Not Enough History on Hopatcong and Sussex County - I Found Some Historians and a Bookstore for You

Do you think that Sussex County or Hopatcong’s history and heritage is hard to find?   Finding history of Lake Hopatcong is easy with the Lake Hopatcong Historical Society and the museum located inside the State Park.  But, I find that Lake Hopatcong’s history and in general our local history is always leaning towards historical landmarks and history of Morris County.  Perhaps it may be that Morris County is so rich in revolutionary era history and it has societies and organizations that help preserve this history.  What’s up with Sussex County’s Revolutionary heritage?  After all, Governor Josiah Hardy established the seat of Sussex County on December 12, 1761.  We must have some extensive history and a heritage of our own county.  What group is urging us on to live up to our stoic predecessors?  Who helps us define what the heritage and character of Sussex County is? 

 My quest for local history and also to find a Women’s Organization that would provide heritage, cultural and social activism has led me to the AAUW-NJ Sussex County Branch.    It is an organization that helps connect me to other groups of the same ilk though knowledge sharing. 

This Branch helped host an expert historian on Ellis Island Professor Vincent Parrillo.  Parrillo allowed us to see how many of our ancestors who passed though Ellis Island had to do so with trepidation from predators who exploited these people before they even left the gates of Ellis Island.    His novel “Guardians of the Gate” was sprinkled with interesting historical facts. Vincent Parrillo had so many true immigrant stories that he shared with us at our local library – E. Louise Childs Library on March 17^th.  In the conclusion of his lecture he left us with his blog site where he provides a diary of real people and their American experience.  His blog is http://vincentparrillo.posterous.com/http://vincentparrillo.posterous.com/

 Each new AAUW-NJ Branch program speaker transports me to the proverbial class trip of personal development.   Besides interesting presenters, our Branch meets once a month for Film Nite at a home in Hopatcong and Book/Supper night at various homes in Sussex County where the theme of the book or film has an important history or social message for these women. 

April 21^st is a visit to the New Jersey Herald Building in Newton.  The New Jersey Herald is very active in documenting and publishing Sussex County History and they are a very pro women’s publication company.  The New Jersey Herald was instrumental in organizing past “Girl’s Nite Out” events.  It is nice to know that your local county newspaper believes in supporting and endorsing local women’s organizations and issues.  Ms. Lee Williams their Promotions & Special Projects Manager will be giving a historical slide presentation compiled from their special books on Sussex County.  Yes, there is several history books published on Sussex County.  Besides books on our past there are also some beautiful photo books that are current where their readership has contributed to celebrating Sussex County.  They even have published note cards on Sussex County Bears.  Certainly, Hopatcong can offer some interesting photos on this topic.  All of these books about Sussex County can be purchased at their online bookstore.  Many are limited editions and can only be found at this site  http://www.njherald.com/category/189925/herald-store 

Do you know of any local history books, book stores, authors or societies that offer public lectures that need to be discovered?  Please share them.

If you are a woman with an Associate’s degree or higher, you might want to consider joining the AAUW (American Association of University Woman) NJ – Sussex County Branch.   This Branch is over 61 years old and passionately promotes equity for all women and girls, lifelong education and positive societal change in our own regional area.  Contact Branch President Carole Monesmith at 973/786-6238 or cmonesmith@gmail.com.  Please visit website for more info on this local branch of a dynamic national women’s organization at  http://www.aauwsussex.org