Drop in for a look and to learn more about Montgomery’s local historical society.
Two devastating fires in quick succession back in 1939 energized the determination of a handful who had stood helpless in the face of calamity and out of the ashes was born Montgomery Volunteer Fire Company, No. 1. Meager beginnings became major accomplishments in the years that followed. Both their firefighting and their firemen’s fairs were some real humdingers. VHHS is planning to mark their 80thAnniversary in October by inviting everyone to come hear all about it, as told in picture and personal recollection by none other than Dan Pullen, yarn spinner with the best of them. We will be in the Belle Mead Firehouse on Griggstown Road, and firemen will roll their engines out to make room for chairs aplenty. To register, email info@vanharlingen.org
Each movie showing is limited to the first 20 Society members who sign up.
To register, email info@vanharlingen.org
If you’d like to attend one of the movies and are not a member, click here for membership form.
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The New Jersey State Legislature incorporated the Mercer and Somerset Railway Company in 1870 and granted them a charter to build a railroad between Trenton and Millstone. In 1873, the New Jersey State Legislature granted a charter to a competing railroad company along the very same pathway (an act of political revenge?) By 1874, the Mercer and Somerset Railway Company had laid 22 ½ miles of tracks and begun operation – cutting diagonally through Montgomery. A scant two years later, on a fateful day in January, the competing railroads had a showdown as their tracks crossed in Hopewell for what became to be known as the Frog War. The Mercer & Somerset went bankrupt in 1879.
This intriguing story will be told by John Kilbride. The program is co-sponsored by the Van Harlingen Historical Society and the Mary Jacobs Library. Please pre-register by phone 908-458-8433 or email maryjacobs@sclibnj.org
The guided hike is about 2.5 miles along natural trails through the forest, along the high bank of Bedens Brook and Millstone River and along agricultural fields. The width and surfacing of the trail is not suitable for strollers or assisted walking devices. Paved walking paths around the Stonebridge community can be used by those who prefer a more stable surface. Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on leash.
Parking is behind 124 Club (aka 1860 House) at 124 Montgomery Road (note: this is an update, 5-29-19). The event is planned for rain or shine. Heavy rain the day before, or day of the event cancels the event because trail conditions will be too muddy.
Any questions, contact Lauren Wasilauski at (908) 359-8211 ext. 343 or LWasilauski@twp.montgomery.nj.us
Our 40th May in Montgomery has been a huge success. This year’s event focused on our areas rich history of farming and the current farm to table movement. Attendees were blessed with beautiful weather,historical tidbits, tasty food and good company.
Thanks to the three local farms we visited, Bridgepoint Run Farm, Greenflash Farm and Cherry Valley Cooperative, for opening their farms to us in the middle of their busy spring planting season.
A farm to table lunch was also served in a restored barn at Greenflash Farm where the film “Farming in the Millstone Valley: Past & Present” was also shown. https://cinecosmos.vhx.tv/…/farming-in-the-millstone-valley…
One of our attendees summed it up: “Great experience, good information about local farming as well as history of the Millstone. Lunch was delicious, all farm hosts friendly and knowledgeable.
Thanks to one and all for coming out to support our special day! Special thanks to our business members:
While you are here we hope you might consider becoming a member, visiting our store or making a donation to help support our historical societies,many projects including the Gulick House, farm museum and the Schoolhouse.
Like us on our Facebook page to be among the first to know about future events.
Van Harlingen Historical Society, co-sponsoring with One Montgomery and Montgomery Mosaic, is honored to offer a very special presentation entitled, “A Proud Heritage: The African American Contribution to the Sourland Mountain and Surrounding Region, ” by speakers Elaine Buck and Beverly Mills. This will be held in the downstairs municipal courtroom of the Montgomery Township Municipal Building, 2261 Rt. 206, Belle Mead, NJ 08502.
Learn about the African American presence from this region dating back to colonial times that has been left out of local history. Buck and Mills will highlight the accomplishments of prominent African Americans who served in the military and the agricultural contributions of African Americans working as slaves on the plantations in Hopewell Valley. They will discuss the work of African Americans in peach orchards, basket making factories, saw and grist mills, rock quarries and more. The founding and building of schools and churches as well as entrepreneurial businesses owned by African Americans will also be detailed. Through photographs, information from municipal manumission papers, site location maps and oral histories, Buck and Mills will illustrate that there is more than one single narrative in history. Copies of their new book, If These Stones Could Talk, will be available for purchase.
This event is sponsored in coordination with the Van Harlingen Historical Society, which is Montgomery Township’s all-volunteer keeper of historical artifacts, papers and publications. They host and co-host historical presentations and events for the Community and maintain three historic building in town including the 1752 Gulick House as its headquarters.
If you have any questions or comments, please email Sadafjaffer@gmail.com or jeanneskaar@gmail.com
Source: Montgomery Mosaic
“Montgomery: The Way It Was” will be recalled for us in picture and story by Dan Pullen on Wednesday evening, September 12 at 7 PM in the program room at Mary Jacobs Memorial Library, 63 Washington St., Rocky Hill, NJ.
Back when “Doc” Pullen was growing up here, Montgomery was still rural; its villages inked together by dirt roads and party line telephones. Folks in those days did not worry much about locking their doors and kids on bicycles freely roamed the countryside.
Dan Pullen, camera in hand, captured glimpses of that world which he will share with us along with those stories he tells so well, making this an evening not to be missed. This library program is sponsored by Van Harlingen Historical Society.
The program is free and open to the public but registration is required. Register online at sclsnj.org – go to Programs & Events or
Register by phone at 908-458-8430 x3
Come join us on September 26th at 7 pm to learn about Montgomery Township in the 1800s. The population was a few thousand people, there was no municipal building, the unpaved roads and the bridges were maintained by the residents, and most of the residents were involved in farming. Learn about Township Committee meetings (the committeemen used to meet at local taverns), road returns, road openings, changes to Montgomery’s civil boundaries over the century, the welfare system, and maybe even a few property seizures. The event is sponsored by the Van Harlingen Historical Society.
As a prelude to this year’s May in Montgomery Touring the Millstone Valley National Scenic Byway, the Van Harlingen Historical Society is proud to present a lecture by John D.S. Hatch titled Historic Preservation, Urban Redevelopment, and the Rural Landscape: How New Jersey Makes the Connection. Mr. Hatch is an architect who specializes in historic preservation design and adaptive re-use of historic structures. He holds degrees in both architecture and historic preservation. His projects include the restoration of historic Morven in Princeton, the restoration of the Hunterdon County Courthouse in Flemington, and the Roebling Complex Redevelopment in Trenton.
The lecture will take place at Stonebridge, 100 Hollinshead Road, Skillman, NJ on Monday, May 15th at 7:30. Refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public but space is limited so pre-registration is required. To register please call 908-359-2642, email your Name, email and how many seats to register to: info@vanharlingen.org. (Please do not contact Stonebridge directly.)
