Lawrence History to be Focus of Community Foundation Event on Saturday

Editor's Note: The following is a news release from the Lawrence Township Community Foundation about “People, Places & Periods - A Celebration of Lawrence Township History,” an event being held from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27, in the Lawrence High School Commons. 

General Information

The Lawrence Township Community Foundation, in cooperation with the Lawrence Historical Society and in honor of Lawrence History Month, is sponsoring the program “People, Places & Periods - A Celebration of Lawrence Township History.”

Please join us for discussions and exhibits that trace the growth of our town from the colonial era to today. Many volunteers from the Lawrence Historical Society will be on hand to display pieces from their collections and to discuss various facets of the township’s history.

Several local business and community organizations, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Educational Testing Services and Rider University will also have tables exhibiting the history of their institutions in the township. Current and former residents will also have the opportunity to share their memories with an oral history videographer.

We hope you will stop by on Saturday, Oct. 27, and share in the rich history of our township.

Historical Program

We are fortunate to have a number of volunteers who will share their expertise on township history.

Gary Hullfish, owner of Lawrenceville Fuel, has collected and catalogued many old photographs and will discuss Lawrenceville Village history through the eyes of the camera lens.

Brooke Hunter is an associate professor of history at Rider and will speak on slavery and abolition in the township.

Fred Vereen, executive director of Every Child Valued, will discuss the history of Eggerts Crossing.

Gary Saretzky, a local photographer and archivist for Monmouth County, will provide instruction on how residents can preserve their family photos.

The Delaware & Raritan Canal was built in the 1830s and served to connect the Delaware River to the Raritan River. Barbara Ross, a D&R Canal historian, will lead a table discussion.

Doug Sargent, a board member of the township’s Historic Preservation Committee, will discuss the township's commitment to the preservation and upkeep of the historic houses in Lawrenceville.

Finally, Dennis Waters will wrap the day's events with a discussion on the history of Route 206 and the history of the Pole Farm.

Presentation Schedule

12:30 p.m.
Gary Hullfish
Lawrenceville Village (old photos)

1:00 p.m.
Brooke Hunter
Slavery and Abolition in Lawrence

1:30 p.m.
Fred Vereen
Eggerts Crossing

2:00 p.m.
Gary Saretzky
Preserving Family Photos

2:30 p.m.
Barbara Ross
Delaware & Raritan Canal

3:00 p.m.
Doug Sargent
Historic Houses of Lawrence