Hopewell Valley History Project
Preserving Our History
The people of Hopewell Borough must have been going stir crazy by the last weekend of 1894, slogging through the long, cold, dark, snowy winter. And then came another “combination snow, rain and hail storm” on Thursday morning. But the “storm-king spent his fury,” and the Hopewell Herald newspaper gleefully reported that by the afternoon … Continue reading Sleigh Races in Snowy Hopewell – 1894
These paintings were done using a mouthstick by Pete Hurley, a Hopewell resident who contracted polio in 1952, and was paralyzed below his neck, losing the use of his arms and legs. The community of Hopewell responded deeply, volunteering and raising money to help support the family – wife Betty and three young children – … Continue reading Pete Hurley Mouth Paintings
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
Why does this Italianate villa stand alone in a field on Wertsville Road in the Sourland Mountains above Hopewell Borough? This house was built by the Ferrante family, who immigrated from Italy in 1914, set up garment businesses in the Bronx, and came to Hopewell in 1934. They started operations at 65 East Broad Street … Continue reading The Ferrante Dress Factory
An Italianate villa stands alone in a field in the Sourland Mountains above Hopewell Borough. This was the home of the The Ferrante family, who immigrated from Italy in 1914 and set up in the garment business in the Bronx. They came to Hopewell in 1934, built this house, and a since-demolished factory behind for … Continue reading Ferrante Dress Factory – Presentation Video and References
Investigating The Hopewell Dress FactoryPresented by Douglas Dixon, Wednesday, November 5, 2005 – Talk References – Ferrante Dress Factory Presentation Video and Slides– Full History Brief – Ferrante Dress Factory History Brief (PDF)– View Talk Video – Ferrante Dress Factory Presentation Video (YouTube) Why is this Italianate villa standing alone in a field in the … Continue reading Talk: Investigating The Hopewell Dress Factory
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
Here are three “mystery” photos – We know generally what they are but not specifics of the dates or people or the event that the photo is depicting. These include a Hopewell Baseball team, probably from the 1940s, a group photo at the Hopewell Fire Department, perhaps 1940s, and the Hopewell Fire Department Carnival, also … Continue reading Mystery Photos – Baseball, Fire, Carnival
Undertakers and funeral homes may not be an exciting topic, but historically they were deeply intertwined in daily lives of the people of Hopewell Valley. We seek closure from death, from a gathering of family, friends, and the community to morn, remember, memorialize, and even celebrate the life of the departed. And we need help … Continue reading Hopewell Valley Funeral Homes
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
