LOOKING BACK ON MAIN STREET

BOONTON;    The Boonton Historical Society and Museum will present a program called "Parades and Pies"  on Wednesday, November 16, 7:00 PM, at the Boonton Senior Center,

North Main Street

.  We will recall the Leystra Bakery that was located at

209 Main Street

70 years ago.  Frank Leystra captured his day to day work at the bakery on 16mm film.  He can be seen using a machine to roll pie dough and working with yeast dough to make bread, coffee cakes, and doughnuts.

We will also recall Labor Day parades from 1941 and 1942.  Frank Leystra stood outside his shop and filmed the parades as they marched by.  Watching the background is as interesting as watching the marchers, because you can see buildings that were demolished when Route 287 was built in 1961. 

All films have been transferred to DVD and one of them is in color.  Don't miss this opportunity to see this rare footage.  There will be a short business meeting prior to the program.  Refreshments will be served.

WALKING TOUR OF BOONTON

On Saturday, September 17, the Boonton Historical Society and Museum will present a walking tour of the Historic Residential district. The tour considers the history, people and the architecture of the Town of Boonton connected with the houses, churches and buildings constructed between the 1830’s and 1890’s for workers and officials of the New Jersey Iron Company in Boonton. The tour begins at 10AM at the Boonton

Post Office  (

501 Main Street

). The tour leader will be Harold Johnson, retired pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, which is discussed on the tour.

There is a $5.00 suggested donation for non-members for this tour which lasts approximately 2 hours.  Tour participants will receive a 15% discount coupon which can be used at many of the

Main Street

restaurants and vendors between 11:00am and 4:00PM on the day of the tour. The Museum and Gift Shop at

210 Main Street

will be open from 12 noon until 4:00pm following the tour.  Stop in and see our new exhibit “Answering the Call” an outstanding display of military and other uniforms, together with artifacts an memorabilia from Boonton’s Past.  For more information call 973-402-8840 or boontonhistory@yahoo.com.

SOUP'S ON AT THE BOONTON MUSEUM

SOUP’S ON AT THE BOONTON MUSEUM

BOONTON:  The Boonton Historical Society and Museum will sponsor a Cemetery Tour of the Greenwood Cemetery, Washington Avenue, Boonton, on Saturday, October 1.  The cemetery tour will commence at the cemetery gates at 4:00pm. Ten costumed hosts will portray local residents giving a glimpse into the daily lives and times of Boonton past.

In addition to portraying some of the town’s outstanding gentlemen, this year, the Society will highlight the stories and contributions of some of its ladies. Dr. Elizabeth Geiger (1900-2003), a proponent of naturopathy, had a practice in New York City and opened her home on Fanny Road as a health resort; Dr. Marietta Crane Woodruff (1861-1912) served the people of Boonton as a general practitioner and obstetrician for over 38 years; She also had an interest in alternative therapy and served as vice president of the NJ State Homeopathic society.  Hannah Wootton (1810-1892) came from England at age 20 with her husband and three month old baby. She describes the arduous journey by sea to the new world with a goat for milk and sheep for meat. Hetty Hopkins tells the story of her husband Charles, who was a survivor of the infamous Andersonville prison, was awarded the congressional medal of honor, and, as a young man was involved with the underground railroad.

The cost of the tour only is $5.00. 

For an additional $5.00 and immediately following the cemetery tour, guests are invited to a soup tasting experience at the museum.  A selection of soups served in Boontonware bowls with crusty bread will be available to sample at the Museum,

210 Main Street

.  You get to keep the bowl !!  For more information call 973-402-8840 or email us at Boontonhistory@Boonton.org

Walking Tours

Contuing our successful season of walking tours, on Saturday, June 18, the Boonton Historical Society and Museum will present a walking tour of the Park and Residential district. The tour will proceed along Rockaway and Reserve Streets in the Park section of Boonton and look at (from the exterior) 10 distinct homes built in the latter part of the 19^th century.  The tour will be led by Gail Yorkston who owns a home in the Rockaway historic district.

The tour begins at 10AM at the Gazebo in Grace Lord Park at the intersection of

West Main Street

and

Essex Avenue

.  There is a $5.00 suggested donation for non-members for this tour which lasts approximately 2 hours.  Tour participants will receive a 15% discount coupon which can be used at many of the

Main Street

restaurants and vendors between 11:00am and 4:00PM on the day of the tour. The Museum and Gift Shop at

210 Main Street

will be open from 12 noon until 4:00pm where our new exhibit “Answering the Call”is now on view.  For more information call 973-402-8840 or boontonhistory@yahoo.com

House Tour

Our June 4 house tour was a big success. We were pleased to welcome guests from as far away as Canada and Virginia.

House Tour Tickets on Sale

1894 Company House
featured on House Tour

    2011   HOUSE TOUR

         Saturday, JUNE 4

   

      TICKETS NOW ON SALE !!

 Reserve in advance and save

         The Boonton Historical Society & Museum will sponsor a tour of eight homes from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday June 4.   The tour will feature homes whose ages span the centuries, including an 1894 Company House with original fireplaces and mantels, exposed original brickwork and ceiling beams; a former stable converted to a family residence in the early 1900’s and a Sears mail order home from the 1930’s. Also featured is the oldest home in Boonton, the Miller-Kingsland House, which dates to 1740 and has been home to only three families since that time.

Tickets: purchased in advance $20.00, or if purchased at museum on June 4, $25.00. Tour starts at the Boonton Museum at

210 Main Street

(Route 202).

      

         For Information and reservations:

                  (973) 316-0976 or e-mail

               Boontonhistory@yahoo.com

Biennial House Tour

SAVE THE DATE …IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN…

Boonton Historical Society’s
Biennial House Tour




SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011
11:30 – 4:00 p.m.

Come and see some beautifully appointed and historic homes.

If you would like your home to be considered for the tour, e-mail
us at Jennyl29@yahoo.com
Deadline is February 10.

Margot Ammann Durrer

We are sorry to report the passing of Margot Ammann Durrer on December 28. Margot was the daughter of Othmar Ammann, the man responsible for the building of the Verrazano, Manhatten and George Washington bridges, among others in New York City. Boonton residents for over 40 years, Margot attended Boonton high and in her later years was a generous supporter of the Boonton Historical Society. Margot participated in the opening ceremonies for the new Washington Avenue bridge linking Boonton with Parsippany which was named in memory of her father.

JANUARY NEWS BULLETIN

Our on-line bulletin is now available on the Boonton.org website.
Look under Community and click on Historical Society

Trusteeships at BHS

If you are interested in history and enjoy sharing your talents to benefit the community, the Boonton Historical Society needs you.  We are currently accepting applications for trusteeships in our small, but fast growing historical society.  We offer free programs of historical interest in the community as well as hold various fundraisers throughout the year.  Our museum houses a permanent exhibit as well as a rotating exhibit of historical artifacts and memorabilia from our archives.  Our museum and Gift Shop are open every Sunday from 1:00 – 4:00 pm when our volunteers welcome visitors from our local area as well as from all parts of the country.

It takes many talented people to mount our exhibits, maintain our archives, promote our museum both electronically and in print, organize fundraising efforts, solicit memberships and hold mini educational seminars for students of all ages.  We can use your help in any and all of these areas.  Contact us now to learn about the many opportunities available at the Boonton Historical Society.  It’s a chance to discover our town’s history, meet new people and utilize your particular talents to preserve and promote Boonton history for future generations.

Boontonhistory@yahoo.com