BCHS Luncheon 2009

On this, the 65^th anniversary of the D-Day Landings in Normandy, I ask you to join me in a moment of silent remembrance for all those men and women who have served the cause of Liberty, keeping especially in mind those who have fallen to preserve the life of this Nation. I also ask you to hold in your thoughts and prayers all those who presently stand in harm’s way for our protection and for their families and loved ones who anxiously await their safe return.

I first took office in June 2007, a little less than two months after the Great Flood that devastated our museum collections in the Steuben House. Having lived in the house for sixteen years, where we raised our family, it seemed as if those muddy river waters not only drowned many great hopes and expectations, but generations of hard work and dedication. But as I enter upon my final term as President, I can proudly say, as with Noah of old, a new and better world was born of those floodwaters. Through the generosity of Malcolm Borg, our museum collections are now entirely stored in the old Record Building in Hackensack, relieving us of close to $10,000 in annual storage costs, which we have carried in part since 2001 when a large part of our collections had to be removed from display and storage in the attic of the Steuben House. Let me thank all those who contributed their sweat equity in physically moving these collections. As we work on these artifacts in their new home, we again realize the remarkable story these historical objects, many rare and all interesting, have to tell. Gary McGowan, the conservator who is working on stabilizing the flood-damaged artifacts, has nearly completed his work, funded through a FEMA grant of $168,000. At this time, I thank Ken O’Brien, our FEMA liaison, who has worked with me to save this County’s precious heritage from loss. We wish him well in his retirement.

It seems we are making progress on every front. Our programming is varied, well presented and well attended. Since January of this year, we have had over a thousand visitors in only eight afternoons of special events staged at Historic New Bridge Landing. Our lecture series, ably managed by Past President John Heffernan, and our Revolutionary War Roundtable, ably managed by David Whieldon, also add credit and prestige to our Society. All this is possible through the untiring efforts of a dedicated corps of volunteers. Let me particularly thank our Living History Interpreters: Denise and Elizabeth Piccino, Ariel Wohl, Roseann Pelligrino, who also ably serves as our Secretary, the Tricorne Dancers; Linda Masulla, who tends our Gift Shop, Barbara Flurchick and Mary Karr, who keep the fires of our Out Kitchen glowing, our noble order of bartenders, John Oddie, Luke Trepicchio, Glenn Livi and family, Todd Braisted and John Mueller; our musician friends, Ridley and Ann Enslow and Linda Russell & Company. Frequent helpers at our events include Gail Goldstein, Barbara Marchant, Ed Schreyer, Bernie Nickel, Frank Puzzo, Manfred Wegner and Gerry O’Keefe. I also want to recognize the excellent progress that our Library Committee is making under chairman Steve Weigl, assisted by

Averil Genton and Dotty Shearn, who dedicate each Wednesday to making our document and photograph collections available to the public. Jack Goudsward manages our Membership Committee and we are proud to announce that have reached a record high of over 500 members this year. We value your membership and support, which alone allows us to carry this great work forward, so don’t forget to renew. I also recognize Al Dib, Past Vice President, who manages our Message Board. Unfortunately, any list such of this is bound to fall short. So if I have overlooked anyone in this brief summary, please do not be offended. Every contribution of time and talent to our cause is very much appreciated.

We are now engaged in the greatest work of all, the construction of a Historical Museum on the Society’s land at Historic New Bridge Landing. We will be meeting with an architect next week to begin the actual process of designing a suitable home for our collections, appreciating full well that it is the extensive and valuable artifact collections of the Bergen County Historical Society that promise to make Historic New Bridge Landing a major heritage destination and an economic engine for surrounding communities. Let me emphasize that our museum, which will replicate a tidal gristmill in form, raised on pilings above any invading waters, is separate and distinct from the visitors’ center that will be built on the former junkyard property. That building will replicate the 1819 Bergen County Court House and will provide long-needed amenities such as comfortable space for public assemblies and programs, restrooms, food services, and a gift shop as well as some exhibit space to orient visitors to the story of New Bridge, the Bridge That Saved a Nation. Our museum, however, will tell the larger story of Bergen County with artifacts that span the time and cultural distance between a Dugout Canoe, an ancient Hackensack effigy pipe, the original toll sign for the Bergen Turnpike, the pickaxe from the 1927 groundbreaking of the George Washington Bridge and everything in between. We must succeed where previous generations have faltered and provide this remarkable artifact collection¾the largest remnant of the colorful and distinct folk culture of the Jersey Dutch to survive in the public domain¾a permanently safe and enjoyable environment, free from any possibility of human error or bureaucratic miscommunication in the future.

We have launched our Forward To The Past fundraising drive in the schools of Bergen County, hoping to inspire the up-and-coming generation to the preservation of their heritage. But this will not be enough. We need to raise nearly $3 million to build our museum and to provide at least a small endowment to ensure its operation. In one of America’s wealthiest counties¾and, may I add, one of America’s most historic places¾this is something we should be able to accomplish. In this regard, I note the recent bequest from Alice MacKenzie, former borough historian of River Edge, who left us $77,000 from her estate. God bless you, Alice, for remembering us, especially in this time of need.

On Tuesday, Governor Corzine will come to New Bridge and sign the critical legislation transferring administration of the Steuben House and state-owned lands and buildings at Historic New Bridge Landing to the Historic New Bridge Landing Park Commission. This legislation passed both houses of the legislature unanimously and we thank the bipartisan effort required to make this new beginning. Of course, we honor the special support and friendship of Senator Loretta Weinberg, whose unwavering commitment lies at the very heart of this remarkable achievement. The Governor will also unveil the sign at the neighboring NJ Transit station that will put New Bridge Landing back on the map. For this achievement, we recognize the indomitable spirit of Mary Donohue. Lastly, those who came out to enjoy Pinskter were able to enjoy the well-crafted restoration of our much beloved Demarest House. This is only the most visible token of the quiet but steady hand of support which Jim Bellis and the Blauvelt-Demarest Foundation lend to this Society and to the greater cause of preserving the lessons of history for all those who are wise enough to take heed from the Past.

I thank you for the honor of this service, which I fulfill to the best of my ability, and share the hope that we can and will achieve our greatest expectations, working together to safe keep this great common heritage that binds us as Americans. See you on the Meerwald.