Hopewell Valley History Project
Preserving Our History
What was life really like for our ancestors in Hopewell a century ago? We have some of their writings (see post on Hopewell Booklets), and we continue to do oral history interviews to capture memories – even back to the 1930s (see post on Hopewell Grammar School Kids). And now we can hear the songs … Continue reading Songs and Prayers of St. Michael’s Children
History, Presentation Video, Media, and References St. Michael’s was a major local institution that operated just outside of Hopewell Borough for three quarters of a century (1898 to 1973), to provide support and education for abandoned and neglected children. St. Michael’s was home over the years to thousands of children, over a hundred Sisters of … Continue reading St. Michael’s Orphanage
So what’s up with all these menus – I thought we were doing history here? Well, yes, the History Project is collecting and sharing materials from Hopewell’s past, but there’s also the future history to think of – preserving the history of our own time for the next generations. == View 2000s Hopewell Menus in … Continue reading History on the Menu – Future History
Here a short video of the 1984 Pennington Memorial Day parade, with glimpses through the trees from a front porch on South Main. The day was overcast and drizzly, with raincoats and umbrellas, but families and kids were out on the streets enjoying the show. The video includes the high school band marching and playing, … Continue reading 1984 Pennington Memorial Day Parade Video
by Douglas Dixon Here are some highlights of the 2023 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 for education … Continue reading Hopewell History Project – 2023 Highlights
How did the Hopewell Quarry and other late 1800s / early 1900s operations turn walls of rock into crushed stone? The first step is clear: drill holes into the rock wall, stuff in dynamite, and then blow off the front layer of the wall. But now you have a mess of boulders and big chunks … Continue reading Stone Crushing Machines
The Hopewell Quarry Swim Club, west of Hopewell Borough, was once the site of a rock quarry that operated from the 1890s to around 1920, making crushed stone for local roads. And the stone crusher equipment there did provide the name for the adjacent Crusher Road. In this profusely illustrated presentation, Doug Dixon surveys this … Continue reading Memories of the Hopewell Quarry – Video and References
The June updates to the History Project included a collection of Pennington Day booklets, the “Houses of Hopewell” by Harry McCandless, information on the Construction on the Runyon Property in Hopewell, and the Hopewell National Bank Stone Sign. (See Site Updates for more.) By the numbers, we finished the month with 300 files in the … Continue reading June 2023 Update – Pennington Day
The May updates to the History Project included a video of the 1965 Titusville July 4th celebration and a 1975 video of the bar at the Hopewell Inn, plus historic images of William Howe’s “Dixie Farm” in Pennington, and video and references for the Hopewell Inn presentation. (See Site Updates for more.) By the numbers, … Continue reading May 2023 Update – Memorial Day
This is a 1956 video of the Titusville July 4th Parade and Water Show. The Titusville July 4th Celebration started in 1945, so this was the 11th annual event. It takes place along River Drive in Titusville, and on the adjacent Delaware River. The 22-minute video starts with scenes around Titusville, including views from the … Continue reading Titusville 1956 July 4th Parade and Water Show
