MONROE: Council previews new guide

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
   MONROE — The township will be the first to premiere the new edition of “The Guide to Historic Sites in Central New Jersey,” which is due out after July 4 at the Monroe library.
   Susan Keating, of Monroe, vice president of the Raritan-Millstone Heritage Alliance, presented the 155-page fourth edition of the free book to the Township Council at a special meeting June 25.
   ”Our purpose is to encourage tourism of our sites in Central New Jersey, especially for families,” Ms. Keating said. “Since we are in a recession, (people) want a meaningful day trip, and this will be extremely cost effective. Be a history hunter. It will be a journey that will last a lifetime.”
   Ann Suydam, of Somerset, and Ms. Keating are the co-chairpersons of this guidebook project.
   The guidebook explores more than 200 unique historical sites in the vicinity of the Raritan and Millstone rivers along with the hours they are open. Some noteworthy changes and highlights this year include some new sites and some layout changes.
   ”Perth Amboy and New Brunswick are favorites because of the multiple sites and the rich history, including the Colonial period,” Ms. Keating said. “The Conference House in Staten Island is very interesting. The Dey Farm and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church are new in this edition.”
   George Dawson edited the edition and used text blocks of information about the four regions. Everyone involved in the project is responsible to search for additional sites to expand the book, according to Ms. Keating.
   Additional stops along the way for the “tour” of the guidebook’s release will include Edison, Perth Amboy, Metuchen and New Brunswick, according to Ms. Keating.
   The Alliance, started in 1996 when representatives of several nonprofit organizations joined forces in a project, which, in accordance with its mission statement, was dedicated to broadcasting the resources of the Raritan Valley by promoting tourism and greater appreciation of the heritage of Central New Jersey.
   It produced its first guidebook the next year.
   ”Through our guidebook, we strive to educate our Central New Jersey readers, especially students and families, who are new to this area and have never been exposed to our region about the beauty, history and heritage that is now available to them as residents,” Ms. Keating said in an email Tuesday.
   Ms. Keating said a meeting several years ago at Dey Farm inspired the collaboration on the project.
   ”Dey Farm is one of the premiere, primary historic locations here in Middlesex County and positioned now for a wonderful renovation,” Ms. Keating said.
   Part of the focus of the cover included the farm and the Edison Memorial Tower due to the renovations the Alliance wanted to highlight.
   ”We are very proud of it,” said Ms. Suydam in reference to the fourth book as she addressed the council. “We hope all of your children and the people that come here will enjoy it.”
   Ms. Suydam said she hoped the people who come to Central Jersey will take the time to learn what “a wonderful place it is.”
   Central Jersey is defined now as Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset counties, according to Ms. Suydam, who was asked about this by council President Gerald Tamburro. There is a possibility of adding another county to this in the future, according to Ms. Suydam.
   ”Each of us (council members) enjoyed looking through it and feeling proud that Dey Farm was among (the sites),” Mr. Tamburro said.
   ”Our goal is now to increase the amount of sites in Middlesex, Somerset and Mercer County. We would also like to include Monmouth County,” Ms. Keating said. “The book took three years to produce because the work was done as volunteers.”
   ”We find that families are looking for things to do with their kids,” said Donald Johnstone Peck, of Fords, president of the Alliance. “We find that so many of the families have moved into areas where they know nothing about the historic past, and here in Central New Jersey, we are very, very blessed to have a Revolutionary War history as well as an educational and cultural programs available to everyone. You just need to know where they are and how to access them, and our guidebook makes that possible. This is for children of all ages, including the senior citizens, and I happen to be one of them.”
   ”Susan, I just wanted to compliment you and certainly your organization,” Mayor Richard Pucci said. “I think it will be very beneficial to our community and the condition of the Dey Farm and how important it is, and I want to thank the council for its total effort.”
   For more information on the Alliance or to get an online version of the guidebook, visit www.raritanmillstone.org.