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Nutley
Historical Society The Nutley
Historical Society is a not-for-profit Founded March 5, 1945
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RENT THE Nutley Museum facilities for your event
Call Kerry Flynn, caretaker to rent the hall: 973-667-1528 *** Alternate Nutley Historical Society site ***
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Nutley Celebrates 80th Anniversary of Velodrome NUTLEY—Commissioner Mauro G. Tucci has announced that on Tuesday, June 4, the Nutley Historical Society, in cooperation with the Township of Nutley and the Nutley Public Library, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Nutley Velodrome, the legendary cycling track that was part of the “golden age” of bicycle racing in the United States. Two events will commemorate the velodrome’s anniversary; both events are free and open to the public. First, there will be a 4 p.m. ceremony at the Nutley Parks Department building, 44 Park Ave., which is near the site where the velodrome once stood. Township commissioners, along with members of the Nutley Historical Society’s executive board, will dedicate a monument to the velodrome. Commissioner Tucci also will read a resolution. Later that same day, at 7 p.m., the historical society will host a program at the Nutley Museum, 65 Church St., featuring author and historian Michael Gabriele. Two years ago Gabriele wrote “The Golden Age of Bicycle Racing in New Jersey,” published by The History Press, which chronicles the 130-year history of cycling in the Garden State. The program will include a presentation by Gabriele, along with a display of photos, programs and cycling memorabilia. A limited number of Gabriele’s books will be available for sale. In addition to the two events on June 4, the Nutley Public Library, 93 Booth Drive, beginning June 1, will feature a month-long display of photos, velodrome programs and cycling memorabilia in its main lobby. “We are honored to be a part of this significant piece of Nutley’s history” stated Commissioner Mauro G. Tucci. The Nutley Velodrome opened on Sunday, June 4, 1933, to a capacity crowd of 12,000 fans. Joseph Miele, an entrepreneur and sportsman from East Orange, led the effort to build the track. A field of top international cycling stars—Gerard Debaets of Belgium; Alfred Letourner of France; Franz Deulberg of Germany; Giovanni Manera of Italy; Charlie Jaeger and Tino Reboli of Newark; Paul Croley of Brooklyn; Norman Hill, from San Jose, CA; and Australians Cecil Walker and Reggie McNamara—were featured in opening-day racing events. The Nutley Velodrome is an important fixture in New Jersey’s grand cycling legacy. The state is acknowledged as the “cradle of cycling” for the United States. From the 1890s to 1940, New Jersey was the epicenter for the international professional cycling circuit. Though the era is long forgotten, professional cycling was a major spectator sport in New Jersey in the early years of the 20th century. The Nutley track—a one-seventh of a mile wooden saucer—was built three years after the Newark Velodrome closed. In addition to cycling events, the Nutley Velodrome also hosted several boxing matches and midget-car races. The velodrome was located on the north side of Park Avenue near River Road. The site today is occupied by the Nutley Parks and Recreation Building and Father Glotzbach Memorial Park. Due to a variety of economic and social factors, the sport of professional track cycling began a steep decline in the late 1920s. Though initially it was successful, the Nutley Velodrome eventually suffered from this downward trend, which was manifested in a dramatic drop in fan attendance. When the track closed its gates for the final time on Sunday, Sept. 15, 1940, it marked the end of the golden age of professional bicycle racing in the United States. Two years later, the track was demolished. In subsequent years, Nutley commissioners acquired the velodrome property and develop ed a public park and a Little League baseball field for the township’s Avondale neighborhood. Excerpt from 'The Golden Age of Bicycle Racing in New Jersey':
The Oct. 20, 1933 edition of The Sun recapped the successful first season at the Nutley Velodrome. The track had an overall attendance of 297,000 for 35 meets, with $60,000 paid out in prizes and salaries. Grandstand tickets were 75 cents, while boxed and reserved seats were $1. A big event of the 1933 season was when 28-year-old George Dempsey of Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 20, won the national five-mile pro championship. His competitors included Cecil Walker and Harris Horder, two other Australian riders, and California cyclist Norman Hill.
June 4:
4 p.m.
June 4: 7 p.m.
June -
A Walk in
Memorial Parkway: 10 a.m. to noon Did you know that a sawmill once operated on the Yantacaw River near the Mud Hole playground? Or that generations of artists living on the Enclosure drew inspiration from the river’s beauty? Did you know that our Yantacaw River marked an important edge of the original 1666 English boundaries of “New Ark”? Or that Town Hall is all that remains of a complex of mill buildings that stretched across the Oval? Join Nutley Museum Director John Simko for a walk along the Yantacaw River to explore the many roles it has played in our town’s industry, recreation, and history. This rain-or-shine tour begins at 10 a.m. at the Mud Hole (inside Memorial Parkway at Vreeland and Passaic avenues) and follows the river to the Oval, making stops, including the Vreeland House, along the way. The tour concludes at Nutley’s first brick schoolhouse (now the Nutley Historical Society headquarters and Nutley Museum), where light refreshments will be served and the museum will be open. Articles from our archives related to the tour will be featured.
Jazz Night At the Nutley Museum Saturday, May 4, 2013 The Nutley Historical Society will host “Jazz at the Museum,” an evening of live music on Saturday, May 4, at The Nutley Museum, 65 Church Street, featuring the Manhatten (sic) Brothers. Doors open at 7 p.m. There is a suggested contribution of $10 per person for admission. Proceeds go to benefit the Nutley Museum. This performance marks the fifth season for the music series. The Clifton-based band features Dante Liberti on piano and vocals; Paul Liberti on bass and vocals; Rich Davala on drums and vocals; Bob Fugel on electric guitar; and Michael Gabriele on tenor saxophone. Gabriele is a member of the executive board of the Nutley Historical Society. The set list for the performance includes American swing standards, Latin tunes and jazz ballads such as “In the Mood”; “That’s All”; “There Will Never Be Another You”; “Meditation”; “Misty”; and “Day By Day.” The evening includes two sets of music. Complementary snacks, coffee and refreshments will be offered during the show’s intermission. In addition, Nutley Historical Society docents will be available to welcome guests to the upstairs museum display, which features Nutley community artifacts and Annie Oakley memorabilia. Dom Tibaldo is the president of the Nutley Historical Society, while Sue Hagert serves as vice president. Members of the group’s executive board include Maryann Lauber, Pat Williams, Barry Lenson, Nancy Greulich, John Simko, Eleanor Slomkowski, Mike Slomkowski, Mary Bradley and Mike Petrucelli.
Boxing comes to Nutley Historical Society 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18, 2013 The "Pride of Nutley" Rockin' Ron Vassalo headed the boxing card held 37 year ago at the "Rumble in the Oval" on September 10, 1976. Other boxers that night included the "Weehawken Wildman" Kevin Smith and the "The Kearny Kid" Irish Johnny Sullivan.
Get
a ringside seat for the lowdown when Rockin’ Ron and Paul Denkinger,
the promoter of the event, relive the “Rumble in the Oval"
Come, stay for the full count and enjoy the discussion of boxing on the long ago evening in our town when boxing was in its prime. At the meeting room in the Nutley Museum. Free. Light refreshments will be served, and the museum will be open.
Nutley boxers reunited for
night at the museum.
Nutley Historical Society Honors Pervis Robison Jr. at 50-year Memorial The Nutley Historical Society joined township officials, members of the U.S. Navy and Marines and fellow citizens to remember Nutley Seaman Pervis Robison Jr. who was killed aboard the USS Thresher nuclear submarine on April 10, 1964. Board members Pattie Williams Ellie Slomkowski and President Dom Tibaldo shared the Robison display from the NHS meeting room. Some of the items in the display and museum relating to Robison were collected by former NHS President Ed Stecewicz who died recently. Photo courtesy of Michael Gabriele. Nutley seaman remembered 50 years after submarine tragedy Nutley Officials Honor Fallen Veteran Pervis Robison 50th Anniversary of Submarine's Loss Is Remembered • Pervis Robison of Nutley Was Aboard the USS Thresher Ed Stecewicz, Former NHS President
He was employed as a technician for Kearfott Corp. in Little Falls. He was active in the Van Riper Trust and was a Nutley and New Jersey history buff. The beloved son of the late Elizabeth (Kney) & Edward A. Stecewicz, he is survived by three sisters, Donna Lampe, Susan T. & Carol J. Stecewicz; his aunt, Valerie Sente; two nieces, Dana Lampe & Marlena Lampe-Torres; a nephew, Michael Lampe, and his great nephew, Daniel. A funeral was to be held April 10 from the S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home, Nutley. The funeral Mass was to be celebrated at St. Mary's Church, Nutley. The interment was to follow at East Ridgelawn Cemetery, Clifton. Memorial contributions to the Nutley Historical Society & Museum, 65 Church St., Nutley, NJ 07110 would be appreciated. Former Nutley museum director remembered Winter Wonderland Open House
65 Church Street, Nutley, NJ The Nutley Museum will be open for tours with board members Museum Director Barry Lenson Asst. Director & Annie Oakley Historian Nancy Greulich Asst. Director & Nutley Parks & Mills Historian John Simko Nutley Velodrome Historian Michael Gabriele Light refreshments Free Admission Hosted by The Nutley Historical Society 2013 Calendar of Events February 10 - 1 p.m. - Winter Wonderland Open House March 21 - 7 p.m. - General Membership Meeting April 18 - 7 p.m. - Boxing Night May 4 - 7 p.m. - Jazz at the Museum May 26 - 10 a.m. to noon - A Walk in Memorial Parkway: From the Mud Hole to the Museum June 4 - 7 p.m. - Nutley Velodrome - 80th Anniversary Celebration of the Nutley Velodrome, Speaker & Author Michael Gabriele June 6 - 6:30 p.m. - Ice Cream for History
September 15 1 p.m. -
September 19 - 7:30 p.m. - Speaker program (TBA) October 13 - 1 p.m. - Fall Pumpkin Festival December 5 - 7:30 p.m. - Christmas Party 226 Chestnut Street
Nutley Museum meeting room rental available year-round To request a reservation, please call Kerry Flynn, Caretaker 973-667-1528 Download forms: Rental Agreement Hold Harmless Agreement December 2012 The Ann A. Troy Gallery Visit the restored “Church Street School,” built in 1875 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Nutley Museum brings local history to life this season with a photography exhibit and memorabilia from Annie Oakley and other prominent Nutley families. Admission by donation. Part of the Fourth Essex County House Tour
Events held at the Nutley Museum unless otherwise noted.
 September 22, 2011
CAMP
NUTLEY,
Plaque dedication,
historical talk |
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Edward
T. Stecewicz, 55, a lifelong resident of Nutley, passed away April
6, 2013 at his home.