A History: "Mining Iron in Northwest New Jersey: The People"

With stories from his book, “Mining Iron in Northwest New Jersey: The People,” Stuart Lefkowitz will share the history of mining iron in New Jersey at Bernardsville Public Library on Tuesday, November 29 at 7:00 pm. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event.

Mr. Lefkowitz's book describes the miners who worked to make northern New Jersey what it is today. The culmination of ten years spent interviewing mine workers and their families, it is original research on the people who were born, lived, worked and died in a plantation-type iron mining community in Mt. Hope, later Rockaway Township, New Jersey, from early in the 20th century until the 1970s.

Until the early to mid-20th century, iron miners and their families at Mt. Hope Mine in Rockaway were largely immigrants who worked on or more jobs at the mine and got their main sustenance from raising their own produce and animals. They acquired the remainder of goods at the company store. Many books have focused on mines, but Lefkowitz’s extensively researched book presents a detailed look at the lives of the people who lived and worked at the mine.

Stuart Lefkowitz earned a B.S. degree at The City College of New York, an M.S. Ed. Degree and Indiana University and an M.A. degree at Montclair State University. Because he lives in Rockaway Township, he began the research of people at Mt. Hope Mine and the lives of the children raised there going back to the 1920s. His research began in 2003 and involved seeking out and interviewing people who lived that history. This book was preceded by a short study titled: “Mining in Northwest New Jersey: An Oral History" which can be found in the Rockaway Township Public Library.

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link from Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.