Hopewell Valley History Project
Preserving Our History
The May 2026 updates to the History Project included images and information on local World War II Pennington Honor Rolls, and Memorial Day parades and veterans observances. (See Site Updates for more.) Where are the Pennington Honor Rolls? Following up on the previous post asking for help locating the Hopewell Valley WW II Honor Rolls, … Continue reading May 2026 Update – Pennington Honor Rolls / Memorial Day Observances
We’re coming up on Memorial Day weekend in the Hopewell Valley, featuring the Hopewell Borough and Pennington Borough parades on Sunday and Monday, respectively. The Hopewell American Legion post has again placed flags in the local cemeteries to mark the graves of military veterans. This practice goes back to the beginnings of Memorial Day, begun … Continue reading Hopewell Memorial Day 2026 – Parades and Veterans Observances
The April 2026 updates to the History Project included images and information on local World War II Honor Rolls and Service Flags, and fascinating 1914 Mercer County Farm and School Photos. (See Site Updates for more.) Hopewell Valley WW II Honor Rolls Have you seen the Hopewell Borough Honor Roll and Service Flag that were … Continue reading April 2026 Update – World War II Honor Rolls / 1914 Farm and School Photos
Have you seen the Hopewell Borough Honor Roll and Service Flag that were created during World War II to honor residents serving in the armed forces? And what about the Honor Rolls for Hopewell Township or Pennington or Washington Crossing / Titusville ? These honor rolls and service flags were commonly created by different groups … Continue reading Where are the Hopewell Valley WW II Honor Rolls?
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
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
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
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
