October 23, 2023 JD Solomon Presents “John List: The Westfield Family Murderer: Why He Did It”

23 October 2024
Photo of Breeze Knoll, Westfield, the List House

Breeze Knoll, Westfield, the List family home c. 1970 Photo credit: Rebecca Everett | NJ.com

Just before Halloween the Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood is thrilled to feature New Jersey’s second most notorious crime as its program at its Wednesday, October 23rd meeting. The story of John List killing his family in their Westfield family home is beyond spooky. It is scary. And it happened around Halloween.

JD Solomon, the presenter, is a Westfield resident and retired journalist who gives presentations about historical true crime at senior centers and community organizations in Union County. He is the author of two historical novels. His first, The Tinen Killings, is a thriller about aging Civil War veterans in Philadelphia in 1898. His second, Home News, is a thriller about bootlegging set in his hometown of Bay Shore, NY, in 1928.

This Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood’s monthly program is frightening and alarming to discover why John List killed his family. This upcoming meeting on Wednesday, October 23rd is free and open to the public. The meeting begins at 7:30 PM and is held at the historic Shady Rest Country Club, 820 Jerusalem Road (at the corner of Plainfield Avenue) in Scotch Plains. Refreshments and fellowship follow the presentation. For questions, please email Info@HistoricalSocietySPFNJ.org or call 908/322-6700 Extension 230.

Osborn Cannonball House Museum Open October 6th

30 September 2024

Bridal gown exhibit at the Osborn Cannonball House Museum.

Come visit the Osborn Cannonball House Museum, located at 1840 Front Street in Scotch Plains.  The museum will be open for tours on Sunday, October 6, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during the town’s “Scotch Plains Day” celebration.

The Museum will also be open for “Four Centuries in a Weekend” on Saturday, October 19, 2024 and Sunday, October 20, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days. For Four Centuries in a Weekend, the museum will have a children’s craft activity in our craft tent, located behind the museum, along with an early Halloween treat!
For both events, the Cannonball House will be featuring “Bridal Fashion Through the Decades” a visually stunning display of bridal gowns from as early as 1860 through the 2010’s. The museum’s impressive collection of antique bridal dresses are magnificent to behold and reflect the changing styles of women’s clothing through history. It is a unique collection and should not be missed!
Costumed docents will give tours of the ca. 1750 home of the Osborn family and tell the story of their role in the local Battle of the the Short Hills during the American Revolution.
The Historical Society of Scotch Plains/Fanwood, who maintain The Osborn Cannonball House Museum, is always seeking new members. Consider joining and be a part of Scotch Plains/Fanwood history! The Historical Society also sponsors monthly presentations at the nearby Shady Rest Country Club. Join us for captivating speakers, fellowship and refreshments.

Admission to the museum is free but donations are always welcome.

For more information email Info@HistoricalSocietySPFNJ.org or call 908-322-6700 Extension 230.

William T. Fidursky Presents “Slavery & The Rev War Comes to Oak Ridge”

15 September 2024

photo of front of Homestead Farm at Oak RidgeDid you know that the Homestead Farm at Oak Ridge historic site probably includes the remains of slave quarters? And that there has also been an identified slave burial site across Oak Ridge Road in Edison? Most people do not know. (This Homestead Farm is commonly known as the former Oak Ridge Golf Pro Shop.)

Centuries earlier at this Historic Homestead at Oak Ridge, then known as the Smith Farm in the area then known as Ash Swamp, in December 1776 the Hessians literally left William Smith bleeding on the floor. Mr. Smith shot the Hessian officer who was “ravishing” his daughter Isabel. Other Hessians came in and shot William Smith, leaving him bleeding on the floor, expecting him to die. Did he?

Come to the opening meeting of the Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood on Tuesday evening September 24th to find out the answer to this question and to hear the latest details of the slave burial quarters and grounds from Historian William Fidurski. His program will include slides of Oak Ridge and copies of the Smith family & other important information.

Fidurski wrote the application to put the Homestead Farm at Oak Ridge on the State and National Registries.  He effectively argued that the entire 208-acres as well as the Homestead and its dwellings be included.  And it was: on October 25, 1995 it was approved and placed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Biologist and Historian Fidurski, a graduate of Rutgers University, completed additional studies at Columbia University and Cornell University and the U of Wisconsin at Madison. During the Vietnam War, he served in the civilian military. He spent two decades as the Senior Investigator for the Federal Drug Agency before retiring. During that time he again wrote an important document on NJ’s Natural areas. Fidurski specializes in the early history of the Stars and Stripes and the New Jersey campaign of 1777. He has been involved in historic preservation efforts such as Bass Farmstead in Hardwick Township, Mount Farm in West Windsor and the Victorian row houses along Essex Street in the Paulus Hook Historic District in Jersey City. Now he is currently investigating the role of the abolitionist movement and the Underground Railroad in Central NJ as well as being deeply involved in preserving the Homestead Farm at Oak Ridge.

The Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood is thrilled to have Bill Fidurski as the opening speaker for the Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood at our upcoming meeting on Tuesday September 24th. Come to this free, open to the public, meeting to learn about the history of the Homestead Farm at Oak Ridge, more recently known in this area as the Oak Ridge Golf House. Learn about the present needs for preserving not only the Homestead but the slave quarters and burial site. The meeting begins at 7:30 PM and is held at the historic Shady Rest Country Club, 820 Jerusalem Road (at the corner of Plainfield Avenue) in Scotch Plains. Refreshments and fellowship follow the presentation. For questions, please email Info@HistoricalSocietySPFNJ.org or call 908/322-6700 Extension 230.

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