March Meeting

The next meeting of the Society will be on March 5, at 2 pm in the Hanson House, if the weather permits. There have been times when heavy snowfall has prevented any sort of travel.

The program for the afternoon will be by Dean Poulsen, who will present music from the time of the World War, in memory of the entry of the United States in that war in April of 1917. Some of his music will revive memories of songs once familiar to most of our older members, while the younger ones may be surprised to learn that some of today’s popular songs are about one hundred years old.

Snow At Hanson House

Once again, the work at our office in Cranford was interrupted by fallen snow at the Hanson House, shortly after the start of the new year. The storm brought down a tree branch that pulled down the wires that connected the computers to the outside world, and the heavy snowfall made access to the office difficult, forcing the office staff to remain at home. However, the work was resumed several days later.

The Great War

It is almost exactly one hundred years ago that the United States entered what is now known as World War I. Although Woodrow Wilson won re-election to a second term as “He kept us out of war,” barely a month after his inauguration he asked our congress to declare war on April 6, 1917 against the Central Powers of Europe. In the months to come there will be many recognitions of this event.

To our older members this will revive memories almost forgotten of slogans such as “The War To End All Wars” and “The War To Save The World For Democracy.” Old songs will be sung about the “Long Road to Tipperary” or “Over There.” Some may recall “Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning,” or “Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag,” although they never actually took part in that war.

Annual Dinner Meeting

The meeting of April 2 will be our annual dinner meeting, which will be held in the Garden Restaurant on Magie Avenue, near the Elizabeth borderline with Union. As all orders must be made and paid in advance, an order blank and envelope is included for your convenience.

The serving of the meal is scheduled for 2 pm, during which any necessary society business will be disposed of as briefly as possible. At the conclusion of the dinner an interesting program will be presented by our member, Joanne Rajoppi, who will tell us about a new book that she has written. We hope to see you there.

Commemorative Mugs

In January of this year we acquired a donation from Rose-Marie Sinnott of twelve commemorative items from the Bicentennial of our country back in 1976. There were several mugs, a couple of plates, and a framed post card of the architect’s drawing of the proposed tower to be added to the courthouse.

The mugs and plates bear the names of various Union County organizations such as fire companies, first aid squads, and historic sites, all celebrating anniversaries of their own and of the United States. Mrs. Sinnott had been very active in Union County during the bicentennial period and had collected these items at that time. Although she had moved to Georgia, she had taken them with her, but as she is again moving to a new home she has sent these old souvenirs home to us for us to display.

Pictures From Our Files

Shown above is a picture of the Hetfield House in its new location some time after it had been moved along Route 22 West and is resting on its new foundation. It had been an unusual sight: that of a house on Route 22 West, not just next to the road, but actually being moved along the road.

This happened around 1980 when a two hundred thirty year old house was saved from destruction by moving it to a new location off New Providence Road next to the library in Mountainside, New Jersey. Its former location was needed for a new purpose, and the town agreed to have the house moved to its new home where it is now known as the Hetfield House.

A contractor skilled in such projects was hired and the work began. Long steel I-beams were placed beneath the floor beams, supported by jacks resting on pillars of heavy timbers. Once raised and leveled, shims were driven to support the structure and maintain irregularities acquired through the years.

Three sets of rubber-tired wheels, totaling twenty-four tires, were moved under the I-beams and the house was ready to be moved. Pulled by a truck, it traveled out onto Route 22 West while traffic was diverted through Echo Lake Park. At times it overhung concrete dividers or paused while electricians dismantled overhanging street lamps.

Precisely at 10:00 o’clock, as predicted and promised, the house was moved off the highway and onto the prepared path to its new location near the library. The next day, the house was dragged into position over the area that would later hold the new foundation, raised by jacks, and supported until the foundation could be built.

Over the Back Pence

Charles Shallcross and Bill Frolich recently were among the judges of an American Legion contest on the United States Constitution. Perhaps they learned something.

Joanne Rajoppi donated a number of posters about the centennial of the Union County Courthouse. They are available from our office in the Hanson House.