Union County Historical Society Newsletter – May–June 2023, Issue No. 171

President’s Message

Dear Members,

As the Union County Historical Society moves into summer 2023, we look back on a season of engagement, scholarship, and renewed commitment to preserving Union County’s history. I want to thank everyone who attended our recent Annual Luncheon and those who continue to contribute their time, research, and enthusiasm to this organization. Your participation ensures our work remains vibrant and relevant.

Our newsletter this month features highlights from the luncheon, including remarks by our guest speaker, Dr. Maxine Lurie, recognition of this year’s student award recipients, and updates on our continuing partnership with the Cranford Historical Society at the Hanson House. We also remember long-time member and friend Bill Frolich, whose historical essays have enriched these pages for many years.

Annual Luncheon – 2023

The Annual Luncheon was held this spring with an excellent turnout. Members gathered to share fellowship and hear an engaging lecture from historian Dr. Maxine Lurie, who discussed the enduring value of local history in shaping New Jersey’s broader narrative. Her talk explored how archives, community projects, and volunteer historians safeguard stories that might otherwise be forgotten.

President Joanne Rajoppi opened the luncheon by welcoming members and introducing Dr. Lurie, whose scholarly work has deepened appreciation for the region’s colonial and revolutionary past. The event was held in partnership with the Cranford Historical Society at the historic Hanson House, which continues to serve as a hub for community programming and research.

Student Awards 2023

This year’s Student Awards recognized outstanding high-school seniors from across Union County who demonstrated excellence in history and civic engagement. Each recipient received a certificate and honorarium, presented during the luncheon by UCHS officers.

These awards reflect the Society’s ongoing mission to encourage historical study among young people and to strengthen awareness of the region’s unique contributions to New Jersey’s story. We congratulate all the winners and their families for their hard work and curiosity about the past.

Hanson House and Cranford Historical Society Updates

The Hanson House, home of the Cranford Historical Society, continues to provide space for exhibits, archives, and collaborative programming with UCHS. Recent preservation work has stabilized the property and expanded access for researchers. Members are encouraged to visit upcoming open-house events or volunteer to assist with archival cataloging and interpretation.

Bill Frolich’s Thoughts About the Last 100 Years
(A Trip to the Statue of Liberty)

It was the Fourth of July of 1927 when my parents decided to take my brother and me to see the Statue of Liberty. We left early in the morning to beat the crowds and took the ferry from the Battery in lower Manhattan. I can still remember how the statue loomed larger and larger as the boat approached the island — a green giant holding a torch that seemed to reach into the clouds.

When we disembarked, my father, always the history buff, told us that the statue was a gift from France, dedicated in 1886. He pointed out the names on the plaque at the base and read aloud the poem by Emma Lazarus — “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” It was the first time I realized that the statue stood for something more than just a monument; it was a promise, a symbol of hope to millions who came through Ellis Island.

We climbed the spiral staircase to the crown, which was a test of endurance even for a young boy. The steps seemed endless, and the air grew warmer as we climbed, but when we reached the top, the view was worth every drop of sweat. Looking out over New York Harbor, I could see the ships, the skyline, and the tiny ferries leaving trails of white foam. It felt as if the entire world was moving beneath us.

That visit stayed with me all my life. Years later, during the war, I would pass by the harbor again and see the statue from the deck of a transport ship. No matter what the world was going through, she was always there — steady, watchful, and welcoming.

Now, a hundred years later, as we mark another anniversary of our nation’s independence, I think back to that trip and what it meant. The Statue of Liberty still stands as a reminder of what America strives to be — a place of freedom, opportunity, and resilience. And while much has changed, the ideals she represents remain just as vital today as they were when I first saw her on that summer morning in 1927.

– Bill Frolich