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

Explore the forgotten history of the Hopewell Inn, and the people and families who nurtured and reinvigorated it over its almost 150 year history as a part of the town of Hopewell. Douglas Dixon, Hopewell Valley History Project Wed., May 3, 2023, 7 pm – Free and open to the public – Attend in person … Continue reading Talk: The Story of the Hopewell Inn – and the People Who Sustained It

Hopewell History Project – 2022 Highlights

by Douglas Dixon Here are some of the highlights of the 2022 additions to the History Project site, with links to more information, plus associated documents, maps, photos, and videos. The purpose of the Hopewell Valley History Project is assemble an archive of reference material in local history, shared online in digital and searchable formats … Continue reading Hopewell History Project – 2022 Highlights

November 2022 Update -Hopewell Inn Tours

The November updates to the History Project featured over 150 images, panoramas, and videos of the Hopewell Inn, plus stereo imagery, the Pennington Sesquibicentennial (250th) Booklet, and videos and references for the Hoproco presentation. (See Site Updates for more.) By the numbers, we finished the month with 287 files in the Archives, including 140 documents … Continue reading November 2022 Update -Hopewell Inn Tours

Hopewell with the Arrival of the Railroad – Video and References

The arrival of railroad service in the 1870s along the foothills of the Sourlands helped drive the development of Hopewell into the town that we know today. See below for the presentation video and slides, and references from the Life in 1900s Hopewell With the Arrival of the Railroad presentation by Douglas Dixon, held on … Continue reading Hopewell with the Arrival of the Railroad – Video and References

Hoproco Toy Company – Video and References

Hoproco, the Hopewell Products Company, operated from 1923 to 1929 on Burton Avenue in Hopewell, manufacturing metal and wooden mechanical toys and novelties. This presentation and references explore the history of Hoproco, its factory building, and the five known toys that the company created that are still prized by collectors today. See below for the … Continue reading Hoproco Toy Company – Video and References

Hopewell Toys of the 1920s

Hopewell was the home of the Hoproco toy company in the 1920s, which manufactured a variety of metal toys that are still popular with collectors. But what were toys like in the 1920s? And how did the Hoproco products fit into the market? We can get a sense of this by looking at the toys, … Continue reading Hopewell Toys of the 1920s

When The Railroad Came to Hopewell

Tomatoes and milk, chocolates and lumber – just some of the products that helped Hopewell grow after the arrival of the railroads in the 1870s. This Thursday, October 27, Doug Dixon will present Life in 1900s Hopewell with the Arrival of the Railroad, exploring how the arrival of the railroad drove the development of Hopewell … Continue reading When The Railroad Came to Hopewell

Hopewell Valley Railroad Artifacts

Here are some amazing artifacts of the early railroad service in the Hopewell Valley, courtesy of Rich Anderson and family. And they raise interesting questions … The first railroad to arrive in the area was the Mercer and Somerset (M&S), which started service in 1874 as part of the Pennsylvania Railroad system. The Delaware and … Continue reading Hopewell Valley Railroad Artifacts

Now Boarding: Life in 1900s Hopewell With the Arrival of the Railroad  

Presented by Douglas Dixon, Hopewell Valley History Project Thurs., Oct. 27, 2022 – 7 pm Hopewell Train Station, Railroad Place, Hopewell, NJ Sourland Conservancy Train Station Series Advance registration is required as space is limited – Click Here Join Doug Dixon of the Hopewell Valley History Project to explore how the arrival of train service … Continue reading Now Boarding: Life in 1900s Hopewell With the Arrival of the Railroad  

Hoproco – Hopewell’s 1920s Toy Company – Talk & Exhibits

Douglas Dixon, Hopewell Valley History Project Hopewell Public Library “Wednesday Night Out” Series Co-sponsored by the Hopewell Valley Historical Society and The Hopewell Museum Wed., Nov. 2, 2022 – 6:45 pm Exhibits, 7 pm Presentation Attend in person at The Hopewell Theater, 5 South Greenwood Ave., Hopewell, NJ Or join online via Zoom – Click … Continue reading Hoproco – Hopewell’s 1920s Toy Company – Talk & Exhibits