Tag: American History

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Site Pushes Revolutionary War Tourism In New Jersey

abraham godwin ridgewood

March 9,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, according to the website Revolutionary War in New Jersey the state has over 650 Revolutionary War historic sites located throughout all twenty-one New Jersey counties.

Revolutionary War New Jersey is The ultimate field guide to New Jersey’s Revolutionary War historic sites!
Bergen County, New Jersey Revolutionary War Sites • Bergen County, NJ Historic Sites

The website is the brainchild of photographer Al Frazza and , “was created out of my love for history and for New Jersey. I began work on it on September 17, 2009, and completed it on March 1, 2017. During those seven-and-a-half years, I drove thousands of miles throughout New Jersey, locating and photographing Revolutionary War historic sites. In addition to getting to see and experience all of these historic places first-hand, it allowed me to get to know my home state in a way that I had never before imagined.”

In Ridgewood the site lists:

Old Paramus Reformed Church
660 East Glen Ave.

Historic Glen Avenue Marker
East Glen Ave. Near North Maple St.

Abraham Godwin Monument
E. Ridgewood Ave. & Van Neste Sq.
Ridgewood Municipal Park

the site promotes American History  and nothing creates an understanding of and excitement for history like standing in the actual locations where historic events occurred.

New Jersey played a central and crucial role in the events of the Revolutionary War. Throughout the state, we are surrounded by links to that history.

George Washington spent more time in New Jersey than anywhere else during the Revolutionary War. Many of the locations where he and the Continental (American) Army marched, encamped, and fought battles are still here to be explored.

Throughout the years of the Revolutionary War (1775-1783), the lives of New Jersey citizens were dramatically affected by the events of the war which went on around them. Some of their houses and buildings are still standing; each of these structures has its own story.

https://www.revolutionarywarnewjersey.com/

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American students don’t know history

George Washington

It’s one reason why we can’t rationally discuss things
Devin Foley | December 11, 2015

As we and many others have pointed out, many policy debates these days devolve quickly into emotionalism. Should we be surprised when too many American students lack the tools with which to engage in public discourse?

According to the Nation’s Report Card, produced by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) which is considered the gold-standard for evaluating the job schools are doing educating students, only a paltry percentage of high school seniors know their history.

Yes, only a meager 12% of high school seniors are considered “proficient” in U.S. history. If you’d like to examine the test, you can do so here. We’ll probably do some separate posts on it.

https://www.intellectualtakeout.org/blog/american-students-dont-know-history

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Happy Constitution Day!

Stock Photo of the Consitution of the United States and Feather Quill

On this day in 1787, the United States Constitution was signed by 39 delegates in Philadelphia as it was sent on its way to the thirteen states for ratification. After rigorous debate in the states, this incredible document was ratified, officially creating a government that was based on the rule of law, not the rule of man. Today we celebrate this important moment in American history as a day when the revolutionary ideas of liberty and freedom, and a government by the people, overcame tyranny and oppression. Today we celebrate the Constitution.

Happy Constitution Day!

Rep. Scott Garrett

7 Things You May Not Know About the Constitutional Convention

SEPTEMBER 17, 2012 By Christopher Klein

For four months during the summer of 1787, the Constitutional Convention met “in order to form a more perfect union.” With the country’s legal framework finally drafted, the framers of the Constitution signed the document on September 17, 1787, before sending it to the states for ratification. Explore seven surprising facts about the delegates to the Constitutional Convention and their work in Philadelphia.

https://www.history.com/news/7-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-constitutional-convention?cmpid=Social_FBPAGE_HISTORY_20160917_584332866&linkId=28827627

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9 Things You May Not Know About the Declaration of Independence

Ridgewood_-4th_of-_July_theridgewoodblog

JULY 4, 2012 By Elizabeth Harrison

Independence Day, or the Fourth of July, celebrates the adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. On the 236th birthday of the United States, explore nine surprising facts about one of America’s most important founding documents

https://www.history.com/news/9-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-declaration-of-independence?cmpid=Social_FBPAGE_HISTORY_20160703_503936943&linkId=25980981

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The Village of Ridgewood was put on notice regarding Schedler historic preservation of both parcel and house, wildlife and migratory act

bald eagle

Apeil 29,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood blog has learned that the Village of Ridgewood was put on notice regarding Schedler historic preservation of both parcel and house, wildlife and migratory act despite claims to the contrary .

According to the County the house must be registered  historically and the parcel must be inspected for historical elements . The New Jersey DEP identified  two species of protected or endangered species with in the property .Including as previously reported on this blog the American Bald Eagle and the Heron. Its seems the Village manager lied on record dismissing the claims .

Council Members:

As stated during public comment, attached are the County public meeting minutes ofMarch 28. The Village was put on notice regarding Schedler historic preservation of both parcel and house, wildlife and migratory act.

As such, the Village must move forward with historic registry of the Schedler house, historic eligibility of parcel and enforce wildlife preservation. Additionally, nothing can be done on this parcel, NO clean up/Phase 1, until after July 31 and only after historic and wildlife preservation/eligibility/registry is complete.

I have all the supporting documentation if you need them as well.

Regards,
Jackie Hone

Bergen_County_Trust_Fund_Public_Hearing_Transcript_March_28_2016

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The First American Cookbook and Ridgewood native’s 1823 book of recipes

The First American Cookbook , Ridgewood native's 1823 book of recipes,

April 19,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, 220 years ago next week, on April 28, 1796, Amelia Simmons published the first cookbook “American Cookery”, written by an American. Prior to that, the cookbooks used in the Thirteen Colonies were British, and lacked information on how to use foods, spices and other ingredients found in America.

As historian Greg Mangan states, what made Simmons’s work unique “was its recognition of the deficiencies of existing British cookbooks when it came to understanding American culture”, and that it provides valuable insights into the methods and foods that helped colonists forge a uniquely American culinary identity.

A skillful cook, historian Karen Hess points out that Simmons recipes had a variety of herbs, as well as wine, and “extraordinarily fine roasting techniques”. She incorporated common early American foods – cornmeal, pumpkins, and molasses — into her recipes, and was the first cookbook author to mention “pearl ash”, (a wood ash, the forerunner of baking powder) to lighten or leaven dough.

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American Cookery also shows the influence of Dutch words in our area at that time – words like slaw, meaning salad; and cookey, from koekje, meaning cookie.

The impact of American Cookery on local Ridgewood residents at that time can be seen in an 1823 book of hand-written recipes by Ridgewood native Jeanette Pells. Two of her recipes (Ginger bread and Sugar cake) call for one or two teaspoons of pearl ash.

To learn more about food preparation and cooking in Ridgewood in the 18th and 19th centuries, come to the Schoolhouse Museum’s new exhibit “Farm and Home”using artifacts from the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Museum is located at 650 E. Glen Ave., Ridgewood, NJ, and visiting hours are Thursdays and Saturdays; 1 to 3 p.m. and Sundays; 2 to 4 p.m. To contact the museum: 201-447 3242 or ridgewoodhistoricalsociety@verizon.net

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The RIDGEWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY Announces the opening of its new Exhibit at the Schoolhouse Museum “Farm and Home”

ridgewood Hstorical society

Exploring Our Agrarian Roots with Artifacts from the 18th and 19th Centuries

“A unique opportunity to see what life in Ridgewood was like hundreds of years ago.”

Ridgewood NJ, On March 20, 2016, between 2PM and 4 PM, the Ridgewood Historical Society’s Schoolhouse Museum will debut its new Exhibit – “Farm and Home”.This exhibit will show how farmers, their wives and children lived off the land, cleared forests, harvested food, prepared meals and developed a prosperous economy in 18th and 19th Century Ridgewood.

Using objects donated to the Museum over many decades, this exhibit will display a wide variety of objects from this period, including Lenape implements, early Dutch artifacts, farm tools, home furnishings, textiles and quilts, early cookbooks, and kitchenware.

Open to the public, the Schoolhouse Museum is located at 650 E. Glen Ave., Ridgewood, NJ. Museum’s hours are Thursdays and Saturdays; 1 to 3 p.m. and Sundays; 2 to 4 p.m.

To contact the Museum: 201-447 3242 or ridgewoodhistoricalsociety@verizon.net

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Today We Remember the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor

pearl-harbor-mem-day

December 7,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Today we’re reflecting on that infamous day in 1941 at Pearl Harbor. More than 2,400 American lives lost, 1,000 U.S. military and civilians wounded, 21 ships of the U.S. Pacific Fleet were sunk or damaged, 188 U.S. aircraft destroyed and 159 U.S. aircraft damaged.

Today “A date which will live in infamy.” 74 years later, and we honor their sacrifice.

74 years ago America was attacked at Pearl Harbor and America’s greatest generation responded with a courage and resolve that the world had never seen before. Today we remember the attack on Pearl Harbor. December 7, 1941.

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Fate of Ridgewood property’s historic house remains uncertain

zabriskieschedler_theridgewoodblog

 

DECEMBER 1, 2015    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015, 9:45 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

(This article is the third of an ongoing series examining the Schedler property and the issues surrounding it.)

In the woods on the edge of Route 17 in Ridgewood stands a brown farm house. Drivers traveling the speed limit on the highway would be hard-pressed to spot it, and it is best they don’t in the interest of automobile safety. But even those taking a trip on West Saddle River Road might miss it if they are not paying attention.

Yet that little brown house is considered a remarkable piece of history that at least some residents in the Village of Ridgewood believe is worth preserving for future generations.

The Zabriskie-Schedler house has become the subject of much speculation and discussion since the village purchased the 7-acre property in 2009. Current plans propose a 90-foot baseball field with multi-purpose overlay field, which has caused some residents in the neighborhood to worry about their quality of life while others are also concerned about the fate of the historic house.

Somewhat miraculously, the Schedler house has had few owners in its approximately 180 years and it may be one of the reasons the house has stood for so long in the middle of an otherwise developed region of New Jersey.

https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/fate-of-ridgewood-property-s-historic-house-remains-uncertain-1.1465163

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Ridgewood Veterans Day Service, 2015

Ridgewood Veterans Day Service, 2015

Ridgewood NJ, American Legion Post #53 hosted a Veteran’s Day Service at 11AM in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square.

All photos by Boyd Loving

DSCF3804

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lots of photos : https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.947147355324110.1073741866.115857291786458&type=3

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Walking tour to highlight historic Ridgewood homes

20150624_111508_resized

OCTOBER 2, 2015    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY AIMEE LA FOUNTAIN
CORRESPONDENT |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

The Ridgewood Historical Society is sponsoring a historic homes walking tour beginning at 2 p.m. on Oct. 4.

The tour explores European architecture in the Prospect Street historical district and is led by society member Elliot Dee, who studied architectural history at Cornell University and Harvard University.

The tour route begins on Prospect Street, moves to Carlisle Terrace, progresses to Ivy Place and goes along Woodside Avenue before returning to Prospect Street.

Dee peppers the tour with more than just facts.

“I try to include a couple stories, quirks that show local color and add fun elements that give things life,” he said. “I’m always very excited to talk architectural details about houses, but I don’t want it to be overly academic.”

Dee, who previously gave walking tours in other residential areas, proposed the idea to Ridgewood Historical Society President Sheila Brogan after he moved to Ridgewood in 2011.

“I thought it’d be fun to do some here,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to do some research and learn more about the houses, which I enjoy, and then to share it.”

https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/walking-tour-to-highlight-homes-1.1423614

The historic homes walking tour is at 2 p.m. on Oct. 4. It starts at Prospect Street and Carlisle Terrace. Tickets are $5 and limited to 35 people. The tour is 90 minutes long and will take place rain or shine. For more information, email Sheila Brogan at smbrogan@aol.com or call 201-652-7354.

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Rep . Scott Garrett Bids us a Happy Constitution Day

CONSTITUTION_DAY_theridgewoodblog

PJ Blogger at Independence National Historical Park

On this date two-hundred and twenty-eight years ago, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention completed their arduous work and signed the document designed to restore liberty to the citizens of a new nation.

The American Republic was born out of a struggle against British tyranny and a monarchical system that our forefathers deemed incompatible with the rights of free men and women. Consistent with the principles espoused by the Spirit of ’76 and enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution was not imposed on the people. It was humbly submitted to the people for their approval.

A great national debate followed. If the people were to judge the Constitution, they were expected to understand the Constitution. The Federalist Papers, a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison, responded to Antifederalist critics by serving as an invaluable guide to the Constitution’s provisions. Their arguments proved decisive and, eventually, the requisite number of states ratified the Constitution. Education was integral to the Constitution’s ratification.

At a time when the globe was dominated by kingdoms and empires, a skeptical world believed that a republic devoted to the ancient cause of liberty would inevitably fail. But the test of time has proven the wisdom, effectiveness, and durability of our great charter.

It has guaranteed our natural rights and preserved our cherished liberties.

It has inspired foreign peoples shackled by tyranny to seek to replicate what the Americans have accomplished.

It has resisted the waves of totalitarian ideologies that claimed human liberty to be a relic of antiquity.

On Constitution Day, Americans follow in the footsteps of the Founders, not only by recommitting ourselves to the Constitution’s enlightened provisions, but also by accepting the duty to provide the education necessary for the survival of a free people.

I commend all those that take the opportunity this day provides to promote the American ideals of human liberty and renew our commitment to the preservation of the Constitution of the United States.

Scott Garrett is the U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 5th congressional district

 

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More insight needed to address Schedler property

Zabriskie-Schedler_Property_theridgewoodblog

SEPTEMBER 4, 2015    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

More insight is needed to address Schedler property

To the Editor:

I am in support of the Village Council votes regarding the Schedler property.

The heated debate at the Village Council meeting meant those who had an issue with the resolution gave up an opportunity to positively influence the development of the property. They could have tried to see if a high berm could be built to insulate the property from traffic on Route 17. The berm could be capped with a sound barrier and covered with dense plantings. This would serve as a safety, sound and pollution barrier.

The third of the property left to nature could be converted into an arboretum of native species and pollinator habitats. The walk around the perimeter could be made to appeal to “seenagers,” those of us who are chronologically seniors but mentally can’t outgrow their teen years. A foot bridge could be built over Route 17 to make it easier for pedestrians to walk over from the west side of the highway. I can’t but believe such a park would be a great improvement over a weed-choked lot with fallen trees and mounds of empty beer cans. I have walked around the property and find little salubrious about it.

Regarding the Schedler house, I am a conservationist and a reader of history. Destroying a historical site is an act of vandalism. I thus support giving the preservation committee another year to come up with a plan for the house. My recommendation to the committee would be to add several new members who would add depth to its considerations. For instance, I would add an engineer and an architect with experience in preserving historical homes. Also, perhaps, a realtor with experience in finding uses for such a property. A historian and a fundraiser would be helpful.

If I were a member of the committee, I would try to answer the following questions:

What is the age of the house? Supporters say it was built in the 1820’s. This may not be a true statement in its entirety. Some of it may have been built in the 1820s, but I have a feeling much of it was built much later. Is it truly a “nationally recognized historic home” as some claim?

How sound is the house structurally? With a broken roof and black mold, what else ails it? Rot? Termites? Lead paint? Asbestos?

What uses will there be for the house and thus what will it be restored to? Some mention a library for historical documents. That’s an interesting idea, but what would it take to reinforce the beams to carry the heavy weight of books, and what would it take to fireproof it to protect invaluable documents?

Depending on the use, what would it cost to restore the house and bring it up to code, especially for public use. If it is to be used for public purposes, who will underwrite the future operating costs?

A rational discussion of our options with less heat would be in everyone’s interests.

Rurik Halaby

Ridgewood

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Local’ residents deserve a say on Schedler property

Freeholder_Zabriskie_Schedler_House_theridgewoodblog

 

Freehold John Mitchell with residents several years ago

Local’ residents deserve a say on Schedler property

To the Editor:

“Go West, young man,” a phrase made famous by Horace Greeley, could have certainly been directed at families moving to the Village of Ridgewood. This young man decided to go east in this beautiful community and raise a family. He has stayed for over 30 years, and now after all this time is wondering whether west would have been the smarter and wiser choice for his family’s future.

My wife, Michele, and I have spent most of our adult lives bringing up two children, supporting the excellent school system, participating in community events, and the excellent sports programs. Living on the east side of Ridgewood came with some issues that we have accepted and lived with over these 30-plus years: No local grammar school for our children to attend, no local park for our children to play in, and being treated at times by this town as the forgotten community but always being told by the Village Council that this was not true but a figment of our imagination.

Finally, we are given the chance to have something that could prove very positive for this east side community, the purchase of the Schedler property. My wife and I were very active early in getting the local community and Village of Ridgewood interested in securing this property. We expected and were led to believe by the Village Council that we, the local residents, would have a major and important say on how this property was developed, similar to the way the Habernickel property on the west side was developed.

Now, we were told at the Aug. 5 meeting of the Mayor and Council that they are submitting a recommendation to approve the Open Space Committee October 2012 recommendations, which includes the most controversial issue, a 90-foot baseball field on the Schedler site. The same 90-foot baseball field other Ridgewood communities did not want. It was considered for Pleasant Park but that idea appears to have been killed, and it was not built on the larger, 10-acre Habernickel property on the west side of Ridgewood because the local community preferred a smaller Little League field.

Because of this lack of concern by members of the Village Council toward the east side, this is where they have decided to definitely build this 90-foot field. It appears the plan all along was to destroy the historic Schedler house to make room for this field.

This comes, even after our east side community secured $45,000 (50 percent) of the funds necessary to save this historic house. We have always been willing to compromise except for the issue of destroying the Schedler house and building a 90-foot field. Everything else was on the table, and we were led to believe by the current administration that our proposals were being seriously considered and open to further debate and discussion.

We were misled and will soon know if the east side Ridgewood community will again be treated as second class citizens and not heard from again.

Alan Dlugasch

Ridgewood

 

https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-to-the-editor-local-residents-should-have-say-on-schedler-development-1.1392735

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Ridgewood to review 200-year-old house

zabriskieschedler_theridgewoodblog

AUGUST 9, 2015    LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 2015, 9:50 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD – The future of the village-owned Schedler property – a crumbling 200-year-old house on seven wooded acres abutting Route 17 – was suddenly back on the council’s agenda last week because of an impending deadline.

Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld said time was running out to apply for a matching grant from the Bergen County Historic Trust Fund that would be used to stabilize the building.

In 2009, Ridgewood purchased the thickly wooded property, believed to have been the site of a Revolutionary War encampment or battle, with $2.7 million in open space grant money specified for active recreation. The move preempted any commercial development of the site.

Resident Isabella Altano – representing Ridgewood Eastside Development, a grass-roots citizens group – pleaded with the council Wednesday night to meet the grant’s deadline next month.

The house, which was occupied by Florence Schedler until she died in 2007 at age 104, “is in dire need of help,” Altano said. She said the “roof is falling and mold is present.”

Altano said an anonymous donor had placed $45,000 in an escrow account, earmarking the funds for the structure, but village officials said the fact that the source of the money is unknown is an issue.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-to-review-200-year-old-house-1.1389542