The Forgotten History of the Hopewell Inn

“Times Square” at Gebhart’s Hotel – 1932 Lindbergh press [JCD]

The Hopewell Inn presentation is coming this Wednesday, May 3, at 7 pm.

Discover the forgotten history of the people who reimagined, repurposed, and reinvigorated the property to allow it to continue as a central part of Hopewell life for almost 150 years.

And take a visual tour of the building as we knew it – including the upstairs rooms, cellar, and foundations – to uncover clues to how the building was reworked over the years.

We also will have some artifacts from the Inn that were preserved at the Hopewell Museum.

The Story of the Hopewell Inn – and the People Who Sustained It

Douglas Dixon, Hopewell Valley History Project

Wed., May 3, 2023, 7 pm – Free and open to the public
– Attend in person – at the Hopewell Theater, 5 S. Greenwood Ave., Hopewell, NJ
– Or join online via Zoom – Click to Register Only for the Zoom Presentation

Hopewell Public Library Speaker Series
Co-sponsored by the Hopewell Valley Historical Society and The Hopewell Museum

Old and New Foundations – Construction Begins

Meanwhile, work on the new building has started with digging for the foundations. The construction is projected to take around 15 months.

New signage as work begins digging the new foundations (4/2023)

Old stone foundations – with newer block for cellar steps (7/2022)

Explore the old building foundations as revealed during the demolition in July 2022. Drone photos and video courtesy of Steve Webb.

Drone aerial of foundations from Steve Webb

For more about the almost 150 year history of the Hopewell Inn – the people and the building – attend the upcoming talk on “The Story of the Hopewell Inn – and the People Who Sustained It,” this Wednesday, May 3 at 7 pm. You can come in person to the Hopewell Theater, or join online via Zoom.

Click for full information and Zoom registration.

We welcome additional information, photos, and materials on the history of the Hopewell Inn, and on buildings in the Hopewell Valley in general.

More on the Hopewell Inn – 15 East Broad

The Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn building at 15 East Broad Street on the corner of Seminary Avenue was demolished in July 2022. Long known as the Central Hotel, the building had a nearly 150 year history as a residential home and store, bar and restaurant, and lodging and apartments.

Hopewell Inn History