1989: MY VERY SPECIAL HISTORIC TREASURE

The 1980's: Personal computers were only beginning to achieve the ability to produce high quality digital reproductions. Many libraries didn't have space to accommodate these huge volumes. Along came what the libraries thought was the perfect answer: MICROFORMS AND MICROFILM. Paper recycling folks were delighted to turn these historic newspapers into new recycled paper and many libraries were equally delighted to gain the space and replace it with a microfilm reader, never realizing that constant speeding of the film through the reader resulted in vertical scratches, and poor reproduction. Fortunately, these treasures escaped the recycle bin and repose in the Hamilton Township Public Library where articles and photos in the millions of pages can be digitized, dated, sourced, and best of all, many times computer technology can improve on the quality of the original.

1975: BEHOLD! MY HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Here's an article by my old friend Wayne Davis from the Mercer Messenger as well as an Amateur Radio colleague. Wayne who wrote of the dedicatory ceremonies for the new Hamilton Township Public Library back in 1975.  Little did I know those 38 years ago that I would ultimately finish my working career as the unofficial "Local Historian" of this wonderful Township of Hamilton. My Local History workshop (not office!) can be seen in the photo on the lower right. As you can see, there are 3 floors. The Local History Collection is the lower row of windows in the far right of the photo.

1938 AND 1916: THE YOUNG MENS' HEBREW ASSOCIATION

Once again from the "JEWISH" folder in the Local History Collection, these two graphics relating to the YMHA. The building in the graphic above shows the beautiful building as it looked in 1916.

2003: Hamilton Historical Society

Here's a digital photo of our display at the 2003 Hamilton Septemberfest. Those are laminated newspaper pages from the Hamilton Library's "Oversize" file on display, showing various headlines from years gone by. Dr. Jim Federici succeed me as President of that august society, assuring the community that we will remain a viable asset to the community. Have you visited the John Abbott II House on Kuser Road? It is located at the Kuser Road entrance to Veterans' Park. Hostess Lillian Tindall Smith and her cadre of doscents will welcome you any Saturday or Sunday from noon until 4 PM. Be sure you check out our recent Hamilton Township History book, on sale at the Abbott House, or at my office in the Hamilton Library.