Chester Historical Society

 

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Chester Historical Society's YouTube Videos
Remember to turn on the sound and use full screen.

The Chester Furnace Historic Site Introduction and Hike with Bruce, Alex, and Ed

(Copy this link and paste into your web browser https://youtu.be/k25J-50htpY

or search on Chester Furnace Historic Site)

Chester Historical Society’s Bicentennial Quilt

Chester Historical Society’s Historic and Notable Places Quilt

Chester’s 150-Year-Old Rockefeller Center: Past and Present

Chester's Rockefeller Center Historic Preservation Plan Survey Feb. 23, 2021

Strolling Historic Chester - Stroll One - Hillside Road and East & Center Main Street

Historic Chester Stroll One Overview: center Main St., Hillside Rd. and east Main St.

Part 2: Larry Lowenthal: History of Chester Railroads- May 11, 2013 -Chester Historical Society NJ

Part 1: Larry Lowenthal: History of Chester Railroads -May 11, 2013 -Chester Historical Society NJ

AT&T Bell Labs Open Air Laboratory Chester NJ circa 1980
To access the Chester Furnace Historic Site Introduction and Hike with Bruce, Alex and Ed Video Copy and paste this link into your web browser - https://youtu.be/k25J-50htpY

or search on "Chester Furnace Historic Site"
The History of Chester Railroads - Larry Lowenthal

Larry Lowenthal presented “The History of Chester Railroads” at a Chester Historical Society and Chester Library event in the Larison Room on May 11, 2013. Below are links to Part 1 and Part 2 of his talk.  The original date was pushed back by Super Storm Sandy in 2012. Larry is the author of two seminal books involving Chester. Chester’s Iron Heyday was published in 1980 and Iron Mine Railroads of Northern New Jersey in 1981. Larry describes the iron mining boom which brought not one, but two railroads to Chester, the Central of New Jersey and the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western. Larry questions the fact or fiction of Perry Skellenger's discovery of iron ore in his backyard in 1867.  He speculates on how the rivalry between Chester’s most influential citizens, Daniel Budd and General Nathan A. Cooper, shaped the development of the railroads. There are a few mysteries Larry poses, for example the apparent mismatch in tracks at William A. Taylor’s state of the art, Chester Furnace.  Three different railways converge, but at seemingly different levels.  He also reminisces about how his childhood experiences, growing up in the area, were influenced by the history of Chester, particularly the buildings and the railroads.

Sadly, Larry Lowenthal passed away on March 13, 2020.  The Chester Historical Society lost an author, a historian, and a friend.  This talk was his last in Chester, but his mastery of and passion for history resonates throughout his talk.  As Larry wrote to me "Keep Enjoying History" and I wish you the same.
 
Chester Historical Society
PO Box 376 ~ Chester, NJ  07930
Phone: (908) 866-6717
chester.historical.society@gmail.com

Preserving the history of Chester, N.J.