Historic Happenings Blog

The Franklin Park Tragedy (The History Press August 19, 2019) tells the story of how on March 1, 1894, two African American men broke into a home in rural Franklin Park and murdered a white woman and her daughter before her husband fought and killed the attackers. The newspapers called it the 'Franklin Park Tragedy,' and the story attracted public attention nationally and abroad. Another tragedy came afterward, with the racist forced expulsion of m any local African American residents. Author Brian Armstrong tells the shocking story of this 'sundown town' and how it evolved into today’s diverse community. Brian Armstrong is a New Jersey historian, researcher, and author. He received a bachelor's degree in history and political science from American University. He was the president of the South River Historical and Preservation Society for ten years and is now the vice president of the League of Historical Societies (Central Region). He is co-author of South River...

Book signing at Six Mile Run Reformed Church (3037 State Route 27, Franklin Park, NJ 08823) on Saturday, September 14 at 2 pm. The church played an important part in the events discussed in the Franklin Park Tragedy book including the funeral for the murdered mother and child. On March 1, 1894, two African American men broke into a home in rural Franklin Park and murdered a white woman and her daughter before her husband fought and killed the attackers. The newspapers called it the “Franklin Park Tragedy,” and the story captivated public attention nationally and abroad. Another tragedy came afterward, with the racist forced expulsion of many local African American residents.      Author Brian Armstrong, Vice-President, Central Region, of the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey and former President of the South River Historical and Preservation Society, will tell the shocking story of this “sundown town” and how it evolved into the diverse comm...

Tuesday, September 10 – Morris County       The Franklin Park Tragedy , Tuesday, September 10 th  at 7:00 p.m. in the Lower Level Meeting Room of the Morristown and Morris Township Library.      On March 1, 1894, two African American men broke into a home in rural Franklin Park and murdered a white woman and her daughter before her husband fought and killed the attackers. The newspapers called it the “Franklin Park Tragedy,” and the story captivated public attention nationally and abroad. Another tragedy came afterward, with the racist forced expulsion of many local African American residents.      Author Brian Armstrong, Vice-President, Central Region, of the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey and former President of the South River Historical and Preservation Society, will tell the shocking story of this “sundown town” and how it evolved into the diverse community that exists today.  ...