Union County Four Centuries in a Weekend Event

The New Providence Historical Society will take part in this years Union County Four Centuries in a Weekend event, taking place on Saturday, Oct. 17 & Sunday, Oct. 18.

Over 30 historic sites in the county will welcome visitors this weekend.

In New Providence the following sites will be open:

Salt Box Museum, a mid-1800's Farmhouse, 1350 Springfield Ave., open for visitors both Sat. & Sun, 12 noon - 5 p.m. Docent led tours of 4 room farmhouse, consisting of two separate houses that were joined together and years later moved to current site. Period furniture, rope bed, working Edison Phonograph, New Prov. Baseball team display. On display outdoors will be the rebuilt Farm Wagon, once used on two farms in town; foot powered tool sharpening wheel; early hand cranked clothes washing station; and an Ice Plow, once used to harvest blocks of ice. Four Centuries pamphlets, guides and Passports can be picked up and ink stamps available for stamping Passport books. Collectible history cards of Coddington Greenhouse available. Also free “I Visited Salt Box” stickers for youngsters.

Society's 60th Anniversary- There will also be some celebration activities to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the N.P. Hist. Soc., formed in August, 1966.

Archive Room -The Mason Archive Room, located at the rear of the N.P. Memorial Library, 377 Elkwood Ave., will be open to the public only on Saturday, 12 noon - 5 p.m.The Archives contains historical material, archival photos, books, maps, and oral interviews dealing with New Providence. There is a payroll safe from the Coddington Greenhouse Business, at one time the largest in the area; and a collection of bound copies of the Dispatch Newspaper. Images of America, New Providence photo book available for purchase. Phone 908 665-1034.

Graveyard Tours, New Providence Presbyterian Church -On Saturday, 10/17 only, there will be guided tours of the Graveyard of the historic N.P. Presbyterian Church, dating back to 1700's. Tours will be led by society member & trustee, John Sponauer. Tours take place at 12:30 & 1:30 p.m. at 1307 Springfield Ave., within a short walk from Salt Box Museum. Register for tours at NPcemeterytours@gmail.com

Society Fall Program - A free program titled “The History of the Coddington Family Greenhouse Business in New Providence” will take place, Thursday, October 22, 7 p.m., DeCorso Community Center, 15 East Fourth St. Presented by Peter Coddington, descendant and historian. Details in a separate article.