LEAGUE NEWS The Newsletter of the League of Historical Societies of

Vol. 30, No. 1 February 2004 Haddon Heights Historical Society to Host March League Meeting

The Haddon Heights Historical Society will host the March League meeting at the Haddon Heights First United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 13, 2004. The church is located at the corner of 7th and Garden streets in Haddon Heights. For information before the event, or for a list of hotels, please call 856-546-1967. For information on the day of the event, please call 856-465-7751.

DIRECTIONS: From the North and South: Take the NJ Turnpike to Exit 3. From there, take State Highway 168 N, towards Philadelphia, to Kings Hwy (1.35 miles). At the Mobil Station, turn right onto Kings Hwy, Camden County 551 (1.2 miles). Turn right onto 7th Avenue. Proceed 3 blocks to Garden Street. The Church parking lot is on the right. MEETING AGENDA From the East: Take the AC Expressway to the end, which becomes NJ 42 N. Follow NJ 42 N to I-295 N (3.2 miles). Take Exit 29B, 9:30 Registration US 30 W, towards Barrington/Haddon Hts/Collingswood. Then, merge 10:00 Welcome onto US 30 N (White Horse Pike) to Station Avenue. Turn left onto 10:05 League business meeting th th Station Ave. and drive 2 blocks to 7 Avenue. Turn left onto 7 Street. 11:15 The Value of Historic The parking lot is at the end of the block on the right. Preservation to Haddon Heights History Registration form on page 12. 12:15 Lunch Map on page 11. 1:30 Tours of homes in Haddon Heights

New Jersey Historic Trust Announces $150,000 Available in New Grants For Historic Preservation

The New Jersey Historic Trust has announced that applications and guidelines for the Cultural Trust Capital Preservation Program are now available to qualified history and humanities organizations. This year's grant awards, provided in partnership with the New Jersey Cultural Trust, will range from $5,000 to $15,000 and will be awarded to eligible organizations for capital improvements to historic properties. This year, a total of $150,000 in grants will be awarded. To receive a grant, the proposed work must involve properties that are listed, or are eligible for listing, in the New Jersey or National Register of Historic Places. The current grant round will be devoted to projects that will stabilize historic properties, with preference given to projects of compelling urgency. No matching funds are required. Potential applicants to the Capital Preservation Program are New Jersey-based, nonprofit organizations that (continued on page eight) 1 The Officers and Directors of Trustee, Central— Rhett Pernot the League of Historical Museum

Societies of New Jersey Trustee, Southern— PRESIDENT’S Jean Lacey President - Robert J. Hunter Ocean County Historical Society CORNER

Haddon Heights Historical Society; Dear Members: 856-547-7132 Trustee, Southern—

Douglas Winterich I trust you will find this First Vice President— J.B. Vogt Burlington Cty Historical Society newsletter interesting and useful. Fellowship for Metlar House If your organization has is- Trustee-at-Large— sued a recent publication, please Vice-President, Northern— Robert R. Longcore send an announcement to the John E. Chance Sussex County Historical Society League at P.O. Box 909, Madi- Montclair Historical Society son, NJ 07940; please include Trustee-at-Large— details such as the cost and con- Vice-President, Central— Randall Gabrielan tact information. James T. Raleigh Monmouth County Historical Because we publish just three Friends of Monmouth Battlefield Commission times a year, we will not publish Vice-President, Southern— announcements of local pro- Sonia L. Forry grams. We are, however, de- Historical Preservation Society of MARK YOUR s i g n i n g a w e b s i t e : www.lhsnj.org. You may submit Upper Township CALENDAR... local program announcements to Secretary— Kevin M. Hale FOR THE SPRING the site and we will try to post Metuchen-Edison Historical LEAGUE MEETING, them in a timely manner. Future newsletters will carry Society CENTRAL REGION the League meeting registration Treasurer— Dorothy M. Andrew forms, worthwhile grant infor- Gloucester County Historical mation, reports from our preser- Society vation committee, and Jack Chance’s Ideas-4-U column.

Membership Chairman—Dorothy Please send suggestions Pietrowski The League's Summer Meeting about the newsletter and website Madison Historical Society will be held in Cranbury on Sat- to me at P.O. Box 240, Haddon urday, June l9, 2004. The meet- Heights, NJ 08035, or to our Historian— Sally Yerkovich ing and programs will be con- [email protected]. New Jersey Historical Society ducted at the First Presbyterian Please send renewal dues to Church Fellowship Hall, fol- our PO Box in Madison. Trustee, Northern— lowed by lunch at the historic Thank you. Dorothy E. Johnson Cranbury Inn. The afternoon will Oakeside-Bloomfield Cultural feature tours of various locations Robert J. Hunter Center in Cranbury. Please join us for President this historic visit to Cranbury. Trustee, Northern— Betty Hardy Fall meeting: Montclair Madison Historical Society October 23rd

Trustee, Central— William Fidurski Clark Historical Society 2 IDEAS-4-U Bus trip to Eckley Miners’ Vil- Exploring Wells and Privies of lage, Weatherly, PA. Everyday 1760 Philadelphia. Joe Butewicz Are you in charge of arranging life of the miner and his family in of South River, avid bottle collec- programs for your society? Are an anthracite mining community. tor, shares his many excavations you running out of ideas? Ferromonte Historical Society of and discoveries. Pilesgrove- Mutual assistance is the main Mine Hill. Woodstown Historical Society purpose for which the League was formed, and program planning is Discovering Our Past, Creating Tour of New York City’s Historic perhaps the area in which we may Our Future. Inspection of recent Synagogues. (Jewish Historical be of greatest assistance to each excavations of Revolutionary War Society of Central New Jersey. other. So watch this space as Jack artifacts; lecture on life in Colo- 732-249-4894. Chance offers program ideas from nial times. Gloucester County your sister organizations. Cultural & Heritage Commission. Where Have All the Farmers Listed here are some recent Gone? Documentary film presents programs offered by our member The Evolution of Home Con- the words of a few of the remaining organizations. Perhaps they will veniences and Technology. Pres- Hunterdon County farmers. suggest ideas for your society’s entation by social historian and Hunterdon County Historical officers and program chairmen. author Merritt Ierley. Montclair Society For further information, please Historical Society and Victorian contact the sponsoring organiza- Society/Northern New Jersey. The Civilian Conservation Corps tion (in italics). Your membership (CC) at High Point State Park. list has the contact information. Exploring Chinese Culture. Sto- Lecture by Peter Osborne, author of ries, songs, holiday celebrations. two books on the subject. Walpack Camden County Cultural & Heri- Historical Society The Man Who Flew the Enola tage Commission. Gay. Panel discussion, including Indians and Europeans in Colo- the pilot of the plane that carried The Study of Ghosts Through nial New Jersey: Cultures in the first atomic bomb. Naval Air Scientific Research. Presentation Competition. Lecture by Lorraine Station Wildwood Museum. by Michael Dreiser, of the New Williams, NJ State Museum, about Jersey Ghost Research Program. settlers of the New Sweden colony. The History in Our Back Yard. Pilesgrove-Woodstown Historical Pennsville Township Historical So- An exhibit of artifacts found dur- Society. ciety ing an archeological dig that was required prior to major construc- The Delaware & Raritan Canal. John A. Roebling’s Rebirth in tion at a site in Elizabeth. Eliza- Illustrated talk on the history of New Jersey. Illustrated talk by beth Public Library. this waterway, one of the most Donald Sayenga on Roebling’s de- successful towpath canals in the cision to begin a new life as a wire The Oldest Houses in Cape May country, now preserved as a state rope manufacturer and bridge County. Illustrated lecture by a park. Heritage Trail Association. builder in Trenton, New Jersey. historic preservation consultant. His factory produced the cable for Cumberland County Historical Stompin’ at the Shore. Travel- the inclined planes of the Morris Society. ing exhibit from Atlantic City Canal and for the aqueducts of the Historical Society that tells the Delaware & Hudson Canal. Canal Lest We Forget exhibit. A talk story of African-American enter- Society of New Jersey. about a personal collection of tainers who came to Atlantic City slavery artifacts. Peter Mott and the Wildwoods from the turn House Underground Railroad of the century to the 1950s. 800- Museum. 275-4278.

3 Historic Resources and head electric lines, double stack- maintain a sustained 70 mph on Rail Freight in 21st ing of containers on flatbeds their way to Scranton and Buf- would be more readily accom- falo. Rail connections west of Century New Jersey plished. Scranton also reach out to Taylor,

Coincidentally, the City of Pennsylvania, near a Municipal by William T. Fidurski New York is evaluating a number Solid Waste landfill along the

of plans that would involve pack- Ransom and Taylor border. Our dedicated local guardians ing New York City's municipal Much of the potential threat to of historic resources that abut and solid waste into containers that historic resources stems from the include New Jersey's century-old could move by rail or water out of archaic design of the state's rail system may want to keep a Staten Island. Although the freight rail system and its origins cautious eye on the sudden resur- Chemical Coast Line and the Le- in the essentially agrarian society gence of interest in rail transpor- high Valley Railroad are key to of the nineteenth century. Local tation in the state. Seemingly iso- Port Authority plans, additional historians need to be alert to ef- lated rail projects such as the traffic is also planned for the forts to increase carrying capacity NJDOT proposal to install addi- Reading System between Wood- that could result in structural tional track at Oak Island Yard bridge and Bound Brook. Both changes that would cause destruc- and on the Chemical Coast Line the Lehigh Valley and Reading tion of historic properties and and Lehigh Valley Railroad in System pass through Bound negative impacts to viewsheds. Union, Essex, Middlesex and Brook and branch through historic Although garbage cars might be Somerset counties; Union Flemington Junction, Pennington, touted as being "sealed," even the County's reactivation of the and Hopewell before crossing best cars must vent odors or burst Staten Island Railway and the over the Delaware River. The re- from the expansion of fermenta- Rahway Valley Railway between tion gases. The flat topography of Staten Island and Summit; and the central New Jersey has resulted in NJDOT proposal to reactivate the many track crossings at street Lackawanna Cutoff between An- level; U.S. Route 22 in Union, St. dover and Scranton, all share a Georges Avenue at the Linden/ commonality with the rapid in- Roselle border, Route 35 in creases in marine cargo arrivals at Woodbridge, and South Avenue the Port of New York/New Jer- activation of the Staten Island in Cranford are examples. Freight sey. Railway and the Rahway Valley trains could run on sections of With work ongoing to increase Railway will connect the con- track used by the Raritan Valley the depth of New York Harbor to tainer terminal at Howland Hook line and share commuter track on 13 feet below historic levels, the to the Morris and Essex Division the Erie-Lackawanna. Aside from number of truck containers pass- line at Summit, which would pro- the immediate potential for com- ing through the port has reached vide access to the old freight sid- muter gridlock as freight trains 2.2 million per year, double what ing at Millington on the Glad- block automobile movements at it was in 1991. The Port Authority stone Branch and on the main grade crossings and obstruct pas- has plans to increase container Erie-Lackawanna through Morris- senger trains along shared por- arrivals to 4.4 million a year by town, Dover, and the old Lacka- tions of track, eventual plans to 2010, and redouble that amount wanna Cutoff terminus at Ando- construct overpasses and under- by 2040. The sheer magnitude of ver. Although the NJDOT is tout- passes could also cause serious the increases, along with already ing the resumption of passenger encroachment on historic proper- unbearable traffic congestion sur- service to justify reconstruction of ties. For the present, increases in rounding the port areas, has the Lackawanna Cutoff, passen- air pollution and traffic delays can prompted the Port Authority to try ger proponents should remember be expected as cars and passenger to exploit any conceivable options that the straightness of the Lacka- trains idle when an increasing for rail transport of marine cargo. wanna Cutoff was renowned for number of freight trains crowd the Diesel lines are particularly tar- its ability to have freight trains tracks. geted, because without any over- The Lackawanna Cutoff is 4 toric resources or those eligible for create desperate conditions that registry would prompt a federally- will ultimately result in destruction mandated Environmental Impact of natural and historic resources as Statement. Local historians should the paths of participate in the hearing process least resistance. under Section 106 of the National Historical Preservation Act of 1966 The author is a former civilian by commenting on any proposals military analyst, former AFL-CIO and by obtaining Consulting Party local president, and retired federal and Signatory status to any applica- agent, who presently serves as a ble Memorandum of Agreement in Trustee and Regulatory Advisor to accordance with 36 C.F.R. 800. Al- the League of Historical Societies though the Port Authority of NY/NJ of New Jersey and Chairman of known for its picturesque, is presently limiting public outreach the Clark Environmental Commis- poured-concrete overpasses and to port communities, the port expan- sion. underpasses and the historic sion will have statewide rail impacts Roseville Tunnel, which could be that need to be addressed through threatened by increased train local hearings at rural and suburban weight or double-stacked con- levels. Anyone interested in com- tainers. menting on the scope of the planned All of these circumstances Environmental Impact Statement for only illustrate the need for careful the port expansion can log on to scrutiny of any rail proposals and www.cpiponline.org and www. all possible impacts in the long cpipeis.com. term. If any historic resources Unfortunately, the port expansion along train routes do not already plans generally reflect a desire of the have historic registry, local his- Port Authority to control as much torical societies may want to as- distribution of marine cargo as pos- certain eligibility for historic reg- sible throughout the Northeast, as far League Publication Awards istry or, preferably, sponsor nomi- as Chicago, Montreal and Virginia. nations for historic registry. Con- In the process, the Port Authority The League will review and cerns over historic properties intends to push as much cargo as recognize historically related should be immediately conveyed possible through one of the most publications (from member socie- to state legislators and the State congested states in the nation, ties) that meet award criteria set Historic Preservation Office whether or not the necessary road by the League Awards Committee (SHPO) at the NJDEP. If a regis- and rail infrastructure will ever exist. for books, pamphlets, newsletters, tered property is threatened by a As a state, we need to consider journals, and calendars. (The project that has no federal in- whether there is sufficient infrastruc- committee will meet early this volvement, the SHPO can be con- ture to support expansion plans and year to formulate the criteria.) tacted to request a hearing and whether all the goods need to pass Please submit material pub- Interested Party status under through New Jersey. Perhaps there is lished in 2003 to The League of N.J.A.C. 7:4-7.2. Historic proper- a need to use other port facilities, Historical Societies of New Jer- ties that may be threatened by like a new, alternative deepwater sey, PO Box 909, Madison, NJ projects funded by the state may port in Baltimore, Halifax, or any 07940. fall within the scope of Environ- of dozens of ports along a Great mental Assessment or Environ- Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway system, mental Impact Statement (EIS) which is currently in dire need of that may be required under Gov- developing increased capacity. In- ernor Tom Kean's Executive Or- adequate long term planning and in- der #215. Federal involvement in sufficient infrastructure will only projects affecting registered his- 5 ADVOCATES FOR Burlington County (wk) 856-384-6889 NEW JERSEY HISTORY Douglas Winterich (fax) 856-384-0207 Burlington County Historical Soc. [email protected] 457 High Street Dear Colleagues: Burlington, NJ 08016-414 Hudson County (wk) 609-386-4773 Marion Grzesiak Another step that the History (fax) 609-386-4828 Jersey City Museum Advocates have taken to prepare [email protected] 350 Montgomery for the coming budget battle is the Jersey City, NJ 07302 creation of county chapters. To Camden County (wk) 201-413-0303 this end, we have appointed a Rhonda Carboni (fax) 201-413-9922 History County Coordinator for Alice Paul Centennial Foundation mgrze- each of New Jersey's 21 counties. PO Box 1376 [email protected] These County Coordinators Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 have taken on the major tasks of (wk) 856-231-1885 Hunterdon County improving our outreach to our (fax) 856-231-4223 Stephanie Stevens grass roots constituency and of [email protected] Hunterdon County Cultural & fostering better contacts between Heritage Commission legislators and the History sup- Cape May County 3 Chorister Place, PO Box 2900, porters in their counties. Paul Anselm Flemington, NJ 08822-2900 Ocean City Historical Society (wk) 908-788-1256 THESE COUNTY COORDI- 1735 Simpson Avenue (fax) 908-534-4395 NATORS NEED YOUR HELP Ocean City, NJ 08226 [email protected] TO STAY CURRENT ON (wk) 609-399-1801 EVENTS IN YOUR COUNTY. [email protected] Mercer County Gail Stern If you can offer your time and Cumberland County Historical Society of Princeton energy to helping build your Pamela Griner Weintraub 158 Nassau Street county chapter, please contact Cumberland County Cultural & Princeton, NJ 08542-7077 your History County Coordinator Heritage Commission (wk) 609-921-6748 listed below: 800 East Commerce Street (fax) 609-921-6939 Bridgeton, NJ 08302 [email protected] Atlantic County (wk) 856-453-2177 Cynthia Mason-Purdie (fax) 856-453-9138 Middlesex County Atlantic County Office of [email protected] Isha Vyas Cultural & Heritage Affairs Middlesex County Cultural & 40 Faragut Avenue Essex County Heritage Commission Mays Landing, NJ 08330 Sally Yerkovich 703 Jersey Avenue (wk) 609-625-2776, ext. 631 New Jersey Historical Society New Brunswick, NJ 08901-3605 (fax) 609-625-8143 52 Park Place (wk) 732-745-4489 [email protected] Newark, NJ 07102-4302 (fax) 732-745-4524 (wk) 973-596-8500 [email protected] Bergen County (fax) 973-596-6957 Maggie Harrer [email protected] Monmouth County Water Works Conservancy Lee Ellen Griffith PO Box 714 Gloucester County Monmouth Cty Historical Assn. Oradell, NJ 07649 Diane Robinson 70 Court Street (wk) 201-967-0133 Gloucester County Cultural & Freehold, NJ 07728 (fax) 201-967-7517 Heritage Commission (wk) 732-462-1466 [email protected] PO Box 337 (fax) 732-462-8346 Woodbury, NJ 08096 [email protected] 6 Morris County Salem County Union County Bonnie-Lynn Nadzeika David Young Susan Coen Morris County Historical Society Salem County Historical Society Union Cty Cultural & Heritage 68 Morris Avenue 79-83 Market Street 633 Pearl Street Morristown, NJ 07960 Salem, NJ 08079 Elizabeth, NJ 07202 (wk) 973-267-3465 (wk) 856-935-5004 (wk) 908-558-2550 (fax) 973-267-8773 (fax) 856-935-0728 (fax) 908-352-3513; [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Ocean County Somerset County Warren County Barbara Rivolta Pat McGarry Susan Morgan Ocean County Historical Society Somerset County Cultural and Warren Cty Cultural & Heritage 26 Hadley Ave., PO Box 2191, Heritage Commission 8 Belvidere Avenue Toms River, NJ 08754-2191 PO Box 3000 Oxford, NJ 07863 (wk) 732-341-1880 Somerville, NJ 08876 (wk) 908-453-4381 (fax) 732-341-1880 (wk) 908-203-6020 (fax) 908-453-4981 [email protected] (fax) 908-707-1748 [email protected] [email protected] Passaic County Thank you for your support. Angelica Santomauro Sussex County American Labor Museum/Botto Dorothy Hartman House PO Box 1316 83 Norwood Street Montague, NJ 07827 Sincerely yours, Haledon, NJ 07508 (wk) 973-293-3684 B. Michael Zuckerman, Ph.D. (wk) 973-595-7953 [email protected] Vice President (fax) 973-595-7291 [email protected]

METLAR/BODINE HOUSE FIRE

On Thursday, July 17, 2003, a fire of unknown origin caused extensive damage to the Metlar/Bodine House on River Road in Piscataway. The 1870s section of the house was seriously burned, and the 1840s section suffered water and smoke damage. Thank- fully the circa 1728 Bodine section seems to be in decent shape. The fire was fierce and fast, but it did not reduce the museum to ashes. The 2½-story colonial was not gutted, but the interior portions that did not burn sustained damage from water and heat. The outside of the structure is in better shape, singed, but still standing and relatively intact. Enormous thanks go out to the many fire departments and firefighters who saved the museum from an awful and complete demise. Housed at the Metlar/Bodine House, and especially prized by regional historians, was a collection of docu- ments and artifacts rich in local history. The museum’s mission, to celebrate the area’s vibrant past and the de- velopment of the Raritan River Valley from prehistoric time to the present using transportation as the connecting theme, is evident in the collection’s title, “From Indian Trail to Interstate.” The structure itself typifies the socio- economic mores of the American experience and the collection provides a microcosm of impacts attributed to modes of travel on American history. Included in the collection, and happily surviving the fire, are archives of 1820s slavery and a physician's ledger that recorded medical care of area farmers and their families between 1824 and 1839. Nevertheless,

(continued on page eleven)

7

New Jersey Historic Trust (continued from page one)

fulfill a history or humanities mission through active programs and ser- Get Your vices, have been in operation for a minimum of four years, are tax-exempt, Event Publicized in and demonstrate financial and budgetary oversight to the standards set by the Star-Ledger the Cultural Trust. (Potential applicants that have not been pre-qualified Calendars should contact the Cultural Trust at 609-984-6767.) Applications are due February 17, 2004. Applications and guidelines are available on the New Jersey Historic Trust's Web site at http://www.njht.org/cultural-trust. To request an application by mail, call 609-984-0473 or email: [email protected]. Created by the State Legislature, the New Jersey Historic Trust is a non- profit historic preservation organization affiliated with the Department of Community Affairs. Governed by a 15-member Board of Trustees, the The Star-Ledger has imple- Trust promotes the preservation of New Jersey's historic resources by en- mented a new system for compil- couraging cooperative efforts between public and private agencies, provid- ing its calendars. To notify the ing financial assistance and accepting easements on historic properties. paper about upcoming events, please use one of the options be- low to send your press releases. Emails are preferred, but please do not send your text in an attach- ment. Save the Date: History Issues Convention

EMAIL: [email protected] The 11th annual History Issues Convention will be held on SNAIL MAIL: Listings Desk, Wednesday, March 31 at the Trenton War Memorial. The theme will be The Star-Ledger, 1 Star-Ledger “Building Alliances,” with a goal of exploring how the history community Plaza, Newark, NJ 07102-1200 can work together with other public interest groups such as the arts, tour- FAX: Our new fax number for ism, recreation, teachers, and libraries. event listings is (973) 274-8550. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Bruce Craig, director of the Na- tional Coalition for History, a Washington DC organization that represents As always, two weeks' advance the historical and archival community on Capitol Hill. Dr. Craig pub- notice is requested to meet our lishes the Washington Update, a respected monthly newsletter on national publication deadlines. history issues. His keynote address will be Building a History Alliance: The following information is Lessons From the Past, Opportunities for the Future." essential: the type of event, time, The event will also feature two panel discussions: (1) representa- date, location (venue and full tives from the NJ Recreation and Parks Association, the NJ Library Asso- street address), admission cost ciation, the NJ Council for History Education, the NJ Travel Industry As- (if any), registration deadlines, a sociation, ArtPride, and the League of NJ Municipalities; (2) elected offi- phone number for publication, cials, including municipal and county officers and members of the state and a name and phone number legislature. Workshops on history education and heritage tourism will for contact purposes. Sorry, but follow the award luncheon. The registration fee of $30 covers all events calendar items cannot be taken along with a continental breakfast and lunch. To obtain a registration bro- by phone. chure, call the New Jersey Historical Commission at 609-984-3458. Cop- Questions? Call the Star- ies of the brochure are also available on the NJHC website, Ledger at 973-392-1500. www.newjerseyhistory.org. The convention is sponsored by the New Jersey Historical Com- mission and the Advocates for New Jersey History, and cosponsored by historical societies, museums, and history organizations around the state.

8 New Jersey Historical Organizations with budgets under gional Archives Conference of Commission Offers a $30,000 can apply for up to historical collections (paper $10,000 (minimum request items) held by New Jersey ar- Variety of Grants $5,000). Organizations with chives, libraries, historical socie-

budgets of $30,000 or more can ties, and other agencies. There is The New Jersey Historical apply for up to 33 percent of their ; submit form when Commission (NJHC) offers a va- no deadline non-state operating income. convenient. riety of grants as well as prizes and a free archival evaluation ser- Project Grants: Funding for ex- vice, the Caucus Archival Pro- PRIZES penses of specific projects relat- jects Evaluation Service, or ing to New Jersey history. Eligi- Mildred Barry Garvin Prize: CAPES. The grants and prizes ble categories include conserva- $1,000 award to a New Jersey program is described in two sepa- tion of historical materials (books, teacher, guidance counselor, or rate booklets: manuscripts, costumes, historical school librarian for outstanding

visuals); editorial and publication teaching of black American his- GENERAL OPERATING projects; educational initiatives; tory or related activity, K-12. SUPPORT exhibitions; media (films, radio, Contact Giles Wright at the Com-

videotape, digital media); public mission. For information or a PROJECTS/MINIGRANTS/ programs; and research (including nomination form, call 609-984- PRIZES/CAPES archaeological projects, fellow- 3464 or email

ships, oral history, and National [email protected]. The The FY 2005 editions of these and New Jersey registers of his- deadline is and two booklets are now available. October 1, 2004 toric places nominations). The notification will be made in Janu- You can obtain copies by contact- deadline is ary 2005. ing Ms. Diane Dillon at the His- September 15, 2004 (application must be torical Commission by phone received in the NJHC office by Richard P. McCormick Prize: 609-984-3458 or by email: that date). Applicants can apply Award of $1,000 to an author of [email protected]. You for grants from $3,000 to outstanding doctoral dissertation can also inspect the booklets by $20,000. Notification will be on any topic on New Jersey his- visiting our website: made in November 2004. tory. The deadline is www.newjerseyhistory.org. Click January 2, and notification will be on "Grants and Prizes." 2005 Minigrants: Support for the ex- made in September 2005.

penses of smaller versions of the General Operating Support: type of activities listed under Pro- Alfred E. Driscoll Prize: Award Grants: General assistance to his- jects. Applicants may request sup- of $1,000 to an author of out- torical organizations, museums, port for planning (long-term, in- standing doctoral dissertation on historic sites, archives, libraries, terpretive, strategic), but they may any topic on New Jersey history. and similar organizations. To not use minigrant funds for other The deadline is qualify for assistance, organiza- January 2, 2006 types of operating support. There and notification will be made in tions must have collections or is , as applications are September 2006. programming relating to the his- no deadline reviewed bimonthly. Applicants tory of New Jersey. Applicants can apply for funding up to For more information, contact the must notify the Historical Com- $3,000. Notification is within six Grants Office, New Jersey His- mission of their intent to apply for weeks of review. torical Commission, Mary R. General Operating Support by Murrin, Director, Grants Pro- March 3, 2004. The deadline for Caucus Archival Projects Evalua- gram; 609-984-0954 or email applications is April 1, 2004. Ap- tion Service [email protected]. plications must be received in the (CAPES):Professional assessment Or visit us on the web at NJHC office by that date. Notifi- by consultants of the New Jersey www.newjerseyhistory.org cation will be made in July 2004. Caucus of the Mid-Atlantic Re-

9 Howard Wiseman did so much to give the diverse decided that he liked me and In Memoriam historical societies of the state a that I needed a helping hand. It sense of being part of a com- was simply his natural way of mon cause. When I got involved behaving toward people, and I Howard Wiseman played an im- in the League's activities, we think he must have done that for portant role in the civic life of New once again became close col- a great many people. Jersey for more than half a century. leagues and remained so for the And so I am left with the He was the kind of citizen who gives past decade. It was always a memory of a very decent gentle- meaning to the idea of democracy by tonic just to be with him. man of breeding, education and taking a vigorous part in community Yes, this was a man who culture, a man to whom good affairs. I am not sure anyone really served his community, his state, manners came naturally, and a knows how many organizations How- and his nation in the best way man of tolerance and under- ard served in one capacity or another, he knew how--as a bearer and standing for people of social but I must speak of two that I am fa- preserver of traditions and backgrounds very different from miliar with. knowledge, as an organizer of his own. This man journeyed When I arrived at the New Jersey people, as an educator. This was through a life of seventy-five Historical Society as Librarian in a public citizen. years shedding light and doing 1961, Howard had already been its We were not part of each good to everyone he met along first professional Museum Curator for other's private life, but it was the way. This memory will en- nine years--a position in which he not difficult to see what kind of dure for me, as will the fruits of would serve until 1979. This most personality Howard had. There his labor. venerable of our historical bodies had was absolutely nothing aggres- We all have to say goodbye long been known as a more or less sive, frenetic or flamboyant to each other some day. It is a exclusive private club of New Jer- about him--with the notable ex- comfort to believe that in some sey's prominent old families--until the ception of those bright red way we will one day meet 1950s, when a small band of profes- vests, which seemed so unusual again. But I do not think I will sionals began its transformation into a for such a quiet fellow. Howard ever again meet anyone like our modern public institution serving the had the innate modesty of the friend Howard Wiseman. larger society that had evolved in the self-respecting man thoroughly preceding century. Howard--a proud at home in his world--even a Bernard Bush descendant of those early families-- world that had changed so dras- December 13, 2003 was one of those professionals who tically since he was a child. had the breadth of vision and the skill Everything he did he did with to make the New Jersey Historical quiet authority, with apparent Society the institution it is today. ease, and with kindness. That public service alone, which he DUES RENEWAL I don’t think any of us ever performed for nearly three decades, is saw him express anger, or raise Have you renewed your member- enough to establish his reputation. his voice, or even scowl. If ship in the League for 2004? If not, After I left the Society's staff to go someone’s behavior or some we ask that you please do so. We on to the State Library, Howard and I event appeared cruel or stupid want to be sure that your group’s remained colleagues at a distance, information is properly recorded to him, the most you would get from time to time seeing each other at for the League Directory, due out from Howard was raised eye- various events. It was impossible to in March. brows and a slightly disdainful avoid him, since he seemed to be in- We thank the 137 organizations smile. volved in dozens of historical, mu- that have already renewed. The When I came to the Society seum, genealogical, and hereditary three newest members are: in the early 1960s I was an out- organizations in New Jersey. He sider and needed a friend. How- The James Caldwell Memorial served on the board of the League of ard became that friend, and he Foundation Historical Societies of New Jersey provided a gentle guidance that Soldiers-at-Rest, Civil War and for some twenty years adminis- helped me to gain confidence. I League of Historical Societies of tered the popular awards program that doubt that he ever consciously West Essex 10 METLAR/BODINE HOUSE FIRE (continued from page seven)

50% of the archives were destroyed. "We've lost at least 100 years of history," said June Sadlowski, director of the museum. "We lost artwork. We lost photography.” In the post-fire recovery effort, museum employees combed the wreckage for salvageable antiques. One arti- fact that survived is the robe worn by Justice Charles Parker during the scandalous Hall-Mills murder trial of the 1920s. If you would be interested in helping the effort to restore the home, please email [email protected]. Donations can be sent to The Fellowship for Metlar House, PO Box 141, Piscataway, NJ 08855. On July 4th, during last year’s Road to Monmouth celebration, colonial troops returned to their Piscataway camp in the evening as the Metlar-Bodine House hosted a "Colonial Punch Party" to raise funds for the installa- tion of the Ross Hall Wall. Ross Hall was General Washington's headquarters at Raritan Landing, Piscataway, during his stay in 1778. Although the house was demolished in the late 1950s, a beautifully crafted parlor, com- plete with paneled walls and corner display cabinets, was saved and exhibited for many years at the New Jersey Historical Society in Newark. The parlor, now stored at , was returned to Piscataway and will become a major exhibit at the Metlar-Bodine House in the near future. In 1728 Peter Bodine, a wharf and storehouse owner, built the two-story house in Raritan Landing, just west of New Brunswick. It is one of two remaining homes from that Colonial port community that thrived from the 1730s to the 1830s. Over the years, later owners made changes that reflected 19th century New Brunswick, by then an industrial port on both the Raritan River and the Delaware and Raritan Canal. Metlar/Bodine house is on both the national and state historic registers. In 1977 the state of New Jersey purchased the property for a new bridge and interchange project spanning the Raritan River. Concerned citizens came to the rescue of the house, which was certainly going to be de- stroyed. It is now owned by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and is well cared for by the Town- ship of Piscataway and the non-profit organization, the Fellowship for Metlar House. As a result of the fire, the Board of Trustees of the League has had to find new places to meet. In August, the meeting was held at the Henry Guest House, an 18th-century dwelling owned by the New Brunswick Public Library. In November, the Board met at the Runyon House in East Jersey Olde Towne, about a mile west of the Metlar House on River Road in Piscataway. These moves are considered temporary, although the damage to the

MAP TO THE LEAGUE MEETING, HADDON HEIGHTS FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 7TH & GREEN STREETS, HADDON HEIGHTS

11 REGISTRATION FORM FOR THE LEAGUE OF HISTORICAL SOCIETIES MEETING SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2004 HADDON HEIGHTS FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 7TH & GARDEN STREETS, HADDON HEIGHTS, NJ 08035

Name(s) ______

Address ______

Phone ______Email ______

Society Name ______

Number Attending at $20 per person ______x $20 = $ ______

Hot lunch will be served. Please make check payable to: Haddon Heights Historical Society and mail to the HHHS, PO Box 118, Haddon Heights, NJ 08035 (856-546-1967)

The League of Historical Societies of New Jersey P.O. Box 909 Madison, New Jersey 07940

Winter Meeting — Haddon Heights Spring Meeting — Cranbury

12