Historic Cannon Ball House

----- text by Ryan Olsen -----

Cannon Ball House will be holding an open house on June 24 to commem-

orate the 238th anniversary of the Battle of Springfield. Proceedings will

begin with Robert Meyer, State President of the New Jersey Sons of the

American Revolution, laying a wreath at the CBH to honor those who fought

and died in this conflict. The Battle of Springfield was the final major battle

of the Revolutionary War to be fought in the northern colonies. The wreath

laying will take place at 1pm and the house itself will open an hour later at

2 pm. Many artifacts from this battle are on display inside the house, includ-

ing the missile that gave the structure its name.

In addition, a variety of exhibits on the second floor continue to mark the

centennial of America’s entry into World War One. These include a display of

political cartoons by the artist Louis Raemaekers as well as artifacts from WWI

that have ties to Springfield. So join us at the Historic Cannon Ball House to

discover and reflect upon Springfield’s military past.

Sunday, June 24 Wreath Laying Ceremony Starts at 1pm on the grounds of

the Cannon Ball House.

House Hours: From 2 pm to 4 pm. The house will not be open before 2 pm.

House Admission: $2 for adults, free for children 12 and under.

For more information call (973) 376 4784

 

 

Springfield’s Historic Cannon Ball House (CBH), located at 126 Morris Ave., will once again be part of Union County’s Four Centuries in a Weekend on the 21st and 22nd of October. This Springfield landmark dates from the 1700’s and its name derives from a cannon ball that lodged in the structure during the Revolutionary War. Visitors to the house can view this missive and other artifacts from the battle of Springfield.

This year is the centennial of America’s entry into World War I, which will be commemorated via a variety of exhibits on the second floor. These include the display of political cartoons by the artist Louis Raemaekers as well as artifacts from WWI that have ties to Springfield. In addition, there will be World War I re-enactors present on the front lawn of the house on Saturday October 21st. So join us for an exploration of history ranging from the eighteenth century through the twentieth century at the Historic Cannon Ball House.

Hours: Saturday, October 21st from 10 to 5 and Sunday, October 22nd from noon to 4.

Admission: Free for Four Centuries Weekend.

For more information call (973) 376 4784.

The annual membership meeting of the Springfield Historical Society will be held at the Historic Cannon Ball House at 1:00pm on Sunday, June 26, 2016.

The meeting will include election of officers for the 2016-2019 term and the Preservation and Fundraising Plans for the Cannon Ball House.

To save on expenses, the annual membership dues notices will be e-mailed to all members who provide an e-mail address. A hard copy will be mailed to those without.

Dues must be current prior to attendance at  the annual meeting.

There will be an Open House following the meeting from 2-4pm.

Members are needed to serve as docents and room monitors.

  If interested in helping, please call Margaret Bandrowski, President - 973- 376- 4784

SUPPORT SPRINGFIELD’S HISTORY

The Cannon Ball House, home of the Springfield Historical Society,(SHS), is one of four village homes that survived the American Revolution and the only one that provides tours to the public.

The first documented owner is Dr. Jonathan Dayton, uncle to the signer of the US Constitution for which our high school is named, and half-brother to Gen. Elias Dayton of Revolutionary War fame. Dr. Dayton died in 1778, leaving his wife and children to run the household. It is believed that Keturah Dayton, his widow, established a tavern in the home to support the family after his death. During the Battle of Springfield (June 23, 1780) her home was used as a field hospital, thereby saving it from being burned to the ground during the British retreat.

The Cannon Ball House is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

In an effort to be pro-active, the SHS hired an historical architectural firm to prepare a Conditions Assessment. The assessment includes a list of repair and maintenance projects that are recommended to ensure the continued stability and use of the now 270+year old building.

The first phase of these projects is to repair the interior cracked plaster and lathe walls and reinforce the brick and clapboard exterior of the East Parlor. In order to comply with State and National Register standards and apply for preservation grants, Historical Preservation Contractors and Engineers must be used, which increases the project costs dramatically. The first phase project cost estimate is $60,000.00. The SHS was recently awarded a matching funds grant from Union County in the amount of $25,000.00. To date, the Society has secured approximately $10,000.00 in bequests and donations to apply to this project, leaving a fundraising goal of $25,000.00.

At this time, the SHS asks for the support of the community.

• Businesses and Residents are encouraged to make tax deductible donations to the Capital Fundraising Campaign to ensure the proper maintenance of this significant relic of Springfield’s Revolutionary history.

• Become a member of the Historical Society and lend your time and talents to preserving and sharing Springfield’s history with local schools and the community. Membership applications received before April 1, 2016 will include membership through March 31, 2017.

Take pride in Springfield by supporting the icon that represents the victory of the Battle of Springfield and only repository of local artifacts from three centuries to educate the public.

All donations are appreciated. A plaque will be engraved and displayed in the entranceway with the names of all benefactors with donations of $500.00 or more. Please support the Historic Cannon Ball House today!

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Annual Membership Opportunities Building Fund Patron Levels

____$15 Individual $________ (any amount) - Friend

____$30 Household Family $500 or more - Bronze

____$75 Corporate $1,000 or more -Silver

$5,000 or more –Gold

$10,000 or more – Platinum

Name(s)________________________________________________

Address_______________________________________________

E-mail ________________________________________________

(to reduce mailing costs, notices for upcoming open houses will be sent via e-mail)

Visit our website: www.springfieldhistoricalsociety.webs.com

Please send all membership dues and donations to :

Springfield Historical Society

Janice Bongiovanni, Treasurer

133 Short Hills Avenue, Springfield, NJ 07081

Springfield's Historic Cannon Ball House (CBH), located at 126 Morris Avenue,  will be holding an open house on Saturday, June 20th, to commemorate the 235th anniversary of the Battle of Springfield.  This conflict was the final major battle of the Revolutionary War to be fought in the northern colonies. Many artifacts from this occurrence are on display at the the CBH, incuding the missile that gave the structure its name.   The CBH is an ideal site to learn more about this battle and its historical significance.

Back in 1986, were you a student in one of Springfield's middle schools?  Do you remember entering an essay contest, on the topic of "What America Means To Me, " run by the Heritage Day Committee?  If you do, then your essay is probably among the ninety entries on display from this contest.

Anyone interested in perusing the handwriting of his or her younger self is encourged to come visit.  

Finally, to mark the 150th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's death this year, a small display of Lincoln related books and memorabilia will be on display upstairs. 

So, one day shy of Father's Day, come experience the eighteenth through twentieth centuries a the historic Cannon Ball House.

House Hours: Saturday, June 20th from 10am to Noon.

House Admission: $2 for adults, free for children 12 and under, accompanied by an adult.

For more information please call (973) 376-4784

Three Officers were re-elected at the Annual Meeting conducted at the Historic Cannon Ball House on Sunday, April 12th.

The following members were unanimously re-elected to a three -year term:

Margaret Bandrowski, President

Janice Bongiovanni, Treasurer

Barbara Rappaport, Director

Congratulations to these three dedicated members who take great pride

in Springfield and its history.

The Society will hold an open house on Saturday, June 20th from 2-4pm in commemoration of the 235th anniversary of the Battle of Springfield, which was fought on June 23, 1780.

A special feature for this open house is a scrapbook of more than 200 handwritten essays written by Springfield students in 1986, entitled, "What America Means to Me".  If you or your child participated in this contest in 1986,  you'll want to be sure to see the display in the "Springfield Room" on the second floor. 

The cost per visitor 13 and older is $2. (12 and under are free with adult admission)   Admission is free to all  Society members.

War and a President’s Signature at the Historic Cannon Ball House – Text by Ryan Olsen

Springfield’s Historic Cannon Ball House (CBH), located at 126 Morris Ave., will be holding an open house on the afternoon of June 22nd to commemorate the 234th anniversary of the Battle of Springfield.  This conflict was the final major battle of the Revolutionary War to be fought in the northern colonies.  Many artifacts from this occurrence are on display at the CBH, including the missile that gave the structure its name.  A special highlight of this weekend is the opportunity to see a letter signed by General George Washington while preparing for the battle.  This letter is only exhibited once a year; so do not miss your chance to see it!           

Also on display are the continuing Civil War adventures of Wellington Briant.  This year’s letters, chronicling 1864, describe Wellington’s involvement in the Petersburg Campaign.  This campaign resulted in the Union victory that forced General Robert E. Lee to surrender at Appomattox Courthouse.  So join us between two and four in the afternoon to discover Springfield’s involvement in the American Revolution and later in the Civil War.

House Hours:  Sunday, June 22nd from 2 to 4.

House Admission: $2 for adults, free for children 12 and under.

For more information call (973) 376 4784.

Committeewoman and Springfield Historical Society President, Margaret Bandrowski and Jonathan Dayton High School teacher, Sharon Carlson had a unique opportunity last week to learn about history first hand.  Rabbi Ari Rosenberg of Temple Sha'arey Shalom was kind enough to arrange a meeting with the temple's former Rabbi, Israel Dresner and Springfield resident Hower Kiesel, both of whom were deeply involved in the early days of the Civil Rights movement.  Rabbi Dresner developed a friendship with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and arranged for Dr. King to speak in Springfield twice, both before and after he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.  Also in attendance were Larry Burns, a longtime Springfield resident who was present during Dr. King's visit, and Lorraine Seidel of Hadassah.  The meeting was taped by JDHS student, Mike Bornstein.

Due to the hazardous winter weather, the open house planned for Sunday, February 17th was cancelled.

Please check this site for announcements of future events and Open House hours.

Thank you for your interest and support of the Springfield Historical Society.