The Historical Society of Plainfield
DRAKE HOUSE MUSEUM
LISTED ON THE STATE & NATIONAL
REGISTERS OF HISTORIC PLACES George Washington's Headquarters during the Battle of Short Hills, June 25, 1777
News Flash !!!!
February 27, 2021
Dear Friends of the Historical Society of Plainfield/Drake House Museum:
I hope this mailing finds you well, and safe. The pandemic has put some limits on some of the Society's activities, but emails, inquiries, and research are still continuing. Programs have been very successful with the collaboration with the Plainfield Public Library, and I hope that you have been able to participate in some of them. The reach of the virtual programs has been amazing. Many members and friends, who live out of State, h_ave been able to R§Hti_c pate Ilinois, Maryland,-Michigan, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.
Over the summer we were able to complete an Eagle Scout project which was the 4th Eagle Scout project completed since 2017. The limitations placed on group activities delayed the start of the 5th Eagle Scout project. In consultation with Nicholas Robben, our next Eagle Scout candidate, and thinking outside the box, Nicholas was able to pivot, and instead of working inside the museum on scanning photographs in the archives, he will scan a 1926 book of historic houses of Plainfield. The Society has a good copy of this book in the archives which will not be used because the paper quality is fragile and the pages very thin. Many people request photos of houses from this book, and the size of it makes it difficult to copy appropriately. However, a few years ago a member donated one that is satisfactory for scanning without losing picture quality. Once this book is scanned, a digital file will be placed in the Historical Society's archives, Plainfield Room of the Plainfield Public Library, and Historic Preservation Office of the City of Plainfield. Nicholas plans on doing an exhibit of some of the houses that interest him and the other scouts, and then he will make an exhibit of "then" and "now" photographs. This exhibit will be prepared for display on the second-floor exhibit room, and it will be placed online on the Drake House Museum website.
This is an exciting project. Nicholas has started a GoFundMe page to assist in the raising of the funds necessary for this project. We are pleased that through your generous contributions his goal has been reached and it is now full speed ahead on this excitiing historical project !
Update on the WW1 grave marker - On Monday,January 11, 2021, Martin Kane's grave marker was installed at St. Mary's Cemetery. Scott Lamperti of Plainfield Granite Works, Reverend Manoel J. Oliveira of St. Marys' Church, Sergeant Nelson Lopez of the local U.S. Army Recruiting Station, Jennifer Popper of TAP into Plainfield, and Nancy Piwowar of the HSP were in attendance.A grave side ceremony occurred, and at a later date, when people can gather again, a more formal ceremony will be held. Martin Kane's relatives from Philadelphia were
able to visit the grave site on the following weekend. It was installed before February's storms.
Nancy
602 WEST FRONT STREET, PLAINFIELD, NJ 07060-1004 PHONE: (908) 755-5831 FAX:(908) 755-0132
DRAKE HOUSE MUSEUM
LISTED ON THE STATE & NATIONAL
REGISTERS OF HISTORIC PLACES George Washington's Headquarters during the Battle of Short Hills, June 25, 1777
News Flash !!!!
February 27, 2021
Dear Friends of the Historical Society of Plainfield/Drake House Museum:
I hope this mailing finds you well, and safe. The pandemic has put some limits on some of the Society's activities, but emails, inquiries, and research are still continuing. Programs have been very successful with the collaboration with the Plainfield Public Library, and I hope that you have been able to participate in some of them. The reach of the virtual programs has been amazing. Many members and friends, who live out of State, h_ave been able to R§Hti_c pate Ilinois, Maryland,-Michigan, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.
Over the summer we were able to complete an Eagle Scout project which was the 4th Eagle Scout project completed since 2017. The limitations placed on group activities delayed the start of the 5th Eagle Scout project. In consultation with Nicholas Robben, our next Eagle Scout candidate, and thinking outside the box, Nicholas was able to pivot, and instead of working inside the museum on scanning photographs in the archives, he will scan a 1926 book of historic houses of Plainfield. The Society has a good copy of this book in the archives which will not be used because the paper quality is fragile and the pages very thin. Many people request photos of houses from this book, and the size of it makes it difficult to copy appropriately. However, a few years ago a member donated one that is satisfactory for scanning without losing picture quality. Once this book is scanned, a digital file will be placed in the Historical Society's archives, Plainfield Room of the Plainfield Public Library, and Historic Preservation Office of the City of Plainfield. Nicholas plans on doing an exhibit of some of the houses that interest him and the other scouts, and then he will make an exhibit of "then" and "now" photographs. This exhibit will be prepared for display on the second-floor exhibit room, and it will be placed online on the Drake House Museum website.
This is an exciting project. Nicholas has started a GoFundMe page to assist in the raising of the funds necessary for this project. We are pleased that through your generous contributions his goal has been reached and it is now full speed ahead on this excitiing historical project !
Update on the WW1 grave marker - On Monday,January 11, 2021, Martin Kane's grave marker was installed at St. Mary's Cemetery. Scott Lamperti of Plainfield Granite Works, Reverend Manoel J. Oliveira of St. Marys' Church, Sergeant Nelson Lopez of the local U.S. Army Recruiting Station, Jennifer Popper of TAP into Plainfield, and Nancy Piwowar of the HSP were in attendance.A grave side ceremony occurred, and at a later date, when people can gather again, a more formal ceremony will be held. Martin Kane's relatives from Philadelphia were
able to visit the grave site on the following weekend. It was installed before February's storms.
Nancy
602 WEST FRONT STREET, PLAINFIELD, NJ 07060-1004 PHONE: (908) 755-5831 FAX:(908) 755-0132
The Communique- The Drake House Newsletter: click below to view
Summer/Fall 2020
Spring 2020
Winter 2019
Spring, Summer, Fall 2019
Fall 2016/ Spring 2017
Summer/Fall 2020
Spring 2020
Winter 2019
Spring, Summer, Fall 2019
Fall 2016/ Spring 2017