Day for Jamesburg history
By: Stephanie Brown
JAMESBURG The public will get more than birthday cake on Buckelew Day this year. They’ll get a good taste of the borough’s rich history, too.
The Jamesburg Historic Association will host the annual Buckelew Day Festival on Sept. 9 in honor of the 201st birthday of the borough’s namesake and early entrepreneur, James Buckelew from noon to 5 p.m. at Lakeview Mansion on East Railroad Avenue.
The opening ceremony will feature the unveiling of two rooms in Lakeview Mansion.
Alumni and friends of Jamesburg High School will dedicate the new Jamesburg High School Room, which contains relics and artifacts of the former high school. The dedication also marks the centennial of the opening of Jamesburg High School in September 1906, said Jamesburg Historic Association President Ron Becker.
The new room is made possible by donations collected from alumni by the Jamesburg High School Alumni Association.
Among the items displayed in the new room are: the cornerstone and contents of the first high school building, the dedication program and ceremonial from the 1932 dedication of the second high school building, a complete set of the Tomahawk, the high school’s yearbook (1938-1979), copies of the high school’s three newspapers, vintage athletic uniforms, athletic trophies including all the state championship trophies and a complete listing of all students who attended Jamesburg High School between 1909 and 1979.
The room will also be on display Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The newly renovated Louise Kerwin Jamesburg Area History Room will also be unveiled.
Ms. Kerwin was a historian for the Jamesburg Historic Association during the 1980s. The room contains memorabilia from Jamesburg and surrounding areas, like the New Jersey Training School for Boys, the Helmetta Snuff Mill and Forsgate Farms, said honorary town historian Tom Bodall.
Activities scheduled for the day include tours of Lakeview Mansion, the temporary exhibit, "Bank Notes: The First National Bank of Jamesburg," the historic Jamesburg train room, the Lincoln Coach, Civil War re-enactors, the firing of the 1844 Jamesburg Civil War cannon, an appearance by Abraham Lincoln, vendors, food and 19th century children’s games.
Blacksmith demonstrations in the Dingfeld Blacksmith Museum and showings of a video program entitled "Jamesburg of Yesteryear" will be held throughout the day.
A lecture on the history of the Jersey tomato is scheduled for 2 p.m., and a harpist and flutist will be performing period music in the parlors of the mansion at 1 p.m., 2:45 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.
The event will be held rain or shine.
There is no admission charge for the mansion and presentations.
Further information on both the Buckelew Day Festival and Jamesburg Historical Association may be obtained by calling (732) 521-2040, or by visiting www.jamesburghistory.com.