Nutley news and historical archives
Nutley
History, from General George Washington's Retreat Route
to Annie
Oakley to the Morris Canal on Our Western Border
to Quarry Town and
Speed Racing Velodrome
to our Golfer's Heaven and Old Military Hall
to Presidential Visits and Professional Wresting
to Cold Ice Cream
to our Cold War Anti-Aircraft Radar Camp
to the Arrival of Route 21
...
Read all about
it and more!
Article Index
Dutch Introduced Skating as Nutley Winter Sport
Few alive today would
recognize most of the Nutley backwoods and ponds described in this
memoir sixty-odd years ago. Bearskin Brook, Rusby's Pond, or
Hillside Park ring a bell in your olde Nutley memories?
Compare your memories.
When Bicycling and Auto Races Were Popular
When Sunday afternoon trotting races on a mile straightaway in elm
shaded Washington Avenue were the town’s favorite diversion,
bicycles captured Nutley’s favor. The wheel led to bicycles which
led to the Nutley Velodrome which was the ancestor of the Tour of
Nutley bike racing classic.
Read all about it.
Artists of Nutley
Letter to Mark Twain:
“There isn’t much that is prettier than
this end of New Jersey. It is all upland, tumbling into shallow valleys
and bright sunny reaches along the Passaic River, and hillsides white as
snow with the daisies, and everywhere trees, in little clumps or in long
lines by the roadside.... You come. I’ll drive you around on Sunday and
show you some views that will do your heart good. I’ll row you up the
Passaic. I’ll give you a chance to play tennis.... Don’t be afraid. You
can’t play worse tennis than I do.... The mosquitoes are very small this
summer—few over an inch long...
Continue reading
25 Nutley Sights You Can
No Longer See
Many of these Nutley, New Jersey locations have been gone for
generations. A few would appear in some more recent memories by
those of us walking these tree-lined streets.
The Nutley Historical
Society is dedicated to serve the educational, cultural, and
historical needs of our community. That would include keeping a door
open to our past structures and other sights that may no longer
exist but played a part in making Nutley what it is today.
Here, we
offer a brief glimpse of twenty-five Nutley sights you can no longer
see.
Check it out
NHS Meeting Room Available for Rental
We are happy to announce that our meeting room is now available
for rentals. To inquire about availability and rental fee,
please call 973-667-1528 and leave a message for our caretaker,
Kerry Flynn.
Rent the historic first floor of the Nutley Museum
for your event
Call Kerry Flynn,
caretaker to
rent the hall : Call
973-667-1528
PLEASE CALL AND
LEAVE A MESSAGE BEFORE YOU EMAIL FOR RENTAL AVAILABILITY INFO -
Thanks
Seating for up to 70 people.
Handicap accessible

More information on the Nutley Museum, and
meeting room rental
with photos.
Save time, download forms:
Hold Harmless Agreement
Rental Agreement
120 Years Ago
Franklin Officially Becomes Nutley, March 5,1902
Did you
know Annie Oakley lived in Nutley NJ?

"Annie Oakley: Little Sure Shot" by Gary Erbe
The Lady, or The Tiger
Nutley
Author
Frank R. Stockton
wrote The Lady, or The Tiger, and Rudder Grange;
Nutley Library ‘Lady or Tiger’
Room Is Opened for Youngsters, Named for Frank Stockton, Noted Local
Author
Nutley Museum Online Tour

Nutley Museum Director John Simko's online tour of the Nutley
Museum, recorded December 5, 2020. Simko spotlighted the Annie
Oakley collection and other select items featured throughout the
Nutley Museum. Projects by the Nutley Historical Society were
also highlighted.
Nutley
Museum Online Tour video
Nutley Historical Society
Annual Fall Pumpkin Festival
Family and Friends are invited to join us
in the Nutley Historical Society meeting room
at our annual Fall Pumpkin Festival from 1 pm to 3 pm on October
16, 2022.
Children of all ages are welcome to come and
paint a pumpkin and everyone gets to enjoy some fall treats.
In addition, our museum collection will be open
for tours. Admission is free however donations are graciously
accepted.
Thank you and hope to see you then.
Annual Ice Cream for History
June 2, 2022
The board of the Nutley Historical Society is pleased to bring back our
Annual Ice Cream for History
night and museum tour at the Nutley Museum, 65 Church Street, Nutley,
N.J.
The
Society is especially happy to welcome children to the museum along with
their parents who will enjoy Nutley's rich history. Ice
cream is 'free' and all welcome to tour the Nutley Museum on the 2nd
floor. We
are looking forward to seeing you there!
Admission is free.
Ice cream social brings visitors back to Nutley Museum
By Amanda Valentovic
Nutley
Walk In The Park 2022
“A Walk in the Park,” led by Nutley Museum director John Simko of
the Nutley Historical Society, was held Sunday, May 29, 2022. The
tour traveled along the Third River in
Nutley Memorial Parkway—from Vreeland Avenue to Chestnut Street,
then on to Nutley Town Hall and Franklin Reformed Church, and ended
at the Nutley Museum.
Simko discussed the Yantacaw River’s (the Third River) role in
Nutley history as a source for early industry, as inspiration for
world-class artists, as a symbol of civic pride, as an important
boundary marker, and as a fitting memorial to our war veterans.
Stops on the tour include the sites of three former mills, see the
pre-Revolutionary War
Van Giesen homestead, the beginnings of Nutley’s 100-year-old
Carnegie Library and even older Town Hall, and walk through one
of Nutley’s oldest cemeteries.
The Nutley Historical Society sponsored the event.
Non-professional videos of previous tours are available on
YouTube.

Another Park Walk Celebrates the Yantacaw
Due to an overwhelming
response from our Memorial Day "Walk in the Park", Nutley Museum
director John Simko led "Another Walk in the Park" - a free
tour that celebrates the Yantacaw River and its role in Nutley
history while strolling through Memorial Park on July 16.
Sgt. Walter Bray, Korean War POW
DVD Presentation, Friday, May 27
A short documentary highlighting Sgt.
Walter Bray's experience as a prisoner of war during the Korean war
will be shown at in the Nutley Museum, 65 Church Street, at 2 p.m.
on Friday, May 27, 2022.
Walter Bray grew up in the 1930's. He
was an orphan and lived in state homes until he turned 17 years old
and enlisted in the U.S. Army.
While awaiting his separation papers at
Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, he and his company were told to fall
out with their barracks bag and were put on a ship to Korea.
Sgt.
Bray was part of a 250 men first company mortar team when they were
attacked and captured. Only 27 men of the 250 survived. He had been
shot in the leg and thanks to a Father Kopec who begged the doctors
not to amputate, Bray recovered from the injury.
During his time as a POW, soldiers
continued to die, and Bray would steal one of their dog tags and
bury it. When the war was over, Bray dug out all the dog tags he had
buried so that the families of the fallen knew what happened to
their sons. Walter Bray was an originator of a local Old Guard
chapter and initiated over 200 men before his death.
If you would be interested in seeing
this documentary, please feel free to join us and while you are
there, take a tour of our museum collection as well.
Walter E. Bray Jr. (May 6,1930 to April 29, 1998), was raised in
Hackensack, and according to the 1940 Census, his mother was the
head of the household. He was the youngest child and had three
sisters and one brother. He lived in Lodi with his wife Lillian and
two children. He is interred at George Washington Memorial Park in
Paramus.
On behalf of the Nutley Historical
Society board members, to all those who have served or continue to
serve our country, THANK YOU.
Pfc. Nicholas S. Pucci was killed in action in Pusan, Korea, on
Sept. 6, 1950. Pfc. Joseph DiNardo was declared missing in action
since Dec. 2, 1950. Pfc. Reed A. Smith died while in service on Feb.
15, 1951. Pfc. John F. Van Der Linde was killed in action in Korea
on March 15, 1951. Corp. Alex. MacMillan was killed in action in
Korea on March 22, 1951. Pfc. William Nolze was "presumed dead"
after being MIA since April 1951. Pfc. John R. Gorman was killed in
action in Korea on May 18, 1951. Richard Arthur Miller was killed in
service in July 1951. S/Sgt. John McConnell died while in service on
Oct. 9, 1951. 1st Lt. Bernard Hafkin was killed in action in Korea,
on Oct. 19, 1951. Robert G. Bliss died while in service on Feb. 4,
1953.
Nutley Museum Big Plans,
New Exhibits
By Barry Lenson
The Nutley Museum has been quiet over the summer. We didn’t
have our annual Ice Cream Social. John Simko, our Museum Director,
didn’t lead his annual “Walk in the Park” history tour of our parks
on Memorial Day. We cancelled an evening of sports films that was
part of the Gary and Zeny Erbe Film Festival. And we have just
learned that we will not be permitted to rent out our first-floor
meeting/party space until autumn at the earliest.
Like you, we have been through a
tough time. But we’ve been making huge plans for wonderful new
things for the people of Nutley to enjoy when we open our doors.
■ WE’RE PLANNING A BLOCKBUSTER
EXHIBITION TO HONOR NUTLEY’S FIRST RESPONDERS AND VETERANS
The Nutley Museum owns a large
collection of photographs and memorabilia that are related to
Nutley’s long history of public servants and veterans from years
past – firefighters, policemen and women, Red Cross volunteers, and
more. And we’re planning to put our collection on display at a
special event and exhibition.
Stay tuned after we open our
doors again.
■ WE’RE OPENING A PERMANENT ANN
TROY EXHIBITION
Ann Troy (1890-1983) is best
known to Nutley people as the author of the “bible” on Nutley
History, a book called Nutley: Yesterday and Today. She was also
principal of the Park Street School from 1919 until 1934 and later,
principal of Washington School until 1952. And back in 1945, she was
one of the founders of the Historical Society and Museum.
Museum Director John Simko (and
his family too) have been working hard to create an area in the
Museum where a collection of Ann Troy’s possessions will be on
permanent display. And there will be a big surprise. John Tiene, a
longtime friend of the Museum, has given us the desk where Ann Troy
wrote her book. It will be the centerpiece of our new permanent
display.
■ WE’RE POLISHING UP OUR DISPLAY
OF WORKS BY NUTLEY ARTISTS
Thanks to a grant from Essex
County, we have been able to restore a painting we own by Frank
Fowler, who founded the Enclosure Artists’ Colony nearly 150 years
ago. We plan to display it when we reopen, alongside works by
Nutley’s other great artists. We’re also hoping to invite today’s
Nutley artists to lend their work to the show.
■ WE’RE UNVEILING THE VINCENT
METHODIST CHURCH GATES
Silas Mountsier, the Nutley hero
who is best known to Nutleyites as the cultivator and developer of
the gorgeous Mountsier Garden, has underwritten the cost of
restoring and reinstalling the impressive wrought iron gates that
once stood at the entrance of Vincent Methodist Church. They are now
being professionally restored. We plan to reinstall them as a grand
entrance to the Nutley Museum, or nearby on museum property.
Stay tuned. It will be a grand
event and a major addition to our beautiful town.
■ AND THAT’S NOT EVERYTHING …
We’re unveiling lots of artifacts
from our history … class trips will come again and fill the museum
with fun and laughter … we will host our annual Pumpkin Festival,
Holiday Party and other events … we’ll hold lectures and special
exhibitions … and we can hardly wait to see you at the Nutley
Museum!
■ JOHN DEMMER HAS GIVEN US HIS
NUTLEY SUN ARCHIVES
John, our Town Historian, has
donated an extensive collection of old issues of The Nutley Sun.
While the Nutley Public Library has its own digitized collection
too, we are thrilled to add this resource to our research tools.
■ Won’t You Join the Nutley
Historical Society and Museum? We invite you to become a member of
the Nutley Historical Society. It’s easy and fast to join.
Membership Form
Lambert Square dedication
May 1
The Nutley Community Preservation
Partnership, The Nutley Historical Society, and The Nutley
Historic Preservation Committee cordially invite you to
celebrate William A. Lambert at noon on Sunday, May 1, 2022.
Activities start at the Nutley Historical
Society-65 Church Street - where the Nutley Museum be open until 1
p.m. Items related to William Lambert will be on display.
Nutley Township Historian John Demmer will give
a brief talk about William A. Lambert and his impact on the
development of Nutley.
The action the shifts to Lambert Square-at the
intersection of Franklin Avenue & High Street-for the actual Lambert
Square dedication ceremony and the unveiling of two Lambert plaques.
NCPP Facebook
Suzanne Beadle - Past President
Nutley Community Preservation Partnership
Author Ron Negra speaks on Waves of Hope
Ron Negra, Nutley native and author,
discussed his book “Waves of Hope” at the Nutley Museum on March
16.

“Waves of Hope” tells the remarkable story of
the author’s mother, an inspiring young woman named Agnes Joan
(Verdi) Negra and heroic acts of kindness she performed during World
War II.
Imagine a time back in 1944 when she sat at her
shortwave radio in Nutley night after night, listening to broadcasts
in which our German enemies read the names of American soldiers they
had captured and were holding as prisoners of war in Europe. This
was personal for her. As a young bride and mother – her husband
August had been wounded at the Battle of the Bulge and was missing
in action.
Yet Ms. Negra did more than listen for news of
her husband. She began to write down the names of the American
soldiers whose names she heard on the air. She then personally wrote
to the families of each of those soldiers. Often, her letters were
the first indications that families received that their soldiers
were alive.
That is the remarkable story of “Waves of
Hope.” Yet the book is much more than a written history. It contains
copies of the letters that Ms. Negra received from the families she
had written to. The result is an astonishing and deeply moving story
of kindness and hope.
And if you are wondering, Agnes and her GI
husband were reunited after the war. This story of love, family,
kindness and more will inspire you.
Ronald Edward Negra, a Nutley, NJ native, was
born on November 9, 1947. He enjoys writing about genealogy and
wrote his first book in 2004 titled, “The History of the Verdi
Family…Celebrating 100 Years in America.” Ron also completed a book
on the Negra Family History and on the life of his father, August E.
Negra.
Nutley woman sent ‘Waves of Hope’ across the country during WWII
Essex News Daily
General Membership Meeting Held March 16, 7 PM
Approved Slate of Officers Two-Year Term, 2022-2024
President: Domenick Tibaldo
Vice President: Suzanne Hagert
Treasurer: Maryann Lauber
Van Riper Historian: Patty Williams
Art Historian: Barry Lenson
Director, Buildings & Grounds: Mike Petrucelli
Director, Membership: Eleanor Slomkowski
Current Officers
The Rising of the American Spirit
Nutley artist Billy Lopa unveils
new painting

See more
Historical Society Congratulates Winners
Of
Annual Nutley History Essay Contest
By Michael C. Gabriele
The Nutley Historical Society
named Nutley High School seniors Ibraham Elnaggar, Emily Ostrowski,
Meredith Carson as the winners of the organization’s annual history
essay contest. The students received their awards during a ceremony
at the high school on June 14, 2021.
Continue reading
For Room Rental: Call
973-667-1528
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65 Church
Street, Nutley N.J. 07110 973-667-1528
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Got Historic Nutley Stuff?
Our
trustees and docents continue to itemize, catalog and preserve as much
Nutley history as we can. If you
have an item tied to our town's history, please consider donating it to
the Nutley Museum. Give us
a call 973-667-1528, or
email us for more
information.



NUTLEY Yesterday - Today - Ann Troy
& Vivian Noyes Fikus
Where
all great study of Nutley history begins
The importance of history in general cannot be doubted. It sets
before us striking instances of virtue, enterprise, courage,
generosity, patriotism and, by a natural principle of emulation,
encourages us to copy such noble examples. History displays the
dealings of God with mankind. It often leads us to view with awe His
darker judgments and again it awakens the liveliest emotions of
gratitude for His kind and benignant dispensations.
In 1945 the founders of the Nutley Historical Society wrote into its
constitution the statement that:
“It shall be the purpose . . . of this association to do all in its
power to collect all the available historical material connected
with . . . the history of Nutley and carefully to preserve the same.
. . . This shall mean ultimately the writing of the history of the
town. . . Down through the years, work on this project continued
until the present volume has been prepared.
So now, since History never stops, we in the Nutley Historical
Society in 1961—like those who wrote the first History of Nutley in
1907— pass on the torch to those coming generations who at some
future time will feel the need to once again issue a . . .
“HISTORY OF NUTLEY”
Robert F. Heald
First President 1954 to 1961
March 5, 1961 The Nutley Historical Society
From the Foreword
Hardcover keepsake
copies
are available
at the Nutley Museum
Nutley Historical Society
Membership
Benefits
As
a member, you and your family are welcome to participate in any or
all of our upcoming events.
When you join or renew your membership, the Nutley Historical
Society will be able to continue and expand our work to bring
you interesting, informational and fun programs throughout the year.
By making our history available and known to those who visit the
museum, we continue to move forward by knowing about and
appreciating our past. We can only accomplish this with your help.
Join Now
Now is a
great time to join or renew your Nutley Historical Society membership.
Thanks to all our members who supported the Nutley Historical Society’s
events and activities.
If you are interested in volunteering to be on one of our
committees or for any additional information, please call 973-667-1528.
Membership Form
Nutley
Historical Society Celebrates 75th Anniversary
Thanks to all
who joined
us to raise a toast in celebration of the seventy-fifth
anniversary of the founding of the Nutley Historical Society on
March 5, 2020. Events included cake cutting and a birthday toast, an update
on recent museum acquisitions and activities, and a special tour of
museum highlights by the museum director.

Rent the historic first floor of the Nutley Museum
for your event
Call Kerry Flynn,
caretaker
to
Rent the Hall: Call
973-667-1528
PLEASE CALL AND
LEAVE A MESSAGE BEFORE YOU EMAIL FOR RENTAL AVAILABILITY INFO -
Thanks
Seating for up to 70 people.
Handicap accessible
More information on the Nutley Museum, and meeting room rental
with photos.
Save time, download forms:
Hold Harmless Agreement
Rental Agreement
For Room Rental: Call
973-667-1528

See the 1910 artist's view of Nutley in person in our first floor
meeting room!
Also of Interest
in Nutley, N.J.
Kingsland Manor
Van Riper Trust
Nutley
Little Theatre
Nutley Historic Preservation Committee
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