Does Bergen County Deserve A History Museum?

Does Bergen County deserve a history museum? We have the land and collections at Historic New Bridge Landing in River Edge. Much of our collections and all of our library and rare document collections are in storage.

The Bergen County Historical Society will host a Museum & Library Fund Campaign Kickoff at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at the Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum in Oradell, NJ. 

Join us for an exciting evening as we travel back in time to May 1912, when Progressive candidate Theodore Roosevelt took to the campaign trail in Bergen County against incumbent President Howard Taft to win the NJ Republican primary. Making a career from his uncanny resemblance to our 26th President, Jim Foote will bring former President “Teddy” Roosevelt to life with his words and mannerisms. Arriving in a 1911 “Model T” Touring Car, loaned for the occasion by Manfred Rein, a member of the Half Century Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America, our Bull Moose candidate will greet a delegation of Suffragists and give a rousing campaign speech!

Guests may also view the permanent collections of the Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum, internationally known for its outstanding collection of wildlife art, founded upon the widely admired works of Oradell wildlife artist and illustrator, Charles Livingston Bull (1874-1932). Bull’s friend, President Theodore Roosevelt once said of him, “Bull is the only man who can put legs on four sides of an animal and make it look natural.” 

Guests at our Campaign Kickoff will enjoy wine-tasting, fine hors d'oeuvres and desserts (catered by Marra’s Italian Market of Emerson). Guests may also bid for themed-gift baskets in a Silent Auction.

Donation: $50 per person. Advance reservations are available through PayPal at: http://www.bergencountyhistory.org or by mailing your name, address and remittance to: Museum & Library Fundraiser, P.O. Box 55, River Edge, NJ 07661-0055. Please make checks payable to the Bergen County Historical Society. Those unable to attend, but who wish to contribute to the worthy cause of building a History Museum and Library for Bergen County, are welcome to do so.

Event Location: Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum, 705 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell, NJ 07649. 

We gratefully acknowledge the generosity of the Blauvelt-Demarest Foundation, Virginia Korteweg and the Greater River Dell Chamber of Commerce, Manfred Rein, of the Half Century Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America, and the American BD Company, a Division of the Opici Wine Group, for their sponsorships of this special event. 

Founded in 1902, the Bergen County Historical Society is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) volunteer organization, dedicated to preserving important evidence of the past and promoting historical literacy through interesting programs and publications. All donations are tax-deductible according to law. Relying entirely upon membership dues and volunteer contributions of time, talent and money, the County Historical Society is presently raising $350,000 to construct a first-rate historical museum building and library for Bergen County on the Society’s land at Historic New Bridge Landing. HNBL spans River Edge, Teaneck and New Milford. For further information, call 201-343-9492 or email: contactBCHS@bergencountyhistory.org.

100% of your donation goes to our mission! We've raised $76,789 to date for the museum.