NJ History/News

Dec. 5 Holiday Celebration at Nitschke House to Feature Victorian Santa, Christmas Matters Holiday Carolers and More

Dec. 5 Holiday Celebration at Nitschke House to Feature Victorian Santa, Christmas Matters Holiday Carolers and More

Meet and take photos with Victorian Santa at the Nitschke House; view all five period rooms of the c. 1880 home authentically decorated for the holidays; visit the site’s multicultural Christkindlmarkt, where the recently created Kenilworth Commemorative Coverlet (shown in the photo), handcrafted gift items and holiday treats/baked goods will be available for purchase; and enjoy favorite holiday tunes sung by…read more →

25 Nov, 2021
Nov. 6 ‘100 Years and More of Votes for Women’ Pink Tea to Feature Acclaimed Author, Historian Joanne Hamilton Rajoppi

Nov. 6 ‘100 Years and More of Votes for Women’ Pink Tea to Feature Acclaimed Author, Historian Joanne Hamilton Rajoppi

KENILWORTH, N.J., August 18, 2021 – Nationally acclaimed author and historian Joanne Hamilton Rajoppi will highlight women’s valiant, decades-long struggle in winning the right to vote, particularly the efforts of local and Union County pathfinders, during a Victorian “Pink Tea” to be presented by the Kenilworth Historical Society on Sat., Nov. 6, 2021, in celebration of “100 Years and More of Votes for Women.”  In…read more →

4 Sep, 2021
Oct. 30 Bus Trip to Wind Creek/Bethlehem (Pa.) Casino to Benefit Nitschke House

Oct. 30 Bus Trip to Wind Creek/Bethlehem (Pa.) Casino to Benefit Nitschke House

The Kenilworth Historical Society will host a bus trip to Wind Creek Bethlehem Casino (formerly known as the Sands) in Bethlehem, Pa., on Saturday, October 30, 2021. ​The trip will depart Kenilworth (St. Theresa’s School parking lot) at 8:30 a.m. and return to Kenilworth at approximately 5:30 p.m.  Cost of $48 includes comfortable motor coach transportation, an approximate 6-hour visit…read more →

4 Sep, 2021
Kenilworth Communitywide Garage Sale Slated for October 9 and October 10

Kenilworth Communitywide Garage Sale Slated for October 9 and October 10

A Communitywide Garage Sale will be held in Kenilworth on Saturday, October 9 and Sunday, October 10. This major annual event, sponsored by the Kenilworth Historical Society, will take place, rain or shine, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day. There are usually nearly 200 participating residences.  Residents who register and pay a $12 fee to hold garage sales at their homes anytime during the October 9/October 10 weekend will receive a certificate…read more →

13 Aug, 2021
New KHS Virtual Program — “Pack Horse Library Project” — Released in Celebration of National Book Lovers Day

New KHS Virtual Program — “Pack Horse Library Project” — Released in Celebration of National Book Lovers Day

Aug. 9, 2021 — The Kenilworth Historical Society is celebrating National Book Lovers Day with the release of a new virtual program (link to which is provided below) highlighting the fascinating story of the Pack Horse Library Project of Eastern Kentucky, a unique initiative that, between 1935 and 1943, brought packhorse-riding librarians, books and hope to isolated, impoverished Kentuckians living…read more →

12 Aug, 2021
‘100 Years and More of Votes for Women’ Exhibition Unveiled at Nitschke House

‘100 Years and More of Votes for Women’ Exhibition Unveiled at Nitschke House

In March 2021, the Kenilworth Historical Society commemorated Women’s History Month with a new exhibition – “100 Years and More of Votes for Women” — at the Oswald J. Nitschke House “living history” museum and cultural arts center. Through enlightening displays of historic photos, posters, artifacts and other materials, the two-room exhibition tells the story of women’s decades-long struggle to achieve suffrage (the right…read more →

10 May, 2021
Remembering Famed Aviator/WWII Hero Jimmy Doolittle’s March 1929 Crash Landing in Kenilworth

Remembering Famed Aviator/WWII Hero Jimmy Doolittle’s March 1929 Crash Landing in Kenilworth

KENILWORTH, N.J., March 16, 2021 — This week in history marks 92 years since famed aviator and World War II hero James (Jimmy) Doolittle, who in 1942 won particular acclaim for his raid on Tokyo, crashed his experimental plane on Kenilworth’s Faitoute Avenue while attempting an emergency landing in dense fog. In personal accounts, Doolittle credited the incident with reinforcing…read more →

21 Mar, 2021
‘Herbs for the Teapot’ Virtual Program Features Useful Tips on Blending and Brewing Herbs for Tea

‘Herbs for the Teapot’ Virtual Program Features Useful Tips on Blending and Brewing Herbs for Tea

Enjoy learning about, blending and brewing a variety of herbal teas in the comfort of your own home this winter through the Kenilworth Historical Society’s new “Herbs for the Teapot” virtual program. Program registrants will be sent an electronic link to a prerecorded, approximate one-hour video presentation by professional clinical herbalist and proprietor Susanna Reppert Brill, who discusses various herbs…read more →

22 Jan, 2021
Meet ‘Victorian Santa’ at Nitschke House During Dec. 6 Holiday Celebration

Meet ‘Victorian Santa’ at Nitschke House During Dec. 6 Holiday Celebration

On Sunday, Dec. 6, from 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., visitors will have an opportunity to meet and take photos with Victorian Santa, safely “social-distanced” on the open front porch of the historic Oswald J. Nitschke House and to visit the site’s outdoor Christkindlmarkt featuring the newly created Kenilworth Commemorative Coverlet, handcrafted wreaths and other gift items and holiday treats/baked…read more →

28 Nov, 2020
New Kenilworth Commemorative Coverlet Featuring Local Historic Sites/Landmarks Available In Time for Holidays

New Kenilworth Commemorative Coverlet Featuring Local Historic Sites/Landmarks Available In Time for Holidays

A beautiful new commemorative coverlet (throw) featuring many of Kenilworth’s prominent historic sites and landmarks is available on a pre-order basis from the Kenilworth Historical Society. As with its predecessor, which was produced in 2007, this second edition coverlet is being viewed as a wonderful heirloom gift to be enjoyed and treasured from generation to generation. The cost of the…read more →

15 Oct, 2020
First Virtual Programs in New ‘Keeping History Strong’ Series (Posted Here) Celebrate ‘100 Years of Votes for Women’

First Virtual Programs in New ‘Keeping History Strong’ Series (Posted Here) Celebrate ‘100 Years of Votes for Women’

The Kenilworth Historical Society is celebrating “100 Years of Votes for Women” as well as other historical happenings through a newly launched series of virtual programs for viewing by the general public via social media, including the organization’s website (www.kenilworthhistoricalsociety.org) and Facebook page. ​The storybook readings are being presented by Kenilworth Historical Society board member and historical interpreter Karen DeMaio, who also is a 2nd-grade teacher at St. Theresa School in Kenilworth. Although…read more →

15 Oct, 2020
Nov. 14 Victorian ‘Pink Tea’ to Celebrate ‘100 Years of Votes for Women’ With Featured Speaker Joanne Hamilton Rajoppi

Nov. 14 Victorian ‘Pink Tea’ to Celebrate ‘100 Years of Votes for Women’ With Featured Speaker Joanne Hamilton Rajoppi

A Victorian “Pink Tea” celebrating “100 Years of Votes for Women” will feature a suffragette-themed presentation by Joanne Hamilton Rajoppi, nationally acclaimed historian and author. The Sat., Nov. 14 event will be hosted by the Kenilworth Historical Society at the Kenilworth Veterans Center (33 South 21 Street) starting at 12:30 p.m. An array of assorted teas, tea sandwiches and desserts…read more →

10 Oct, 2020

Kenilworth Communitywide Garage Sale to be Held October 10-11

A Communitywide Garage Sale will be held in Kenilworth on Sat., Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11, from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m. each day, rain or shine. Registration deadline is Fri., Oct. 2. Nearly 200 residences usually participate in this major annual event sponsored by the Kenilworth Historical Society. Residents who register and pay a $12 fee to hold…read more →

10 Oct, 2020
Bus Trip to Mohegan Sun (Conn.) Slated for October 24

Bus Trip to Mohegan Sun (Conn.) Slated for October 24

The Kenilworth Historical Society will host a bus trip to Mohegan Sun Casino (Uncasville, Conn.) on Sat., October 24. The trip will depart Kenilworth (St. Theresa School parking lot) at 8 a.m. and return to Kenilworth at approximately 9 p.m.​  Cost of $65 includes comfortable motor coach transportation and an approximate six-hour visit to the casino, which additionally houses a…read more →

29 Aug, 2020

Zumba Fitness Event on October 4 to Benefit Nitschke House

The Kenilworth Historical Society (KHS) is teaming up with Zumba fitness to present a fun-filled, healthful Zumba exercise event on Sunday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m.-9:45 a.m. at Kenilworth’s DiMario Park, 139 S. Michigan Ave. Participants are asked to arrive by 8:45 a.m. and to “mask up” upon entering. Safe social distancing practices will be observed. Admission is $10. The invigorating…read more →

28 Aug, 2020

Nov. 14 Victorian Pink Tea to Celebrate ‘100 Years of Votes for Women’ with Featured Speaker Joanne Rajoppi

A Victorian “Pink Tea” celebrating “100 Years of Votes for Women” will feature a suffragette-themed presentation by Joanne Hamilton Rajoppi, nationally acclaimed historian and author. The Sat., Nov. 14 event (previously planned for May 2 but postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions) will be hosted by the Kenilworth Historical Society at the Kenilworth Veterans Center (33 South 21 Street) starting at…read more →

15 Feb, 2020

Bus Trip to Wind Creek Bethlehem Casino – TO BE RESCHEDULED, PLEASE STAY TUNED

An all-new trip to Wind Creek Bethlehem (Pa.) Casino (formerly the Sands) will depart Kenilworth (St. Theresa’s School parking lot) on Sat., April 18, at 9:30 a.m. and return to Kenilworth at approximately 6:30 p.m. Cost of $45 includes comfortable motor coach transportation, an approximate 6-hour visit to the casino and $25 in free slot play. The casino offers more…read more →

15 Feb, 2020

‘Soup’s On’ for March 26

This popular annual soup-tasting event will be presented on Thurs., March 26, by the Kenilworth Historical Society in the Community United Methodist Church hall (455 Boulevard, Kenilworth). It will give participants the opportunity to taste a variety of favorite soups from local restaurants and others. Assorted breads and desserts also will be served. Admission is $12. Parking and entrance to…read more →

15 Feb, 2020

‘Painting Nights With Pat’ PLUS Special Session for Kids

A continuing series of enlightening, enjoyable, two-hour painting sessions, held in the Oswald J. Nitschke House cultural arts center (49 South 21 Street, Kenilworth, N.J.) with resident artist Patricia Hubinger, give participants of all ages, backgrounds and abilities an opportunity to create unique paintings under the guidance of a master artist instructor. Acrylic paint, brushes, canvases, easels, smocks and other…read more →

7 Jan, 2020

Joyous Jan. 26, 2020 ‘Celebrating Kwanzaa’ Program Has Value for All Cultures/Ages

This inspiring, educational, entertaining interactive program will present the history, principles and traditions of the joyous African-American holiday of Kwanzaa through music, crafts, dance and more. The event, which includes a tasting of Kwanzaa foods, will feature acclaimed Dr. Daisy Nelson Century, a professional Kwanzaa specialist, actress, historical interpreter, author, educator and motivational speaker whose programs have inspired and delighted…read more →

5 Jan, 2020

‘The Roaring Funnies’ Whodunit Dinner Show With a ‘Local Twist’ – Nov. 15

‘ This suspenseful yet humorous Whodunit Mystery Dinner Show set in the “Roaring 1920s” will feature “Kenilworth’s own” officials/residents along with the acclaimed Riddlesbrood Touring Theatre Company cast. Full-course buffet dinner and more will be included. Event will take place on Fri., Nov. 15, 2019 (6:30 p.m.) at the Kenilworth Veterans Center, 33 South 21 Street. Please save the date…read more →

18 May, 2019

‘Stitches in Time’ Tea to Benefit Nitschke House

During an April 27 Afternoon Tea, members of the Harvest Quilters of Central New Jersey will discuss the fascinating history, evolution and art of quilting as portrayed by a colorful selection of quilts to be shown. The program — “Stitches in Time” — will explain how and why each quilt was made and share insight into the story that it…read more →

18 May, 2019
Bus Trip to Atlantic City’s Tropicana Casino to Benefit Nitschke House

Bus Trip to Atlantic City’s Tropicana Casino to Benefit Nitschke House

The Kenilworth Historical Society will host a bus trip to the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City on Saturday, July 31, 2021. The trip will depart Kenilworth (St. Theresa’s School parking lot) at 8 a.m. and return to Kenilworth at approximately 6:30 p.m.  Cost of $48 includes comfortable motor coach transportation, an approximate 6-hour visit to the casino and $10 in free slot play….read more →

20 Jun, 2021
Author Jacob Schaad, Jr. To Highlight History of Upsala College, Formerly Located in New Orange/Kenilworth During a June 21 Program/Book-Signing Event

Author Jacob Schaad, Jr. To Highlight History of Upsala College, Formerly Located in New Orange/Kenilworth During a June 21 Program/Book-Signing Event

Author and reporter Jacob Schaad, Jr. will highlight the history of Upsala College, which from 1898-1924 was located in Kenilworth (then known as New Orange), during a program being presented by the Kenilworth Public Library and the Kenilworth Historical Society, in coordination with Kenilworth historian Walter E. Boright, Ed.D., on Monday, June 21, 2021 at 7 p.m. All are invited to…read more →

19 Jun, 2021