Historical Society - Boonton, NJ

Boonton Historical Society

This page was last updated December 21, 2008

Where: in the John Taylor Building,
210 Main Street, Boonton, NJ 07005
(free parking in the rear)

Phone: 973.402.8840
Hours: Saturdays, 1 - 4 p.m. or by appointment
e-mail: Boontonhistory@boonton.org

Photo's! - Please visit our photo gallery

Monthly News Bulletin - December 2008
Newsletter - GEM 2008

The Boonton Historical Society and Museum was founded in 1959 by a group of business people and others who were interested in preserving and promoting Boonton's history, which dates to the mid-1700's. The original village of Boonton now lies under the Jersey City Reservoir. Today's Boonton began in about 1829 as a result of the construction of the Morris Canal and the development of the New Jersey Iron Company.

The Society's extensive collection of Boonton historical material is housed in the landmark John Taylor Building at 210 Main Street. This house, which combines elements of Colonial Revival and Victorian Gothic styles, was built in 1897-8 for use as a residence and office for Dr. John L. Taylor. His wife Adelaide had received the land as a gift from her father, the Hon. John L. Kanouse.

MISSION STATEMENT:
The Boonton Historical Society and Museum is a non-profit organization, incorporated in 1959, located in the town of Boonton, New Jersey. Its mission is to:

Preserve and protect the town of Boonton's unique cultural, architectural and industrial history;
Preserve and share the area's rich history, folklore, arts and humanities of the past and present;
Encourage preservation and restoration of historic landmarks in the town;
Protect and display the museum's collections; and
Provide educational programs, guided historical tours and exhibitions to a diverse population.

The Museum Gift Shop at the John Taylor Building is open during regular museum hours and by appointment, and carries Boonton-related books, maps, magnets, Boontonware, T-shirts, sweatshirts, prints, postcards, greeting cards - and much more!
Also available: many books, including - Boonton was an Irontown by Peter C. Wendt, Jr.(2002).
Gift Shop orders can be placed with Tammie Holloway at tammie_eric@verizon.net.

BOONTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM

announces a new book

"Greetings from Boonton, USA"(pdf)

A compilation of old postcards of Boonton together with a brief history

2009 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

- Afternoon & Evening Programs -
Click here for a printable 2009 schedule (.pdf)

Rails Along The Canal Senior Center 2:00PM
William McKelvey of the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey presents a program about the history of the railroad in the Boonton area as well as some current information about the URHS’s Boonton Restoration Yard.

02/18/09 Eric Olsen Senior Center 7:00PM
Join Joseph Plumbarton, a revolutionary solider who volunteered to serve at the age of 15. Later in life he documented his experiences so that this evening we can hear his first person memoirs, some amusing and some poignant, as he recounts events of day to day life during the war as interpreted by Eric Olsen, the well known local reenactor.

03/18/09 The Shannachie of Glendunbun Ballybeg: Traditional Celtic Tales 2:00PM
The wit and wisdom, humor and horror, and hubris and humanity of a people are found in their traditional stories. Compelling storyteller David Emerson retells (and embroiders) the colorful and ancient tales of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Cornwall in a presentation that will warm, tickle, or chill the heart."

An NJCH Program. 04/04/09 Easter Afternoon Tea at the Museum Reserved seating at 12:30 and 3:00pm
Repeating our AfternoonTea with an Easter theme. Come and enjoy the elegance of a Victorian tea with costumed hosts and serving maids. Scones with raspberry jam, home made lemon curd,and cream, together with finger sandwiches and other delicacies to delight your tastebuds. Musical accompaniment.

04/15/09 Celebrate New Jersey Senior Center 2:00PM
Come and join Linda Barth for a leisurely armchair journey down the byways of the best state in the nation.

05/02/09 Biennial House Tour
Our biennial house tour will once again feature the variety of homes and architecture in the Town of Boonton. Watch for more details in the new year.

05/20/09 Chief Steven Stross
Stories from the Boonton Police Department Senior Center 7:00PM Chief Stross recalls amusing incidents and memorable occasions from his career in the Boonton Police Department as he shares his historical perspective in pictures and memorabilia. 05/22/09 Dinner With Sherlock Holmes 6:30PM

Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle creator of the legendary detective, Sherlock Holmes. As portrayed by Neill Hartley in costume, hear the tales of some of Sherlock’s most fascinating cases while enjoying a Victorian repast suitable to the era of Holmes and his associate Dr. Watson.

09/00/09 Boonton Day Celebration
Don’t forget to visit our booth on Main Street where our costumed hosts will dispense goodies, and provide you with information concerning our museum and our upcoming programs. Souvenirs and holiday gift giving ideas aplenty at our Gift Store.

10/03/09 Tour of Greenwood Cemetery featuring ‘Soup to Die For"
Join us for our annual cemetery tour, this year featuring noteworthy townsfolk resting in Greenwood Cemetery. Why not start the tour at the Museum with some warm home made soup served in Boontonware bowls. Price of the soup includes the bowl!!

10/21/09 Halloween in the United States Senior Center 7:00PM
Halloween is a distinctive cultural celebration in the United States. This presentation by Karen Sue Hybertsen, Ph.D.,Pastor, Ridgeview Community Church, looks at the history of Halloween as celebrated in the United States, the holiday’s traditions and how we use it in schools, churches and our communities. Although its origins are uniformly attributed to a timeless pagan past, the American celebration of Halloween is a construction rooted in 19th- century middle-class values. An NJCH Program.

11/18/09 Boonton At Its Best 7:00PM A collage of photographs featuring walking tours of our town and our House Tours. A brief Membership Meeting precedes this presentation.

12/11/09 Holiday Open House Museum 7:00PM
Celebrate the holiday season with us at the museum. Refreshments and entertainment.

Exhibits

Permanent - "Boonton: the Early Years"
The permanent exhibit of the history of Boonton from 1741 to 1903, chronicled in a timeline, photographs, text and artifacts.
(Image 1 & Image 2)
“Greeting From Boonton” an exhibit of photographs depicting our town’s history.
Open Saturdays from 1:00 – 4:00pm and by appointment through October, 2008.

Walking Tours
(suggested donation $5)

Membership

MEMBERSHIP FEES:

____ Individual $15 ____ Family $20 ____Seniors/Students $10 ____ Life $200____ Business $25

Make check payable to: Boonton Historical Society and Museum

Please print form and mail to: 210 Main Street Boonton, New Jersey 07005, Attention: Ellen Dixon

Name: ________________________________

Phone: ___________________

Address: ___________________________________________

City: __________________________ State: ________

Zip Code ___________

For more information please email: Boontonhistory@boonton.org