On Sunday, September 15th, the Delaware and Raritan canal was bustling with activity as canal-related groups created a “Canal House Challenge” This was part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the D&R Canal State Park and D&R Canal Commission.
Displays and Refreshments in the North Room (Kristina Hill photo)
D & R Canal Watch was the organizing group, while The friends groups opened five bridgetender and locktender homes: East Millstone, Blackwells Mills, Griggstown, Kingston, and Port Mercer were opened for tours.
Robert von Zumbusch explains Canal Lock Operations (Kristina Hill photo)
Visitors wishing to participate in the challenge received a “Passport” to be stamped at each house. Those who visited all five received a small prize.
D and R Canal Watch “Passport” cover
Five members of the Kingston Historical Society greeted visitors (with and without Passports) and explained the displays and our canal study models. Shown below are Robert von Zumbusch and Charlie Dieterich demonstrating the Kingston Lock and Swing Bridge models.
Passport interior. Stamps indicate canal house visits completed.
Some visitors were heading north (downstream) from Port Mercer in Lawrence Township (opened by the Lawrence Historical Society) going to East Millstone. Others started in Kingston or traveled upstream from East Millstone to Port Mercer.
A boat exits the lower lock (Kristina Hill photo)
Over forty groups came through to see the displays. Thanks to all who prepared the Locktender’s House for the open house and those who made cookies (not shown)!
Charlie Dieterich supervises visiting (model) boatmen. A model of the early D&R Canal Swing Bridges is in the foreground (Kristina Hill photo)
A new display celebrating the Canal Commission and the State Park has been added to our center room. Come by on Saturday or Sunday to see it and all the displays at the Kingston Locktender’s House.
The Kingston Historical Society celebrated the centennial of the Kingston Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 with Chief George Luck Jr. (retired) speaking at the firehouse and via Zoom.
A video of the May 14, 2024 presentation, with a description of the program, is now available HERE
Our streaming video file is hosted on Archive.org, a non-profit repository for community videos. Consider donating a few dollars to them!
The KHSNJ on-line archive (archive.khsnj.org) also has items related to the 100th anniversary, view that collection HERE
A new display “100 Years of Volunteers-The Kingston Volunteer Fire Co.” is now up in the Lock-Tender’s House. On the left the display shows a section from the 1924 KVFC Certificate of Incorporation. The rest of the display is divided into the three “objects for which the corporation is formed:”
…to Reduce the Fire Hazard in the Vicinity of Kingston,
…to Promote Good Fellowship Among its Members,
…to Forward the General Welfare of the Community.
Viewing the Display in the Lock-Tender’s House
The display is in support of the KHS spring talk “100 Years of the Kingston Volunteer Fire Company” A talk by George Luck Jr. to be held at the Kingston Fire House on May 14th at 7:30 PM
For more information on the May 14th talk, go to the registration page HERE
To view the display, visit the Kingston Lock on the Delaware and Raritan Canal on weekends between 10 AM and 5 PM.
This Display celebrates the members of the Kingston Volunteer Fire Company No. 1. May the images on display here remind us of the foresight of those who formed the Fire Company one hundred years ago, and all who have kept our village safe.
Newspaper articles and photographs are from the archives of the Kingston Volunteer Fire Company and the Kingston Historical Society, selected and arranged by Charlie Dieterich and George Luck, Jr. Assembled by the KHS Archivists. May, 2024
April 6 and 7, 2024 was opening weekend for displays at the Kingston Lock-Tender’s House. Several dozen folks came through our expanded display space — from local historians to joggers taking a break from their canal run.
Society president, Robert von Zumbusch demonstrated how the Kingston canal lock worked and how the swing bridge, just downstream of the lock, could be swung away from the canal to allow boats to travel through. Both the lock and swing bridge have been removed from the D&R canal.
Charlie Dieterich and Peter Shell, who assembled the new display “Kingston’s Lock: History Preserved” stand in front of the large panel.
In addition to the new display, two continuing displays drew attention. One concentrated on Inns and Taverns of Kingston and the other on Main Street Kingston.
This weekend was also the first chance for visitors to see the North Room, the Lock-Tender’s living room. Recently renovated, it includes a few items including a large desk built in Kingston by Mr. Moor, who later became the Lock-Tender.
The Lock-Tender’s House will be open weekends from 10-5 until the end of October, and 10-4 in November, 2024.
The weather cleared just in time for our community tree lighting, Sunday December 3rd, 2023. The crowd was not as large as other years, but the Kingston Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 came to provide lights, and the Kingston Women’s Chorus came to provide a joyous sing-along.
Photo by Charlie Dieterich
Photo by Charlie Dieterich
The Kingston Women’s Chorus sang seasonal favorites and reminded us that they have a concert on December 10th at the Kingston United Methodist Church. See OUR EVENTS LIST
Before the event the Kingston Historical Society opened the history room in the Kingston Locktender’s House for one last view of the 2023 displays. The Locktender’s House is now closed until April, 2024. The windows of the house were decorated by Karen Linder and Anne Zeman, with evergreen arrangements made at the December 2nd Wreath and Garland Making Workshop put on by the Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands. fpnl.org
Photo by Glen McParland
The Historical Society provided cookies and hot chocolate, the assembled crowd provided magical power to light the tree for the holiday season.
Photo by Glen McParland
Trustees Sharon Hansen and George Luck, Jr. were in charge of food and setup. Deputy Chief Robert Weissman led the Fire Company’s lighting detail
Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023: Annual Thanksgiving Day Walk.
10 -11:30 am Mapleton Preserve, 145 Mapleton Road, Kingston, NJ. Join Karen Linder and FPNL for our annual Thanksgiving Day morning walk at the Mapleton Preserve.
On this easy, family-friendly walk, we will focus on nuts, seeds and berries that wildlife, including turkeys, use as food. Free and open to all. Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands (www.fpnl.org). Call 609-683-0483 for more information.
Wednesday, November 29th: Turtles at Kingston Greenways Annual Meeting
Turtles are the subject of the KGA Annual Meeting and Program: Thinking Outside the Box about Your Woods and Bogs: How Private Forestry Practices Can Protect Rare Turtles. Speaker: Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey (CWF) biologist Christine Healy.
The video of this presentation is available here on YOUTUBE
Kingston Ladies Auxiliary craft show- 9 AM to 2 PM at the Kingston Firehouse, Heathcote Road, Kingston, NJ. Huge variety. Vendor spaces already sold out! Come early for best selection. “Santa at Ten O’Clock!”.
Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023: Wreath and Garland Making Workshop.
1-3 PM. Mapleton Preserve, 145 Mapleton Road, Kingston, NJ. Learn how to make your own wreath or garland. Limited to 20. Pre-registration is required [609-683-0483].
A $20 donation is requested to cover the cost of supplies. Greens, materials and tools will be available, or bring your own to incorporate into your design. Cookies, cocoa and holiday music will round out the event. Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands (www.fpnl.org).
Sunday, Dec. 3 Holiday Tree Lighting
Meet KHS members, friends and neighbor’s while enjoying holiday refreshments and the music of the Kingston Women’s Chorus outdoors.
The TreeLighting will be at 5:00 pm. The Chorus will sing before the Tree Lighting and then lead the traditional “sing-along” after the Tree Lighting.
“Home and Hearth- Songs for a peaceful and cozy holiday season” Featuring our not-to-be-missed community choral singalong! 7 PM on Sunday, 10th December (celebrating World Choral Day) Kingston United Methodist Church, 9 Church Street, Kingston NJ
Heather Robbins, director Dottie Westgate, piano
Concert is free. Donations to benefit the Rare Kidney Disease Foundation
7 am-4 pm. Join Kingston Greenways Association (https://kingstongreenways.org/) for their annual survey of the birds of Kingston as part of the Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) .
Experienced and novice birders are welcome to participate in the 124th anniversary of the CBC, where the goal is to identify and tally as many Kingston birds as we can on one day. We start at 7:30 am and bird until noon, break for lunch, and then go out again from 1 until dusk.
This is a great way to get to know your local open space and learn about your local birds while providing continent-wide population data. Please call Karen for more details [609-683-0483]
Sunday, December 24, 7 PM Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
The Kingston Presbyterian Church completes their celebration of 300 years with a traditional candle light service in their sanctuary. 4565 Route 27, Kingston NJ 08528. www.kingstonpresbyterian.org
And in 2024….
Monday, Jan. 1, 2024: First Day Hike.
Noon – 2 pm. Mapleton Preserve, 145 Mapleton Road, Kingston, NJ Start the New Year off right with an easy walk through the Mapleton Preserve. We know you want to sleep in a little, so the event begins at 12 noon. Dress for the weather, whatever it is. The walk is sponsored by Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands (www.fpnl.org) and will start at the Mapleton Preserve/D&R Canal State Park Headquarters at 145 Mapleton Road, Kingston. Socialize after the walk with hot drinks and cookies. It is FREE – all are welcome. Call 609-683-0483 for more information.
Monday, Jan. 15, 2024: MLK Jr. Day of Service.
Noon-2 pm. Mapleton Preserve, 145 Mapleton Road, Kingston, NJ Join Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands (FPNL) for a winter work session in the Mapleton Preserve! Honor Dr. Martin Luther King’s holiday by spending a winter afternoon outdoors with us and discover the special joys of stewardship!
Gloves and tools will be provided, or bring your own saws, clippers, loppers and rakes if you prefer. Work gloves, sturdy shoes, warm clothing and hats are a must. Call 609- 683-0483 for more information, or if you would like to involve a group. Service hours are available to those in need. FREE. Refreshments served.
Continuing: Kingston Historical Society needs Archivists!
Local folks with an interest in history meet to organize and catalogue the KHS collection. See THIS LINK to join them. Here’s one item we recently archived:
Blanche Woolf, born Blanche Peebles, spoke of running Peebles General Store in Kingston
Senator Charles B. Moore (1822-1904) (Nick Robinson)
Senator Charles B. Moore spoke of life in Kingston and in the New Jersey Senate.
Reflections were based on research by George Luck Jr. and Peyton Dixon.
Video of the event….
Although the event was planned for the cemetery itself, the rain that day caused us to move to the lower level of the Presbyterian Church, a location which allowed us to record the event for posterity. The video of the event (1 hour and 21 minutes long) is available HERE.
“Memorable Places,” the Fall 2023 Art Show of the South Brunswick Arts Commission at Municipal Building 8:30AM- 4PM through November 24, 2023 Free and open to the public. (Monmouth Junction)
This show features the Princeton Nursery Lands as one of the township’s memorable places. More information at www.sbarts.org
Sept 30 FPNL Public Lands Day (change)
New Date: Saturday, September 30, 2023, 2 to 4 PM (postponed from 9/23) Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands is celebrating National Public Lands Day with a cleanup at the Mapleton Preserve on Saturday Sept. 30 from 2 to 4 PM Pre-register at http://fpnl.org/
Oct 14 Cemetery Tales, Kingston Cemetery
Join members of the Kingston Presbyterian Church at Kingston’s historic graveyard on Church St. for a Saturday, mid-day remembrance of those buried in Kingston. Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 2pm
NOTE: In event of rain, talks will be given at the Presbyterian Church on Main Street. (4565 Route 27, Kingston)
Meet some of Kingston’s ancestors, as they tell you their story, during an afternoon stroll through KPC’s historic cemetery. The event is free, but an RSVP is requested. call: (609) 921-8895 or email: kingstonpresnj@gmail.com
Oct. 15 Pancake Breakfast– Kingston Vol. Fire Co.
Sunday Morning- before or after church! It has been a few years since this many-decade old tradition was last offered. Come 8AM-1PM at the Kingston Fire House. Good food, good community, show our volunteers how much we support them. This year you can reserve tickets, or make a donation, at https://kvfc-breakfast.cheddarup.com
The Fire Company regularly provides space for KHS public meetings. We thank them for their part in community building. Learn more about the Kingston Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 (and directions and how to become a firefighter) at https://kingstonfireco.com/
Oct 21 South Brunswick Twp. History Day 11 AM
Presented by the South Brunswick Township Historical Society. A Saturday “Scavenger Hunt” encourages groups to visit locations across the township over a three hour period from 11 AM to 2 PM, with a birthday cake at Woodlot Park at 2:30 PM.
The Kingston Historical Society will be participating in this Saturday mid-day event. Tours and docents will at the Kingston Bridge, the D&R Canal Locktender’s House on the Delaware and Raritan Canal, and the State Park Headquarters at the Princeton Nursery Lands on Mapleton Road, as well as the home of Kingston’s 300 year old church community, the Presbyterian Church on Main Street.
“Seeds, Nuts, & Whirlygigs” Kingston Greenways is hosting a 1.5 mile family-friendly Saturday afternoon stroll admiring fall colors and exploring methods that trees use to spread into new territories. Meet at the D&R Canal State Park Headquarters 145 Mapleton Road, Kingston at 3 PM. See kingstongreenways.org for more details
Nov 14 KHS Annual Meeting Tuesday Evening
Local author Markus McParland will speak on his new book about Kingston at 7:30 Tuesday Nov 14 at the Kingston Fire House on Heathcote Brook Road.
“Community Collection for Kingston, NJ” is a book compiled by Markus McParland for the benefit of the Kingston Historical Society.
We plan to have the talk available online as well as in person at the Kingston Fire House.
Nov 23 (new) Thanksgiving Day Hike
Join the Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands for a mid-morning all-ages “ramble” around the Mapleton Preserve. Check fpnl.org for details as the day approaches (and photos from last year!)
Dec 3 Holiday Tree Lighting– Sunday
Come down to the Locktender’s House! The Kingston Historical Society, with help from the Kingston Womens Chorus will brighten the canal at our traditional tree lighting. Event will be at 4:30 PM. Dress warmly!
