Mrs. Brady's incredibly interesting recollection of Maple Shade School as it was in 1904 is an integral part of Hamilton Township's history, as is her lineage as a member of the McGalliard family who were White Horse pioneers. This is the essence of LOCAL HISTORY! Most historical societies focus on ancient history;18th century history: whether "George Washington slept here," or how butter was churned in colonial times, or how colonial women cooked venison in one of those huge kitchen fireplaces with an equally huge copper pot boiling over a roaring wood fire. These are educational and excellent and relevant subjects for those who are interested in our Colonial and Revolutionary War heritage.
Personally, I, and the countless visitors to this web site, and the many readers of my "Sentimental Journey" column, prefer local history which chronicles the life and times of our more recent ancestors who settled into our numerous local neighborhoods. My concept of local history concentrates on all of the local area. It is far more expansive than the rather narrow and specialized concentration on persons places and things of 18th century America and our Colonial-Revolutionary War era.
I have chosen to concentrate on photos, articles, and other ephemera relating to the early years of our outlying villages of Hamilton Square, Sandtown (Mercerville), Sand Hills (Yardville), Groveville, Broad Street Park, Deutzville, and even our own capital city of Trenton, even including the towns in Mercer County. All are a necessary part of educating the public on the historical heritage of our area. It was with this concept in mind that I began to write local historical stories in the late, great Mercer Messenger under the byline, "THE WAY WE WERE." With the demise of the Messenger and its successor, the now defunct "HAMILTON OBSERVER," I concentrated on my current "SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY" column in the Trenton Times. Along with my personal reminiscences of recalling childhood experiences growing up during the 78 years I have resided in then-rural Hamilton Township, I always look for similar stories of folks like those in the above graphic who recall their experiences with our own Maple Shade School in White Horse. These eye witness contemporary stories provide an interesting insight into our past history which will be interesting to contemporary readers, but more importantly, to future generations who know little or nothing of Maple Shade School and other little known history.
Personally, I, and the countless visitors to this web site, and the many readers of my "Sentimental Journey" column, prefer local history which chronicles the life and times of our more recent ancestors who settled into our numerous local neighborhoods. My concept of local history concentrates on all of the local area. It is far more expansive than the rather narrow and specialized concentration on persons places and things of 18th century America and our Colonial-Revolutionary War era.
I have chosen to concentrate on photos, articles, and other ephemera relating to the early years of our outlying villages of Hamilton Square, Sandtown (Mercerville), Sand Hills (Yardville), Groveville, Broad Street Park, Deutzville, and even our own capital city of Trenton, even including the towns in Mercer County. All are a necessary part of educating the public on the historical heritage of our area. It was with this concept in mind that I began to write local historical stories in the late, great Mercer Messenger under the byline, "THE WAY WE WERE." With the demise of the Messenger and its successor, the now defunct "HAMILTON OBSERVER," I concentrated on my current "SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY" column in the Trenton Times. Along with my personal reminiscences of recalling childhood experiences growing up during the 78 years I have resided in then-rural Hamilton Township, I always look for similar stories of folks like those in the above graphic who recall their experiences with our own Maple Shade School in White Horse. These eye witness contemporary stories provide an interesting insight into our past history which will be interesting to contemporary readers, but more importantly, to future generations who know little or nothing of Maple Shade School and other little known history.
Hi Tom:)
AS a reader who went thru every post on your blog from 2006 to now last month I salute both the content and tone of your wonderful site:))
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Tom - I noted with interest your blog concerning local history vs. older historical events. I my opinion it is fun to meld the two together, older history and how it affected the locale where we now live, what was it like to live in this area while very important things were happening nearby, etc. To make larger events live in the minds of children, it is necessary, in my opinion, to make it live for them by introducing it in a framework that they can understand, i.e. their local neighborhoods. Just an observation....
Lakeside Girl
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
HI LAKESIDE GIRL: I FOUNDED THIS SITE TO FOCUS ON THE HISTORY OF OUR LOCAL AREA INCLUDING POSTS RELATING TO THE ISAAC WATSON HOUSE, THE PEARSON FAMILY, AND OTHER LOCAL COLONIAL VENUES. HOWEVER, AS I REACH THE 500,000 "HITS" MARK, I KNOW THAT MOST OF MY VISITORS ARE MUCH MORE INTERESTED IN THE 19TH AND 20TH CENTURY EVOLUTION OF OUR AREA. THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT I AM NOT POSTING MATERIAL RELATING TO THE WATSON HOUSE, THE PEARSONS, JOHN ABBOTT II, ETC.HOWEVER, I AM NOT CONCENTRATING ON THOSE HISTORIC VENUES.I LEAVE THAT TO THE DAR, SCHOOL TEACHERS AND OTHER EDUCATORS, LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE HOPEFULLY IMPARTING THIS INFORMATION TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION.
AS I WROTE IN THE COMMENTARY ABOVE,
"I and the countless visitors to this web site, and the many readers of my "Sentimental Journey" column, prefer local history which chronicles the life and times of our more recent ancestors who settled into our numerous local neighborhoods. My concept of local history concentrates on all of the local area. It is far more expansive than the rather narrow and specialized concentration on persons places and things of 18th century America and our Colonial-Revolutionary War era."
TOM GLOVER
Thursday, November 03, 2011