Here Today, Gone Tomorrow is a look at the changing face of Main Street. Initially presented at the Fishawack Festival on June 14, 2008, the program begins with photographs of buildings from the eastern end of Main Street and continues west to Lafayette Avenue. The photos are accompanied by text explaining some of the historically significant houses along the way. The presentation notes the number of demolished houses and considers what Main Street might have looked like today had they remained.
Programs and Outreach
The Chatham Historical Society presents programs to members and the public.
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
An Armchair Sunday Stroll Over Long Hill
An Armchair Sunday Stroll Over Long Hill tells the story of Fairmount Avenue from the Revolutionary War to World War II - its architecture, its builders, its owners, its families and its folklore. For many of us Long Hill, or Fairmount Avenue as it is currently known, is simply a way to get from the Borough to the Township. However, the details presented in “Sunday Stroll” help make the past part of our present. This program is also available in pamphlet form and can be purchased at The Library of the Chathams.
Walking Through Chatham’s Past at the Fair Mount Cemetery
Walking Through Chatham’s Past at the Fair Mount Cemetery was presented in October 2003 and again in October 2010. Fair Mount Cemetery contains many fascinating clues to the history of the Chatham community and the lives of people who have lived in this town over the course of two centuries. Guests followed a guide through the cemetery encountering a few of the men and women - ministers, educators, farmers, doctors, shop keepers - whose lives and vision contributed to the unique development and character of the community. Chathamites, in costume, enacted the part of specific individuals near the site of their final resting places. Some of the participants were Ed Leithead as George Shepard Page and Jack Strangefeld as the Rev. Joseph Meeker Ogden.
Ten on a Toboggan and other Tales
Ten on a Toboggan, published in 2006 by the Chatham Historical Society, is a collection of oral histories in written form. The book provided inspiration for our 2006 Annual Dinner program. Excerpts from the book were read by a group of "actors" and combined with a PowerPoint presentation of photos from the book. Requests for a repeat performance inspired the creation of our first ever DVD, "Love That Town." The book and the DVD are available for purchase at The Library of the Chathams.
Three Towns Pageant
Three Towns Pageant is the newly digitized (2011) version of the original, 1926 unedited film of the event of that name. Historical Society co-president, Susan Allen, presented a narration along with our first screening of the film at our 2011 Annual Dinner. The Pageant was the culmination of a week-long celebration of the 150th adoption of the Declaration of Independence that took place in Chatham from June 28th through July 5th, 1926.
Photo Collection, 2004
Chatham resident Jennifer Fischer's collection, "Current History Project," completed in 2004, is available to view at The Library of the Chathams. Please ask the reference librarian for access to the collection. Fischer captures the "spirit" of the Borough of Chatham through photos of specific people, groups, events, and everyday life in 2004. The collection includes over 250 photographs.
Adopt-A-House
The Dani McCulloch Adopt-A-House Program provides guidance to residents who wish to learn how to research the history of their houses. The 2012 chairperson of Adopt-A-House is Helen Ann Rosenfeld. Many homeowners, after completing the required research, have worked with the Historical Society to create informative programs which have been presented to members of the Chatham Historical Society and the invited public. Mrs. Rosenfeld provides assistance and guidance to interested residents.
Upon completion of the research as outlined in the Adopt-A-House packet, researchers receive a certificate indicating the Chatham Historical Society's appreciation and the significance of their contribution to recording the history of Chatham. Additionally, those who have completed their research will be given the option to purchase a recognition marker through the Historical Society, suitable for displaying on, or in, their home. The Plaque Program was initiated in 2010 as a spin-off from the Adopt-A-House program. Click here for more information about the Plaque Program.
Contact Mrs. Rosenfeld for more information about the Adopt-A-House program.
Plaque Program
The Chatham Historical Society offers a program to place date plaques on homes throughout the Borough of Chatham as a way of spreading word about Chatham's rich history, providing information about the houses of Chatham, and creating a sense of pride in our community. The Plaque Program is an easy and fun way to help make your home a part of Chatham's history. If you are interested in learning more about this program, you should contact the Adopt-A-House and Plaque Program chair. A home owner who completes the requirements as outlined in the Adopt-A-House research packet will be given the option to purchase a recognition marker through the Historical Society, suitable for displaying on or in their home. The marker will indicate the date the home was built. Special recognition is available to homeowners whose houses are over 100 years old. Along with the completed research, homes over 100 years old will be evaluated by the Historical House Plaque committee according to criteria established by the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. If accepted, those homeowners will then be eligible to purchase a marker indication their house is 100 years old or older.
