HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY
The
Tewksbury Historical Society was established on February 19, 1989. The Society is organized exclusively to further research
into and the preservation and dissemination of the history of the Township of Tewksbury, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
The Tewksbury Historical Society is a not-for-profit organization under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Code 501
(c) (3). The Society was incorporated as a New Jersey not-for-profit corporation on January 9, 1992 and is a NJ registered
charity.
A 11 member Executive Board governs the Society. This Board is made up of four officers who are elected
by the membership for two-year terms and the appointed chairs of standing committees. This Executive Board conducts all
of the Society’s affairs as per the Society’s bylaws.
2020-2021 OFFICERS
Shaun C. Van Doren-- President
Joan Umholtz -- Vice President
Alice F. Walters -- Secretary
Pete Peterson -- Treasurer
STANDING COMMITTEES/CHAIRS
Antique
Show - George Cassa
Archivist - Fred Katnack
Art Show - Andy Calamaras
House & Garden Tour - Ellen Dunnder
Hospitality - Martha Wrede
Oral
History - Stephanie Koven
Property - Harold Wrede
PROGRAMS & EVENTS
The Society holds a number of meetings, events and programs throughout the year for you to attend and enjoy.
General
membership meetings are held on the 3rd Sunday in the months of January, March, and May, with a covered dish supper held in November.
An informative program is given on the history of Tewksbury or the surrounding area.
The Tewksbury House &
Garden Tour, in partnership with the Garden Club of Hunterdon Hills, is held in June of every odd numbered year and consists
of tours on the interiors of Tewksbury's historic homes and/or exterior gardens of Tewksbury. The Tour will return in
June of 2021.
In July of every even numbered year, the Society, along with the Tewksbury Trail Association, sponsors
a Tewksbury Barn Tour. Barns include new and old, working and dormant, and those still maintaining livestock. The next
Barn Tour will be in July, 2020.
The Tewksbury Art Show is our largest fundraiser. It
brings many members and volunteers together to register over 140 artists from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut
who enter over 325 pieces of art, all of which is for sale. The next Art Show dates have not been established.
The
Tewksbury Antique Show is always the 1st full weekend in December at the Old Turnpike School 173 Old Turnpike Road (County
Route 517) Califon (Fairmount section of Tewksbury). Over 50 dealers come from across the tri-state area. The Show is
managed by Bob Lutz. All dealers spaces are sold out months in advance. The 2020 Show dates have not been yet been set.
HEADQUARTERS
Society Headquarters is located at 60 Water Street in Mountainville. We're in a portion of the old Municipal
Building/Mountainville Meeting Hall, which we lease from the Township of Tewksbury.
Currently our museum is open on
select Saturdays and by appointment. Check the calendar for days and times we're open. The current displays are on the Rockaway
Valley Railroad, the restored Stryker Dollhouse,and original vintage wines from the former Tewksbury Winery. Call
us at 908-832-6734 to schedule an appointment.
The Society acquired the former Township Garage on James
Street in Oldwick having restored the exterior to its former carriage house design and renamed it the Oldwick Carriage House.
Currently the Society uses it for its furniture and large item archives and a storage facility for all of its fundaising supplies
and signage as well as events processing and Tag Sale location. It is located at 5 James Street in Oldwick. In
2019 the Society acquired 49 Old Turnpike Road with future plans to have as its headquarters, offices and display space.
Check back for future updates.
