Updates – Hopewell Valley History Project

January 2026 Update – Trade Cards / Hopewell Elementary Centennial

31st January 202624th February 2026 by ddixon

The January 2026 updates to the History Project were focused on more late1800s Hopewell trade cards that provide new information on Hopewell businesses, and in packing up the story of the Hopewell Elementary School for this Centennial year. There were also significant additions of materials to the Image Gallery and the Pamphlet Collection. (See Site … Continue reading January 2026 Update – Trade Cards / Hopewell Elementary Centennial

Hopewell History Project – 2025 Highlights

4th January 202613th February 2026 by ddixon

by Douglas Dixon This document reports end of year highlights from the 2026 additions to the History Project site, with links to more information, plus associated documents, maps, photos, and videos. Thanks to assistance from many families and other contributors, major research projects this year included the Ferrante Dress Factory, 4 Mercer Street (Franco’s Pizza … Continue reading Hopewell History Project – 2025 Highlights

December 2025 Update – Sleigh Ride

31st December 202515th January 2026 by ddixon

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 … Continue reading December 2025 Update – Sleigh Ride

November 2025 Update – Ferrante Dress Factory

30th November 202515th January 2026 by ddixon

The November 2025 updates to the History Project were focused on the Ferrante Dress Factory, with the talk and video, presentation notes, and full History Brief report. There also was an update to the history of the Chocolate Factory building. (See Site Updates for more.) The Ferrante Dress Factory The unexpected Italianate villa that stands … Continue reading November 2025 Update – Ferrante Dress Factory

October 2025 Update – Funeral Homes and Mystery Photos

31st October 202515th January 2026 by ddixon

The October 2025 updates to the History Project included the history of Hopewell Valley funeral homes, and several mystery photos. (See Site Updates for more.) Hopewell Valley Funeral Homes The Hopewell Valley Funeral Homes report summarizes the funeral directors and funeral homes that operated in Pennington, Hopewell, and Titusville from the late 1800s into the … Continue reading October 2025 Update – Funeral Homes and Mystery Photos

September 2025 Update – Hopewell Harvest Fair and Schools History Posters

30th September 20251st December 2025 by ddixon

The September 2025 updates to the History Project focused on the history of the Hopewell Harvest Fair and the Hopewell Elementary School, including poster sets for the Hopewell schools. (See Site Updates for more.) Hopewell Harvest Fair – 2025 The Hopewell Harvest Fair – 2025 was the 37th Annual, held on Saturday, September 20, 2025 … Continue reading September 2025 Update – Hopewell Harvest Fair and Schools History Posters

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

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

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

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