At the Dec. 3 Hopewell Borough council meeting, The 125 Anniversary Planning Committee announced plans for a yearlong celebration.
HOPEWELL BOROUGH -- It's one of the smallest borough sin the state, but Hopewell Borough has big - a year's worth - of plans scheduled for its 125 birthday, officials say.
The town of about 1,900 residents was incorporated by the State Legislature on April 14, 1891.
At a recent borough council meeting, the 125th Anniversary Planning Committee - led by local volunteers Debra Stuhler and Cydney Perske - presented their yearlong list of activities to celebrate the anniversary.
The Hopewell Borough 125th Anniversary logo created by Bob Stuhler. "There's a multitude of walks, talks and exhibits all around Hopewell," Stuhler said.
Stuhler said the anniversary will officially kick off Jan. 1 with the Council's swearing-in ceremony at Hopewell Borough Hall.
Other events include town walk-throughs, lecture series, movie and music nights, festivals and much more.
Stuhler said one of the highlights will be the Community Day Festival and Block Party on June 18 at St. Michael's preserve.
"That will be probably the biggest event," she said. The event will include live bands, a German-style beer garden, borough tours, food and activities.
"We're just looking forward to a year full of great events to celebrate our town and businesses who make it such a great place to live," Stuhler said.
Not every detail has been finalized but Stuhler and Perske came up with a tentative list of nearly 70 events to take place throughout 2016.
To fund and host all of these events, Stuhler said she has relied on volunteers from the town - such as the Hopewell Valley Historical Society, the Hopewell Museum, the Hopewell Fire Department and others - and through advertisement and merchandise sales. She said she hopes also reel in some business sponsors.
So far, Stuhler said the committee has raised more than $12,000 in advertisement sales.
Stuhler said her husband Bob Stuhler created a 125th anniversary logo to incorporate at shops, restaurants and businesses throughout the borough.
In addition, anniversary flags, a borough map and a 15-page booklet with photos, the borough's history and a guide to activities will be available around town.
"The creation of a colorful map of Hopewell Borough will showcase all that the borough has to offer," she said, noting tourists often ask about getting a map of the town.
Hopewell Borough Mayor Paul Anzano thanked Stuhler and Perske for their time and efforts at the Dec. 3 council meeting.
"None of this would have happened if it were left to us, so we really appreciate your efforts," Anzano said.
Hopewell Borough, before it was an official town, can trace its beginnings to the late 1600s and early 1700s.
John Hart, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, also has roots in Hopewell. He lived ion a nearby farm, but was active with the Baptist Meeting House in town and donated the land where the church was built.
His name lives on via Hart Avenue in the borough.
A tentative list of anniversary events is below. Updated information can be found on the anniversary's Facebook Page.
- Jan. 1 - Anniversary Kick Off & Council Swearing in at Hopewell Borough Hall
- Jan. 6 - Frog Wars History Talk at the Hopewell Presbyterian Church
- Feb. 12 - Contemporary Photos of Hopewell at Gallery 14
- Feb. 21 - Hopewell Night at Morven Museum, with private showing of Lindbergh Exhibit at Morven Museum & Garden
- March 4 - 11 - Yearlong Photo Exhibit opening at Morpeth Contemporary Gallery (will then move to Borough Hall)
- April 13 - Images of Old Hopewell and a Stroll Through the Town, Now and Then at Hopewell Elementary School
- April 16 - April Anniversary Cupcake Party in Hopewell Borough Park
- April 17 - The Ecumenical Service of Gratitude and Remembrance at the Hopewell Old School Baptist Meeting House
- May - Oct. - Downtown shops and restaurants open late for first Friday of each month
- May 7 - Handmade Craft Fair on Seminary Avenue
- June 18 - Community Day Festival and Block Party at St. Michael's Preserve
- July 10 - Bicycle Tour de Hopewell (no location details yet listed)
- End of August - White Night Out/Community Dinner/Potluck on Railroad Place
- Fall (TBD) - Hopewell 5K Race
- Oct. 8 - Inaugural Trail Walk at the Cedar Ridge Preserve
- Oct. 30 - Cemetery Tour around borough
- Nov. 25 - Walk Off Your Thanksgiving Dinner Walk at M3 Studios
- November - Stories and Plays at the Hopewell Historical Museum
- Dec. 3 - Christmas Tree Lighting Competition and Tour at the Train Station Building
- Dec. 18 - Christmas House and Quilt Tour throughout the borough
Lindsay Rittenhouse may be reached at lrittenhouse@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
