Chatham Historical Society Hosts 2nd Annual 4th Grade Class Field Trip to Fair Mount Cemetery

The Chatham Historical Society of the Borough in May of last year hosted the first 4^th grade field trip to Fair Mount Cemetery and it was so well received by the teachers and students that the Lafayette Avenue School asked the Society to repeat the visit each year, making it part of the 4^th grade curriculum.  Wednesday, May 29^th, the Society led the school’s entire 4^th grade, all 366 students on the 2^nd Annual field trip to the well maintained Victorian-era cemetery which dates back to1859 to meet townspeople from yesteryear.  The foggy morning did not deter the organizers, guests or the children as they walked from school for the 9 a.m. arrival.   

All were greeted by Society volunteers, school aids and 14 re-enactors from Chatham High School, who were overseen by Lynn Polan, Drama teacher.  Having received and studied the historical summary of each particular character provided by the Society, the “actors” transformed themselves into the bygone residents both in spirit and in period costumes!

Enthusiastic to learn, the students listened to stories about the early settlers on the banks of the Fishawack (now called the Passaic River); the borough’s early industrial history; past historians, mayors, merchants and ministers; and the town’s glorious days as a popular vacation destination.

One of the goals for this event has been to enrich the knowledge of young people about local history.  Each student received the Chatham Historical Society Coloring Book, an informative, historical perspective of the area.  This 2^nd annual field trip was a wonderful success and creatively coordinated by board members Amy Crandall, School Liaison and Christine Grobert, 4^th Grade Teacher at the Lafayette Avenue School.  The entire event was facilitated by Fair Mount cemetery management.

By 11 a.m. the adventure was over and the students led by their teachers began the walk back to school.  The re-enactors gathered to share stories, the questions asked and funny incidents of the morning. The Society volunteers then gathered up the signs, props and balloons, noted the accomplishments and began formulating plans for next year.  The Society is so proud of this contribution to the town and hopes that more people of all ages will stop and look around and better understand the history Chatham’s past holds.  To learn more about Chatham’s past visit - www.chathamnjhistoricalsociety.org 

If you would like to become more involved with the Chatham Historical Society you are welcome to join our growing list of volunteers; please contact the President through the Society mailing address, Chatham Historical Society, PO Box 682, Chatham NJ 07928  You can also send the Society an email from our website by clicking "Contact Us".