Books about Hopewell Valley
There are several good books about Hopewell Valley available. Most of them can be reviewed at area libraries or at the Hopewell Museum. Some are even available as a pdf online. Amazon, Abe Books, and other used book sellers can also be good sources for obtaining books at a reasonable price. These are most important but we will continue to add to this list as time permits.
hopewell: a historical geography
by richard hunter & Richard Porter
Published in 2002 by Hopewell Township, this is the seminal resource for general knowledge about the history of Hopewell Valley. You can buy it online, but please go to the Township Clerk's office and get it there if you want to buy it. Copies are also available in area libraries and the Museum.
Pennington Profile
by Margaret O'Connell
Margaret O'Connell was a lifelong resident of Pennington. She worked as both a teacher and a principal, including teaching English and history at Hopewell Township Central High School. She published Pennington Profile in 1966 and it has inspired generations of readers. You can watch a program about Ms. O'Connell by clicking the left button and you can read the book online at HV History by clicking the right button.
Books by larry kidder
A former teacher, a speaker, and a prolific writer, Mr. Kidder is author of numerous books about Hopewell, particularly Pleasant Valley during colonial times. Some of particular interest to Hopewell residents include
"The Pleasant Valley School Story"
"A People Harassed and Exhausted" (story of Hopewellians during the Revolutionary War)
and "Crossroads of the Revolution".
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Hopewell Valley Heritage
by Alice blackwell lewis
Not long after Ms. O'Connell published her book about Pennington, the Hopewell Museum published this book by Alice Blackwell Lewis. It covers the Valley more generally regaling readers with family stories from a bygone era.