Submitted by Cranford Historical Society
President Margaret Gerlach and the Board of Trustees of the Cranford Historical Society are proud to recognize Trustee William “Bill” Curtis for his continued work and volunteerism with the Society.
Bill has lived in Cranford for over 52 years and joined the Cranford Historical Society in 1997. Being a “Jack of All Trades” and wearing many hats, he was assigned to take care of the Buildings and Grounds Department along with Trustee John Dreyer at the Hanson House and Crane-Phillips House Museum.
Bill was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2000 and has been a great asset to the Society. Besides repairing things around the Hanson House and Crane-Phillips House Museum, he also volunteered to participate in our annual third grader school tours at the museum. Known as “Handyman Bill,” he shows students what life was like in the Victorian Era without electricity or plumbing in addition to showing how people worked the land using historic tools that we have in our collection. Through his working display of historic tools, he has amazed, delighted, and even frightened them a bit about life in Cranford long ago. Every year, the Historical Society receives over a hundred thank you notes in childish script praising his hands-on talks. It’s not easy to keep a child’s attention with 19th century tools in the age of I-pads, but every year, Bill succeeds.
Additionally, Bill also contributes historical articles for the Society’s newsletter “The Mill Wheel,” which are always informative and educational. When it is time for the Cranford Memorial Day Parade, Bill makes sure our replica of the Crane-Phillips House Museum is cleaned and ready to go for all to see. For many years, he has helped put together our Veterans Day displays to honor all veterans for their bravery in protecting our country. Bill proudly served our country in the Navy during the Korean War. He has worked for many years to honor Cranford’s most decorated World War II veteran, Curtis Culin, whose invention allowed tanks to travel quickly through the farmlands of Normandy. His original research has been used by the History Channel, the NJ National Guard Museum in Sea Girt as well as independent researchers throughout the United States. Bill has also researched the twelve streets throughout Cranford named for World War I and World War II veterans.
William Curtis was instrumental in the restoration of the historic flagpole in Cranford’s center, which honors all of Cranford’s veterans. His hands built a flagpole model and he encouraged many to donate to this effort. Bill’s contributions to the historic character of Cranford have been myriad. In 2004, Bill Curtis restored the original wet plaster township seal, created in (above l-r) Mary Curtis presented her husband, William Curtis, with the Cranford Historical Society’s Award of Outstanding Merit. 1962 by renowned artist Leslie Crump, to its original condition. The 40-pound seal was created at about the same time the municipal building was constructed. The seal was in disrepair and stored in the basement since the early 1990’s. It now hangs in council chambers. In 2004, Bill was also instrumental in obtaining and installing the intact 200-year-old millstone in front of the Crane-Phillips House Museum. This stone was found on Centennial Avenue at the property of Mario and Frances Ferreira. Bill personally arranged their generous donation to Cranford in memory of their son, Adam. Adam’s stone has become an integral tool in teaching school children the early history of our town.
Bill, we congratulate you and are so happy to have you a part of the Society. We look forward to working and volunteering with you for many years to come.
(above l-r) Mary Curtis presented her husband, William Curtis, with the Cranford Historical Society’s Award of Outstanding Merit.
