New Providence Historical Society

A preview of the Salt Box Museum is now available in the form of an online virtual tour. With the click of a mouse, virtual visitors can move from one room to another within the 18th century farmhouse. We give special thanks to the society’s 2021 scholarship winner, Christopher Siebelts for creating this wonderful presentation tool. Christopher has enabled us to view a 18th century perspective with 21st century technology.

The New Providence Historical Society will hold its first Annual Dinner in two and a half years on Thursday, October 14, 2021.

This year’s dinner will be held at Chimney Rock, 342 Valley Road, Gillette, NJ 07933, hors d’oeuvres at 6PM, dinner at 7PM. 

Our speaker, author and historian Linda Barth will reveal the famous and not-so-famous people, places, and events of our great little state. Many commonly known and valued inventions were born in New Jersey. Linda has written two books on the D&R Canal and three children’s picture books, Bridgetenders Boy, Hidden New
Jersey, and Alice Paul: Champion of Women’s Rights. She is also the Executive Director of the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey. 

Reservations are $38 per person. You can find the reservation form in the most recent Turkey Tracks.

Finally, the Salt Box Craft Fair is upon us! This open-air event, our first event in 18 months, is on for Saturday, August 21, 2021, from 9AM to 3PM. (Rain date is August 28th.)

In addition, the Salt Box Museum will be open for the first time since 2019.

This year, the event is a little different, in that we are focusing on a new crop of craft vendors with an exciting range of craft offerings.
Our craft vendors include:

– Azure Knits
– Second Stage Creations (ceramics)
 – Rustic Signs by Shell
– Jean Feely
– Greetings by Jane
– The Aunt Di Collection
– Glass Garden, by Bonnie O’Connor
– Servin’ Up Scrunchies & More
– A Creative Treasure
– Knotcho, Lauren Wilkos
– Paper Creations by Joanne
– Rosemarie Hilse
– Made by Jimmy

In addition, our Bake Sale will offer some scrumptious goodies. The Salt Box Museum

Proceeds from this event supports the society’s scholarship fund and maintenance of the Salt Box Museum.

Did you know that New Providence had baseball teams at the end of the 1800’s and until 1931 before there were school teams? The New Providence Crescents played in the Lackawanna League, established in 1905. Unofficial records indicate the league produced 100 MLB players. NP joined the league in 1925. Fellow competitors in the league included Summit Red Sox, Maplewood Club – “Mapes”, Springfield Stars, Madison Colonels, Milburn Blues, Morristown, and Chatham. There was the Northern Division, the Southern Division, and the Union County League.

The New Providence teams played on a ball field behind the Presbyterian church, on a street called the Passaic Oval. Some newspaper articles of the time refer to it as playing at “Turkey”. The team had been referred to as the “gobblers” in a few articles as well. A.G Balcom was the manager and establisher of the Crescents. Some years the uniform also says New Providence Athletic Association team. The team also played in the inter county league against towns such as Peapack, Liberty Corner, and Berkeley Heights. Both teams, with the help of Mr. Balcom and the Ladies Auxiliary, were able to build a grandstand for the baseball fans. (Summit Herald)

It is believed that organized base-ball “started” in Hoboken NJ in 1846. The first official teams in NJ were formed in the mid 1850’s. In 1857, 16 of the nation’s strongest baseball clubs banded together to form the National Association of base-ball players, as it was written then. When they competed they abided by the same set of rules. “Professionalism” didn’t become common until 1860’s. In 1915 New Jersey got it’s first major league team the Newark Peppers. They played one season in the Federal League. For a short time it was a 3rd league against the American League and National League. (njsportshereos.com)

The NP Historical society is raising funds for more Historic markers around town. If you would like to contribute you can donate online here https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9KZRVFSY6LYJ8 or mail a check to 377 Elkwood Ave ATTN: NP Historical Society New Providence NJ 07974 #TBT#newprovidencehistoricalsociety

Built in 1869, the Academy was the second public school built in town. It was originally a school house for all grades. Then a primary school before becoming New Providence Borough Hall. The Historical Society is raising funds for a historical landmark sign we hope to install later this year. It would be the second sign in a series for the town. (The first was at the Presbyterian Church.) If you would like make a donation please message us for more information. Pictured below are students in 1894 in front of the school. A replica was also built in Murray Hill Square.

Today Untied Brewing Company releases it’s new Pioneer Amber Ale celebrating our next historical landmark “The Academy”. The Academy, built in 1869, was the second school built in town. It was originally a school house for all grades. Then a primary school before becoming NP Borough Hall. The Historical Society is raising funds for this second historical landmark sign we hope to install later this year. If you would like make a donation please contact us for more information. Don’t forget to stop at Untied Brewing here in New Providence and try the Pioneer Ale!

New Providence residents have served in the United States military in every war. But did you know that in the middle of the Presbyterian Church Cemetery stands a rare grave simply marked “John USC Troops”?

USC Troops stands for the “United States Colored Troops”. His last name is unknown. John’s grave, though surrounded by snow, is marked with an American flag. All Veterans in this cemetery are marked with an American flag at their grave. The Historical Society is doing more research into John and his story. The United States Army began to organize African Americans into regimental units known as the United States Colored Troops (USCT) in 1863. (War Department General Order 143)

The enlistment of free blacks and slaves was considered a key to winning the war. Many USCT regiments originated as state militia units before 1863. The regiments included cavalry, artillery and infantry. Approximately 186,000 African Americans served in the United States Colored Troops volunteer cavalry, artillery, and infantry units during the Civil War. As Black history month comes to an end we salute John and his fellow soldiers who fought for their freedom and our country.

More to come on other New Providence Veterans throughout the year. 2/25/2020

After being postponed once, the Salt Box Craft Fair is again being called off for our June 20th date. This was by order of the New Providence Boro Council. We hope to merely postpone it, rather than cancel it outright. We are sorry for the inconvenience, but obviously public health is everyone’s to priority.

Check back here soon for any updates.