Boonton Historical Society News Bulletin Sept. 2012

Boonton Historical Society  

          & Museum

      at the Dr. John Taylor House                   

                           210 Main Street, Boonton, N.J. 

                                       973-402-8840

                                                  Boontonhistory@Boonton.org

_______________________________________________________ September, 2012

September is turning out to be a busy month at the Boonton Historical Society.

Friday September 7

4:00 – 9:00 pm

We will again be celebrating First Friday with refreshments and bargains in our gift shops. Passport to Savings on Main Street continues.

Grace Kobilarcik greets our guests at our First Friday event..

Saturday, September 15

10:00 am

Walking Tour of Historic Main Street

Meets at Canalside Overlook (Main &        

West Main St. intersection)

The tour will discuss the commerce and business of Boonton, as well as the history and architecture of the buildings.  The tour will be led by Lloyd Charlton whose family ran a grocery store on Main Street.

Suggested donation for non-members is $5.00. (Includes discounts for local stores and eateries on Main Street).

Sunday September 16

10:00 – 5:00 pm

We will have a table at the Boonton Transportation Heritage Festival to be held at the Railroad Restoration yard on

Morris Avenue. Our table will be in the Dance Studio building.

See the largest electric locomotives that ever operated in New Jersey.  They were the famous 1930’s GG-1 giants of the rails that traveled over 100mph between NY City and

Washington DC on some of the world’s most famous trains.

See a variety of old diesel locomotives, passenger cars, and freight cars.  Also, in the early 1900s railroad freight house will be

exhibits and exciting multi-media presentations on NJ’s railroads by former railroad employees who reveal what it was like working on the railroad more than half a century ago as well as local railroad historians. 

A special feature will be presentations by NJ Transit on their Operation Lifesaver program for kids and adults.

Want More?   There will be antique trucks and fire engines, old buses from NJ’s Public Service bus company, and several vintage military vehicles on display adjacent to the museum.

This facility is closed to the public and the last time it was open for one day public event was three years ago!  The event is held  rain or shine.

Sunday September 23

12:00 – 4:00 pm

New Exhibit Opening

We will open our new exhibit, entitled Roots, Rocks, Rust: The Visionary Landscapes of JSL Greentree. Join us for a Member’s Preview at 12:00 pm.

Saturday, September 29

4:00 pm

Cemetery Tour

It’s time for our annual Cemetery Tour at Greenwood Cemetery.  The tour starts at the cemetery gates at 4:00 pm, immediately followed by soup to die for at the museum .

This year, the Society will highlight the stories and contributions of some of its proponents of alternative approaches to health and healing. Dr. Elizabeth Geiger (1900-2003), a doctor of naturopathy, had

a practice in New York City and opened her home on Fanny Road as a health resort; Dr. Marietta Crane Woodruff (1861-1912) served the people of Boonton as a general practitioner and obstetrician for over 38 years; She also had an interest in alternative therapy and served as vice president of the NJ State Homeopathic society.  Rev. Henry B. Wilson (1870-1923), in addition to being pastor of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Boonton, was a journalist, author and educator. He started the Society of the Nazarene with a goal "to teach, preach and

heal” and a  purpose to deepen spiritual life and impart strength and health to body and soul by prayer.

Donation for tour $5.00

Soup to Die for (including bowl) $5.00

September 30 is BOONTON DAY. 

12:00 – 4:00 pm

Come and visit us at or booth on Main Street and join in the festivities of another day of celebrations in our town.

Boonton Day 2011

Visitors to Harold Johnson’s walking tour of the Historic Residential District .

Saturday October 20, Sunday October 21

THE PATHWAYS OF HISTORY MUSEUM TOUR: Experience local history in person when thirteen historic homes and museums open their doors and present exhibits, re-enactments, costumed hosts and refreshments 10:00-4:00pm Saturday and Noon – 4:00pm Sunday.  Admission is free. 

For more details and location information visit www.Boonton.org.

Special Pathways Event in Boonton at the Miller-Kingsland House.

33d New Jersey Volunteer Infantry Regiment Company G ~ 2nd Zouaves

         A Civil War re-enactment group.

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Boonton Historical Society and Museum

                    c/o Eric Wallin

            Membership Chairperson

465 Hill Street, Boonton, NJ 07005

      MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Please make checks payable to the Boonton Historical Society and mail to the address above.

Annual Fees

   Individual $20.00               

   Family $25.00              

   Seniors/Students $15.00

   Business/Professional $30.00

One Time Fees

                                      

   Lifetime $200.00

   Lifetime Couple $350.00

Name _____________________________

Street Address _____________________________

City _____________________________

State _______Zip Code __________

Telephone: ____________________

E-Mail __________________________

   I would like to volunteer

Pathways of History

FOLLOWING THE PATHWAYS OF HISTORY

A SPECIAL MUSEUM TOUR EVENT

Saturday, October 20 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Sunday, October 21 from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Small museums continually search for innovative ideas to promote community history and to entice the public to visit their museums and historic places.  In 2010 five enthusiastic Morris County groups conceived an idea designed to highlight their distinctive museums and historical properties. Housed in venerable buildings of local significance, each had a unique and fascinating story to share.  Aptly called “Following the Pathways of History – Links to Each Other and to the Past,” this two-day museum tour was a huge success.

 

Now in its third year, the Pathways of History Museum Tour has grown to include 13 historic locations.  The two-day 2012 tour will take place on Saturday, October 20 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and Sunday, October 21, from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm.  The original five museums in Boonton, Boonton Township, Butler, Kinnelon and Montville Township, are honored to be joined by Denville, Dover, Jefferson Township, Lake Hopatcong, Pequannock Township and Riverdale’s Glenburn.  The museums and historic sites will simultaneously open their doors in welcome.

Each participant on the tour has planned something extra special for this extraordinary event honoring history, community and friendship.  In Boonton, visit the Boonton Museum at the Dr. John Taylor House; tour the historic residential area whose early settlers came from England seeking work in the Boonton Iron Works; and be sure to stop by the Miller-Kingsland House to experience the 33^rd Regiment New Jersey Volunteers Civil War encampment.  In Boonton Township, enjoy a pictorial exhibit chronicling the restoration of the historic Oscar A. Kincaid Home of History; participate in a grand celebration honoring the home’s enigmatic folk art face as “he” marks his 175^th year; visit the Kincaid Fine Crafts and Art Shoppe at the historic road stand and take time to observe the ART-IN Group painting on site.  In Butler, witness the sights of Butler’s glory days 100 years ago through news stories, photos and slides; experience the 1957 Pequanoc Rubber Company fire; visit their Little Miss Liberty statue and learn about this town’s connection to her famous relative in New York Harbor.  Because the Butler Railroad Station Museum is closed for renovations, exhibits and artifacts will be on display at the Butler Police Community Center.  At the Denville Historical Society’s Museum, tour the "Garden of Thyme and Roses" and be sure to visit the featured exhibit detailing over three centuries of Denville's history.  Take in a guided tour during your visit.  The Dover Area Historical Society will offer an educational and entertaining presentation of the rich history of the Dover Area.  The Borough of Riverdale’s Glenburn, a grand heritage home given a “New Beginning” when residents and neighbors in surrounding communities saved it from the wrecker’s ball, will be open for guided tours.  Don’t miss the historic barn, outbuildings and beautiful grounds.  In Montville Township, two historic properties, both offering continuous tours, are a must see.  A Revolutionary War encampment will be staged at the Henry Doremus Dutch Stone House. While there, also enjoy live period music and an antique quilt display.  At the Nicholas Vreeland Out Kitchen, which dates to 1780, Dutch architecture, hearthside food practices, and some period take-home recipes will be featured.  At the Jefferson Township Museum costumed docents will welcome visitors and guide them through the Chamberlain house and surrounding gardens.  Quilters will be on hand to demonstrate their craft; Miss Elizabeth’s Shoppe, located in the kitchen of this Victorian gem, will offer unique gifts, local provisions, antiques and homemade goods for purchase.  Kinnelon Borough’s L’Ecole Museum will offer historical displays and vignettes.  “The Life and Work of Dr. Helen L. Miller,” the fascinating story of a charismatic 20^th century physician who brought state-of-the-art medicine to Kinnelon and the surrounding area, and “A History of the 35,000-acre Newark Pequannock Watershed” are featured presentations both days of the tour.  The Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum, located in a rustic 19^th century building which served as a lock tender’s house on the Morris Canal, will offer an entertaining and enlightening look at the history of New Jersey’s largest lake.  For the Pathways of History Museum Tour the Museum will feature a special salute to Bertrand Island Park.  In observance of the Civil War Sesquicentennial, the Museum of Pequannock Township has prepared an extraordinary display to honor Old Pequannock Township’s Civil War Veterans.

Admission to this two-day event is free.  Visitors may start the tour at any location.  Detailed maps and an event brochure will guide you to the next stop.  Refreshments will be served at various locations along the route.

For more information, contact us at 973=316-0976, or visit our website at www.Boonton.org.

Boonton Historical Society Cemetery Tour

SOUP’S ON AT THE BOONTON MUSEUM

BOONTON:  The Boonton Historical Society and Museum will sponsor a Cemetery Tour of the Greenwood Cemetery, Washington Avenue, Boonton, on Saturday, September 29.  The cemetery tour will commence at the cemetery gates at 4:00pm. Nine costumed hosts will portray local residents giving a glimpse into the daily lives and times of Boonton past.

This year, the Society will highlight the stories and contributions of some of its proponents of alternative approaches to health and healing. Dr. Elizabeth Geiger (1900-2003), a doctor of naturopathy, had a practice in New York City and opened her home on Fanny Road as a health resort; Dr. Marietta Crane Woodruff (1861-1912) served the people of Boonton as a general practitioner and obstetrician for over 38 years; She also had an interest in alternative therapy and served as vice president of the NJ State Homeopathic society.  Rev. Henry B. Wilson (1871-1923), in addition to being pastor of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Boonton, was a journalist, author and educator. He started the Society of the Nazarene with a goal was "to teach, preach and heal” and a purpose to deepen spiritual life and impart strength and health to body and soul through prayer.

For an additional $5.00 and immediately following the cemetery tour, guests are invited to a soup tasting experience at the museum.  A selection of soups served in Boontonware bowls with crusty bread will be available to sample at the Museum, 210 Main Street.  You get to keep the bowl !!  For more information call 973-402-8840 or email us at Boontonhistory@Boonton.org

BOONTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

Boonton Historical Society receives gift from Helen Dixon Kunzelmann

On December 19th of 2011, the Boonton Historical Society received a substantial gift from the estate of Mrs. Helen Dixon Kunzelmann who passed away in Bennington Vermont last year.  Mrs. Kunzelmann was a native of Boonton, born here in 1917. 

The Boonton Historical Society was established in 1959 as a non-profit organization, and has continued its efforts through the years to protect and preserve Boonton's unique history, landmarks,  and culture.  Located in the John Taylor House at

210 Main Street

, the Society maintains both a museum and extensive archive there.   

Trustees of the Boonton Historical Society are honored to accept this generous gift from Helen Kunzelmann.  These funds provide an endowment that will serve to perpetuate the history and heritage of Boonton through its Historical Society for many years to come.

Throughout her life, Mrs. Kunzelmann remained a friend to the Historical Society as well as many other local organizations.  We are forever grateful that she chose to remember us in this way.   Although Mrs. Kunzelmann lived in Vermont for 57 years, she remembered Boonton with fondness and affection.

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP DONATION TO THE MILLER-KINGSLAND HOUSE

We were pleased to welcome members of the Jefferson Township Historical Society to our Pathways of History event.  Museum Director and Vice President, Carol Ann Keppel asked us if we would like a spinning wheel for the Miller-Kingsland House.  The wheel is contemporary with the older section of the house and we are hoping that we can see it being used as part of our Pathways of History event later this year.

If you know someone who would like to give spinning demonstrations at one of our events, please have them contact us.

GIFT SHOP ANNEX

Visit our new Gift Shop Annex for special offers on a wide selection of gifts for all occasions Don’t miss our $1.00 table and seasonal items. New specials every month.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NEW JERSEY

Wednesday, February 1 - Morris County
Pre-Groundhog Day, 4 PM - 5 PM
Pop-up to the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts to celebrate Groundhog Day with an afternoon of ground hog themed activities. Appropriate for children 2-6 years old. Advance registration recommended. Call 973-377-2982 x12 for more information. $3 Admission for all participants and Regular Admission for all others. 9 Main Street, Madison.

Wednesday, February 1 through January 2013 - Ocean County
Fabulous Flapper Fashions Jazz Up OCHS Textile Room
The 1920s was the decade of change, the "Jazz Age" of the Charleston and the Shimmy, of the Cat's Meow and the Bee's Knees, all reflected in the Flappers and their clothing. You won't want to miss the dropped waist dresses, the fringe, the cloche hats and beaded purses in our new Textile Room exhibit, Fabulous Flapper Fashions of the 1920s, opening February 1, 2012 and extending until January 11, 2013 at the Ocean County Historical Society, 26 Hadley Ave., Toms River, NJ. Call: 732-341-1880.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN BOONTON

Friday, February 3,  4:00 pm- 9:00 pm

First Friday on

Boonton Main Street

Wear Red for Women

$5.00 gets you a Bag and a Boa

Proceeds support the American Heart Association.

Announcing Boonton Historical Society’s Walking Tour Schedule 2012      

Saturday April 21,  10:00a.m

The Ironworks Historic Site

Led by author JOE MACASEK

Saturday, May  19,   10:00 am   

The Park Residential District

Led by GAIL YORKSTON

Meets at the Gazebo in Grace Lord Park

Saturday, June 16,  10:00 am

The Historic Residential District                         
Led by HAROLD JOHNSON

Saturday, July 7, 10:00 am                 
Historic Main Street

Led by LLOYD CHARLTON

Meets at Canalside Park (junction of

Main Street and W. Main Street)

Saturday, August 18,  10:00 am

The Historic Residential District  
 Led by HAROLD JOHNSON

Saturday, September 5 , 10:00 am                 
Historic Main Street

Led by LLOYD CHARLTON

Meets at Canalside Park (junction of

Main Street and  W.Main Street)

Saturday, October 20,  10:00 am

The Historic Residential District                        
Led by HAROLD JOHNSON

Tours meet at the Post Office on

Main Street unless otherwise noted.

Suggested donation for non-members $5.00.

                                               Boonton Historical Society

                                                                        and  Museum

                                                                        c/o Eric Wallin

                                                            Membership Chairperson
                                                   465 Hill Street, Boonton, NJ 07005

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Please make checks payable to the Boonton Historical Society and mail to the address above.

Annual Fees   (Renewable in

                            November)

   Individual $20.00               

   Family $25.00              

   Seniors/Students $15.00

   Business/Professional $30.00

                                      

   Lifetime $200.00

Name _____________________________

Telephone: _____________________________

Street Address _____________________________

City _____________________________

State _______Zip Code __________

E-Mail Address_________________________

LOOKING BACK ON MAIN STREET

BOONTON;    The Boonton Historical Society and Museum will present a program called "Parades and Pies"  on Wednesday, November 16, 7:00 PM, at the Boonton Senior Center,

North Main Street

.  We will recall the Leystra Bakery that was located at

209 Main Street

70 years ago.  Frank Leystra captured his day to day work at the bakery on 16mm film.  He can be seen using a machine to roll pie dough and working with yeast dough to make bread, coffee cakes, and doughnuts.

We will also recall Labor Day parades from 1941 and 1942.  Frank Leystra stood outside his shop and filmed the parades as they marched by.  Watching the background is as interesting as watching the marchers, because you can see buildings that were demolished when Route 287 was built in 1961. 

All films have been transferred to DVD and one of them is in color.  Don't miss this opportunity to see this rare footage.  There will be a short business meeting prior to the program.  Refreshments will be served.

WALKING TOUR OF BOONTON

On Saturday, September 17, the Boonton Historical Society and Museum will present a walking tour of the Historic Residential district. The tour considers the history, people and the architecture of the Town of Boonton connected with the houses, churches and buildings constructed between the 1830’s and 1890’s for workers and officials of the New Jersey Iron Company in Boonton. The tour begins at 10AM at the Boonton

Post Office  (

501 Main Street

). The tour leader will be Harold Johnson, retired pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, which is discussed on the tour.

There is a $5.00 suggested donation for non-members for this tour which lasts approximately 2 hours.  Tour participants will receive a 15% discount coupon which can be used at many of the

Main Street

restaurants and vendors between 11:00am and 4:00PM on the day of the tour. The Museum and Gift Shop at

210 Main Street

will be open from 12 noon until 4:00pm following the tour.  Stop in and see our new exhibit “Answering the Call” an outstanding display of military and other uniforms, together with artifacts an memorabilia from Boonton’s Past.  For more information call 973-402-8840 or boontonhistory@yahoo.com.

SOUP'S ON AT THE BOONTON MUSEUM

SOUP’S ON AT THE BOONTON MUSEUM

BOONTON:  The Boonton Historical Society and Museum will sponsor a Cemetery Tour of the Greenwood Cemetery, Washington Avenue, Boonton, on Saturday, October 1.  The cemetery tour will commence at the cemetery gates at 4:00pm. Ten costumed hosts will portray local residents giving a glimpse into the daily lives and times of Boonton past.

In addition to portraying some of the town’s outstanding gentlemen, this year, the Society will highlight the stories and contributions of some of its ladies. Dr. Elizabeth Geiger (1900-2003), a proponent of naturopathy, had a practice in New York City and opened her home on Fanny Road as a health resort; Dr. Marietta Crane Woodruff (1861-1912) served the people of Boonton as a general practitioner and obstetrician for over 38 years; She also had an interest in alternative therapy and served as vice president of the NJ State Homeopathic society.  Hannah Wootton (1810-1892) came from England at age 20 with her husband and three month old baby. She describes the arduous journey by sea to the new world with a goat for milk and sheep for meat. Hetty Hopkins tells the story of her husband Charles, who was a survivor of the infamous Andersonville prison, was awarded the congressional medal of honor, and, as a young man was involved with the underground railroad.

The cost of the tour only is $5.00. 

For an additional $5.00 and immediately following the cemetery tour, guests are invited to a soup tasting experience at the museum.  A selection of soups served in Boontonware bowls with crusty bread will be available to sample at the Museum,

210 Main Street

.  You get to keep the bowl !!  For more information call 973-402-8840 or email us at Boontonhistory@Boonton.org