Metuchen Edison Historical Society Newsletter 2000

Metuchen-Edison Historical Society

Newsletter

P.O. Box 61, Metuchen, NJ 08840-0061

Fall 2000

A Message From Walter Stochel, Jr., President

As a member for the past 22 years, it is again an honor to be selected as President of the Society. I would like to express my thanks to outgoing President, Phyllis Boeddinghaus, who has been one of the hardest working Presidents ever. During this Metuchen Centennial year, Phyllis has connected MEHS to many events, and organizations, giving the Society greater exposure.

The new century, and millennium finds the Society preserving local history from five centuries (17^th, 18^th, 19^th, 20^th, 21^st). Archived in the Grimstead Room at the Metuchen Library, our collection has grown during the past 10 years, as many residents have donated photographs and memorabilia. Our curator, Marie Vajo, recently completed printing the last of Lloyd Grimstead’s photographs of Metuchen and Edison, taken in the 1930’s. These photos will be displayed on Sunday September 17^th from 1:30 to 4:30 P.M. at the Metuchen Library.

The Colonial Cemetery Committee, under the leadership of Bill Smith, Dr. Ainslie, and Len Hill, has done a tremendous job of restoring this hallowed ground. In one year they raised enough funds to install a fence, benches, a flagpole, and new steps. All this work was highlighted at the June 2000 Revolutionary War Reenactment held at the Cemetery.

The Genealogy Club was unable to enlist volunteers to hold offices this year. But Heritage Quest magazine and other Genealogical information will remain in the library for reference use. Also, we may have a special program on Genealogy in the future.

I look forward to working with the many energetic and talented people of the Society in the year ahead as we continue to generate interest in our local history.

Officers 2000-2001

President	Walter R. Stochel Jr., 2118 Oak Tree Rd., Edison, NJ 08820	906-0529
1^st Vice President	William Ainslie, 122 Clive Street, Edison, NJ 08820	494-2277
2^nd VP/Programs.	Phyllis Boeddinghaus, 87 Linden Avenue, Metuchen NJ 08840	548-1391
Treasurer	Steven Reuter, 16 Durham Ave., Metuchen, NJ 08840	452-1381
Recording Secretary	Carolee Szajko, 25 Home Street, Metuchen, NJ 08840	548-3329
Membership	Edith Guattery, 180 Maple Avenue, Metuchen, NJ 08840	549-4631
Corresponding Secretary	Tyreen Reuter, 16 Durham Ave., Metuchen, NJ 08840	452-1381

2000-2001 Schedule of Meetings and Programs
Metuchen-Edison Historical Society

September 17, 2000 Sunday, 1:30-4:30 P.M. Metuchen Public Library	Exhibit: Grimstead Photo Collections.
September 29, 2000 Friday, 7:30 P.M. Centenary United Methodist Church	Speaker: H. Ray Vliet Topic: New Jersey Lighthouses.
October 27, 2000 Friday, 7:30 P.M. Centenary United Methodist Church	Topic: Ghost Stories Teller to be Announced
November 17, 2000 Friday 2:00 P.M. Metuchen Senior Center	Butter Churning Demonstration By Jane Chrysostom
December/January	No Meetings
February 11, 2001 Sunday @ Metuchen Library From 1:30-4:0 P.M.	Local History Day With display and history of Gort Bone China, By Joan Breen. [ Collectible Gort Bone China was made in Metuchen in the 1940’ and 50’s.]
March 9, 2001 Friday, 2:00 P.M. Metuchen Senior Center	Speakers: Molly & Mary Jo von Tury Topic: Francis J. von Tury, Master Ceramist
April 6, 2001 Friday, 7:00 P.M. Centenary United Methodist Church	Speaker: Arlene Zatsz Topic: Dismal Swamp (visual presentation) by students
May 11, 2001 Friday, 7:30 P.M. Centenary United Methodist Church	Speaker: Mitch Dakelman , Member of the Lincoln Highway Association Topic: Lincoln Highway Association

In the event of inclement weather, call 906-0529 for meeting cancellation information.

NOTE: At selected meetings, there will be open discussions about possible field trips to The State Capitol in Trenton and Drumthwackett in Princeton.

Metuchen-Edison Historical Society
Committees

Curator	Marie Vajo 12 Woerner Court, Edison, NJ 08817	(985-3217)
Oral Histories	Phyllis Boeddinghaus 87 Linden Avenue, Metuchen NJ 08840	(548-1391)
Special Projects	Bob Collins Metuchen NJ 08840
Publicity and Newsletter	Carmen Collins Metuchen NJ 08840
Colonial Cemetery	Bill Smith 110 Spear Street, Metuchen, NJ 08840	(549-0905)
Members at Large	New: Margaret Viquerat, Nancy Zerbe (Class of 2003) Current: Jim Conlon, Rosemary Crowley (Class of 2001) Ellen Miller, Sylvia Taylor (Class of 2002)

For Sale: From Metuchen-Edison Historical Society

Brand New Book Available! Images of America: Metuchen ($21) By Stacy E. Spies	Limited Edition: Boyhood Days in Old Metuchen Written by David Marshall ($15.00)
Limited Edition Note Cards & Notepaper: Historic Homes Note Cards: Boxed set of 12/ $5.00 Metuchen Butter Mold Note Cards: $3.00 Main Street Metuchen Note Paper [Designed and donated by Bill Smith] Set of 10/ $5.00	Still Available: Videotape of Old Metuchen (44 minutes) $30.00 1888 Cookbook: Crumbs of Comfort $7.00
Series Postcards: 50 cents each	Booklets, Prints, Posters & Maps:
Metuchen #1: Allen Ayers House	Souvenir Booklet: Metuchen Fair 1994 $1.00
Metuchen #2: The Train Station	Booklet: How to Research a House 75 cents
Edison #1: Edison's Laboratory	Franklin School Prints (Signed & Numbered) $20.00
Edison #2: Shotwell House	Toonerville Trolley Poster $3.00
Metuchen Country Fair (1980) 25 cents	Map: 1868 – Metuchen - $3.00 each
Horse Trough, Middlesex Ave	Map: 1876 - Raritan Township $3.00 each
St James Church, Woodbridge Ave., Edison

TO ORDER:
Send check to: Metuchen-Edison Historical Society, PO Box 61, Metuchen NJ 08840-0061.
Call Walter Stochel @ 906-0529 for more information about Publications and Photographic Reproductions from our Collections. Allow 4 weeks for delivery.
*NOTE CARDS
are sold at Boro Art Center & Brass Lantern in Metuchen. Images of America: Metuchen is sold at many places in town, including Boro Arts , the Metuchen Library and through the Historical Society.
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Last updated 8/28/00.