The December 2025 updates to the History Project were focused on the Pete Hurley story with polio, and on sleigh races in 1894 Hopewell. There also were several updates of new briefs. (See Site Updates for more.)
Pete Hurley Mouth Paintings
Pete Hurley was a Hopewell resident who contracted polio in 1952 and was paralyzed below his neck. The community of Hopewell responded deeply to help support the family, and Pete was able to accommodate amazingly to his situation, including creating paintings done using a mouthstick. See the link for more on the Pete Hurley story, and his paintings.
== Read the full Pete Hurley Hopewell History Brief (PDF) ==
Sleigh Races in Snowy Hopewell – 1894
In the midst of a long, cold, dark, snowy winter, the people of Hopewell held four days of sleigh races along Broad Street, with participants including prominent local doctors, barbers, and farmers.
The excitement culminated on New Year’s Day with a judged event enjoyed by “fully 600 spectators many of which were ladies.”
== Full Newspaper Article: Broad Street Sleigh Races in Snowy Hopewell (1894) (PDF) ==
History Briefs
The month also saw the publication of several new Hopewell History Brief research reports wrapping up ongoing topics, including Summary Briefs with key dates, events, and people:
- 11 Hopewell History Brief Property Summaries: Hopewell Presbyterian around East Broad & Louellen, Hopewell Public Schools, Hopewell Public Library
– List of 11 Hopewell History Brief Property Summaries
== Browse the Full list of Hopewell History Brief Reports ==
Please contact us if you have – or know of – other images and materials that we can share to help illuminate the history of our Hopewell Valley.
