Lincoln Park History Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lincoln Park History Museum |
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The museum as seen from U.S. Route 202
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| Location | 137 Main Street Lincoln Park, New Jersey |
| Area | 5.9 acres (2.4 ha) |
| Built | 1927 |
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The Lincoln Park History Museum is a special place in Lincoln Park, New Jersey. It started as a library in 1927. Today, it is a museum that teaches about the history of Lincoln Park, the Morris Canal, and New Jersey.
The museum is located between U.S. Route 202 and the Morris Canal. You can see old canal stones and a piece of special cable there. There's even a path leading to the old Morris Canal. The museum is part of a bigger area called the Benjamin Estate. The town of Lincoln Park owns the museum, and the Lincoln Park Historical Society takes care of it.
Contents
How the Lincoln Park Library Began
In 1917, some local couples started a social group called "The Fellowship Club." They met in an old stone house. By 1920, the first local library was also in that house.
In 1922, the area became the Borough of Lincoln Park. The library quickly needed more space. The group running the library, "The Lincoln Park Public Library Association," looked for a new home.
Building the First Library
In 1925, the Benjamin Estate gave land on Main Street for a new library building. Local groups helped raise money for construction. The library was built with a $600 loan.
By late 1927, the new wooden library was finished. It had no indoor plumbing but lots of windows for light. The library paid back its loan and kept running by selling memberships and holding bake sales.
From 1931 to 1934, the town started giving the library $50 each year. By 1934, the town fully funded the library. This continued until 1965. At that time, people voted to make the library a free, independent library.
From Library to History Museum
In 1966, the Beavertown Historical Society was formed. A new, bigger public library was built in Lincoln Park. It opened in 1969.
After the new library opened, the Beavertown Historical Society took over the old wooden library building. They turned it into a history museum.
Challenges and Repairs
By 2005, the Historical Society had fewer members. Between 2006 and 2008, a local Eagle Scout repainted the outside of the museum. However, the paint did not last long.
Around 2010, the museum was only open sometimes. It had a roof leak that damaged the inside. The town repaired the roof, which saved the building. A few volunteers worked slowly to fix the inside, but money was tight.
The Museum Today
In February 2016, a meeting was held to help the museum. Many new members and volunteers joined the Beavertown Historical Society. Volunteers helped paint the inside of the museum. A local contractor fixed the old wooden floors for free.
In May 2016, the Lincoln Park History Museum started opening regularly. It now opens twice a month and offers special events and tours. Another Eagle Scout repainted the outside of the building in colors from its original time period. A local landscaper added flower beds near the entrance.
The Beavertown Historical Society is now called the Lincoln Park Historical Society. They continue to manage and care for the museum.
