North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC)

The History Center acquires, preserves, and promotes historical material generated by the individuals, organizations, and businesses of our state.

[North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC) @NJHistoryCenter]

This is where iron was manufactured for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. The Old Forge in Boonton, NJ is where ore mined from nearby mountains was made into tools & equipment. Since 1904 it has been covered by 60 feet of water used for the Jersey City reservoir

[North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC) @NJHistoryCenter]

If you travelled back in time to 1890s Morristown NJ would you recognize this house? The 83 South St home was owned by the Wood family and later became the Women's Work & Art Exchange before finding new life as the Book Shop from the 1930s to 2000s. Offices currently reside here

[North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC) @NJHistoryCenter]

The Revolutionary War Memorial in Evergreen Cemetery honors the soldiers who died during the winter encampment in Morristown. Most died during the smallpox epidemic of 1777, which killed over 200 troops. Volunteers decorate the graves of Morristown's war dead each Memorial Day.

[North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC) @NJHistoryCenter]

Mendham Boro was incorporated May 15, 1906 from part of Township (founded in 1749). Hilltop Presbyterian Church is one of Mendham’s most recognizable landmarks and was built on 150 acres of land deeded in 1751. This photograph of the church from our collection was taken in 1930.

[North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC) @NJHistoryCenter]

400 years ago the Dutch West India Co negotiated to purchase Manhattan from the Lenape. Differing concepts of land ownership aside, it began the era of permanent European settlement on the island. Our 1835 map by Wm Chapin is one of many depicting old NYC from our collections.

[North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC) @NJHistoryCenter]

#MorrisPlains #NJ #Centennial #RailroadDepot #DMmerchantHardware #PostalWorkers

[North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC) @NJHistoryCenter]

As the boro of Morris Plains turns 100 this month we've been sharing images from our photo collections. Among the workers who helped build & keep the town running were these two rail depot drivers, the proprietors of D.M. Merchant's Hardware Store, and a group of postal workers

[North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC) @NJHistoryCenter]

provide relief efforts, restore public order, and help rebuild the city's transportation infrastructure.

An article on Milton's heroic work can be found here: https://t.co/0p9l2DHfce

[North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC) @NJHistoryCenter]

United Railway Chief Engineer, Milton H. Bronsdon, survived the Great San Francisco Earthquake & Fire with his wife and young children, 120 years ago today. Deputized as a member of the Council of 100, Bronsdon was selected for his engineering skills & given wide authority to...

[North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC) @NJHistoryCenter]

a large steam shovel. Two workmen can be seen in the cab preparing to load excavated material into waiting rail cars.

This is one of several photos depicting Morris Plains from the History Center's photograph collection, which can be searched through the link in our bio

[North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC) @NJHistoryCenter]

When the town of Morris Plains was incorporated 100 years ago, the railroad played a significant role in its growth from a farming community to residential enclave.

This 1915 photo documents construction undertaken by the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Whippany Railroad using...

[North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC) @NJHistoryCenter]

Come be a part of the American Revolution! This weekend, General Washington and his troops train to engage British forces at their Jockey Hollow encampment in Morristown.

Details on this 250th anniversary of the American Revolution event are at: https://t.co/sduoj7lkf5

[North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC) @NJHistoryCenter]

#MorrisPlains, #NJ, #Centennial, #GeorgeWashington #Coffee

[North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC) @NJHistoryCenter]

Morris Plains NJ was incorporated 100 years ago, following an April 15, 1926 referendum separating it from Hanover Township. Small farms and mills dotted the village during the 1700s, and after the railroad was extended from Morristown in 1848, the town grew rapidly...

[North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC) @NJHistoryCenter]

Among its many businesses was the George Washington Coffee Co on Hanover Ave, shown in this 1932 print from our collections. The eponymous company was founded in Brooklyn in 1910 and moved to Morris Plains in 1927; it is best known for developing mass-produced instant coffee.

[North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC) @NJHistoryCenter]

50 years ago today Apple Computers was founded in CA by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, & Ronald Wayne to manufacture and market Wozniak's Apple I. Over the following decades, Apple made computers personal; devices used at home and eventually small enough to carry in their pocket

[North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC) @NJHistoryCenter]

#MoonLanding, #ArtemisII, #Apollo11, #MorristownNJ, #DailyRecord

[North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC) @NJHistoryCenter]

With Artemis II preparing to return American astronauts to lunar orbit, how did residents react to the 1st moon landing 57 years ago?

Many interviewed by the Daily Record described the thrill of discovery, others criticized the great expense, while businesses sought customers

[North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC) @NJHistoryCenter]

Tomorrow's expected storm is another reminder that winter is still with us. If you're planning to visit the History Center Sunday or Monday, remember to check the website for news on possible closures or delayed openings: https://t.co/QpWqUeucpn

Stay safe out there!

[North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC) @NJHistoryCenter]

A description of the recently processed papers can be found here, along with a link to Clara Watson Pinkman's oral history interview in which she describes life and work in 20th-century New Jersey: https://t.co/lR3gIKYdjT
#BHM #Morristown #NJ

[North Jersey History & Genealogy Center (NJHGC) @NJHistoryCenter]

The records of African American businesses are traditionally underrepresented in archival collections, which limits the information available to historians and others. During the 1980s Morristown's Watson Family donated their papers and participated in our oral history project...