I fully admit that I was very surprised recently when more than two dozen people showed up—in light rain—for the
in the Ewing Church Cemetery, mentioned in this column last month.
Aside from being honored to have people responding to this column, I was initially surprised at the number of folks that were interested in learning more about some of the notable people, and their “spirits,” who are laid to rest in the Ewing Church Cemetery.
But I shouldn’t have been surprised. I know how popular local history is, no matter where you are. Historical tourism is big business in this country.
We are proud of our heritage—whatever that heritage may be, and whatever accomplishments and challenges may be part of the story.
It’s no different in the “Hopewell Valley” or in the “Greater Trenton Area” or in Ewing Township, or whatever name you prefer for our region.
People are interested in what happened, who was involved, when and where it took place, and even why it’s significant. And of course we enjoy visiting or recalling a time past in our own lives, and a place that had special meaning: a street, a town, a school, a home.
We even like visiting a place or time we have no actual connection to, but are curious about just the same: Howell Living History Farm, for example, or even Ewing Church Cemetery.
But making sure that significant places and the history that enriches them are protected and preserved is NOT a given. It takes work, and the dedication of time and talent from people that are not only interested in preserving these places for today, but also for years and generations to come.
There are many groups, at national, state, and local levels, whose work is dedicated to identifying, saving and protecting such places, and keeping the stories alive.
The various responsibilities, missions and jurisdictions of these groups can often overlap, and be rather confusing to even the knowledgeable preservationist. But they all serve an ultimate important purpose, which is preserving significant aspects of the past from which future generations may learn.
For example, the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society works very hard to preserve the “stories” of Ewing: stories about the people, families, homes, places, activities and events that have shaped the history of Ewing Township.
Their monthly programs on the second Sunday at 2 p.m. generally feature these stories, and their Open House each first Sunday at the Benjamin Temple House on Federal City Road highlights the stories of the Temple and Ryan families, in the c. 1750 farmhouse that was their home.
Less popularly known perhaps is the Ewing Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), which is an official committee of our local government, and whose existence is based in state statute.
The Commission works to advise the Planning Board on properties in the Township which are significantly historic, and should be considered as such and protected when threatened.
Currently, our commission itself is facing a threat, that of insufficient membership to continue its work. The terms of two long-time members, those of myself and Anne McArthur, will expire at the end of this year, and without newly-appointed members, the commission will face below-quorum membership.
It is my hope that a few of you who read this column will seriously consider serving Ewing, and history, in this capacity. Ewing needs you!
If you have an interest in local history, or in architecture, or in preservation, please consider volunteering to serve on the Ewing HPC. Meetings are held once a month on the 4th Wednesday, and a term lasts for four years. The work is not time or labor intensive, but does require a commitment to the monthly meeting, and interest in advising the Planning Board on historic properties – existing and yet-to-be-named – in Ewing.
If you are possibly interested, please contact ewingtownshiphpc@gmail.com, and any questions you might have about the Ewing HPC will be addressed.
Please help us maintain some of Ewing’s rich history for all to enjoy.
*A reference to Charles Ewing, the namesake of Ewing Township.
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