Lawrence Historical Society Establishes Annual Ruth Barringer Lecture

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — The Lawrence Historical Society (LHS) has established a lectureship in honor of longtime member Ruth Barringer.

The Ruth Barringer Annual Lecture Series will be held each February at the Society’s annual meeting, starting in 2024.

“I’m thrilled the Society’s board of trustees made this decision,” LHS President Joe Ciccone said. “This will serve as a permanent reminder of an individual who cares so deeply about preserving and promoting the history of Lawrence Township. I can’t think of anyone more deserving than Ruth.”

A native of Wilmington, Delaware, Barringer and her late husband Don move to Lawrence in 1961.

In 1987, she was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Lawrence Historical Society, a position which she held until retiring in 2022.

In the late 1990s she co-chaired the fundraising committee to restore the Lawrence Township-owned Brearley House, the 1761 brick farmhouse on Meadow Road.

Under her stewardship, the committee’s fundraising effort exceeded the $175,000 goal established by Lawrence Township Council, which proved crucial to the restoration effort.

“Ruth made the restoration of the Brearley House possible,” said Douglas Sargent, senior member of the township’s Historic Preservation Advisory Committee. “Her enthusiasm and drive inspired us all to make a difficult project possible. The result is spectacular.”

Barringer has also served on the Lawrence Township Historic Preservation Advisory Committee and been a board member of D&R Canal Watch and Lawrenceville Point Homeowners Association.

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