Vicky Griswold was born in Plainfield, and she has lived here my whole life except for 10 years when I was away at school. She goes on to reminisce as follows… My mother was also born here. Her parents moved here in 1908, and built their own house, where she was born. So, I naturally have an interest in local history. I grew up in a house that was built in the 1890's and now live in one that was built around the same time, in the Van Wyck Brooks Historic District.
I own a small business. The Plainfield Music Store, and building on North Avenue, one of the earliest commercial districts, that also dates to the turn of the century. My grandparents were active members of the Unitarian Church on Park Avenue, which was also built at the turn of the century. I am a member of the Plainfield Musical Club and the Watchung Book Club which was formed in the 1890s. I attended Evergreen School, Plainfield, and then the Hartridge School, which my mother and aunt also attended. Growing up in Plainfield, there were four movie theaters. My grandmother housed the famous violinist Fritz Kreisler when he came to play with the Plainfield Symphony Orchestra, the oldest community orchestra in the state.
Nikki Butkiewicz is very proud to join the Plainfield Historical Society as a board member. A Plainfield resident since 2010, Nikki has always been a fan of history. Her personal historical interests include the World War 2 home-front, colonial home-life, and historic food preparation and preservation. This year she is growing her own Victory Garden using heirloom seeds. Professionally, Nikki is a Director at a small consulting firm in New Providence, NJ.
Taraka Gilbert was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey. She works at the Plainfield Public Library in the Children’s Room. She enjoys learning and researching local history. She fondly remembers the fourth-grade field trip taken to the Drake House so long ago. She is happy that it is still here for other fourth graders to visit and enjoy!
I own a small business. The Plainfield Music Store, and building on North Avenue, one of the earliest commercial districts, that also dates to the turn of the century. My grandparents were active members of the Unitarian Church on Park Avenue, which was also built at the turn of the century. I am a member of the Plainfield Musical Club and the Watchung Book Club which was formed in the 1890s. I attended Evergreen School, Plainfield, and then the Hartridge School, which my mother and aunt also attended. Growing up in Plainfield, there were four movie theaters. My grandmother housed the famous violinist Fritz Kreisler when he came to play with the Plainfield Symphony Orchestra, the oldest community orchestra in the state.
Nikki Butkiewicz is very proud to join the Plainfield Historical Society as a board member. A Plainfield resident since 2010, Nikki has always been a fan of history. Her personal historical interests include the World War 2 home-front, colonial home-life, and historic food preparation and preservation. This year she is growing her own Victory Garden using heirloom seeds. Professionally, Nikki is a Director at a small consulting firm in New Providence, NJ.
Taraka Gilbert was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey. She works at the Plainfield Public Library in the Children’s Room. She enjoys learning and researching local history. She fondly remembers the fourth-grade field trip taken to the Drake House so long ago. She is happy that it is still here for other fourth graders to visit and enjoy!