New Providence Historical Society

2026 will be a year of celebration for America’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the 60th anniversary of the New Providence Historical Society. To honor both celebrations, the society has created its own replica Liberty Tree on the grounds of the Salt Box Museum at 1350 Springfield Avenue.

This symbolic tree features 13 solar-powered flickering lanterns, each representing one of the original colonies. The society hopes their liberty tree will become a gathering place to learn about our town’s history and the history of the American Revolution. The project was led by society VP Maria DeLuca and came to life thanks to the generous efforts of Russ Jr. from Redwood Tree & Landworx.

Russ pruned the Society’s ginkgo tree and hung the lanterns at varying heights, creating the impression that townspeople had placed them there themselves. The Society extends its sincere gratitude to Redwood for its support in bringing this meaningful project to fruition.

The newly installed lanterns on our own Liberty Tree in front of the historic Salt Box house are one more example of what our society is undertaking, as we travel down the road toward the 250th Anniversary.

Please consider supporting our society. To join the New Providence Historical Society or make a donation, click here.

The New Providence Historical Society will again take part in the 2025 Union County Four Centuries in a Weekend event. Our society has taken part each year, since the beginning of this county-sponsored event in 1995.

Visitors will have an opportunity to tour through the historic Salt Box Museum on 1350 Springfield Avenue. Visit the Mason Room archives at the rear of the New Providence Memorial Library, and take part in Graveyard Tours of the historic New Providence Presbyterian Church. All events are Free!

Join the New Providence Historical Society for their FREE annual Fall Talk presentation. This year, Society Vice President Maria DeLuca will speak about Mineral Water King Carl H. Schultz, the Schultz family and the creation of their homes in what they named Murray Hill.

Come learn how they made their fortune during the Gilded Age, how they influenced the town, and what legacies remain.

The presentation will be at the DeCorso Center on October 9, 2025 at 7:00 PM. DeCorso Center is at 15 East 4th Street, New Providence, NJ 07974.

At 10:00 AM, during the Children’s Storytime, Sue Steinhardt will read from her children’s series, ImperfectPhil is a Friend. Jean Taylor will read A Wish That Will Last. Danielle Willmott will read Sampson the Square.

At 11:00 AM, Susen Edwards will talk about “Turning Your Memoir into Fiction.”

At 12:00 Noon, D.M. Barr, Ted DelGrosso and Michael Penncavige will conduct an “Ask the Author” panel discussion.

At 1:00 PM, the festival will host a “Spoken Word Open Mic” event. Any attendee may read their written work, including fiction, poetry, or essays. All readings must be “family friendly,” with a time limit of six minutes. Interested “readers” may sign up on the day of the event on a first-come, first-served basis.

A range of New Jersey authors will be available to sign their books, including J.R. Bale, D.M. Barr, Michelle Cameron, Michael Stephen Daigle, Ted Delgrosso, Susen Edwards, Sarajane Giere, Tom Kranz, Elissa Matthews, Michael Penncavage, Sue Steinhardt, Danielle Willmott and others.

“New Jersey is filled with amazing authors,” explains J.R. Bale, author and one of the organizers of the event. “This event allows readers to connect with local authors in a very personal way. With over a dozen authors, writing in various genres, it will be a stimulating event for even the most casual book lover.”

Anyone purchasing a book at the festival will be entitled to receive a free raffle ticket for drawings for a prize, which will include a Barnes & Noble gift card.

The festival will be held on the grounds of the Salt Box Museum at 1350 Springfield Avenue from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The rain date is September 27, 2025. The Salt Box Museum, the site of the festival, is operated by the New Providence Historical Society and will be open for tours, free of charge. Refreshments will be available on the grounds.

More information is available at www.newprovidencebookfestival.com

The New Providence Historical Society is postponing its annual flea market to June 21, 2025, 9AM to 3 PM on the grounds of the Salt Box Museum at 1350 Springfield Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974.

If you wish to be a vendor, you can download an application by clicking here. We’re also having a bake sale.

Once again the New Providence Historical Society will host the Salt Box Craft Fair. The fair will take place on Saturday, May 10, from 9AM to 3PM on the grounds of the Salt Box Museum at 1350 Springfield Avenue in New Providence, NJ 07974. (Our raindate is May 17th.)

Free tours of the historic Salt Box Museum will also be available, as well as delicious goodies at our bake sale.

Despite producing the US Constitution, the period between the end of the American Revolution to the War of 1812 is mostly ignored. Yet, it was one of the most formative periods of our democracy.

Historian Joel Farkas will share the events of this critical period in American history at the historical society’s Annual Dinner on Thursday, April 10, 2025. The Annual Dinner begins at 6 PM at Vintage Tavern, 342 Valley Road, Gillette, NJ 07933. Reservations are $49 per person.

The New Providence Historical Society is participating in Union County’s “Four Centuries in a Weekend.” The Salt Box Museum at 1350 Springfield Avenue will be open Saturday and Sunday.

The final Cemetery Tours of the season are upon us,  just in time for Halloween. John Sponauer, our tricorn wearing tour guide, will host two tours on Sunday at 1:30 & 2:30pm. Registration required by emailing NPcemeterytours@gmail.com. Include your name and party size.