No. 18 Vol. 7
My Life Publications • 973-809-4784
The Incredible Importance Of Writing Down A Town’s History
T
By Richard Mabey Jr. hroughout the 1990’s, I wrote a series of articles centering upon the history of Lincoln Park. During that time period, I wrote well over a hundred articles about Lincoln Park’s history, folklore, legends, and unique geography. These articles all appeared in the pages of the Independent News, a regional weekly newspaper that was well read by the people of Lincoln Park. I wrote a good 95 percent of these articles in the Lincoln Park Museum, a most quaint and charming little building that still adorns Lincoln Park’s Main Street. In the northwest corner of the museum, was a little historical library. It was composed of about 200 old books that focused on the history of New Jersey. Some of these books were well over a hundred years old. In front of the library corner was a small desk. And, on the right-hand side of
the desk, as you sat at this desk, was an antique mechanical typewriter. A golden gem in the midst of the age of the dawning of the personal computer. I just loved that old typewriter, it would bring me back to another time, another place. For when I was 12 years old, I would type up articles for the old Lincoln Park Herald, each and every week, on Mom’s mechanical typewriter. I always loved the feel of typing on old, mechanical typewriters. I wrote most of my historical articles, for the old Independent News, on Saturday afternoons. At the time I was working in the Public Relations Department of AT&T in Morristown. Spending two or three hours, writing at that small desk in the little historical museum, brought to me a certain peace of mind. A little retreat from the hustle and bustle of the corporate world. First, I would write an article with pen and paper.
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800-939-JUNK From 1997, yours truly writing at the little desk inside the Lincoln Park Museum. Please note the antique typewriter on the left-hand side of this picture.
Often times, doing three or four rewrites. I remember that it was such a cozy feeling, having this array of old historical books, right behind me at my desk. They were a wealth of wonderful knowledge. The legends, the essence, the spirit, the guarded truths of northern New Jersey were all hidden away between the book covers of these old books. I remember that some of these old books were actually a bit musty smelling. But, I found that only added to their charm and mys-
tique. I am most grateful to the membership of the Lincoln Park Historical Society, for unanimously voting to display my articles on the southeast wall of the museum. It was a great honor for me. Something that I still hold, dear to heart. I’m pretty sure that it was during the Summer of 1997, that the Independent News published a special pull-out tablet that focused on the history of Lincoln Park. This special booklet featured a continued on page 6
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