Union County Historical Society Newsletter – March–April 2023, Issue No. 170

President’s Message

Dear Members,

As the Union County Historical Society enters the spring of 2023, we continue to look forward to an exciting year of programs, lectures, and preservation projects. We remain grateful for the dedication of our members and the support of the broader community as we work to keep Union County’s history alive.

This issue includes coverage of our recent meeting with Dr. Lurie, an enlightening lecture by Dr. Michelle Rotunda, and a feature on the Marconi Wireless Building in Roselle Park—one of New Jersey’s most significant sites in broadcasting history. Additional photographs from our archives round out the March–April edition.

Dr. Lurie opened the session with a presentation on early educational initiatives in New Jersey and their impact on civic life across Union County. The lecture traced the evolution of community learning and cultural development from colonial times through the early twentieth century.

Following Dr. Lurie’s remarks, Dr. Michelle Rotunda delivered a fascinating lecture examining Union County’s architectural and social transformation. Her talk highlighted how immigration, industry, and preservation efforts reshaped neighborhoods throughout Elizabeth and nearby towns.

In recognition of the Marconi Wireless Building in Roselle Park, members reflected on its role as a birthplace of commercial radio. Constructed in the early 1910s, the facility later became home to RCA’s station WDY, one of the first radio broadcasting studios in the United States.

UCHS members also shared photographs from recent outings and newly catalogued images within our archives, including several views of historic Elizabeth landmarks and cultural sites preserved by local volunteers.

Thank you to all who continue to support the Union County Historical Society through membership, research, and volunteerism. Your involvement ensures that Union County’s stories—its people, buildings, and innovations—remain accessible for generations to come.

Joanne Rajoppi
President