In Memory of Fran Drew:
|
|
With sadness in our hearts, we acknowledge the passing of Fran Drew, a long time member of the Chatham Historical Society. You may have seen Fran and her husband Jack at one of our programs or events. Fran loved history and was a champion of preserving and honoring historic places and things. She was a dedicated citizen of our community, always working to make Chatham a better place. She was instrumental in the building of the Gazebo at Reasoner Park, and served on the Borough Shade Tree Commission. She will be greatly missed!
Fran is pictured above at our 2024 Holiday Party alongside Jack, with Borough Council member Justin Strickland, and at our train station event with Jack in March, 2024.
Fran is pictured above at our 2024 Holiday Party alongside Jack, with Borough Council member Justin Strickland, and at our train station event with Jack in March, 2024.
The Story of Our Centennial Watercolor
"Chatham by the River"
Jennifer Duteil, artist
|
"Chatham by the River"
Chatham Historical Society Centennial Poster
|
Early in 2024, the Society approached Jennifer Duteil, a local watercolorist, and asked if she could help us to commemorate our centennial. We were looking for an iconic image relating to Chatham's uniqueness. Chatham's growth began on the Passaic River, first inhabitants west of the river, growing eastward. During the Revolution, Militia and Minutemen were charged with defending and protecting Day's Bridge, which they did, successfully!
Jen and Susan Allen spent time exploring the Passaic River along Shepard Kollack Park and her watercolor is inspired by the beauty they discovered along the walking path.
To try to gain the essence of the river, for a few cold winter hours, Jennifer and CHS Board member Susan Allen visited
every bridge that crossed the Passaic River. They studied the river’s width, fast running water, the trees sheltering the water, the rocks over which the water flowed, stone fortifications at the river’s edge, the myriad clumps of bushes, and the view to the bridge in the distance.
From there, Jennifer created a beautiful watercolor that she gifted to the Historical Society to commemorate our 100th Year.
Posters will be on sale at upcoming events for $19.24, recognizing our year of formation.
We had a limited run of these beautiful prints done in giclee. They are available for purchase at Nicholas Rizzo Fine Arts, 32 Watchung Avenue. Giclee prints will be sold for $90 each. For more info, Email us at [email protected]
Jen and Susan Allen spent time exploring the Passaic River along Shepard Kollack Park and her watercolor is inspired by the beauty they discovered along the walking path.
To try to gain the essence of the river, for a few cold winter hours, Jennifer and CHS Board member Susan Allen visited
every bridge that crossed the Passaic River. They studied the river’s width, fast running water, the trees sheltering the water, the rocks over which the water flowed, stone fortifications at the river’s edge, the myriad clumps of bushes, and the view to the bridge in the distance.
From there, Jennifer created a beautiful watercolor that she gifted to the Historical Society to commemorate our 100th Year.
Posters will be on sale at upcoming events for $19.24, recognizing our year of formation.
We had a limited run of these beautiful prints done in giclee. They are available for purchase at Nicholas Rizzo Fine Arts, 32 Watchung Avenue. Giclee prints will be sold for $90 each. For more info, Email us at [email protected]
FISHAWACK 2024
The weather was perfect on Saturday, June 8 as Chatham celebrated another successful Fishawack festival. Continuing its Centennial celebration, the Chatham Historical Society hosted some special guests. George Washington addressed the crowd at the gazebo and library. The Fifes & Drums entertained everyone with their patriotic music.
Tom Salvas captured the event. Photos courtesy of Tom Salvas.
Tom Salvas captured the event. Photos courtesy of Tom Salvas.
|
|
|
|
CHATHAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
CAPTURES A MOMENT IN TIME
New history was created on Sunday, March 24 at the Chatham Train Station as the Chatham Historical Society (CHS) organized an event celebrating the importance of the railroad to Chatham’s development. A panoramic picture was taken of approximately 200 attendees mimicking a 1930’s picture of Chatham residents celebrating the arrival of the first electric train into our town.
About a year and a half ago, Debbie Fabian - Chatham Historical Society Vice-President, was in the Chatham Train Station looking around at the blank walls when she had an idea. Why not decorate the walls with some of the photos from the Chatham Historical Society's archives. While looking for photos, she discovered a panoramic photo of a large crowd of people on the westbound station platform celebrating the arrival of the "First Electric Train" into Chatham.
The Chatham Business Men's Association (CBMA) was formed in 1921 to improve the growth and development of Chatham. In 1928, the CBMA, along with other towns serviced by the Lackawanna Railroad, met with railroad company representatives to discuss improvements to the train service. At the end of 1929, the Dover Line was electrified. To celebrate this milestone the participants rode the first electric train on December 18, 1930 from Hoboken to Chatham. When they arrived their signatures with occupations were recorded and the panoramic photo was taken. This photo is now on display at the station along with many other historic Chatham train pictures through the years for commuters to enjoy.
Sunday, March 24, 2024 turned out to be a bright and sunny day which was perfect for all the attendees who came to see the pictures posted at the station. Just like in 1930, attendees signed their names on the participant sheets before posing for the picture. Coloring book pages of trains that children had colored at the library were on display along the station walls as well.
One of the attendees, Rick Loock, a retired Police Officer and a lifelong resident of Chatham, found the signatures of his Grand Uncle George H. Loock, Sr. and Uncle Carl Henrich, 1948's Chief of Chatham's Volunteer Fire Department, on the 1930 photo signature list.
The Chatham Historical Society would like to thank New Jersey Transit, Madison Photo, Nicholas F. Rizzo Fine Arts, Inc., various borough employees, especially at the DPW and Community Services, Library of the Chatham, Gerry Geisler, the Chatham Chamber of Commerce, Chatham Jaycees, the Model A Ford Club of New Jersey, Kevin Bumcrot, Tom Salvas, Karen Tannahill, Lisa Justine, various local publishers and all the residents who showed up for this historic "moment captured in time”.
Photos from our event at the Chatham Train Station
on Sunday, March 24, 2024
100 Years of Chatham's Rich History
At the last Borough Council meeting of 2023 on December 11, the Borough of Chatham passed a resolution to honor and celebrate the centennial of the Chatham Historical Society in 2024.
The Chatham Historical Society Holds Annual Dinner Meeting; His Excellency General Washington In Attendance |
|
CHS Officers for 2023-2024 - Christine Grobert (left), Karen Hoerrner, Amy Crandall, Debbie Fabian and Stacey Keenan
(Marianne Ivers took the picture) |
Curator Susan Allen and General George Washington (Jay Allen took the picture)
|
Sophie Harb and Jack Davidson (Picture taken by Susan Allen)
|
The Chatham Historical Society held its annual dinner meeting on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at the
United Methodist Church. The annual dinner meeting resumed after three years of pandemic
restrictions and disruptions. Special guest, His Excellency General Washington, entertained the
audience with recollections of the most significant battles of the Revolutionary War, spiced
with anecdotes of the United States’ journey to independency.
As customary the officers for the society were elected for 2023-2024. Amy Crandall and Karen
Hoerrner will serve as co-presidents, Debbie Fabian as vice president, Christine Grobert as
treasurer, and Stacey Keenan as secretary.
Long-time board members Diane Conlan and Gerry Geisler were honored for their outstanding
contributions to the Chatham Historical Society. The co-presidents also presented the Library of
the Chathams with an annual contribution check for the library’s support and assistance.
General Washington’s presentation highlighted the many miracles that turned the tables on the
British in the colonies’ long road to winning their independence. He touched upon the small
role that Chatham played in the final stages of the war.
In August 1781 Washington and his troops set up a camp in Chatham. The bread ovens were
constructed to fool the British into thinking that Washington and his troops were staying in the
area and preparing to attack New York. In reality, Washington secretly planned to move his
troops to the south and attack the British at Yorktown, Virginia. It took over a day for the British
to realize that Washington had left the area. The American and French forces surrounded
Yorktown on September 28, 1781. The battles continued for over two weeks until British
General Cornwall surrendered on October 19, 1781 thus successfully concluding the
Revolutionary War.
United Methodist Church. The annual dinner meeting resumed after three years of pandemic
restrictions and disruptions. Special guest, His Excellency General Washington, entertained the
audience with recollections of the most significant battles of the Revolutionary War, spiced
with anecdotes of the United States’ journey to independency.
As customary the officers for the society were elected for 2023-2024. Amy Crandall and Karen
Hoerrner will serve as co-presidents, Debbie Fabian as vice president, Christine Grobert as
treasurer, and Stacey Keenan as secretary.
Long-time board members Diane Conlan and Gerry Geisler were honored for their outstanding
contributions to the Chatham Historical Society. The co-presidents also presented the Library of
the Chathams with an annual contribution check for the library’s support and assistance.
General Washington’s presentation highlighted the many miracles that turned the tables on the
British in the colonies’ long road to winning their independence. He touched upon the small
role that Chatham played in the final stages of the war.
In August 1781 Washington and his troops set up a camp in Chatham. The bread ovens were
constructed to fool the British into thinking that Washington and his troops were staying in the
area and preparing to attack New York. In reality, Washington secretly planned to move his
troops to the south and attack the British at Yorktown, Virginia. It took over a day for the British
to realize that Washington had left the area. The American and French forces surrounded
Yorktown on September 28, 1781. The battles continued for over two weeks until British
General Cornwall surrendered on October 19, 1781 thus successfully concluding the
Revolutionary War.
Holiday Happenings
|
CHS Publications For Sale!
A large selection of our publications wrapped for the holidays! "Give the Gift of Chatham History"! Library foyer. All items only $10 (coloring book $5). Just Until January 1, 2023.
|
2022 Annual Holiday Party
We had a wonderfully successful Holiday Party this year. Thanks to our hosts Joel and Karen, we celebrated in style at their beautiful home circa 1922! Join the Society and you will not miss out on the party of the season next year!
|
Chatham Historical Society | PO Box 682 | Chatham, NJ 07928 | [email protected]
JOIN the SOCIETY