. The medical mandate also included the duty to determine fitness for work--after all, labor is what America needed in those last decades of expansion and the heyday of industrial development. The inspection system, despite a staggering daily census, was surprisingly efficient, rarely unnecessarily cruel, and, for most immigrants, quick. The next section, "Treating Patients by the Thousands," brings us into the hospital, and it is here that Conway's research really pays off. The voices, in photographs, quotations, and text, are eloquent, moving, informative, and unfamiliar. Pictures of overcrowded immigrant vessels and Ellis Island inspection lines are familiar, but here Conway shows the tragedies, boredom, fear, and joys (yes, there were some) of hospitalization on Ellis Island. There is a pervasive sense of family, both absent and present--mothers detained with their young children, older children detained while parents and siblings who passed inspection waited for them in New York City, temporary "families" comprised of fellow detainees and nursing staff, and even an avuncular visit to a frightened child by a young Italian/Spanish/Yiddish Ellis Island translator (armed with a chocolate bar) named Fiorello La Guardia. "Rejecting the 'Riff Raff'" focuses on darker issues. Seemingly limitless boatloads of southern and eastern European migrants were increasingly feared by the descendents of earlier generations of mostly northern Europeans. Political, religious, social, and economic concerns became conflated with the medical mandate of the Public Health Service on Ellis Island. The Psychopathic Pavilion was designed to fulfill three functions: observe questionable cases, treat acute stress resulting from the hardships of the voyage, and house those slated for passage back to Europe. Some immigrants were rejected because of clear mental illness or dementia. But what happened when nativism and changing immigration policies butted up against the murkier medical (or pseudo-medical) quandaries of personality, "feeblemindedness," intellectual capacity, cultural differences, and general foreignness? Could intelligence be determined across language and cultural barriers? Here, enters New Jersey psychologist Henry Goddard of the Vineland School for Feeble-Minded Boys and Girls, whose earlier flawed research into the south Jersey "Kallikak" family led to his eugenicist conclusion that both moral virtue and social degeneracy were genetically determined. Goddard introduced state-of-the-embryonic-art intelligence testing, based on recent work of French psychologist Alfred Binet, into the Ellis Island triage mix. How could even the best-intentioned medical officers reliably detect "feeble-mindedness" in the face of language and cultural barriers heightened by illiteracy, poverty, exhaustion, homesickness, and anxiety? Not surprisingly, intelligence testing at Ellis Island was a minefield, negotiated with varying sensitivity and success by often-ambivalent Public Health Service directors and examiners. Conway's necessarily brief overview is balanced, avoiding the pitfalls of what historians like to call "presentism." Conway's final chapter, "Falling into Disuse and Decay," touches on the immigration restriction acts of the 1920s and changes in medical screening procedures. These acts and changes eventually led to the demise of Ellis Island as an immigration facility by the early 1930s. The book has its problems, though none major. Unfortunately, for the historian, most pictures are captioned only with quotations relevant to the picture--for example, an operating room scene is accompanied by quoted memories of an immigrant's childhood encounter with the Ellis Island surgical staff. Some captions are found one or two pages after the picture, as is the case with a moving portrait of five detainees awaiting deportation in a mesh-enclosed porch of the Psychopathic Pavilion. The modern reader is unable to place many of the photographs in time (the Ellis Island Hospital was active for the first three decades of the twentieth century). The author does not indicate how the archival photographs were filed, but some of them probably had identifying information on the back or were included in labeled folders. The modern color photography by Chris Barnes--an old shoe, peeling paint, invading ivy, and general rust and dust--seems sentimental and self-consciously "arty" beside the vintage black and white "record shots" that have acquired eloquence by the passage of time. As a stand- alone photo essay, Barnes's photographs would be truly moving, but the story they tell is not the story of this book. Similar but less self- conscious photographs by Larry Racioppo for the Save Ellis Island Web site would probably be of more interest to historians. It is a matter of taste, but this reviewer was put off by the relentlessly overdone design by Judith Abbate--perhaps Conway should have exercised greater control and drawn a stronger line between book and her forthcoming film. The reader is distracted from the reading of history and study of photographs by intrusive callouts and captions in every shade from black through gray to white (on black) with a mind- boggling array of font sizes, plain and italic typefaces, upper and lower cases, black and gray backgrounds, and strange oversized brackets. Conway's written history, a mere forty-five pages of wide-spaced text, is little more than one chapter or magazine article in length. Although she is not a historian, she worked carefully and listened well to her "cadre of professional advisors" (p. 161). The text reads a bit like the work of a committee, but it is well referenced and engaging in style. The author's claim (supported by a jacket blurb by Doris Kearns Goodwin) that she is "the first to research this forgotten chapter of Ellis Island's history" is somewhat overstated (Alan Kraut, interviewed at length by Conway, and other historians have covered much of this historical ground) (p. x). The author frequently consulted Kraut and Howard Markel, historians of American medicine who focus on immigration before and during the Ellis Island period. The historically minded reader who wants to understand the tensions between immigration and medicine should follow Conway's example by reading Kraut's _Silent Travelers: Germs, Genes, and the "Immigrant Menace"_ (1994) and Markel's _Quarantine: East European Jewish Immigrants and the New York City Epidemics of 1892_ (1997). Conway tells the right story. For most immigrants and for America the cup was more than half full. Although there was a full measure of human tragedies and professional failings, no major epidemic entered through the immigration station and most immigrant families passed safely into the country. Despite the hand wringing and general nastiness of various nativists and eugenicists, many thousands of immigrants who came through Ellis Island and their descendents did pretty well in America. So, does this book belong in your library or even on your coffee table? You could wait for Conway's film when it appears on public television. If Conway lets the historians like Kraut have their say--that is, whole sentences and even full paragraphs instead of sentence fragments and sound bites--then it might be worth holding out for the DVD. But, with a few caveats, the book stands on its own. The historical text is capably written and carefully researched, and the archival photographs are hypnotic. The voices of _Forgotten Ellis Island_ are compelling. Copyright (c) 2007 by H-Net, all rights reserved. H-Net permits the redistribution and reprinting of this work for nonprofit, educational purposes, with full and accurate attribution to the author, web location, date of publication, originating list, and H-Net: Humanities & Social Sciences Online. For other uses contact the Reviews editorial staff: hbooks@mail.h-net.msu.edu. Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/
A Weekend in Old Monmouth - May 3,4 The Monmouth County Historical Commission announces the County's first annual self-guided automobile tour "A Weekend in Old Monmouth" to be held May 3-4, 2008, from 10:00AM - 5:00PM on Saturday the 3rd and 12-5:00PM on Sunday the 4th with 32 historic sites and museums each open for those common hours, and for free that weekend. The sites, with stops in each corner of the County, include places of every description including historic houses of colonial and Victorian eras, farms, a mill, former military installations, an industrial village, places part of the Revolution, houses of worship, one room schools, the largest frame building in New Jersey, two of the greatest lighthouses in the country and a science that was at the forefront of electronic technology into space age. Visitors are guided by a Tour Map and Tour Guide Booklet which will be available on that weekend at each of the tour sites and now on-line on the County's homepage at http://visitmonmouth.com. This is a cornerstone event in the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders' commemoration of the 325th Anniversary of Monmouth County. Inquiries to Randall Gabrielan, monmouthhistory@comcast.net - - Randall Gabrielan monmouthhistory@comcast.net Apr 25, 2008 Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Kincaid Home Open For Tours, Presentation - May 4 An open house will be held at the Oscar A. Kincaid Home of History on Sunday, May 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. to celebrate the 34th anniversary of The Historical Society of Boonton Township as well as the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Oscar A. Kincaid Home of History. In addition to a house tour, there will be a video presentation about the progress of the restoration of the 1785 homestead. Refreshments will be served. Members of the society as well as the general public are invited to attend. The Historical Society will hold a brief annual meeting after the open house at 4 p.m. http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID= /20080423/COMMUNITIES/804230412/1005/NEWS01" Copyright ©2007 Daily Record. All rights reserved.
Morris Canal: a Mountain-Climbing Waterway - May 6 The Morris Area Genealogy Society invites the public to learn about "The Morris Canal: a Mountain-Climbing Waterway" at its next meeting on May 6 at 6:45 p.m. in the first floor meeting room at the Morris County Library in Whippany. S. David Phraner, director of the Canal Society of New Jersey, will lecture on the canal, its unique logistics and its impact on the people along its route and in areas beyond. For more information, please contact the North Jersey History and Genealogy Center at the Morristown Library at (973) 538-3473 or visit the group's Web site at http://www.rootsweb.com/~njmags. http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID= /20080425/COMMUNITIES/804250371/1005/NEWS01 Copyright ©2007 Daily Record. All rights reserved.
Governor Livingston, I Presume - Montville - May 12 "Governor Livingston, I Presume" will be the subject of the next program of the Montville Township's Historical Society May 12 (Monday) program, 7:30 p.m. in the Montville Township Senior House, 356 Main, Montville. A reenacter will perform as Governor Livingston, New Jersey's first governor. The program is presented by American Historical Theatre, a nonprofit organization specializing in first-person living history presentations. The program is funded by NJ Council for the Humanities. William Livingston was a complex and talented 18th century attorney, soldier, man of letters and agronomist. Born in New York, he removed to Liberty Hall near Elizabeth Town and in 1772, he built a large country home to house his growing family. The house, known as Liberty Hall, still stands today. He led New Jersey's delegation to the Constitutional Convention during the American Revolution and was a signer of the United States Constitution. The home became a center of activity, in part due to its proximity to Francis Barber's academy and visits from young men. (Alexander Hamilton, a boarder at the academy, was a frequent early visitor.) Three of Livingston's daughters, Sarah, Susan, and Catherine, came to be known as 'the three graces'. The height of social activity during this era was the wedding, at Liberty Hall, in April 1774 of Sarah to a young New York lawyer, John Jay. In October 1775, he was commissioned a brigadier general of the New Jersey Militia and served until August 1776 when he was elected Governor of New Jersey, an office he held until his death in 1790. For much of the time between 1776 and 1779, the family was located in Parsippany for safety. Liberty Hall was frequently visited by British troops or naval forces since there was a substantial reward for Livingston's capture. The family returned in 1779 to begin restoring their looted home. Livingston married Susanna French in 1742. They had 13 children. Livingston died in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and was originally buried in Trinity Church, New York, but was reinterred at Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn in 1846. The program is presented at Montville Township's Historical Society May 12 (Monday) program, 7:30 p.m. in the Montville Township Senior House, 356 Main, Montville. All are invited to come. Refreshments will be served. - - Kathy Fisher kagofish@yahoo.com Apr 24, 2008 Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Parsippany: Open Spaces, Historic Places - May 18 The Parsippany Troy Hills Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, Parsippany Historic and Preservation Society, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Township of Parsippany Troy Hills will host a free town event, "Open Spaces, Historic Places" from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 18, rain or shine. Attendees can park at Veterans Park on Route 46 East at Vail Road and ride the free shuttle bus between event sites. Admission to sites is only available by shuttle bus. Parking is available at the park and behind Bennigan's. The event's purpose is for the community to learn more about Parsippany, where it was and what was in it. This year, the focus will be on locations in the central part of Veterans' Memorial Park, the 1828 Parsippany Presbyterian Church, The Bowlsby-DeGelleke House and Vail Cemetery. Attendees can also enjoy a mile-long Fun Walk, children's activities and music by the PHS Jazz Band in Veteran's Park. http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID= /20080423/COMMUNITIES/804230412/1005/NEWS01 Copyright ©2007 Daily Record. All rights reserved.
Bergen County Historical Society Pinkster Fest - May 18 Campbell-Christie House Historic New Bridge Landing 1201 Main Street, River Edge, NJ Spring is sprung! Come dance around the Maypole! On Sunday, May 18th, from 1 to 4 PM, visitors to Historic New Bridge Landing, 1201 Main Street, River Edge are invited to imagine they are back in a time when winter meant months of deep cold and isolation, dispelled only by the heat of firewood burning on the hearth. And then to imagine that—at last—the days lengthen into summer! Such is the essence of "Pinkster," a springtime festival, which the Jersey Dutch and their descendants celebrated and which will be brought back to life for your enjoyment. The historic Campbell-Christie and Demarest Houses, built of the native red sandstone, and a working Out-Kitchen will be open for visitors to explore, as volunteers in Colonial-era garb demonstrate the "latest" dance steps. 18th century sutlers will sell their wares. There will be games and activities for children. Rodger Yaden, a Bergen County actor, and friends will present dramatic scenes or amateur theatricals. Refreshments will be served. The public is most welcome. Suggested donation: $5 adults; $2 children; BCHS members free. For further info, call 201-343-9492 or visit: http://www.bergencountyhistory.org/ The Jersey Dutch joyously celebrated Pentecost as Pinkster, a holiday marking the budding of trees, the flowering of shrubs and feasting upon the first harvest of spring grains. A Maypole was set in the ground and decorated with nosegays woven from wildflowers as an emblem of spring. A sporting contest, usually involving foot or horse races, determined who would be crowned as a figurative bride and groom, the May Queen and Leaf King. The custom originated in pagan times with the flower-crowned young couple personifying the awakening summer. To make a feast, the May Queen and her maidens led merry-makers in a procession, going door-to-door, singing and begging dyed eggs, butter, bread, cream, coffee, sugar, and tallow candles. They decorated the doors of those who donated with a green sprig. Food collected in their spring baskets furnished the table of the communal Pinkster supper, actually a mock wedding feast, complete with ring dances. Buttermilk toasts, singing, and poetry recitals rounded out the celebration. The name of the holiday derives from the Greek word for the "fiftieth day," denoting the ancient Jewish celebration of the first fruits of the harvest, culminating seven weeks after Passover. On the seventh Sunday after Easter, Christians commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. The English long identified this holiday with the white garments of baptismal candidates, calling it Whitsunday or "White Sunday." Among the Jersey Dutch, a rose-colored Azalea blossom, known as the "Pinxter blomachee," was the May bush. The Pinkster Ode The Whitsun crown has come again. Huzzah! The flags are waving on all sides. Huzzah! We dance about it as of old, all together, hand in hand. Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! - - Kevin Wright kwwright@optonline.net Apr 23, 2008 Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Morristown: Recent Gift Supports Museum's Goal The Washington Association of New Jersey recently announced that The Museum of the American Revolution at Washington's Headquarters, Morristown National Historical Park is in the process of completion and that a new gift of $100,000 from the Tomlinson Private Foundation will be used toward the restoration of the museum. WANJ's Our Nobel Cause campaign goal for the museum is $8.1 and was kicked off by federal grants of $5.3 million. To date, WANJ has raised over $1.2 million towards its partnership goal of the final $2.8 million for the campaign. The first major renovation of Morristown National Historical Park's Headquarters Museum is close to completion. Other funding includes grants from the F.M. Kirby Foundation, the 1772 Foundation and the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust, and from private citizens, businesses and other foundations, partnering with Morristown NHP. The updated museum will present new programming for school children and other visitors. A 5000-square foot library wing has been added to the museum and large sections of the original structure have been restored, upgraded or refurbished to provide for state-of-the-art rotating and traveling exhibitions. The Washington Association is continuing its campaign so that the museum and its educational programs and exhibits will soon be available to the public and school children. Contributions can be made to the Our Noble Cause campaign by calling Francine Becker at (973) 292-1874 or by visiting the WANJ Web site at http://www.wanj.org. http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID= /20080425/COMMUNITIES/804250371/1005/NEWS01 Copyright ©2007 Daily Record. All rights reserved.
Historical Commission Direct State Services Budget The Governor's proposed FY'2009 budget makes a cut in the funds from the Hotel/Motel tax that support the grant programs of the Historical Commission, the Arts Council, and the Cultural Trust. A campaign spearheaded by ArtPride and the Advocates for New Jersey History is seeking a restoration of funding. It is less well known that the Historical Commission has taken a severe additional cut. Specifically, the agency's salary and operating budget (technically known as "Direct State Services") which is currently $510,000 will be cut in the coming fiscal year to $346,000. This is a one-third cut in salaries and operations, and will cripple the ability of the Historical Commission to function. The Direct State Services budget supports such important activities as curriculum development, conferences, workshops, public programs, publications and media projects. Specific examples of Commission services threatened by this cut include Best Practices seminars that provide affordable training in museum management to New Jersey history organizations, the recent highly successful statewide conference examining the legacy of immigration to New Jersey, the Underground Railroad guide, and the New Jersey History Kids website that supports the teaching of our state's history at the elementary school level. In addition, Commission staff is an active partner to the Division of Travel and Tourism in statewide efforts to promote and enhance Heritage Tourism, a critical source of revenue for the state. The restoration of $164,000 to the Commission's Direct State Services budget would enable these and similar projects and activities to continue, and to make sure that all citizens are aware of New Jersey's rich heritage. -- Joseph E. Salvatore, MD femur@comcast.net April 23, 2008 Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
The Historical Committee of Oradell is sponsoring an important and informative talk "Taming the Teardown Trend" with guest speaker Adrian Fine, Northeast Regional Director of the National Trust For Historic Preservation, on Wednesday, April 23 at 7:30 PM in the Council Chambers of the Oradell Borough Hall, Kinderkamack Road, Oradell. The event is free. The public is invited to hear this dynamic and fascinating discussion on ways to cope with the threat of "teardowns" in your own town. Teardowns are changing the "feel" and look of towns all over the country and are one of the biggest threats to historic preservation and the preservation of the unique qualities that distinguish our small towns. The threat to the "hometown feel" of your community is real and ongoing. Bob McConnell, Chair of Oradell's Historical Committee, hopes that interested individuals, preservationists and members of town councils and planning and zoning boards will join to hear Adrian Fine's approach to this important issue from the perspective of the experience of the National Trust for Historic Preservation in small towns all across the nation. A reception will follow immediately at the Water Works Conservancy Museum, 383 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell ( 1 1/2 blocks north of the Borough Hall on the West side of Kinderkamack Road). So don't miss this important talk and a chance to meet Adrian Fine of the National Trust in person. - - Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Viking Day at Nor-Bu Lodge - Apr 19 Saturday, April 19, 2008 Nor-Bu Lodge We will have re-enactors in Viking garb, Viking food, and crafts. All welcome! Come in costume if you have one. Feel free to bring a friend, and your camera! Come join the fun! Viking food! Call Kari Brescher at 973-627-6334 for additional information.
National Underground Railroad Network - Apr 21 The Abigail and Elizabeth Goodwin Home, Market Street, Salem, NJ will be honored as the first New Jersey site accepted into the National Park Service, National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program at a special event, Monday, April 21, 2008, 1:00 pm, across the street in the sanctuary of St. John's Episcopal Church, 76 Market St., Salem, NJ. Featured speakers include Congressman Frank A. LoBiondo, Sheri Jackson, National Park Service, Giles Wright, New Jersey History Commission, and Bruce Scherer, Salem County Historical Society. "I am very pleased to announce that the Abigail and Elizabeth Goodwin Home has been designated as the first New Jersey site in the national Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program that is managed through the National Park Service," said Sheri Jackson, program manger, Northeast Region Network to Freedom Program. The Goodwin Home, a private residence, joins over 300 sites nationwide that have been selected for participation and recognition through the Network to Freedom Program. "We are very proud that Salem County is being recognized for the first New Jersey site selected for the National Park Service's Network to Freedom Program," said Tamara Barnes, Executive Director of the Salem County Historical Society. "Salem County has a rich history that includes its important role in the history of the Underground Railroad and Abolitionist Movement of the 19th century." Even in the 19th century, Abigail Goodwin, a Quaker from Salem, was acknowledged by noted abolitionist leader, William Still, as "one of the rare, true friends of the Underground Rail Road, whose labors entitle her name to be mentioned in terms of very high praise." Her home remains a private residence and so will not be open to the public as part of the event. This national Underground Railroad program coordinates preservation and education efforts nationwide and integrates local historical places, museums, and interpretive programs associated with the Underground Railroad into a mosaic of community, regional, and national stories. More information on the Network to Freedom Program is available at http://www.nps.gov/ugrr. Monday's event, sponsored by the National Park Service and the Salem County Historical Society, will be followed by an informational workshop at 2:00 p.m. for individuals and groups wishing to learn about opportunities to apply for recognition and participation in the Network to Freedom Program. The event is free, and the public is encouraged to attend. - - Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Preservation Salem County Awards Dinner - Apr 27 Preservation Salem County will hold its second annual Awards Dinner at Centerton Country Club on Sunday, April 27. Six county residents will be honored for their preservation work. Dr. Bradley Skelcher, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Delaware State University will present "Preserving the Underground Railroad in South New Jersey ". Call 856-217-0420 for ticket information. The cost is $40.00 per person. Social Hour begins at 5:00pm. Dinner is at 6:00pm. 2008 Awardees: Bolnick Family - The Crown of Israelites Synagogue on Dutch Row Road in Monroeville had been vandalized prior to Simon Bolnick's death in 1992. After his memorial service in the synagogue, his wife, Helen, and their sons, Harold, Alan and Jay, and many friends and community members, restored the synagogue, or shul. The Bolnick family now maintains the shul. Services are held at Passover, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in the shul, which is dedicated to the memory of Simon Bolnick. Concerned Pilesgrove Residents - Since 2002, CPR has advocated for zoning and planning to foster agriculture and protect open spaces and natural resources. CPR hosts seminars on topics such as water quality, transfer of development rights and funding options for land preservation. CPR was featured in a 2005 documentary on the loss of open space in New Jersey. CPR has brought attention to the overlooked existence of field tiles in agricultural fields. Hundreds of acres of land have been preserved, critical habitat protected and watersheds buffered since CPR's inception. Elizabeth Myers - Libby Myers has devoted her life to preserving history. She and her late husband, Harrison, preserved the Jackanias Wood House in Woodstown and protected the William Nicholson House in Mannington Township. Libby's home is often open for the Salem County Historical Society Annual Tour. A life member of the Pilesgrove-Woodstown Historical Society, Libby became volunteer curator in 1981, managing the Society's acquisitions and arranging tours; she "officially resigned" in 2006. She and her husband put 600 acres of their farm into farmland preservation. Jeff and Nancy Parker - The Parkers have authentically restored the 1755 patterned brick Jarman House on Beal Road near Friesburg. In 40 years of ownership, Jeff has restored and replaced paneling, built a forge and forged iron pieces as needed, rebuilt a bake oven, installed electrical wiring, built a stone retaining wall and developed a reputation as one who can do any restoration job needed. Nancy was the construction aide in all phases of the restoration work. Nancy produced several period paintings that complement the house. Nancy provides authentic open hearth cooking experiences to children attending the Salem County Historical Society's summer camp program, using vegetables and herbs from her extensive garden. B. Harold Smick - For 45 years, Harold has lovingly maintained the Samuel Nicholson House, a 1752 patterned brick house, and a collection of 18th and 19th century antiques. A life member of the Salem County Historical Society, Harold served as president from 1969 to1978. He chaired the Salem County American Revolution Bicentennial Committee, 1970-1972. Harold was a member and trustee of the New Sweden Company, and planned the 350th Anniversary celebration of the Swedes' arrival along the Delaware, and organized the April 14, 1988 visit of King Carl XVI and Queen Silvia to Bridgeton and Delaware. He was the first chairman of the Salem County Cultural and Heritage Commission (1972-1974); continuing on the Commission through the years, he again served as chair in 2004. He has been a Director of the Salem Cemetery Association (East View Cemetery) since 1983, and president since 1992. Harold has autographs of all United States presidents (all since Lyndon Johnson have been acquired in person). Harold supports several non-profit historical organizations. Herbert Wegner - Herb has dedicated his retirement to the preservation of open space and local history. His over-300 acre family farm is in the farmland preservation program. He has helped many families preserve their land, resulting in hundreds of acres being preserved. One result of his efforts is the addition of 375 acres to the area of Parvin State Park. He developed Pittsgrove Township's applications for a 1,000 acre Planning Incentive Grant and a Green Acres Planning Incentive Grant. Herb is currently advising the Farmland Preservation and Open Space Committees of neighboring Franklin Township as they apply for Planning Incentive Grants. Herb is president of the Pittsgrove Township Historical Society, chairperson of the Pittsgrove Township Environmental Commission and the Pittsgrove Township Agriculture Board and chairperson of the Garden State Preservation Trust. He also works with the Parvin State Park Appreciation Committee. In 2006, Herb rewrote the Parvin State Park history. - - Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Hamilton Trenton Bordentown Marsh Talks and Tours - Apr 27 The Friends of the Hamilton Trenton Bordentown Marsh announce an afternoon of talks and tours highlighting the historical richness of the Marsh, which boasts important archeological explorations that focus on Native American populations, early European settlers, and the presence of Joseph Bonaparte. Set for April 27th and starting at John A. Roebling Park in Hamilton, events, times and locations are as follows: 1 PM – Friends for the Marsh present Regional Historian Tom Glover to lead a discussion on the history of region (including Broad Street Park, Abbott Farm National Landmark Site, Watson House and Bow Mansion), Marsh Nature Center, 157 Westcott, Hamilton 1 PM to 4 PM -- Tours of historic, Watson House (built 1708), oldest house in Trenton region and former home of Quaker settler Isaac Watson, at entrance to Roebling Park, Hamilton 2 PM – 4 PM – Tour of historic Bow Hill Mansion, 18th Century building that housed Joseph Bonaparte, exiled king of Spain and brother or Napoleon, at end of Jeremiah Ave. Hamilton. 3 PM – 4 PM – Tour of Point Breeze property, site of Bonaparte Mansion and estate, now the focus of a major archeological study, Divine Word Seminary, Park Avenue, Bordentown 4:00 PM -- TAWA Plein Aire Reception and reading by members of US 1 POETS, Marsh Nature Center, 157 Westcott Avenue, Hamilton For more info, visit http://marsh-friends.org/ . - - Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
New World Dutch Barn - Apr 27 What is a "New World Dutch Barn"? What makes it different from the English-style red barn that most of us know? What was it like to live on a farm in Bergen County in the 1700s and 1800s? To find the answers to these questions, Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney invites you to come visit the Wortendyke Barn Museum, a County Historic Site, which opens for the season on Sunday, April 27th. The Wortendyke Barn, located at 13 Pascack Road in Park Ridge, has been a Pascack Valley landmark since its construction on the 500 acres of land bought by the Wortendyke family in 1735. [During a visit to the museum, you'll find out exactly when the barn was built!] It was used continually as a barn well into the 20th century and is one of only six pure Dutch barn types in Bergen County. In 1997 the barn opened as a museum with exhibits on agriculture that include 18th and 19th century farm implements and tools, the history of the Wortendyke family farm, and the history and evolution of farming in Bergen County and the Hudson Valley. But the main feature of the museum is the barn itself, an outstanding example of the vernacular architecture referred to as a "New World Dutch Barn." Due to the ravages of time and the advancements in agriculture that have taken place over the last 100 years, there are very few of this type of barn in existence today. The County purchased the barn in 1973 in order to save it from demolition. The public is welcome to tour the barn and its exhibits and meet Bill Maurer, the new Wortendyke Barn curator. Bill recently retired as a Park Ranger/Interpreter at the Statue of Liberty National Monument, is the former director of the Gomez Mill House, former Park Ridge Municipal Historan and is the author of Dragoon Diary: The History of the Third Continental Dragoons. The pre-Revolutionary Wortendyke Barn museum is open on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons, noon - 4 pm, through October. Admission to this accessible museum is free. Visiting summer camps, school groups and scout troops are welcome, but appointments are suggested. Hours for groups are also available Monday through Friday by reservation. For information, or to make a group appointment, call the Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs 201-336-7267 or e-mail jstrom@co.bergen.nj.us. The number at the barn is 201-930-0124 and is answered during the museum hours of operation. - -
Joseph Bonaparte's Estate - May 4 Join the Burlington County Historical Society's BONAPARTeY on Sunday, May 4, 2008 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.! The Former site of Bonaparte's estate, Point Breeze, is currently under archeological investigation by history professors and students from Monmouth University. During a slide show and guided walking tour, Dr. Andrew Cosentino will tell us about Joseph Bonaparte, and about the discoveries unearthed on the property. It's not often that the public gets to see an active archeological "dig", and this one has excited historians in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The program will be followed by light refreshments "under the tent." The location is 101 Park Street, Bordentown, NJ, the site of Joseph Bonaparte's Estate now Divine Word Ministries. Space is limited. $25 per person. Preference will be given to B.C.H.S. members. Please R.S.V.P. to (609) 386-4773 or burlcohistsoc@verizon.net. - - Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Our Vanishing Past - May 6,12 Our Vanishing Past on NJN Public Television The state's rich heritage is under a silent attack. Whether through neglect, abandonment or constantly encroaching development, many of New Jersey's historic places are deteriorating or being replaced by new construction. The places in which we grew up, the offices and factories where our parents worked, the old neighborhoods and our favorite stores downtown are at risk – and with them, our sense of place. Find out what we're losing and who's working to save it in Our Vanishing Past – a special NJN documentary filmed in high definition that airs on NJN on Monday, May 12 at 9 pm; and Sunday, May 18 at 3 pm. SPECIAL HIGH DEFINITION SCREENING AT NJN'S TRENTON STUDIO The public is invited to enjoy a special screening of Our Vanishing Past in high definition at NJN's Trenton Studio on Tuesday, May 6 at 5 pm. There is no charge for admittance, but registration is requested! Reserve your space online at http://njn.net and click on Our Vanishing Past or call (800) 882-6622 by May 1. OUR BUILDINGS, OUR HISTORY AND OUR ARCHITECTURE NJN's Our Vanishing Past examines the relationship between us and our buildings, our history and our architecture – and the impressions we receive in our daily, every day contacts with historic buildings. From the Doo Wop motels in Wildwood during the fabulous fifties to the historic structures that witnessed American's struggle for independence and the safe houses on the Underground Railroad, our connection to the past is disintegrating. Historic buildings are struggling to survive and frequently not succeeding. With each passing year, the chance to experience history firsthand diminishes. In this one-hour documentary filmed in HD, you will meet some of the people on the frontline of historic preservation. Ted Gordon, Pine Barrens historian and botanist, notes, "Within the past thirty years, probably 80 percent of the structures that I photographed in the Pines have disappeared – and that's an alarming rate." TOWNS THAT TURN AROUND There are exceptions. Towns do turn around, buildings are saved and main streets are preserved. Lambertville's historic architecture houses art galleries and inviting restaurants that entice tourists, while residents of all ages and economic groups live in historic homes in comfortable neighborhoods that make up this vibrant community. Salem's master plan encourages the redevelopment of vacant buildings and identifies what needs to be saved in the community – and the number of new businesses is growing. Important tools such as the Historic Tax Credit have spurred economic revival. Courthouses and churches have been renovated. Condemned houses are turned into gracious homes. Factories and labs overflowing with ideas and inventions such as Edison National Historic Site welcome kids and grown ups alike to see history close up. Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, sums it up, "There is nothing to compare with walking through a place touching it, feeling it." Our Vanishing Past will show you what we're losing – and what some dedicated people in New Jersey are working to save. OUR VANISHING PAST DVD You can reserve a DVD copy of this program for only $24.95 plus mailing. Place your order now: call 800-882-6622 or email your request to answers@njn.org. Produced by Lynn Kosek Walker. Executive producer is Janice Selinger. Narrated by Lester Holt. Major funding provided by the New Jersey Historic Trust, The 1772 Foundation, American Express, and the Holly Beach Public Library Association. Additional funding provided by the New Jersey Historical Commission and the Charles Edison Fund. - - Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Union Forge Ironworks - May 7 The New Jersey Historical Society 52 Park Place - Newark, NJ 07102 (973) 596-8500 - Fax: (973) 596-6957 The New Jersey Historical Society is a state-wide, private, non profit historical museum, library, and archives dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting the rich and intricate political, social, cultural and economic history of New Jersey to the broadest possible audiences. Founded in 1845, we are the oldest cultural institution in the state. Through exhibitions, publications, and programming, we examine who and what we are, what it means to live and work in New Jersey, what contributes to New Jersey's distinct identity, and what are the unique contributions New Jerseyans make to the region and the country. May 07, 2008: LUNCHTIME PROGRAM: Union Forge Ironworks 12:15 pm - 1:00 pm Colonial iron production was an enormous undertaking of labor and natural resources, creating towns and economies. William Honachefsky, trustee for the Union Forge Heritage Association, will explore New Jersey's early iron industry through the story of the Union Forge Ironworks in High Bridge, New Jersey. Bring your lunch...bring a friend. Enjoy talks, presentations, demonstrations, and gallery programs. Admission is free. Refreshments will be served. Programs are subject to change. Please call ahead to bring a group. - - William Honachefsky william.honachefsky@sprintmail.com Apr 17, 2008 Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Morristown Victorian Weekend - May 3,4 Escape 21st century pressures and return to the slower pace of the 19th century during the fifth annual Victorian Weekend. The event, sponsored by the Morris County Historical Society and Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, will be held at Acorn Hall and at Fosterfields on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors of all ages will be able to experience different activities recalling the 1800s at both historic locations. These activities include period crafts, music, games, house tours, fashions, farm activities, demonstrations, dancing, refreshments, a Victorian bazaar and more. Here are a few highlights. At Fosterfields, visitors will be able to meet a suffragist who will campaign for a woman's right to vote and enjoy a Victorian tea demonstration in The Willows' kitchen. At Acorn Hall, military re-enactors will be camped in the front yard. There also will be dancing demonstrations, an on-going croquet game and a fashion show featuring styles from the mid-1800s to early 1900s. A complete listing of events can be found at http://www.acornhall.org/events.htm. For more information, you can also call Acorn Hall at (973) 267-3465 or contact Fosterfields at (973) 326-7645 or at http://www.parks.morris.nj.us. Copyright ©2007 Daily Record. All rights reserved.
Civil War Comes to Sparta Encampment - May 10 On Saturday, May 10, the members of the 33rd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, in cooperation with the Sparta, NJ Historical Society, will stage their annual living history event on the grounds of the historic Van Kirk/Mull House, located next to the Middle School on Route 517 in Sparta. A Civil War period encampment, with members of the 33rd portraying both soldiers and civilians of the era, will be open to the public from 9 AM to 4 PM. The event will also feature scheduled drills, talks and demonstrations and an exhibit of original Civil War artifacts. The Van Kirk/Mull house will be open for visitors and local history authors will be available to sign copies of their work. This event is free to the public. For further information contact Sergeant Phil Cocilovo (973-293-9849) or Private Robert Jones 973-398-3122) of the 33rd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. - - Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Posted 080417 Biography Of Gilbert Imlay Published A biography of Gilbert Imlay, 18th century New Jersey resident, Revolutionary War officer, adventurer, and lover of Mary Wollenstonecraft, has been published. For more information on the book, "Gilbert Imlay: Citizen of the World" by Wil Verhoeven, go to: http://www.pickeringchatto.com/monographs/gilbert_imlay. - - Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Posted 080417 Groups Will Vie For Morris' Historic Preservation Money Requests amount to $4M, but county's trust fund only has $2M on hand Daily Record Staff Reports - April 15, 2008 Morris County has received 25 applications for funding from the county's Historic Preservation Trust Fund. While the trust fund will have approximately $2 million to allocate this year, the 25 applicants are seeking a total of more than $4 million. The matching funds used for the historic preservation program come from a trust fund that has been traditionally set aside for administrative costs and are not diverted from open space or farmland preservation. To be eligible for matching grant consideration, a historic resource must be listed or certified as eligible for listing on the New Jersey and the National Register of Historic Places. Eligible applicants are towns, qualified non-profit organizations and the county. The Historic Preservation Trust Fund Review Board will now thoroughly evaluate each of the applications and make funding recommendations to the freeholder board in late June. The freeholders last year approved projects covering 26 historic sites in 20 towns. The Historic Preservation Trust Fund was established by the Morris County Freeholders in 2003, allowing the county to amend its Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund to include the acquisition, stabilization, restoration or preservation of historic resources. Copyright ©2007 Daily Record. All rights reserved.
Posted 080417 Teaching With Historic Places New Jersey is home to a wealth of historic resources that can bring the study of American history alive—from Washington's hardships during the American Revolution, to 19th century farm life, to the cultural shifts of the Industrial Revolution. How well are YOU utilizing NJ's historic resources in your educational programs? Teaching With Historic Places, a program offered through Drew University's Historic Preservation Program, is a workshop designed for teachers, museum and historic site volunteers, educators, and anyone else interested in learning how place can be used to teach history and social studies to children ages 8-13. Using The Teaching with Historic Places program, developed by the National Park Service, as a resource, participants develop their own customized lessons for a specific site. Hands-on activities and field study make this workshop a dynamic experience you won't want to miss! Taught by Janice Armstrong, the Director of Education for Fleming Castle, this workshop will be held on Drew University's campus in Madison, New Jersey from July 28-30, 2008. The cost for this program is $450. To register for this class or to receive more information about Drew's Certificate in Historic Preservation, please call 973/408-3400 or visit our website at http://www.drew.edu/cue/preservation.aspx - - Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Rutgers Public History Internship Program - Apr 15 Since its inception, the Rutgers Public History Internship Program has sent more than 400 students to work for credit at history organizations in New Jersey. Internship site supervisors, past, present or future, are cordially invited to the seventh biannual Public History Internship Symposium on Tuesday, April 15, 2 to 4pm, Meeting Room 4, Monmouth County Library, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan, NJ 07726. Please note time change from an earlier announcement. There is no cost to attend. The main speakers will be experienced intern supervisors Dr. Alex Magoun, David Sarnoff Library; Shaun Illingworth, Rutgers Oral History Archives; and Sean O'Herron, Longstreet Farm. (Shaun and Sean were Public History Interns when they were students at Rutgers.) Each speaker will present for about 10-15 minutes on what makes for an exceptionally good internship. Then the audience will divide into breakout sessions for discussion. In 2001, the New Jersey State Historical Records Advisory Board issued its Strategic Plan, in which one of the objectives was to "establish a statewide program of archival internships..." Accordingly, we are also inviting representatives from college and university history departments across New Jersey to attend the meeting. In addition to the main speakers, there will be brief remarks by Professor John Chambers, Rutgers History Department, and representatives of the State Historical Records Advisory Board and the New Jersey Historical Commission. An optional tour of the Monmouth County Archives will be offered at approximately 4pm after the meeting. To attend the symposium, please RSVP to Assistant Internship Coordinator Bridget Gurtler, bgurtie@gmail.com Travel directions: http://www.visitmonmouth.com/archives/contact.asp Need more info about the internship program? See http://history.rutgers.edu/ If you have any questions about the Public History Internship Program, please contact me, preferably to saretzky@rci.rutgers.edu or to 732-308-3772. Hope to see you there! Gary D. Saretzky Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Spring Clean-up of St. Patrick’s Cemetery - Apr 20 The Annual Spring Clean-up of St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Upper Hibernia has been re-scheduled for this Sunday, April 20th We will meet at St. Bernard’s Parish Hall parking lot on Mt. Hope Rd at 12:30 and connect with anyone wishing to meet us at the Wildcat Ridge Parking lot on Upper Hibernia Rd at 1 pm. Project will include weeding, raking, removal of a large fallen tree, etc. If you have any gas powered weedwackers, leaf blowers, chain saws, and handheld rakes will be a big help. Historical Society of the Rockaways
Visit Morris' Historical Treasures - For Free - Apr 27 Museums will be open to the public on April 27 Daily Record Staff Report * April 13, 2008 MORRISTOWN - The Morris County Alliance of Tourism will sponsor the annual "Be Our Guest" event -- free admission to visit selected Morris County tourist locations from noon to 5 p.m. on April 27. Free shuttle transportation also will be available that day. "Too often area residents say they haven't visited the historic sites in their own neighborhood. The Morris County Alliance of Tourism wants to change that," said Leslie Bensley, executive director of the Morris County Visitors Center. "The mission behind the annual 'Be Our Guest' event is to elevate the residents' sense of pride in the area's history. We want our visitors to become ambassadors and project that pride outwardly." The public is invited to Acorn Hall, Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, the Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Historic Speedwell, Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, the Morris Museum, the Schuyler-Hamilton House and Washington's Headquarters. The last admission and last shuttle are at 4:30 p.m. Here are some details: * Acorn Hall is a historic house museum that is home to the Morris County Historical Society, an organization charged with the preservation and promotion of Morris County history. For more information on Acorn Hall, located at 68 Morris Ave., Morristown, call (973) 267-3465. * Fosterfields Living Historical Farm is the incarnation of Caroline Foster's wish to preserve her home and working farm with the traditions, techniques, and tools equivalent to the turn-of-the-20th century. For more information on Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, located at 73 Kahdena Road, Morris Township, call (973) 326-7600. * The Frelinghuysen Arboretum is a nationally recognized center for horticultural education with tours, exhibits, and special events, while the 127-acre property's mansion is a fine example of Colonial Revival architecture. For more information on The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, located at 53 E. Hanover Ave., Hanover, call (973) 326-7600. * Historic Speedwell preserves the birthplace of the telegraph, a revolutionary breakthrough in telecommunications by Alfred Vail and Samuel F.B. Morse, and a portion of the Vail Homestead Farm, the site of the first transmission. For more information on Historic Speedwell, located at 333 Speedwell Ave., Morristown, call (973) 326-7600. * Macculloch Hall Historical Museum is the only brick structure of Morristown's six house museums. It was built by and named after George Macculloch, farmer and "Father of the Morris Canal." For more information on Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, located at 45 Macculloch Ave., Morristown, call (973) 538-2404. * The Morris Museum, located on the former Peter H.B. Frelinghuysen family estate, promotes art, science and educational programs with the mission of increasing the community's cultural consciousness. For more information on the Morris Museum, located at 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morris Township, call (973) 971-3700. * The Schuyler-Hamilton House reveals the personal stories of the American Revolution. It was here that Col. Alexander Hamilton, Gen. George Washington's aide, courted house guest Betsy Schuyler. For more information on the Schuyler-Hamilton House, located at 5 Olyphant Place, Morristown, call (973) 539-7502. * Washington's Headquarters at the Ford Mansion, part of the Morristown National Historical Park, is not remembered as a battlefield. Instead, the Continental general used the location as a defensive position near British-controlled New York City, 30 miles to the east. For more information on Washington's Headquarters, located at 30 Washington Place, Morristown, call (973) 539-2016. For more information on the annual "Be Our Guest" event or any of the locations, contact the Morris County Visitors Center at (973) 631-5151 or www.morristourism.org, or the Morris County Park Commission at (973) 326-7600 or www.morrisparks.net. Copyright ©2007 Daily Record. All rights reserved.
Advocates for New Jersey History To the Hstory Community, As of April 9, 2008 Treasury has collected $53.1M from the hotel/motel taxes, the funds that under formula support the grants programs for the Arts, Cultural Trust, Historical Commission and Travel and Tourism. Last year this time, they had $50M on the books, so the lesson is clear. The tax, already being collected, is definitely keeping up with and may exceed the revenue projections for the 2008 funding, and they certainly do not warrant any reduction in the grant funds from a dedicated tax going forward into the FY'09 budget. The Advocates for New Jersey History had reported earlier that although the tax revenue has increased each year, the funding and the percentage of the total of that dedicated tax made available to the Arts, Culture and History communities is declining. Declining even though the groups that rallied to pass the tax, the, travel and tourism and league of municipalities, folks have continued to support the dedicated tax deal. In particular, members of the Assembly budget committee have publicly stated that a "deal is a deal" and that if revenue from the dedicated tax fell, then the history community should accept that decline and not complain. Well, if the "deal is a deal" then there is no reason to reduce the funding in FY'09 for there is no revenue shortfall in this dedicated tax, unlike the general budget. They need to hear that message. They should also hear that the history community is not complaining - we are explaining that we can't do our job of generating revenue and improving the quality of life in New Jersey if the sole funding source for the private sector general operating support is reduced arbitrarily. The "deal" was for the public good and not to enrich the history community at the public's expense. WE are striving and succeeding in helping the public with precious little support, support which we generate from increased taxes of which we get the smallest part. Thank you, - - Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
Closing State Historic Sites I was at the Steuben House, a State Historic Site, back in 1983 when all the State Historic Sites were dangled over the precipice and threatened with closing to help plug a looming state budget deficit during the early years of the Kean administration. At that time, the Historic Sites staff consisted almost entirely of "caretakers," who supposedly held the lowest paying, full-time jobs in state government. It was soon discovered, however, that it was cheaper to keep the Historic Sites open than it was to maintain heat and security for the valuable museum collections and buildings, since you couldn't simply lock the door, turn off the lights and walk away. Is it now cheaper to maintain park police on outlying sites around-the-clock to protect these closed house museums? Do they intend to shut off the heat and other environmental-controls and expose artifacts to possible vandalism, theft, or deterioration due to the loss of proper monitoring? In several instances, the historic interpreters actually live on-site and provide a measure of twenty-four hour protection. Is there really any savings intended? Or is this merely a threat, which, if carried into action, would be monstrously irresponsible? The mere threat proves that no one in charge here has any idea what is at stake. Too bad they can't see our vanishing cultural heritage as an endangered species. Best regards, Reposted with permission from http://www.nj.com/ and the NJ Historical Commission's H-New Jersey listserver http://www.h-net.org/~njersey/.
New Jersey Historic Trust The New Jersey Historic Trust, Economic Revitalization, and the Future of Our State "It's the economy, stupid." Last fall's election, in which voters narrowly approved Ballot Question 3, brings to mind James Carville's famous admonition from the 1992 presidential campaign because New Jersey can't continue to dismiss historic preservation as "a nice thing to do but we can't afford it." Historic preservation is not just about old barns and churches and "saving history for future generations"; it really is about the economy. The back story: In 1999, then New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman signed into law the Garden State Preservation Trust Act (PL. 1999 c. 152.), which created stable, annual constitutional funding for ten years from the State Sales and Use Tax. A small portion of this funding goes to the New Jersey Historic Trust for the Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund Grants Program, which provides funds for the physical preservation and assessment of historic resources. About a year ago, the New Jersey Historic Trust learned that sales tax revenue would no longer be the source for funding the Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund Grants Program. In July, legislators passed and the Governor signed the bill that became Ballot Question 3, a stopgap measure to keep funding for historic preservation and open-space programs alive for one more year. The ultimate goal, we were told, is that a different dedicated source of funding would eventually be identified, ideally from the Governor's Asset Monetization Plan. But the unpopularity of the Governor's proposed Asset Monetization Plan has put the Garden State Preservation Trust truly on shaky ground. Legislators and the Governor must renew the commitment to an ongoing, stable source of funding for this program. Here's why: Shamefully, the second most affluent state in the nation is home to dozens of cities and towns that are in varying states of decline and decay. The key to rebuilding these communities can be found in saving, adapting, and restoring historic buildings, and rehabilitating and reusing existing infrastructure. The New Jersey Historic Trust has a critical role to play in revitalization efforts, but until New Jersey citizens and policymakers at the state and local levels acknowledge that historic preservation and economic revitalization are inextricably connected, a permanent solution to funding historic-preservation grants is unlikely to be a priority. David Listokin and Michael Lahur of Rutgers University's Center for Urban Policy Research issued a report in 1997 stating that historic-preservation initiatives in New Jersey generated $580 million annually in direct economic activity, and that "every $1 million spent on historic rehabilitation generates 38.3 jobs, $1.3 million in payroll and business earnings, and $202,000 in state taxes, compared with 36 jobs, $1.2 million in income, and $189,000 in taxes from new-construction projects." Sadly, ten years after this report was published, historic preservation remains a quaint footnote in strategic planning for economic development by state and local planners and policymakers. New Jersey mayors, especially, who embrace this relationship between revitalization and preservation, are better positioned to chart a realistic course for their communities' economic future. Granted, the rehabilitation of aging cities is not a quick fix. But an economic-development plan that includes and promotes the reuse and rehabilitation of its historic built environment is a plan that will enhance the livability and encourage the long-term prosperity of New Jersey's communiti |
