School of Historical Interpretation, November 16, 2011

[Steenrapie]

School of Historical Interpretation

The Bergen County Historical Society, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) volunteer organization, is dedicated to preserving important evidence of the past and promoting historical literacy through interesting programs and publications. Since visitors to Historic New Bridge Landing are interested in experiencing History in one of the storied places where it was made, we need enthusiastic and informed exhibit docents, greeters, and living-history interpreters in period dress. Since we don't receive public operating support or grants the way most other groups do, we rely entirely upon private donations, membership dues and volunteer contributions of time and talent. So if you are interested in keeping history alive, then join our School of Historical Interpretation. Hone your communication skills while gaining insight into the material culture of the past. With over thirty years of experience, historian Kevin Wright will conduct his next class on Historical Interpretation on November 16, 2011 at 7:30 pm in the Steuben House, 1209 Main Street, River Edge, NJ 07661. Thereafter, we will meet the third Wednesday of every month. If interested, contact : wright@cybernex.net

The Bergen County Historical Society is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) volunteer organization, founded in 1902 to develop public appreciation for Bergen County's remarkable history. We are the only historical association to focus on the Bergen County as a whole, from its prehistory to the present day. The museum and library collections comprise the greatest survival of significant Bergen Dutch artifacts and documents in the public domain. We are not a government agency and presently receive no regular or significant public funding, instead relying on private donations, membership and volunteer contributions of time and talent.

The Historical Society was instrumental in saving the historic Steuben House in River Edge in 1928, displaying its museum collections there in September 1939 at the invitation of the State of NJ. BCHS also promoted creation of the Historic New Bridge Landing Park Commission in 1995 to unify and coordinate governmental and private efforts not only to preserve the three Bergen Dutch sandstone houses and their unique cultural contents, presently standing on the Revolutionary War battleground at New Bridge, but also to develop the necessary visitor facilities and amenities commensurate with the significance of the site, its importance to Bergen County and the promotion of public enjoyment and appreciation for the lessons of history. After the flood of April 2007, the Society supported the transfer of administrative control of the state owned buildings and lands at New Bridge from the DEP's Division of Parks & Forestry to the Historic New Bridge Landing Park Commission. After unanimous passage by both houses of the legislature, former Governor Corzine signed the new law in June 2009. Under its terms, the DEP Commissioner replaces the Director of the Division of Parks & Forestry as the state's representative on the commission. The Bergen County Historical Society, the Blauvelt-Demarest Foundation, the County of Bergen and the municipalities of River Edge, Teaneck and New Milford also contribute representatives.

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