On October 25th, Hudson Montessori School celebrated its Theme Kick-off. Every year, students are given a theme to focus on; this year’s theme is Art, Architecture, and Archeology. The students of Hudson Montessori School were assigned projects spanning across different time periods, from creating timelines of the evolution of art to portraying famous architects and […]
Let’s Explore: Hamilton Park
Where is Hamilton Park? Hamilton Park sits north of Harsimus Cove beginning at 6th Street with Newport to the east, Journal Square to the west, and 10th Street as its northern border. A Brief History: Alexander Hamilton inspired more than a hip hop Broadway play… for Jersey City’s own neighborhood and park are named after […]
Let’s Explore: West Side & NJCU
Where is the West Side? West Side is a very complicated network of borders, but if we really simplify it; it’s Bergen Avenue to West Side Avenue including Lincoln Park, from Broadway to Danforth Avenue. A Brief History: I spoke with Charlene Burke, Vice President of the West Side Community Alliance (WSCA), who has lived […]
Let’s Explore: McGinley Square
Where is McGinley Square? Just south of Journal Square and less than a half square mile, the Square itself rests at the intersection of Montgomery Street and Bergen Avenue. But according to Google Maps, the larger McGinley Square area stretches north to south from Sip Avenue to Communipaw Avenue and west to east from West Side […]
Barrow Mansion
Ever since I moved to Downtown Jersey City, I always wondered what the story was behind the historic-looking home on Barrow Street. Around two years ago during the Jersey City Studio Tour, I had the chance to get a quick tour. As soon as you walk in, you feel the stories, the history, and the […]
Let’s Explore: The Geography of Jersey City
A few weeks ago, the Embankment Preservation Coalition organized a presentation about the geography of Jersey City at Grace Van Vorst church, headed by Luke Schray, an urban planner and board member of the coalition. When his home was flooded in Hurricane Sandy, his interest was piqued into the geography of Jersey City. But “to […]
Let’s Explore: The Powerhouse Arts District
Let’s Explore: The Powerhouse Arts District The Powerhouse Arts District (or “PAD”) is one of the smallest neighborhoods in Jersey City, but it packs a helluva punch. Primarily comprised of manufacturing buildings erected in the 1800s, turned into artist live/work spaces in the later 1990s and early 2000s (and living among the new high rises dotting Jersey City’s […]
Let’s Explore: Greenville
Greenville is one of those neighborhoods in Jersey City that a lot of people don’t know of off the bat. Its south of a lot of the action and development that JC is seeing and like a few other neighborhoods in the area, the 1970s hit it hard. But the Hudson County History Advocates partnered […]
Let’s Explore: The Heights
Continuing on our journey of Jersey City neighborhoods, let’s visit The Heights! I sat down with Roger Heitmann, Treasurer for the Riverview Neighborhood Association who was born in the Heights and has lived here for most of his life. His family lineage in the Heights goes back to 1891 and he’s a bit of a […]
Let’s Explore: Paulus Hook
I’ve set out on a journey to learn a little more about each neighborhood in Jersey City; its history, architectural details, landmarks and any other interesting anecdotes I come across. Let’s start with Paulus Hook, shall we? When I started asking around for a good resource on the neighborhood, all signs pointed to Diane Kaese, […]
The Colgate Clock Styles
A few months ago I teamed up with local artist Pat Massett to bring you all a little slice of Jersey City History combined with fashion! As part of my journey of discovering Jersey City, learning it’s history has become an integral part of this discovery process! So far we’ve covered Pershing Field, The Arch […]
Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal Styles
As part of my journey of discovering the wonders of Jersey City, I’ve enlisted local artist Pat Massett to be my official ChicpeaJC historian! Pat is a Jersey City enthusiast and history buff and with his help I brought you the background on Pershing Field, The arch and the Powerhouse. For this months edition we […]