Historic Happenings Blog

Monday, October 14 – Morris County      Madison Historical Society presents  Dr. Herman Huber  (pictured)  speaking on “Lt. Samuel S. Coursen, Madison’s Medal of Honor Recipient”  on October 14, 2019 (a Monday evening) in the Chase Room of the Madison Public Library. The talk will be followed by a demonstration of the Library’s “Madison Eagle Archive” by David Luber.      Dr. Huber was raised in Philadelphia and attended Temple University. He then attended graduate school in Clinical Psychology at Rutgers University in New Brunswick where he earned a PhD. He had a private practice for many years, and also worked for the Social Security Administration reviewing disability claims.  He was an adjunct assistant professor at Drew University and later at the College of Saint Elizabeth was professor and chair of the psychology department. He is the author of a number of children’s books. Herm now enjoys h...

Tuesday, September 17 -- Morris County The Madison Historical Society presents Rob Dunne, who will speak about the  history of the Madison Fire Department at 7:00 p.m. in the Chase Room , Madison Public Library on Keep Street. About Rob Dunne    Rob Dunne joined FD in 1994 (as a volunteer fireman), hired (as a full-time professional) in 2008. The project started in 2015 with scanning photos. Photos include 15,000+ photos and slides scanned and cataloged . The research includes a membership database of over 350 people, an obituary collection of over 350 along with grave photos, 5 binders of newspaper articles, 20 digitized vintage film files. Book began writhing in September 2016 and is currently 250 pages. The book contains member profiles and photos since 1881, apparatus, Chiefs, firehouses, fires, anniversaries and history of the fire department.

Madison's Contribution to World War 1 Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM Madison Public Library 39 Keep St, Madison, New Jersey 07940 Join the Madison NJ Historical Society at the Chase Room at the Madison Public Library for an intererting lecture by historian, Jim Malcolm. Hear the stories behind some of the 300+ names on Madison's WWI monument. Learn about the activities on the Home Front and on the front lines to support the war effort. Uncover the role of immigrants, Four Minute Men, Hello Girls, and Peach Pits in winning the war

Tuesday, April 16 – Morris County     On April 16, Linda Barth will speak on “New Jersey Originals: Technology Marvels, Odd Inventions, Trailblazing Characters & More,” which is also the title of her new book.  Always a popular speaker, this will be a return visit to the Madison Historical Society for Linda.         What makes New Jersey so special? In addition to culture, wonderful suburban towns, a high standard of living, strong public schools, a mild climate, mountains, and beaches, we must add one more:  innovation . In addition to the creations of Bell Labs and Thomas Edison, New Jersey has innovators and inventors galore.     Before and during World War II, the soldiers at Fort Monmouth and Camp Evans  produced many innovations—including radar and night vision goggles—that helped the United States win the war. Cook College at Rutgers has produced important, often disease-resistant, vegetables...

Tuesday, March 19 – Morris County TALK ON NEW JERSEYS COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE “New Jersey’s Colonial Architecture Told In 100 Buildings”  7:00 pm, The Chase Room, Madison Public Library, Keep Street, Madison      New Jersey’s Colonial Architecture Told in 100 Buildings,  David Veasey’s latest book, (and talk) discusses the  substantial number of buildings remaining from our colonial past, including the Royal Governor’s Mansion in Perth Amboy, the still functioning Black Horse Inn in Mendham, the meetinghouse style Fairfield Presbyterian Church in Salem County, to Nassau Hall on the grounds of Princeton University, to Washington’s Headquarters in Morristown, to the Sandy Hook, Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in the country.  Buildings from every county in the state are included.     Sandwiched between Philadelphia and New York City, Benjamin Franklin’s proverbial barrel tapped at both ends, New Jersey often doesn’t get due ...