2015: OUR MARCH MEETING A SMASHING SUCCESS

When Hamilton Historical Society President Dr. James Federici took over as President of the society, he and I and Ms. Lois Majarowitz agreed that a new departure in programming which would appeal to the masses was the only secret to a successful organization. Gone were programs that sometimes included paid speakers and lecturers telling of subjects dealing with Princeton, south Jersey, open hearth cooking in colonial times, candle making, and other subjects with little interest to the majority of area residents. Dr. Federici and I, and Ms. Lois Majarowitz came up with the same conclusion:  The average citizen wants LOCAL history with which they can personally relate. Thus far our efforts have surpassed our wildest expectations. It will be our somewhat daunting task to continue presenting local programs with which the majority of our citizens can relate. Our new departure has resulted in 15 or 20 who added their names to the roster of members.

2015: YOU'RE INVITED! MARCH 2nd MEETING OF THE HAMILTON TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The above graphic is just one of many WWII memories which will be screened on Monday Evening, March 2 at the kickoff meeting of the Historical Society of Hamilton Township. Along with the on screen program entitled "ON THE HOME FRONT," there will be a session set aside for the music of WWII as I and my fellow Hamilton High School  baritone, Jack Pyrah sing some of the nostalgic music from the WWII era and invite those in attendance who remember those great songs, to SING ALONG with us. The program is free and open to ALL local area resident from Hamilton, Trenton, and indeed, any who are within traveling distance of the Hamilton Township Public Library on Justice Samuel Alito Way, Hamilton Township. The meeting starts at 7 PM. Refreshments will be served.

2104: MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

"School days, school days, dear old golden rule days,

readin' and writin' and 'rithmetic, taught to the tune of a hickory stick, 

you were my queen in calico, I was your bashful barefoot beau 

when you wrote on my slate, 'I love you so' 

when we were a couple of kids.."

This coming Monday evening, September 8th at 7 PM, the Historical Society of Hamilton Township continues to bring fascinating local history to our area. We will be presenting another fascinating on screen presentation to the public. We will take a nostalgic and educational journey back to those long ago years and take a look at the old one room school houses and also project on the library's huge movie screen some fascinating articles and photos of the vintage years of schools that have survived the years and still educating our current generation. For me, and many other romanticists, there is a certain charm and fascination as we see the way our grandparent and great grandparents were educated. It was the era when a strict school teacher knew how to control any errant students; an era of pot bellied wood burning stoves, and hand held slates for taking notes; it was the year of chalk, black slate blackboards, and felt blackboard erasers, of straight pens and ink wells. Be sure not to miss this fascinating presentation. As noted in the above ad, admission is free to any area resident within traveling distance of the library. Our meetings usually end before 9 P.M.

2014: MAY 5th HAMILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY EXCITING PROGRAM!

SORRY FOR THE LAPSE IN POSTS ON THIS WEBSITE. OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, I HAVE BEEN HARD AT WORK PUTTING TOGETHER THE PROGRAM SHOWN IN THE ABOVE GRAPHIC. BACK TO NORMAL SOON! THANKS FOR YOUR INDULGENCE.

Tonight's program at the May meeting of the Hamilton Historical Society will be a glance back at WORLD WAR II ON THE HOME FRONT as recalled in numerous articles and photos which will be viewed in an on screen presentation. Included will be a patriotic sing along session as we recall the wonderful music of the WWII era. Hope to see you there. It is open to all residents, and free of charge.

2014: TO KICK OFF THE MONTH WHEN OUR MILITARY IS HONORED....

I hope to see some of my many visitors to this website on Monday evening as we continue on the Hamilton Historical Society's effort to bring LOCAL history to our area. We'll be seeing just a few of the many news articles from WWII which deal with the Hamilton, Trenton and Mercer County area. Blackouts, air raids, rationing, flattening those tin cans and saving cooking grease for what was known as "The War Effort." We will also sing along to many of those familiar songs from the big band era. Hope to see 'ya there! It's free and open to the public.

2014: DON'T MISS THE MAY 5TH MEETING OF THE HAMILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY!

 

Our April 2014 Hamilton Township Historical Society program was a rousing success! We're going to do it again. Those who decide to come back to the Hamilton Library's Room 3 "Little Theater" will once again experience local history in live living color! Our May meeting will be a nostalgic historic and musical fun-filled trip back to the HOME FRONT on the local scene during World War II as Tom Glover unravels memories of war rationing, air raids, air raid wardens, Nazi spies, Vee Mail, and countless other long forgotten vestiges of a very frightening era in American history. The program is completely free and open to all citizens who are within driving distance of the Hamilton library on Justice Samuel Alito way.

The meeting starts at 7 PM sharp, with a short business meeting. Refreshments will be served and if you can, think consider bringing a pack of cookies, donuts or other refreshments. We're all volunteers here. I hope to see you there!

2014: TRUE LOCAL HISTORY COMING TO HAMILTON-TRENTON, AND MERCER COUNTY!

The digital age has proven over and over to give credibility to my 20 year old slogan, "The Computer and Local History: Perfect Together." On Monday evening April 7th in Room 3 of the Hamilton Township Public Library at 7 P.M., the Hamilton Township Historical Society will begin the year 2014 with a completely new and very exciting program which will bring truly LOCAL history to the Hamilton-Trenton area. Incoming Society president, Dr. Jim Federici agrees with me that it is time to open the floodgates and let the public see and experience local history in graphic form. Along with me, Dr. Federici agrees that truly LOCAL history will be of much more interest to the public than out of town speakers speaking on out of town or non local interest subjects. This is an exciting new departure in programming. The details of the meeting are in the Program and Activities flyer above. This is a completely free program and open to ALL area residents from Hamilton, Trenton, and indeed to all within travelling distance of the Hamilton Township Public Library.
Questions? E-mail me at tglover320@optimum.net

2013: A CORDIAL INVITATION TO LOCALS TO VIEW SOME HAMILTON HISTORY

Tomorrow evening we kick off to the 2013-2014 season of the Hamilton Township Historical Society's monthly meetings, I will be introducing non-computer users to the wonderful ability the computer offers in  bringing LOCAL history to history minded citizens. At the ripe old age of 80, I have witnessed many public functions where the Kodak "Carousel" slide projector brought beautiful and sometimes boring historical objects to the silver screen. Then along came the computer with its ability to digitize (convert) articles and photographs into a beautiful pristine historical ON SCREEN presentation. Many local history minded citizens have seen samples of this innovative method of bringing history alive. A year or so ago, we had a full house as viewers saw photos and articles relating to the late, great New Jersey State Fair. Indeed a local collector whose name I unfortunately never got, brought scrapbooks with his absolutely incredible collection of New Jersey State Fair memorabilia for those in attendance to see. Still others watched in awe as my "THIS WAS CHAMBERSBURG" presentation (dedicated to my dear friend former Hamilton Mayor Maurice "Maury" Perilli). This presentation also had a standing room only attendance.  There have been numerous request for a command performance of both of the aforementioned programs, and they will be appearing again in upcoming Hamilton Historical Society or Kuser Mansion programs. When compared to the incredibly well organized Trenton Historical Society website (www.trentonhistory.org), it is no secret that Hamilton Township throughout many generations has been seriously derelict in focusing on Hamilton's rich historical heritage.You will note that the word "LOCAL" has been emphasized above. Local historians and dear friends Jim Colello and Gil Lugossy gave attendees fantastic historical insights to Hamilton's Broad Street Park area of Hamilton, including the Rusling Hose Fire Company. My friend Gary Lippincott, our Groveville "go to guy, along with Groveville native Claire Dwier Zarr have equally fantastic historic lore on the bucolic town of Groveville. The possible exposure to local history is practically endless, and except for the incredibly wonderful Trentoniana collection in the Trenton Free Public Library, and the aforementioned Trenton Historical Society, LOCAL history can once again shine brightly for all citizens to enjoy. In November, I will be presenting another on screen program dealing with Bromley, the little known Fashion Stud Far, and a repeat of the N.J. State Fair program I presented a few years ago. We will learn that Bromley's Adella, Rosalia, and Victor avenues were part of the Kuser family's involvement with the development of that area of Hamilton. Our age old connection to the city of Trenton, and indeed most towns and townships in Mercer County will be an integral part of future programs presented by the Society and also those in future programs at Kuser Mansion . These programs are all completely free of charge to all residents of Hamilton, Trenton, and the outlying townships and villages from Ewing to Lawrence to Pennington, to Hopewell and other Mercer communities. The Monday evening meeting starts at 7:00 P.M. in the lower level of the Hamilton Township Public Library. Refreshments will be served. I hope to see at least a few of the visitors who brought this website to 700,000 plus visits!

2003: HISTORICAL SOCIETY TENT ON THE JOHN ABBOTT II LAWN

Were it not for Historical Society members like Georgiana Smith, Gordon Kontrath, and Dr. Jim Federici, there would not have been the successful lawn exhibit during my time as President of the Hamilton Historical Society. The above is one of the walls on the huge tent that the aforementioned members were instrumental in procuring. A selection of encapsulated (laminated) "headline" and advertising pages were posted on one wall of the tent and was very well received. 2003! NINE YEARS AGO! My Lord, how the time does fly!

2012: THE HAMILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY LIBRARY DISPLAY

For years, Dr. James Federici and I have been in favor of utilizing the incredible knowledge of Hamilton Historical Society members' historical abilities to bring more local history to township residents. Focus was usually on the John Abbott II House, that historic treasure on Kuser Road at the entrance to Veterans' Park. Thanks to the incoming President, Ms. Kim Daly for presenting this display which moves the focus from the John Abbott II house (a true local treasure) to the real purpose of an Historical Society to show the incredibly interesting relics, photos and other ephemera of Hamilton Township. I was delighted to see a couple of my photos in the display. I encourage the Society to use any and all offerings I have posted on this website; that's the reason this blog exists. The very rare Nottingham Township Minute Book is on display in the middle graphic.

NOTE: The white "shadows:" seen in the photos are reflections from the fluorescent lights in the Hamilton Library.

2012: HAMILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY PROGRAMS FOR 2012

On the evening of March 5th, 2012, the Hamilton Township Historical Society will hold their first meeting for the 2012 season. Above is a photo of the home base of the society, the John Abbott II house on Kuser Road. Below that is an invitation to join this very worth while organization. The lower scan is the front cover of the Historical Society's popular Hamilton Township history book, with current prices. This volume is available at the John Abbott II house on Kuser Road (see the hours of operation in the above graphic) or call me at the Hamilton Township Public Library from 9 to noon Tuesday through Friday (609-581-4060 Ext. 4016)

1992: THE HAMILTON TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The above feature article from the June 26, 1992 edition of the Hamilton Observer tells the story of the Hamilton Historical Society. It is a concise sketch of the aims of the society in their efforts to perpetuate the historic heritage of the John Abbott II House on Kuser Road adjacent to the entrance to Veterans' Park. My dear friend and colleague, Dr. James Federici is currently the President.

The society meets at the Hamilton Township Public Library Lower Level Meeting Room on the first Monday of the month at 7:00 P.M. with the following exceptions:

• No meetings during the months of January and February.
• The December meeting is a Wassail Party Open House from 2 to 4 P.M. at the John Abbott II House. A truly festive and very enjoyable Christmas event.
• The June meeting is held on the lawn of the John Abbott II house on Kuser Road, weather permitting. If inclement weather, the meeting reverts to the Hamilton Township Public Library meeting room.

THE UPCOMING MARCH 1, 2010 MEETING WILL FEATURE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBER MRS. GEORGIANNA SMITH WITH:

"THE STORY OF THE ORPHAN TRAIN RIDERS"

Support your local historical society!
Membership in the Society is as follows:
Single: $10.00 annually
Family: $15.00 annually
Checks made payable to:
Historical Society of Hamilton Township,
P.O. Box 1776,
Hamilton, NJ 08620

1992: THE LATE BOB SIMPKINS: THE ORIGINAL HAMILTON HISTORIAN

"Though you travel the world over in search of the beautiful,
You must carry it with you or you find it not."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

This article by my former journalistic colleague Echo Fling is among the very best of the many columns written on the agricultural heritage of Hamilton township. It has been re-formatted in order to fit on the computer monitor. Ms Fling chose the one man who in my estimation was the real "Hamilton Historian," the late, Robert Simpkins. Bob had a fierce love of Hamilton, and the many stories he told me of his early years as a farmer at the Simpkins Brothers Dairy Farm on Yardville-Hamilton Square Road have all been stored in my mental memory bank. Before he passed on to be with the Lord at age 102, it was my privilege to take Bob to and from our monthly Hamilton Township Historical Society meetings. I marveled at the stories he told, and feeling with which he told them. He was a splendid example of a very humble but knowledgeable man. The interview above is an incredibly concise thumbnail sketch of the rural Hamilton of old.

2009: HAMILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL WASSAIL PARTY

The public is cordially invited to the free annual Hamilton Township Historical Society's "Wassail Party" at the John Abbott II house on Kuser Road at the entrance to Veterans' Park, Sunday, December 13th from 2 to 4 PM. Refreshments will be served and the public is welcome. Once again this year I will be leading those who like to sing in a program of old fashioned Christmas Carols. Come on out and enjoy an old fashioned Christmas!
I hope to see many of my friends there.

1979: June Cunningham Hammill's Gift to Hamilton

Those who are interested in our Colonial and Revolutionary War heritage here in Hamilton will be intererested to know that Hamilton's John Abbott II House on Kuser Road at the entrance to Veterans' Park played a small part in the war by virtue of hiding money from the British. The full story can be found in the current Hamilton History, "The History of Hamilton Township, Written by People Who Live Here." The late June Cunningham Hammill was a colleague of mine who also freelanced for the Mercer Messenger. June had a little cottage directly next to the Mercerville Fire Company back in the 50's and 60's. The article above will explain. That Doctors' House has been restored and sits proudly in the back yard of the Abbott House property.

BY THE WAY, THIS SUNDAY FROM 2 TO PM, THE SOCIETY IS HOLDING THEIR ANNUAL OLD FASHIONED "WASSAIL PARTY." IT'S FREE, AND THE "PUBLICK" IS INVITED TO ATTEND. I WILL BE BRINGING MY CHRISTMAS MUSIC FOR A CHRISTMAS SINGALONG. SEE YOU THERE!

2008: THE JOHN ABBOTT II DOCTOR'S HOUSE

THIS, AND THE NEXT POST PUTS THE SPOTLIGHT ON ONE OF THE ATTRACTIONS TO BE SEEN AT SUNDAY'S SEPTEMBER FEST CELEBRATION. THE DOCTOR'S HOUSE IS BEING MAINTAINED BY THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. BE SURE TO VISIT THE ABBOTT FARM AREA IF YOU GO TO SEPTEMBERFEST. YOU WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO PURHASE A COPY OF HAMILTON'S NEWEST HISTORY BOOK AT VERY ATTRACTIVE PRICES: $10.00 FOR THE SOFT COVER VERSION, AND $20.00 FOR THE HARDBOUND EDITION.

2008: THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP

I CREATED THIS, AND THE PRECEDING JOHN ABBOTT II GRAPHICS TO PLACE THE SPOTLIGHT ON ONE OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP'S HISTORICAL TREASURES, THE JOHN ABBOTT II HOUSE. I TOOK THESE PHOTOS OF THE AREA A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN IT WAS MY PRIVILEGE TO SERVE AS PRESIDENT OF THAT AUGUST GROUP OF HAMILTON HISTORIANS. AS I PILE ON THE YEARS, I BEGAN TO REALIZE THAT ALONG WITH THE JOHN ABBOTT II HOUSE, THERE ARE MANY OTHER HISTORICAL TREASURES IN HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. ACCORDINGLY, I CREATED http://www.glover320.blogspot.com/ . THE SITE WAS CREATED IN NOVEMBER, 2005. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS FASCINATING JOURNEY BRINGING LOCAL HISTORY NOT ONLY TO HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, BUT ALSO TRENTON AND THE OUTLYING MERCER AREA. I AM ALSO PROUD OF THE FACT THAT I ENCOURAGED GARY LIPPINCOTT WHO IS A VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE HISTORIAN ON GROVEVILLE TO START A WEBSITE FEATURING GROVEVILLE. GARY DID AND HIS http://www.grovevillememories.blogspot.com/ IS A WONDERFUL SOURCE OF HISTORICAL ENLIGHTENMENT. NOW I AM WORKING ON BROAD STREET PARK HISTORIAN JIM COLELLO TO CREATE A BROAD STREET PARK WEBSITE. JIM IS AN EXPERT ON THE HISTORY OF BROAD STREET PARK. I AM NOT AS ACTIVE IN THE HAMILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY AS WHEN I WAS THE PRESIDENT, BUT I STILL ADMIRE THEIR DEDICATION TO THE PRESERVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THIS WONDERFUL HISTORIC TREASURE.

BE SURE TO VISIT THE JOHN ABBOTT II EXHIBIT AT THIS SUNDAY'S SEPTEMBERFEST! IT IS ONE OF THE FIRST STOPS AS YOU ENTER VETERANS' PARK ON THE KUSER ROAD ENTRANCE. HAMILTON'S NEW HISTORY BOOK WILL BE ON SALE: $10.00 SOFT COVER, AND $20.00 HARDCOVER.

1989: HAMILTON'S UPGRADED HISTORY BOOK

FOR 35 YEARS, HISTORY-MINDED HAMILTONIANS RELIED ON HELEN ALMY WEST'S HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP FORTHE LIMITED INFORMATION ON THE HISTORY OF HAMILTON. MS. WEST'S HISTORY WAS MORE OR LESS CENTERED ON HAMILTON SQUARE WITH LESS EMPHASIS ON OTHER AREAS OF THE TOWNSHIP. TOWNSHIP HISTORIAN EMERITUS BOB SIMPKINS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP WORKED VERY HARD TO BRING A COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY AND INCLUDE ALL OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS. THE RESULT WAS THE HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, "WRITTEN BY PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE." IT HAS PROVED TO BE A VERY POPULAR REFERENCE. THE HISTORY IS ON SALE AT THE HAMILTON LIBRARY IN TWO EDITIONS: A SOFT COVER VERSION FOR $15.00 AND THE HEIRLOOM HARD COVER AT $25.00.

1987: HAMILTON'S NEW HISTORY BOOK

THESE ARE THE "MOVERS AND SHAKERS BEHIND THE RECENT REVISED HISTORY OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. THE NEWEST HISTORY IS "WRITTEN BY PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE." IF YOU DON'T HAVE A COPY, YOU CAN GET IT FROM ME AT THE HAMILTON LIBRARY, OR FROM THE JOHN ABBOTT II HOUSE ON KUSER ROAD ON WEEKENDS FROM NOON TO 4 PM. THE HARDCOVER EDITION IS $25 AND THE SOFT COVER $15. BEFORE THE PUBLICATION OF THIS VOLUME, THE HELEN ALMY WEST 1954 HISTORY WAS ALL THAT WAS AVAILABLE. THE NEW HISTORY IS MUCH MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND COVERS ALL NEIGHBORHOODS IN HAMILTON,.

1979: THE DOCTOR'S HOUSE

MANY YEARS AGO, I WAS A COLUMNIST WITH MY DEAR FRIEND, THE LATE JUNE CUNNINGHAM HAMMIL. JUNE HAD A LITTLE ANTIQUE SHOP DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE MERCERVILLE FIRE HOUSE BACK IN THE 1960's. I recall purchasing a huge collection of "Life" magazines from her, which are still in my collection. I love to read about life in the 30's and 40's. June disposed of her little antiques building, donating it to the Historical Society of Hamilton Township. It has been restored to its original state and furnished with vintage physician' s tools. The photo above shows the little building with Hamilton historian Bob Simpkins taking the part of a Colonial physician.