For the past two years, I’ve begun with a “quiz” in January, which people have told me they enjoyed. So, I’ll start 2018 with some questions from material from 2017’s columns. I won’t quiz you on the quiz in January’s column, so we’ll start with February.
February: In the 19th century, this man lived with his family in the stone house across from what is now the main entrance to New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Co. He oversaw the construction of the state asylum, and buildings on the campus of what is now Princeton University.
He was one of the founders of the American Bible Society, was the first full-time pastor at Ewing Presbyterian Church, and he collected and wrote a compendium of genealogical information on local settlers in Trenton and Ewing. What was his name?
March: This institution began in the 1880s in the old orphanage in Trenton for children of Civil War soldiers, but eventually moved out to Ewing Township in 1920s. It continues its mission to this day. What is the current name of this institution?
April: A strong advocate for the education of children, especially orphans and children with developmental and other needs, this life-long dedicated charitable servant was one of the first two women appointed to the N.J. State Board of Education, and served as that board’s first female president.
But it was her passion for advocating for and serving the educational needs of a particular community of children in Ewing that memorialized her name. Who is she?
May: A portion of Ewing, “One Square Mile” to be exact, was highlighted in a book self-published this year by historian, researcher and Ewing resident Mark Falzini. What specific geographical area is covered in this fascinating book?
June: This Ewing body was formed in the 1980s in response to historic preservation zoning considerations being added to the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law.
July: In some ways a forerunner to the Ewing Green Team, this Ewing body was formed in 1878, in part to “make this township a more pleasant and desirable place to live in.”
August: At one point, our area, “on the banks of the Delaware, near the falls,” was seriously considered as the location of what nationally-significant entity?
September: Two non-contiguous roads—one in Ewing, one in Hopewell—share the same name, and memorialize the non-event discussed in the August column. What is the common name of the two roads?
October: Of the four existing cemeteries in Ewing, which one is the oldest?
November: This Ewing body advises the planning board on properties in the township that are significantly historic and should be considered as such and protected when threatened.
December: On the first Sunday of each month at 2 p.m., this c. 1750 township home is open for tours, research and views of exhibits of local history.
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Answers:
Februay: Rev. Dr. Eli Field Cooley
March: Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf
April: Marie H. Katzenbach
May: Trenton Junction
June: Ewing Township Historic Preservation Commission
July: West Ewing Improvement Association
August: The “Federal City,” or national capital
September: Federal City Road
October: Ewing Church cemetery
November: Ewing Township Historic Preservation Commission
December: Benjamin Temple House on Fed City Road, home of the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society
How did you do? You pass if you enjoyed the exercise.
In 2018, I hope to explore other people and places of Ewing, past and present. As always, I welcome your suggestions and reflections!
Please contact me at ewingthenandnow@gmail.com if you have a suggestion for a topic to explore, or a reminiscence you’d like to share. (But be patient—I only check that email intermittently!)
I hope that 2018 is a healthy and prosperous year for Ewing, and especially for each and every one of you
