Voices from the Past May 29, 2009 7 p.m. The Kenilworth Historical Society will host a Kenilworth History Celebration for the general public on May 29 in honor of National Preservation Month. All are welcome to attend the event, which will begin at 7 p.m. at the Kenilworth Seniors� Center (526 Boulevard). Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served. The celebration will feature �Voices from the Past,� a presentation spotlighting many colorful individuals who have been significant to Kenilworth�s history. Such historical figures, portrayed by the Kenilworth Historical Players theatrical troupe, include an 18th-century farmstead mistress; Mayor Oswald J. Nitschke; wife of local pioneer/builder James Arthur; trolley line operator Elmer Guy; librarian Myra Antrobus; famous aviator Gen. James Doolittle; head mistress of McKinley School; an Upsala College student; a Rahway Valley Railroad conductor � and others. Following the performance, attendees will have an opportunity to speak with the characters and view relevant artifacts and historical photos. The character portrayals are based on an entertaining and enlightening script written by Historical Society museum and acquisitions chairwoman Fran Day. Recent developments concerning the Nitschke House restoration project, including programmatic themes from the new Interpretive Plan that the Historical Society is developing with funding provided through a 2009 grant from the New Jersey Cultural Trust, also will be highlighted during the celebration. For further information, please call 908-709-0434. The Kenilworth Historical Society is an independent, non profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to the research, preservation and interpretation of local history and culture. The organization is engaged in a major project to restore the Oswald J. Nitschke House and transform the 19th-century home into a �living history museum� and cultural arts center. |