BY SETH MANDEL
Staff Writer
Sometimes, the ideas are just handed to you. That’s how Jamesburg Historian Tom Bodall got the inspiration for one of the historical association’s future displays, “State Home Memories.”
“Just out of the blue one day, someone came over and had a bunch of stuff for us, and it was state home stuff,” Bodall said. “Coincidentally, one of their relatives worked at the state home and they dropped off all this stuff for us. It included 11 postcards and a handbook that was given to the students when they got there.”
Bodall was referring to what is now called the New Jersey Training School (NJTS) for Boys, commonly referred to as the State Home for Boys, located in Monroe.
The facility, designed to rehabilitate young offenders, is the subject of a display now being coordinated by Bodall.
The exhibition, to be presented next year, is part of the Jamesburg Historical Association’s efforts to branch out and raise public awareness of local historic sites.
“Back in 1979, when they set up the association, there was some mention about it being the Southern Middlesex County group, working for the Jamesburg area, not just specifically Jamesburg,” Bodall said.
Bodall said the NJTS — which many out-of-towners mistakenly believe is located in Jamesburg — clearly possesses historical significance, since it has been name-dropped in some unexpected places.
“I’ve heard it in movies before. People will say, ‘Oh yeah, they’re sending ‘em to Jamesburg.’ It’s had quite a history, the place,” Bodall said.
The school was founded in 1867 as a home for troubled youth, but, Bodall said, it functioned as a small city.
“They had everything there –– they had wood shops, their own print shops, they basically were self-sustaining,” he said. “The boys would go out to the field and do the farming, they would get schooling in the evening. They basically operated the whole place on their own, which I thought was pretty amazing.”
Bodall said the association is seeking donations or loans of artifacts from or concerning the school. It is looking for more postcards, any school literature such as reports from the school, and any other applicable items.
“State Home Memories” will be on display at Lakeview Mansion in Jamesburg from Feb. 12 through May 28, 2006.
But before that display begins, Bodall and the association will put together an exhibition called “Forsgate Remembered,” about the Forsgate Country Club and its humble beginnings.
Bodall said the country club has an exceptional reputation, but most people only know of it in its current form.
“There’s more to it than that; there’s a whole history behind it,” Bodall said. “Before it was a country club, it was a farm, and people might not know that.”
Bodall hopes that will change on Sept. 25, when the display is scheduled to open. It will run through Jan. 9.
The dairy farm at Forsgate was started by John Forster, who in 1913 attempted to create a self-sufficient community for his employees, away from the city.
“He eventually wanted to build a hospital and a school, but that never happened; he just built the farm part of it,” Bodall said.
Bodall said the association has already received donations such as a couple of milk crates and a thermal cooler, in addition to the milk bottles and photographs it already has.
The group has begun to expand its field of study because Jamesburg affects, and is affected by, the surrounding towns as well.
He said the response to the association’s most recent presentation, “From Snuff to Snuffed Out,” about the Helmetta snuff mill, exceeded expectations.
“No one else was doing something about it, so we stepped in and did something, and people really appreciated it,” Bodall said, adding that the attention benefits both the historical group and local municipalities.
“That shows something,” Bodall said. “The people are out there, listening and reading the paper, and they really are interested in finding out about us.”
Those wishing to donate or loan items for either upcoming display should call the Lakeview Mansion, the association’s headquarters, at (732) 521-2040 and leave a message for Bodall.

