Coming Events for June & Happy Anniversary to us!

We had so much fun at our book release/anniversary party on Sunday, May 31! 

Our book Stories of Hopewell Valley, Celebrating 50 years of the Hopewell Valley Historical Society is here and we celebrated its release and our anniversary with a packed crowd of supporters last weekend! The big, beautiful book is a compilation of many of the newsletter articles published about Hopewell Valley history during the 50 years the Society has been in existence, with new content in chapter introductions written by current and former Board members. The Book Committee was led by Trustees Jack Davis, Editor, and Cheryl Jackson, Lead Designer; the book was printed by Alphagraphics in Lawrenceville. Jack and Cheryl were helped by a dedicated team of volunteers who worked for several years to complete the book. Jack noted that 49 people contributed to the book – one more makes 50 for our 50^th anniversary, he said, and that one is the whole community! 

1st VP Jim Schragger, 2d VP Bob Lawless, The Hopewell Museum Executive Director Asher Lurie, and Trustee and Librarian Extrordinaire Bonita Craft Grant chat at the party

The program began with a wonderful a cappella performance from Hopewell Valley Central High's singing group “Con Brio.” In addition to talks about the creation of the book by Jack and Cheryl, the Society presented a (very difficult!) trivia contest and HVHS President Amie Rukenstein welcomed the large crowd in attendance thanking everyone for their support of the Society and in particular the many people who donated to get the book published, which helped keep the price of the book as low as possible. We are grateful to the staff at Mercer County’s Hopewell Valley Golf Club for the lovely venue and a perfectly awesome cake. Paul Dippery at Cedar Hill Farm on Valley Road in Hopewell Township was the source for the beautiful center pieces.

HVHS trustee, noted author, and historian Larry Kidder gave the keynote address outlining what was happening in the Hopewell Valley 250 years ago in May of 1776. At that point, he said, Hopewell residents were beginning to realize war was coming. By December, British General Lord Cornwallis and his troops occupied Pennington where the residents were treated without mercy. You can hear more about that at a program planned for November by Larry and Hopewell Museum Executive Director Asher Lurie.

Coming up

• This weekend, Hopewell Borough is celebrating its 250^th anniversary!  Hopewell in the Revolution history and children's events and activities are free and open to the public - 4 to 6 pm at the Hopewell Train Station and the Old School Baptist Meetinghouse. You can read more about the activities here.

• Each year at our Annual Meeting in September, we present a variety of Hopewell Valley History Awards honoring people who have made a great contribution to local history.  Anyone can make a nomination. Nominations are due June 30. You can read more about it and find a nomination form here.

• Don’t miss Hopewell’s sneak peak of The Crossing – A Revolutionary New Musical on June 20 at the Hopewell Valley Stage. For several years, this new musical has been in development based on the experiences of ordinary people during the famous December 1776 crossing by Washington's troops. It is expected to debut at the Trenton War Memorial in December but we get a sneak peak with a concert-style performance. HVHS is very proud to be the first sponsor to get on board. Get your tickets for this exciting event here.

• Did you know that Marshall’s Corner was home to a baseball innovator?  Learn more about Wellington Titus and other New Jersey baseball connections with NY Times Editor and baseball historian Phil Coffin on June 17. You can register for it here.

• The U.S. 250th July 4th celebration is just around the corner. Keep your eye on the HVHS website for information about upcoming events!

  
  

You can also go to the website to purchase the book in either hard or soft cover. We can deliver credit card purchases within the Hopewell Valley or within 15 minutes of Washington Crossing, PA. You also can pick them up at the following locations. Cash purchases can be made at these locations as well: 

* Morehouse Engineering, 43 Railroad Place - the building at the furthest left corner of the parking lot - on Wednesdays & Saturdays 12 to 5pm

* Mercer County Library - Hopewell Branch archives room Mondays 2-6pm and Fridays 1-5pm.

* Hopewell Antiques 47 West Broad Street, Hopewell Borough (Cash purchases only)

As a 100% volunteer-run organization, we are not able to ship many books. However, please contact us at info@hopewellvalleyhistory.org if you are not local and we will try to make arrangements for you.