Images – Page 3 – Hopewell Valley History Project

August 2025 Update – Builders’ Guide and School Centennials

31st August 20251st December 2025 by ddixon

The August 2025 updates to the History Project included the Builders’ Guide to Hopewell Valley Construction Projects, the Toll Gate and Hopewell Elementary School Centennials, an odd Rorer Funeral Football Ladle, and additional material, especially for area schools. (See Site Updates for more.) Builders’ Guide to Hopewell Valley Construction Projects The Builders’ Guide to Hopewell … Continue reading August 2025 Update – Builders’ Guide and School Centennials

Rorer Funeral Football Ladle

17th August 202517th August 2025 by ddixon

So what the heck is this ladle – and why was it created? This wooden-handled ladle has a football-shaped bowl, with spouts on both sides – for ambidextrous pouring? And it’s labelled for “F. C. W. Rorer / Funeral Service” – so this cooking tool was a promotional product for Rorer’s funeral home? Rorer’s Funeral … Continue reading Rorer Funeral Football Ladle

Toll Gate and Hopewell Elementary School Centennials

3rd August 20253rd August 2025 by ddixon

We are coming up on the 100th anniversaries for two of our local schools next year – Toll Gate Grammar School and Hopewell Elementary School. Groups at both schools are making plans, so if you have ideas and historic materials to share, please do get in touch. As a start towards celebrating the centennial of … Continue reading Toll Gate and Hopewell Elementary School Centennials

July 2025 Update – New Old Views & 1941 School Newspaper

31st July 202510th August 2025 by ddixon

The July 2025 updates to the History Project included a new postcard views of Hopewell sights, a 1941 Hopewell Elementary School newspaper, and additional Hopewell photographs. (See Site Updates for more.) New Old Views: Hart Monument, Ralston Castle, National Bank A newly-discovered collection of historical postcards provides better views into some of familiar Hopewell Borough … Continue reading July 2025 Update – New Old Views & 1941 School Newspaper

New Old Views: Hart Monument, Ralston Castle, National Bank

5th July 20255th July 2025 by ddixon

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

June 2025 Update – Fire Dept Carnival & Baby Book

30th June 202510th August 2025 by ddixon

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

Hopewell Fire Dept. Rainbow Carnival – 1937-38

23rd June 202523rd June 2025 by ddixon

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

Lou Etta Laning Baby Book from 1916

7th June 20257th June 2025 by ddixon

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

May 2025 Update – WW II Bombers At Mercer Airport

1st June 202511th June 2025 by ddixon

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

Central High School Curriculum: 1962 & 1976

5th May 20255th May 2025 by ddixon

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