Monthly Archives: November 2021

On December 5th, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm our museum will be open and participating in the township holiday celebration. The museum is beautifully decorated with the theme of “A Victorian Christmas.” The tree is decorated with presents underneath while excited children and mothers peer at the antique toys. The mannequins are dressed in opulent and authentic clothing from the late 1800’s. Small tasty treats will be handed out. The museum is located at 1840 East Front street, Scotch Plains, New Jersey adjacent to the Alan Augustine Town Green.

Masks are mandatory in the museum. We all want to be able to celebrate our own Historical Society party on Sunday December 5th. After the Osborn Cannonball House is closed to the public at 4:00pm, the Historical Society members will have their own holiday celebration. We will have hot mulled cider and members are asked to bring something delicious to share. Yum.

What was it like the night the Martians “invaded” New Jersey in 1938? How did Princeton residents feel about having Albert Einstein as a neighbor? What inspired young Charles Addams from Westfield to come up with his ghoulish cartoon creations? How did a teenage Bruce Springsteen from Freehold get his high school band into a recording studio?

Have you ever heard of Mundy Peterson from Perth Amboy, who cast an historic vote 150 years ago? How about Garret Hobart from Paterson, who was almost president of the United States? What about Col. Robert Johnson from Salem County and the legend of the poisonous tomato?

Local author Fred T. Rossi literally wrote the book on lesser-known stories about interesting people and unusual events from Garden State history.

Join Rossi, a writer and journalist for 30 years, at the November meeting of the Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood as he recounts some of the fascinating tales in his book, Jersey Stories: Stories You May Not Have Heard About People and Events in New Jersey History.

“There’s something for everyone in Jersey Stories,” Rossi said. “History, politics, entertainment, lots of trivia and plenty of interesting characters and events. I think whether you’re a New Jersey resident or an expatriate, you’re sure to find something of interest in Jersey Stories.”

The upcoming meeting is free and all are welcome. It will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23, at the Shady Rest Scotch Hills Country Club, 820 Jerusalem Rd. (at the corner of Plainfield Avenue) in Scotch Plains. Note that in accordance with township policy, masks will be required in common areas of the building. Refreshments and fellowship will follow the presentation.