Hopewell Valley History Project
Preserving Our History
We know the stories of some of our historical buildings – but who actually designed and built them, and to what specifications? Who designed and built St. Michael’s Orphanage and its additions, or the school buildings on South Main in Pennington, or other town halls and residences, schools and churches, banks and theaters? It turns … Continue reading Builders’ Guide to Hopewell Valley Construction Projects – 1888-1940
We’re coming up on Memorial Day weekend, featuring the Hopewell Borough and Pennington parades on Sunday and Monday, respectively. As it does each year, the Hopewell American Legion post has been placing 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 2025 – Flags, Parades, and Veterans Observances
These two Curriculum booklets describe the subjects and courses available to students at Central High School in Pennington – first in 1962, and then more than a decade later in 1976. There were dramatic changes from the early 60’s to the mid 70’s. Both booklets list both college preparatory and vocational tracks, but with significant … Continue reading Central High School Curriculum: 1962 & 1976
These amazing photos from the second half of the 1960s show classrooms at Hopewell Central High School – providing a view of that time and place – the teachers and students, the classroom setup and equipment, and the information being taught. These photos show two classrooms for business classes taught by Edith Kostron: a typing … Continue reading Business Classes at Central High School, c. 1966
What was high school like a half-century ago? We have some ideas from class photos and yearbooks, and some glimpses of school life from reports of class trips and the like. But what about daily school life? Now we have a better and more complete answer. As part of the education major in the 1960s … Continue reading Central High School 1962 Practicum Report
This 1961-62 Student Handbook for the Central High School has several very different collections of information that students need to know. The Handbook starts with an extensive discussion of school Rules and Regulations, both for normal operations and for exceptions and problems. This is followed by descriptions of the 40-some school Clubs and Activities. Near … Continue reading Central High School 1961 Student Handbook
Why does a 1900 Hopewell National Bank check have what looks like a postage stamp on it, and why is it cut through in the middle? These checks from 1886 and 1900 help us take a look into banking in this area around the turn of the century. The two 1886 checks are drawn on … Continue reading 1900s Hopewell Bank Checks
This fun photo is annotated as “Mrs. Scharringhausen & Miss Scott, my 7th & 8th grade teachers.” The note was written by Edna B. Moore, who graduated from the Hopewell Grammar School on Model Avenue in 1923 (after 8th grade), and the Hopewell High School (in Pennington) in 1927. Mrs. Scharring-Hausen (as usually spelled) and … Continue reading 1920s Hopewell Teachers – Scott & Scharring-Hausen
How soon they grow up! Here are three photos of the Hopewell Elementary School class of 1956, kindly shared by Rich Anderson. The photos also are annotated with the names of many of the students. The final photo is the 8th grade graduation, and the two earlier photos probably are the Kindergarten and 2nd grade … Continue reading Hopewell Elementary School Class of 1956
by Douglas Dixon Here are some highlights of the 2024 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, freely shared online in digital and searchable formats for … Continue reading Hopewell History Project – 2024 Highlights
