The Cedar Grove Historical Society was founded in 1968 by a group of gentlemen led by Leslie Jacobus with the hope of preserving Cedar Grove's History. In 1985 the Historical Society took over the care of the Canfield Morgan House that had been bequeathed to the Township by the last farmer in Cedar Grove, Courtenay Morgan. The Historical Society's many volunteers over the years have turned the house into a museum to help preserve Cedar Grove's history per the request of Mr. Morgan. The Society presents programs of historical interest on the fourth Wednesday of September, October, February, March, April and May. These programs are presented at the Cedar Grove Library, 1 Municipal Court, Cedar Grove, beginning at 7:30 p.mAA. The public is welcome to all of our General Meetings. We hold a short business meeting before each program. The Historical Society also has an organic farm and runs a Farm Stand every Saturday beginning on the last Saturday in May and ending on the last Saturday in October. The stand is open each Saturday during that period from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Besides vegetables, local honey and local history books are also available. Honey is also available throughout the year by emailing Julie Ostering at [email protected]
Recent Events:
The Cedar Grove Historical Society Celebrated its Fiftieth Anniversary at their General Meeting on October 24. Jean Jaeger presented a PowerPoint chronicling the Society's history and then showed a video made from a 1958 film showing what Cedar Grove was like at the time. Pictures and artifacts from the Morgan Museum were on display and refreshments will be served. During the business meeting, Jean Jaeger was name Cedar Grove Township Historian.
Our Farm Stand and Pumpkin and Apple Sale were both big successes again this year. The Farm Stand sold organic vegetables grown on Morgan's Farm as well as local honey, handmade cutting boards and local history books. Because Farm Day had to be cancelled due to the rainy August weather some special treats were offered along with our pumpkins and apples at the sale this year. Customers were treated to ice cream, lemonade and popcorn. On October 13 Mountainside farms brought a petting zoo to the farm. The zoo was a big draw and the children in attendance had a great time!
At our September meeting, John Zinn, an independent historian, presented a program entitled "New Jersey and World War I". He described the young men's experience from the draft through basic training and then there service on the Western Front. He included some stories about the Cedar Grove men who served.
"The Caldwell Railway" presented by Phil Jaeger. The program examined the history of the Caldwell Railway which began operations on August 3,1891, between Caldwell and Caldwell Junction (today's Great Notch). Later that decade the line was extended to Essex Fells and also became the Caldwell Branch of the Erie Railroad. The railroad was a major factor in the construction of Overbrook Hospital and the Newark Reservoir.
Help Preserve Cedar Grove's Heritage
Cedar Grove is one of the few towns in New Jersey that is fortunate enough to have a museum dedicated to the preservation of its history. When Courtenay Morgan left his property to the Township of Cedar Grove to be used for passive recreation he added a stipulation that the Cedar Grove Historical Society had to create a museum to preserve Cedar Grove's past. The society has lived up to this mission because of the dedicated services of its volunteers and the generosity of its members and friends.
Maintaing the heritage of Cedar Grove is of prime importance to the society, but it comes at a cost. That is why it is so important that our members and friends continue to support the society in anyway that they can. We urge you to give thoughtful consideration to making a donation this year. Your donation, no matter what size, will go far to preserve not only the museum but also the history of Cedar Grove for today and for future generations.
Please send your tax-deductible contribution to the Cedar Grove Historical Society, P.O. Box 461, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009.
Contact us at: [email protected] .
- December 1and 2: The Morgan Museum will take part in the Essex Country Holiday House Tours again this year. The museum will be open for tours from 2 until 4 p.m. both days. Guides will be present to discuss the history of the house and the artifacts that are on display. There will be a gift shop in the barn featuring local honey, handmade, cutting-boards, local history books and many other items. Weather permitting, some of the organic vegetables grown on the farm will be available. Light refreshments will be served in the Museum.
- February 27: General Meeting: Jean Jaeger will present a program about notable Cedar Grove citizens beginning with some of the earliest residents to our most recent notable residents. A short business meeting will be held before the meeting.
- March 27: General Meeting; "Overbrook - Inception to Today" presented by Kevin Kowalick
- April 24: General Meeting; "Famous New Jersey Women" presented by Jim DelGiudice
- May 22: "The Garden State: Where Ideas Grow" presented by Linda Barth
Recent Events:
The Cedar Grove Historical Society Celebrated its Fiftieth Anniversary at their General Meeting on October 24. Jean Jaeger presented a PowerPoint chronicling the Society's history and then showed a video made from a 1958 film showing what Cedar Grove was like at the time. Pictures and artifacts from the Morgan Museum were on display and refreshments will be served. During the business meeting, Jean Jaeger was name Cedar Grove Township Historian.
Our Farm Stand and Pumpkin and Apple Sale were both big successes again this year. The Farm Stand sold organic vegetables grown on Morgan's Farm as well as local honey, handmade cutting boards and local history books. Because Farm Day had to be cancelled due to the rainy August weather some special treats were offered along with our pumpkins and apples at the sale this year. Customers were treated to ice cream, lemonade and popcorn. On October 13 Mountainside farms brought a petting zoo to the farm. The zoo was a big draw and the children in attendance had a great time!
At our September meeting, John Zinn, an independent historian, presented a program entitled "New Jersey and World War I". He described the young men's experience from the draft through basic training and then there service on the Western Front. He included some stories about the Cedar Grove men who served.
"The Caldwell Railway" presented by Phil Jaeger. The program examined the history of the Caldwell Railway which began operations on August 3,1891, between Caldwell and Caldwell Junction (today's Great Notch). Later that decade the line was extended to Essex Fells and also became the Caldwell Branch of the Erie Railroad. The railroad was a major factor in the construction of Overbrook Hospital and the Newark Reservoir.
Help Preserve Cedar Grove's Heritage
Cedar Grove is one of the few towns in New Jersey that is fortunate enough to have a museum dedicated to the preservation of its history. When Courtenay Morgan left his property to the Township of Cedar Grove to be used for passive recreation he added a stipulation that the Cedar Grove Historical Society had to create a museum to preserve Cedar Grove's past. The society has lived up to this mission because of the dedicated services of its volunteers and the generosity of its members and friends.
Maintaing the heritage of Cedar Grove is of prime importance to the society, but it comes at a cost. That is why it is so important that our members and friends continue to support the society in anyway that they can. We urge you to give thoughtful consideration to making a donation this year. Your donation, no matter what size, will go far to preserve not only the museum but also the history of Cedar Grove for today and for future generations.
Please send your tax-deductible contribution to the Cedar Grove Historical Society, P.O. Box 461, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009.
Contact us at: [email protected] .