By: Edir Coronado
The New Providence Historical Society reached its 50th year in existence on August 15, 2016. To celebrate this great feat, the non-profit organization orchestrated a two-day event. On the first day, August 14, community members could tour the Saltbox Museum, listen to guest speakers, and enjoy refreshing ice cream and Italian ice from Zita’s.
The second day, the actual anniversary date, was reserved for the time capsule project organized by the Historical Society. Although the Historical Society’s focus is on the town’s rich history, they choose not to neglect the town’s bright future. Looking forward towards the Historical Society’s 100th anniversary, town members were invited to contribute personal belongings that they would like future New Providence residents to observe. Items buried included, selfie sticks, a New Providence Police patch, letters to future residents, and an abundance of surveys that were filled out by community members.
New Providence was established in the 1720’s and the Saltbox Museum, the Historical Society’s oldest piece, was built a short time after that. It was used for minister housing. Named Saltbox because of the shape of the structure, which was acquired after the structures new addition, the house was in danger of being demolished. A group of citizens put a halt to the demolition and from this the Historical Society was born, fitting that the Historical Society’s oldest piece, almost as old as the town, is the reason for the organization.
Carol Smith, a Historical Society trustee and resident of New Providence for 78 years, reminisced on the major changes she witnessed in town, “This used to be a town of greenhouses, full of farms and dirt roads.” She explained that over the years as businesses moved into town, the town began to develop and farms began vanishing. “Some of the street names you see today weren’t even here,” expressed Carol. Sarah Jane Vignali, fellow trustee and member of the community for 82 years, had matching experiences growing up. Her family has lived in town for more than a century.
“I joined the historical society because of my current home,” explained Linda Kale, current Historical Society president. She moved to New Providence in 1968 and when Linda purchased her new home she was curious about the placement of her home being sideways. The Historical Society helped Linda uncover her home’s history. Linda’s home was once a school house in Berkeley Heights, when it was moved to New Providence it became a barn, additions to the house made it a two-family household. The original barn is still a part of the now larger home. Since her migration to New Providence Linda describes the increase in the number of people as being the biggest difference she has seen over the years.
A sentiment that Colin duSaire shares; considered a newcomer, Colin has lived in town for 10 years and was introduced to the Historical Society by Linda. Colin was indexing the cemetery at the Presbyterian Church at New Providence. Linda approached Colin and asked if he would like to help the Historical Society in its new endeavors. Colin gladly accepted and has since been one of the more active volunteers, contributing more than 12 hours a week to the society. This is the average amount of time dedicated to the Historical Society by a dozen or so volunteers, considered full-time volunteers.
The huge amount of dedication from its volunteers and board members allows for programs to be cultivated like the Saltbox Museum, open the first Sunday of every month, and the Mason Room, located in the New Providence Memorial Library, open Tuesdays and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to noon or by appointment. Both serve as the community’s source of the borough’s rich history.
“We are always looking for new volunteers,” expressed Linda. Community members who wish to volunteers need only contact the Historical Society via phone at 908-655-1034.
The time capsule was burrowed by Vice President Rick Anderson and will be excavated by future New Providence residents in the year 2066, when the town would have changed exponentially.
(above) The New Providence Historical Society recently buried a time capsule to be excavated by future residents in the year 2066.
