Welcome to Livingston, New Jersey

LIVINGSTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Founded 1963

Headquarters: Force Homestead
366 South Livingston Avenue - Livingston, New Jersey 07039

PURPOSE

The Livingston Historical Society aims to foster wide appreciation of the development of our community from its earliest days. In pursuit of this aim, it strives to discover, collect, preserve, publish and exhibit materials illustrating the history of the area. The monthly meetings frequently include addresses by specialists on topics of local interest and are open to the enjoyment of members and their guests. The Society has restored and maintains the Force Homestead, around which the programs of the Society are centered. It is also the trustee of the Ely Cemetery.

ORGANIZATION

OFFICERS
President: Denise McDonald (973) 535-1390
Vice-President: Helen Finch (973) 992-0751
Treasurer: Don Guldner (973) 992-8551
Secretary: Marie Petros (973) 736-5663

TRUSTEES
Mary D'Alonzo 2008-2011
Kay Whitman 2010-2013
Bob Kraeuter 2009-2012
Lorraine Palmer 2010-2011
Gus Pistolas 2009 -2012
Al Pichat 2010-2013

COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Acquisitions: Helen Shumsky
Ely Cemetery: Al Pichat
Home Hostess: Helen Shumsky
Hospitality: Carol Huck
July 4th Fair: Helen Shumsky
Membership: Mary D'Alonzo
Memorials: Egon Hoenig
Name Tags: Gus Pistolas
Newsletter: Pat Pistolas
Programs: Helen Finch
Publicity: Eleanor Pichat
Scrap Book: Helen Shumsky

PAST PRESIDENTS

1963-1966 William Page 1986-1988 Richard Peterman

1966-1968 Joseph J. Spurr, II 1988-1990 Charles Recktenwald

1968-1970 Bertha Swain 1990-1992 Joyce Klaber

1970-1972 Jessie Strahman 1992-1994 Arnold Earle

1972-1974 Dorothea Sutton 1994-1996 Monte Caliman

1974-1976 E. Maurice Hopkins 1996-1997 William Whitman

1976-1978 Virgil Key 1997-1998 Arnold Earle

1978-1980 Helen Muller 1998-1999 Phyllis Kowalchuk

1980-1982 Robert Spohn 1999-2000 Helen Muller

1982-1983 Phyllis Kowalchuk 2000-2001 Sue Mazejy

1983-1985 Ellis Neff 2001-2008 Helen Shumsky

1985-1986 Marion Hoesley

INVITATION

Anyone interested in preserving a small part of the History of Livingston is cordially invited to attend any of the monthly meetings held at the Senior / Community Center. They are held on the fourth Monday of the Month (September through April) at 7:30 pm.

The Force Homestead Museum, 366 South Livingston Ave., is open to the public the second Sunday of each month for tours conducted by members of the Livingston Historical Society. In addition, private tours may be arranged by calling Helen Shumsky of the Historical Society at 973 992-3017.

Built in 1745 by the Force family, early settlers in Livingston, the original home consisted of one large room and a loft area. The house was expanded in 1800. The home contains a fireplace in nearly every room and is furnished with period pieces and articles including grandfather clocks and spinning wheels donated by Livingston residents. The Homestead was purchased by the Township in 1962. Members of the Historical Society conduct free monthly "Open House" tours.

Members of the Society are also trustees of the the Ely Cemetery and open it for tours twice a year, on Memorial Day and Veterans' Day. The cemetery was established by Captain William Ely around 1777. In 1864, Ambrose Ely enlarged the graveyard to twice its original size and constructed a stone wall around it.

For more information contact the Society at LivingstonHistoricalSociety@yahoo.com

Also see: Livingston History