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Researching Local History: Exploring Seminary Avenue

  • The Hopewell Theater 5 South Greenwood Avenue Hopewell, NJ, 08525 United States (map)

In this presentation, Doug Dixon of the Hopewell Valley History Project will follow up on his recent historic walking tour of Seminary Avenue in Hopewell Borough to demonstrate how researching in a variety of resources can weave together interesting stories of our local history.

Why the focus on the apparently undistinguished Seminary Avenue, a single block off East Broad Street? It turns out that Seminary Avenue has been a “starter street” for Hopewell since it was opened around 1880. The variety of subdivided buildings with apartments and storefronts provided places where young families and small businesses could establish themselves in a growing town—from barbers, bakers, and butchers, to clothing and grocery stores, plus a theatre, firehouse, and library.

Doug will explore the stories of the amazing variety of people and businesses that developed along this street, illustrated by sources including maps and photos, books and references, deeds and census records, newspaper articles and obituaries, and enhanced by the memories of local people and family members.

Part of the Hopewell Public Library’s “Wednesday Night Out” Series. Cosponsored by the Hopewell Valley Historical Society and The Hopewell Museum.

The event is free and open to the public. Attend the event in person at the Hopewell Theater, 5 South Greenwood Ave, Hopewell, NJ., or attend the event online via Zoom: Exploring Seminary Avenue.

Earlier Event: June 9
Preserving Family Photographs