Hopewell Valley History Project
Preserving Our History
For another glimpse of long-gone school days, this is the April 1941 issue of the Hopewell Elementary School student paper, The Keyhole, kindly shared by the Kolbert family (see earlier post). It is fourteen typewritten pages with illustrations by Eleanora McAlinden, including news for what each grade was doing, personal updates on some of the … Continue reading 1941 Hopewell Elementary School Newspaper
We are lucky in the Hopewell Valley to have a good selection of postcards that show historical scenes around the area. Here are three examples of newly-discovered postcards that provide even better views into some of these scenes. Many of our local historical postcards were sold through the town drug stores, including cards identified as … Continue reading New Old Views: Hart Monument, Ralston Castle, National Bank
The June 2025 updates to the History Project included a new photo of the 1937-38 Hopewell Fire Department Rainbow Carnival, an amazing baby book from 1916, and additional railroad timetables. (See Site Updates for more.) Hopewell Fire Dept. Rainbow Carnival – 1937-38 Before the Hopewell Harvest Fair (since 1987), there was Community Day (1970s-80s), the … Continue reading June 2025 Update – Fire Dept Carnival & Baby Book
Before the Hopewell Harvest Fair (since 1987), there was Community Day (1970s-80s), the American Legion Carnival (1960s-70s), and the Hopewell Fire Department Carnival that ran from 1911 to 1953. And now, thanks to Joan Bratsko, we have a second image of the Fire Department Carnivals in the late 1930s: the previous image of the 1939 … Continue reading Hopewell Fire Dept. Rainbow Carnival – 1937-38
This is a Hopewell baby book from 1916, kindly shared by Hope Sudlow, that records the birth of Hope’s mother, Lou Etta Laning, on May 27, 1916. This charming book is written as a love letter from the mother, also Lou Etta [Thatcher] Laning (1888-1968), addressed directly to her new baby daughter, who had the … Continue reading Lou Etta Laning Baby Book from 1916
The May 2025 updates to the History Project included the story of World War II bomber construction at Trenton / Mercer Airport, a comparison of Hopewell high school curriculums from the 1960s and 1970, and local Memorial Day events. There also are fun videos of local trains and past booklets on the Hopewell Valley, government, … Continue reading May 2025 Update – WW II Bombers At Mercer Airport
As the United States geared up to enter World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, businesses were ordered to end non-essential production, and therefore began to search for new contracts to contribute to the war effort. In Hopewell, for example, the H. A. Smith Machine Company (later Rockwell) manufactured … Continue reading Building World War II Avenger Torpedo Bombers at Mercer Airport
We’re coming up on Memorial Day weekend, featuring the Hopewell Borough and Pennington parades on Sunday and Monday, respectively. As it does each year, the Hopewell American Legion post has been placing flags in the local cemeteries to mark the graves of military veterans. This practice goes back to the beginnings of Memorial Day, begun … Continue reading Hopewell Memorial Day 2025 – Flags, Parades, and Veterans Observances
These two Curriculum booklets describe the subjects and courses available to students at Central High School in Pennington – first in 1962, and then more than a decade later in 1976. There were dramatic changes from the early 60’s to the mid 70’s. Both booklets list both college preparatory and vocational tracks, but with significant … Continue reading Central High School Curriculum: 1962 & 1976
The April 2025 updates to the History Project included extensive detail on the contract and specification for the construction of a Hopewell house in 1938, and more information on Central High School in the 1930s in the form of over 10 photos of students in business classes. (See Site Updates for more.) Hopewell House Construction … Continue reading April 2025 Update – 1998 House Construction & 1960s High School Photos
