The Kingston Historical Society
Kingston, New Jersey
Events by KHS of community interest
The History Room at the Delaware and Raritan Canal Kingston Lock will re-open for the season on April 1st.
Hours are 10 AM to 4 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
The displays in the History Room include a tribute to the Kingston Presbyterian Church– a vital part of the village for 300 years.
HERE is more about KPC’s celebration year
And HERE is a link to the June 3 community celebration
2023 is an anniversary year.
Along the trading routes of the Lenape people, the village of Kingston began to be home to some Dutch, English, and Scotch-Irish settles around 1675.
It wouldn’t be until 1723 that there would be a formal declaration of a village church.
Settlers gathered in faith inside homes, and then in a log cabin along the Millstone river. The faithful grew into a gathered community and took a charter to affirm publicly what it had grown into—the worshipping body of the Kingston community.
By the time of the church’s official charter, January 21, 1723, the church had already moved up from the river, having acquired land from Jedediah Higgins sometime before his death in 1715.
The church was built on land which is now Kingston Presbyterian’s cemetery; the graves grew in number around it, as was the custom of the day.
In 1852, the community moved from the cemetery to its present position. For three centuries Kingston Presbyterian Church has sought to love God and love their neighbors, all to God’s glory.Throughout 2023 the church will celebrate. The whole Kingston community and neighbors are invited to share in the festivities.
Rev Sharyl M Dixon Kingston Presbyterian Church
Public access to the Kingston Locktender’s House is available from April to November each year. In the winter months of December, January and February we are open only for special events and for members and archivists to work on research and improvements.
If you’d like to help with archiving or helping with display areas, please contact us, we are glad to have the help!
For interest in the Archiving team use our interest form LINK HERE
Come to the Holiday Tree Lighting LINK HERE (or other winter events to-be-announced)
Contact us via mail or email LINK HERE
Until Spring, enjoy our web pages and browse our posts archive:
Thank you to all who attended the Kingston Picnic on August 27,2022. As evening fell the Kingston Park, behind the Laurel Avenue school, was filled with conversation, community and music.
We ended the event with a showing of KINGSTON:Crossroads to History (see end of post)
Continue reading “Kingston Picnic Photos and Video”Allthough the event has passed, you can review the event invitation and view video shown at the picnic. Hope to see you next year!
Allthough the event has passed, you can view the video shown at the picnic HERE
Kingstonians from near and far.
Newcomers and friends of General Washington.
Families, Frisbees, and Fans of Jazz.
If the weather cooperates on Saturday, August 27, come end the summer with a community celebration.
Bring a chair, blanket, and a picnic and enjoy live music and the delightful company of your neighbors and friends (and meet some new ones!)
While we have not had a village picnic in several years, the KHS and KVAC are ready to say “we are back!” It won’t be the full extravaganza of years ago, but we will have the usual Kingston things…. Fire Trucks, fine music, and even a movie at 8 PM
Local churches will have tables, and local organizations too, so come meet everyone in town. Yes, you can even learn about volunteering with the Kingston Volunteer Fire Company!
We are proud to announce that music will be provided by Phil Orr & Steve Hiltner, both members of Sustainable Jazz Ensemble (link).
STEVE HILTNER is a longtime jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer and leader of Sustainable Jazz. A 2018 CD, “Until I Find the Words”, features his original compositions across a broad range of jazz and Latin styles.
(from their website)
Pianist/composer PHIL ORR has been interpreting Steve Hiltner’s very personal music since 2006—a good, long ride…
(from their website)
Where: Kingston Park (Lauel Ave. Schoolyard)
5:30 or so: Bring a picnic and a blanket/chairs
6 PM Music By Phil Orr & Steve Hiltner
8 PM Movie: Kingston: Crossroads of History
Sponsored by the
Kingston Historical Society
and Kingston Village Advisory Committee
A video of the June 22nd 2022 presentation is now available HERE.
The video is approximately 90 minutes long and includes images of Kingston, NJ’s Main Street (a.k.a. The Kings Highway, The Lincoln Highway, NJ Route 27) and stories of those who lived along it.
The May 21st walk around Kingston was cut short due to dangerous heat. It will be rescheduled for cooler weather.
A video of this presentation is now available below.
The Kingston Historical Society hosted an evening panel discussion featuring stories of Main Street through the eyes of longtime residents. Led by Anne Zeman, the panel included
Good evening everybody;thank you all for coming
I’m Robert von Zumbush, president of the Kingston Historical Society.
I’d like to, first of all, thank the Kingston Volunteer Fire Company for letting us use this hall as they have so many times, we are very grateful to them…
The program this evening was organized by Anne Zeman…
Anne is a long time member and trustee.Charlie Dieterich technical help and Tari Pataleo provided publicity. And our trusees present tonight: Tom Jacoby, Charlie Dieterich, George Luck Jr (our vice president), and Anne Zeman
Introduction, KHS President Robert von Zumbusch
This video is viewable here. It is hosted from archive.org’s website. We thank them for providing hosting for our video presentations. click on their “Columns” logo to download the presentation for later (higher quality) viewing.
A .pdf poster for the June 22nd event is available HERE
George Luck, Jr. led a well attended but abbreviated tour of taverns and tavern locations in Kingston, NJ on May 21st.
George Luck, Jr. led a well attended but abbreviated tour of taverns and tavern locations in Kingston, NJ on May 21st. We were able to capture video of some portions of the walk, and will be editing them together for posting on this website.
Although the walk was shortened, George did agree to answer further questions in air conditioned comfort at Eno Terra Restaurant on Route 27 near the Kingston Lock. The building was actually intended to be the final stop on the tour, having been Fisk’s Store, Feldman’s Store, The Kings Inn, and the Winepress Restaurant before being converted to Eno Terra. We thank the owners and staff of the restaurant for their hospitality.
We will create another event in the future to share more of George’s research. We will post the video when it is available.
On April 9, 2022 a new display opened in the display space of the Locktender’s House. Visit HERE for more details, and THIS EVENT to view the press release
