Highlands Historical Society
It will be a fun, interesting and historic meeting this Thursday evening, Aug. 24, when the Highlands Historical Society offers a variety of local and national history, along with refreshments and interaction among members in presenting a play.
The evening will give local residents an opportunity learn more about the Historical Society and become members of the group that is highlighting so many facets of local history.
At 6:30 p.m., local Historian Walter Guenther will be in front of the Farmacie, the gift shop and café at the corner of Bay Avenue and Miller St.
Guenther will give a history not only of that building, once Bedle’s Drug Store, but also the activity and former businesses on the other three corners of that intersection in the center of town.
Following Guenther’s presentation, guests are invited inside the Farmacie where another historian, Joann Olszewski, who is also Council president on the local governing body, has written a play about Joshua Huddy, the Revolutionary era patriot who was hung at what is now Huddy Park in the Waterwitch section of the borough.
Olszewski has done extensive research on Huddy in her efforts to have the place where he was hanged named a state and national historic site.
A former educator in Teaneck, Olszewski has compiled some of the research she has completed to offer the presentation by Society members about Huddy’s life. Guenther will be portraying George Washington in the event, and several other society embers will have leading roles in Huddy’s life story.
Refreshments will follow and all are invited to attend.
“This is one of several events the Historical Society is planning as summer ends and an active fall season begins,” said Society president Sheila Weinstock. “The Society has a group of active members who are eager to preserve the history of the borough as we move forward into the 21st century. We welcome new members to see everything that is happening.”
