Kingston Historical Society Annual Meeting Tuesday November 12th at7:30 PM, to feature presentation by D&R Canal Commission Executive Director
John Hutchison, Executive Director of the Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission will present an illustrated program on the Commission. He will describe its role in preserving the Canal and its corridor and the process of a new master plan. The MasterPlan was last updated in 1989. As part of that process, the Canal is being documented by drone. A new video taken by drone,“Taking Flight on the D&R Canal: Raven Rock to Prallsville Mills” will be shown.
2024 is the 50th Anniversary of both the D&R Canal State Park and The D&R Canal Commission. Both the Park and the Commission were established by the D&R Canal State Park Law of 1974. The Park is the second most used State Park in New Jersey. Many are familiar with the Park. People are less familiar with the Commission and its mission to “prepare, adopt, and implement a master plan for the physical development of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, review State and local actions that impact on the park to insure that these actions conform as nearly as possible to the Commission’s master plan, and coordinate and support activities by citizens’ groups to promote and preserve the Park.” The Commission’s regulations and continuing actions are essential in preserving not just a historic canal and a park, but a unique corridor of natural, historic and recreational resources in the center of the most densely populated state in the nation.
John Hutchison was appointed the fourth Executive Director of the Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission in 2017. He advises the Commission on its actions and serves as the chief administrative officer of the Commission. He is assisted by and oversees the operations of a professional staff of administrative and engineering personnel from the Commission’s office at the historic Prallsville Mills complex in Stockton, New Jersey. Prior to his appointment, he served as a Senior Policy Advisor to the Commissioner of Environmental Protection.
The meeting will be “hybrid” – attend in person or virtually:
In-person at the Kingston Firehouse 8 Heathcote Brook Road, Kingston 08528 Directions at:www.khsnj.org/talk
Light refreshments will be served
Virtually by Zoom by registering atwww.khsnj.org/talk The event is free and open to the public – All are Welcome
The October 19,2024 walk along the D&R Canal was a big success!
The weather was perfect for walking, and we had a good crowd gathered. They heard about the event in US1, Princeton Online, South Brunswick Patch and by word of mouth. Fall foliage was neary at its peak.
The “Walk the Lock” event began in the Locktender’s house with Robert von Zumbusch and George Luck demonstrating our models of the Lock and the A-frame bridge.
Then Charlie Dieterich described the A-frame bridge, which carried the Lincoln Highway through Kingston. He took the group across the “new” bridge that replaced the Swing bridge over the canal and upstream to the canal’s turning basin and the Carnegie Lake dam.
Doug made a short video of some still images and George reading from a 1918 newspaper article concerning the bridge at Kingston. During the First World War the canal was guarded by New Jersey national guardsmen, as it was a military asset.
The story of the suspected spy was discovered by Markus McParland while researching his BOOK.
It all seems unreal (like the music)!
George explains the Battle of Kingston Lock, WWI…
Thanks to Sharon Hansen, there were refreshments too!
The Kingston Historical Society will host an easy stroll focusing on historic structures of the Delaware and Raritan Canal in the Kingston area. Come see the history and learn how the canal worked. Led by Robert von Zumbusch, president of the Kingston Historical Society and Charlie Dieterich, Society secretary and archivist, the mile-long journey will begin and end at the Kingston Locktender’s House, just off Route 27 at the foot of the Kingston hill, near 4492 Route 27, Princeton. Participants will walk on the D & R Canal towpath and other paths that may be muddy, so appropriate footwear is advised. There will also be an opportunity to see the canal exhibits and a demonstration of models of the lock and original A-Frame bridge in the Locktender’s House. The event is free and open to all. Children should be carefully supervised near the canal and its structures. Parking is available in the State Park lots, along the road, and also across Route 27 in the Flemer Preserve. Light refreshments will be served.
On Sunday, September 15th, the Delaware and Raritan canal was bustling with activity as canal-related groups created a “Canal House Challenge” This was part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the D&R Canal State Park and D&R Canal Commission.
Displays and Refreshments in the North Room (Kristina Hill photo)
D & R Canal Watch was the organizing group, while The friends groups opened five bridgetender and locktender homes: East Millstone, Blackwells Mills, Griggstown, Kingston, and Port Mercer were opened for tours.
Robert von Zumbusch explains Canal Lock Operations (Kristina Hill photo)
Visitors wishing to participate in the challenge received a “Passport” to be stamped at each house. Those who visited all five received a small prize.
D and R Canal Watch “Passport” cover
Five members of the Kingston Historical Society greeted visitors (with and without Passports) and explained the displays and our canal study models. Shown below are Robert von Zumbusch and Charlie Dieterich demonstrating the Kingston Lock and Swing Bridge models.
Passport interior. Stamps indicate canal house visits completed.
Some visitors were heading north (downstream) from Port Mercer in Lawrence Township (opened by the Lawrence Historical Society) going to East Millstone. Others started in Kingston or traveled upstream from East Millstone to Port Mercer.
A boat exits the lower lock (Kristina Hill photo)
Over forty groups came through to see the displays. Thanks to all who prepared the Locktender’s House for the open house and those who made cookies (not shown)!
Charlie Dieterich supervises visiting (model) boatmen. A model of the early D&R Canal Swing Bridges is in the foreground (Kristina Hill photo)
A new display celebrating the Canal Commission and the State Park has been added to our center room. Come by on Saturday or Sunday to see it and all the displays at the Kingston Locktender’s House.
The Kingston Historical Society celebrated the centennial of the Kingston Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 with Chief George Luck Jr. (retired) speaking at the firehouse and via Zoom.
A video of the May 14, 2024 presentation, with a description of the program, is now available HERE
Our streaming video file is hosted on Archive.org, a non-profit repository for community videos. Consider donating a few dollars to them!
The KHSNJ on-line archive (archive.khsnj.org) also has items related to the 100th anniversary, view that collection HERE
A new display “100 Years of Volunteers-The Kingston Volunteer Fire Co.” is now up in the Lock-Tender’s House. On the left the display shows a section from the 1924 KVFC Certificate of Incorporation. The rest of the display is divided into the three “objects for which the corporation is formed:”
…to Reduce the Fire Hazard in the Vicinity of Kingston,
…to Promote Good Fellowship Among its Members,
…to Forward the General Welfare of the Community.
Viewing the Display in the Lock-Tender’s House
The display is in support of the KHS spring talk “100 Years of the Kingston Volunteer Fire Company” A talk by George Luck Jr. to be held at the Kingston Fire House on May 14th at 7:30 PM
For more information on the May 14th talk, go to the registration page HERE
To view the display, visit the Kingston Lock on the Delaware and Raritan Canal on weekends between 10 AM and 5 PM.
This Display celebrates the members of the Kingston Volunteer Fire Company No. 1. May the images on display here remind us of the foresight of those who formed the Fire Company one hundred years ago, and all who have kept our village safe.
Newspaper articles and photographs are from the archives of the Kingston Volunteer Fire Company and the Kingston Historical Society, selected and arranged by Charlie Dieterich and George Luck, Jr. Assembled by the KHS Archivists. May, 2024
April 6 and 7, 2024 was opening weekend for displays at the Kingston Lock-Tender’s House. Several dozen folks came through our expanded display space — from local historians to joggers taking a break from their canal run.
Society president, Robert von Zumbusch demonstrated how the Kingston canal lock worked and how the swing bridge, just downstream of the lock, could be swung away from the canal to allow boats to travel through. Both the lock and swing bridge have been removed from the D&R canal.
Charlie Dieterich and Peter Shell, who assembled the new display “Kingston’s Lock: History Preserved” stand in front of the large panel.
In addition to the new display, two continuing displays drew attention. One concentrated on Inns and Taverns of Kingston and the other on Main Street Kingston.
This weekend was also the first chance for visitors to see the North Room, the Lock-Tender’s living room. Recently renovated, it includes a few items including a large desk built in Kingston by Mr. Moor, who later became the Lock-Tender.
The Lock-Tender’s House will be open weekends from 10-5 until the end of October, and 10-4 in November, 2024.
The weather cleared just in time for our community tree lighting, Sunday December 3rd, 2023. The crowd was not as large as other years, but the Kingston Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 came to provide lights, and the Kingston Women’s Chorus came to provide a joyous sing-along.
Photo by Charlie Dieterich
Photo by Charlie Dieterich
The Kingston Women’s Chorus sang seasonal favorites and reminded us that they have a concert on December 10th at the Kingston United Methodist Church. See OUR EVENTS LIST
Before the event the Kingston Historical Society opened the history room in the Kingston Locktender’s House for one last view of the 2023 displays. The Locktender’s House is now closed until April, 2024. The windows of the house were decorated by Karen Linder and Anne Zeman, with evergreen arrangements made at the December 2nd Wreath and Garland Making Workshop put on by the Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands. fpnl.org
Photo by Glen McParland
The Historical Society provided cookies and hot chocolate, the assembled crowd provided magical power to light the tree for the holiday season.
Photo by Glen McParland
Trustees Sharon Hansen and George Luck, Jr. were in charge of food and setup. Deputy Chief Robert Weissman led the Fire Company’s lighting detail
Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023: Annual Thanksgiving Day Walk.
10 -11:30 am Mapleton Preserve, 145 Mapleton Road, Kingston, NJ. Join Karen Linder and FPNL for our annual Thanksgiving Day morning walk at the Mapleton Preserve.
On this easy, family-friendly walk, we will focus on nuts, seeds and berries that wildlife, including turkeys, use as food. Free and open to all. Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands (www.fpnl.org). Call 609-683-0483 for more information.
Wednesday, November 29th: Turtles at Kingston Greenways Annual Meeting
Turtles are the subject of the KGA Annual Meeting and Program: Thinking Outside the Box about Your Woods and Bogs: How Private Forestry Practices Can Protect Rare Turtles. Speaker: Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey (CWF) biologist Christine Healy.
The video of this presentation is available here on YOUTUBE
Kingston Ladies Auxiliary craft show- 9 AM to 2 PM at the Kingston Firehouse, Heathcote Road, Kingston, NJ. Huge variety. Vendor spaces already sold out! Come early for best selection. “Santa at Ten O’Clock!”.
Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023: Wreath and Garland Making Workshop.
1-3 PM. Mapleton Preserve, 145 Mapleton Road, Kingston, NJ. Learn how to make your own wreath or garland. Limited to 20. Pre-registration is required [609-683-0483].
A $20 donation is requested to cover the cost of supplies. Greens, materials and tools will be available, or bring your own to incorporate into your design. Cookies, cocoa and holiday music will round out the event. Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands (www.fpnl.org).
Sunday, Dec. 3 Holiday Tree Lighting
Meet KHS members, friends and neighbor’s while enjoying holiday refreshments and the music of the Kingston Women’s Chorus outdoors.
The TreeLighting will be at 5:00 pm. The Chorus will sing before the Tree Lighting and then lead the traditional “sing-along” after the Tree Lighting.
“Home and Hearth- Songs for a peaceful and cozy holiday season” Featuring our not-to-be-missed community choral singalong! 7 PM on Sunday, 10th December (celebrating World Choral Day) Kingston United Methodist Church, 9 Church Street, Kingston NJ
Heather Robbins, director Dottie Westgate, piano
Concert is free. Donations to benefit the Rare Kidney Disease Foundation
7 am-4 pm. Join Kingston Greenways Association (https://kingstongreenways.org/) for their annual survey of the birds of Kingston as part of the Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) .
Experienced and novice birders are welcome to participate in the 124th anniversary of the CBC, where the goal is to identify and tally as many Kingston birds as we can on one day. We start at 7:30 am and bird until noon, break for lunch, and then go out again from 1 until dusk.
This is a great way to get to know your local open space and learn about your local birds while providing continent-wide population data. Please call Karen for more details [609-683-0483]
Sunday, December 24, 7 PM Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
The Kingston Presbyterian Church completes their celebration of 300 years with a traditional candle light service in their sanctuary. 4565 Route 27, Kingston NJ 08528. www.kingstonpresbyterian.org
And in 2024….
Monday, Jan. 1, 2024: First Day Hike.
Noon – 2 pm. Mapleton Preserve, 145 Mapleton Road, Kingston, NJ Start the New Year off right with an easy walk through the Mapleton Preserve. We know you want to sleep in a little, so the event begins at 12 noon. Dress for the weather, whatever it is. The walk is sponsored by Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands (www.fpnl.org) and will start at the Mapleton Preserve/D&R Canal State Park Headquarters at 145 Mapleton Road, Kingston. Socialize after the walk with hot drinks and cookies. It is FREE – all are welcome. Call 609-683-0483 for more information.
Monday, Jan. 15, 2024: MLK Jr. Day of Service.
Noon-2 pm. Mapleton Preserve, 145 Mapleton Road, Kingston, NJ Join Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands (FPNL) for a winter work session in the Mapleton Preserve! Honor Dr. Martin Luther King’s holiday by spending a winter afternoon outdoors with us and discover the special joys of stewardship!
Gloves and tools will be provided, or bring your own saws, clippers, loppers and rakes if you prefer. Work gloves, sturdy shoes, warm clothing and hats are a must. Call 609- 683-0483 for more information, or if you would like to involve a group. Service hours are available to those in need. FREE. Refreshments served.
Continuing: Kingston Historical Society needs Archivists!
Local folks with an interest in history meet to organize and catalogue the KHS collection. See THIS LINK to join them. Here’s one item we recently archived:
Blanche Woolf, born Blanche Peebles, spoke of running Peebles General Store in Kingston
Senator Charles B. Moore (1822-1904) (Nick Robinson)
Senator Charles B. Moore spoke of life in Kingston and in the New Jersey Senate.
Reflections were based on research by George Luck Jr. and Peyton Dixon.
Video of the event….
Although the event was planned for the cemetery itself, the rain that day caused us to move to the lower level of the Presbyterian Church, a location which allowed us to record the event for posterity. The video of the event (1 hour and 21 minutes long) is available HERE.
