UPCOMING EVENTS

The Remarkable History of Bloomfield's Fire Department Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 7:30 PM, Bloomfield Civic Center, 84 Broad Street by James Gardner Join lifelong New Jersey resident James Gardner for a journey through the history of the Bloomfield Fire Department, from its founding in 1883 to the present day. The presentation will feature stories of famous fires, remarkable firefighters and the intriguing tale of "Felix the Stone Fireman" statue, including his origins and Gardner's family connection to Felix's story. Gardner is a local historian and the host of "Your History Your Story," a podcast he has been producing with his wife, Kelly since October 2020. Gardner has deep family roots in Bloomfield and is passionate about bringing history to life through compelling storytelling. The event is free and open to the public.

Felix the Fireman in a memorial dedicated to Firmen at the Firehouse at Franklin and Montgomery Streets.

NEW ADDITIONS to Our Web Site

1865 Map of Bloomfield and Belleville

This map shows Bloomfield before Montclair and Glen Ridge split off and Belleville before Nutley split off. The map includes pictures of prominent buildings at the time. Each of the house pictures have been digitally repaired and enhanced and are featured in our photo gallery: Bloomfield and Belleville, 1865

We are grateful to Adriana O'Toole for donating this mape to the Historical Society's collections.

Warren Baldwin's home and store on Broad Street. This is where Gencarelli's Bakery is today.	This was James Bartholomew's estate on Blomfield Avenue. Berkley Heights Park is in this location today.	Residenced of Augustus T. Morris, Morris Place and Bay Avenue.

Charles Warren Eaton's Photos of Bloomfield

Photos by Charles Warren Eaton taken between approximately 1905 to 1915 of scenes in Bloomfield including photos of Eaton, his home and garden, Mills and mill ponds in Bloomfield (Diamond Paper Mill, Davey's Pond and Davey's Mill, and Oakes Pond and Oakes Mill), scenes along Third River and newly improved photos of the Morris Canal in Bloomfield.

Charles Warren Eaton	Garden in Eaton backyard	Oakes Pond and Oakes Mill

Rev. Phraner's Photos of Palestine Mission Trip

In the early 1900s, Rev. Wilson Phraner took a Mission trip to Palestine. These are photos he took and made into Magic Lantern Slides that he used in his ministry at the Montgomery Mission Chapel in the Soho neighborhood in Belleville. These photos have been added to our Photo Gallery.

We also have collections of his photos from trips to Switzerland and Germany, Cuba and Alaska and, of course, his collection of photos of Bloomfield.

Damascus Gate	Dragomen (Interpreters/Guides)	Mary's Well

Camp Pinelock

An Anecdotal History, Candid Observations, and Memories of Camp Pinelock, Once a Unique Bloomfield Girl Scout Camp in Knowlton Township, Warren County, NJ (1946- 1961), by S. David Phraner

Camp Pinelock Entrance Postcard	Lake at Camp Pinelock Postcard	Remaining Camp Pinelock building, 2021