The Stillwater Historical Museum displays weapons, uniforms and documents from the many wars in which residents fought. (Photo provided)
A collection of tools used by farmers, cobblers, coopers, farriers and carpenters is on display.
Preserving, maintaining and voicing our local history is an extremely important endeavor. This is our hold on our heritage and gives a comforting sense of place to all.
There are about 20 historical societies in Sussex County. It is my intention to highlight them and give them a chance to tell their unique story.
I am sharing the space this week with the Stillwater Historical Society.
In my view, Stillwater is a perfect example of the beauty and rural nature of Sussex County. Tranquil pastures, lowlands along the peaceful Paulinskill River, the impressive old grist mill and serene Swartswood Lake.
The museum has a good history in and of itself and has many interesting artifacts representing the local way of life.
I am pleased to introduce Andy Miller, trustee of the historical society, who will talk about its museum.
The Stillwater Historical Museum, or what many have called the “The Academy,” has been occupied and maintained since 1977.
The mission statement of the Historical Society of Stillwater Township (HSST) has been to foster and promote an interest in the Stillwater area history through education and preservation of family information, cemetery records, artifacts, sites and structures and maintain a historical and genealogical library and museum.
The museum was born in 1954, when collector Hiram Beegle bequeathed hundreds of artifacts to the Mary Dixon Library in the Academy building. At the time, he was employed by the library as the caretaker for the old building.
Beegle endeared himself to the librarians for whom he lit a fire every morning to warm the unheated old building.
In his will, Beegle left the collection to the library. Originally a classroom for the Academy School when it opened in 1842, it now houses an interpretive display of an old-fashioned general store in Sussex County where local residents could buy a wide variety of dry goods and anything else that villagers might need.
The glass cases and the merchandise displayed within were donated by Garris’ Store in Stillwater and Robbins Store in Middleville.
Located upstairs is an array of exhibits for the curious mind to enjoy.
There is a collection of local geology where we even have a darkroom to enjoy fluorescent minerals. Some of these rocks are extremely rare.
Native American artifacts of the Lenape more than 12,000 years ago are on display. That includes stone tools and weapons representing a fraction of the artifacts unearthed in Sussex County.
A collection of tools used by farmers, cobblers, coopers, farriers and carpenters is the next exhibit feature in the great room.
The museum also contains a display of weapons, uniforms and documents from the many wars in which Stillwater people enlisted and fought as well as dresses, hats, handbags, shoes and jewelry from late 1800s worn by families of local donors.
Once you exit the great room, you enter the main classroom of the Academy, which includes the schoolmaster’s original desk from the 1800s. Samples of christening gowns and children’s clothing are on the stage.
Behind the bookshelves is a library of local and rare books with a reference library of local genealogy. An annual research fee of $30 entitles members to have access to digitized genealogy files that are organized according to last names (family names).
The fee covers five hours of research with a genealogist at HSST.
All residents and friends of the historic preservation of the Stillwater area are welcome to participate in meetings, attend events and become members.
The museum is at 901 Main St. in Stillwater. Our annual Fall Festival will be held Oct. 7.
For additional information, visit the HSST’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/HistoricStillwater/ or go online to http://://www.historicstillwater.org/
Bill Truran, Sussex County Historian