PUBLICATIONS

Pathways of History

The Tunis-Ellicks House Museum will be open on Saturday, October 3, from 11 am to 4 pm for the Pathways of History tour. Pathways of History is a self-guided tour of historical museums and sites across Morris County. The 1795 Tunis-Ellicks House features an original hearth, outbuildings, and a period parlor garden of herbs and perennials. An extensive collection of Lenni-Lenape artifacts, some as much as 10,000 years old, will be shown. Also on the grounds is an original T

hardingarchives

11 minutes ago1 min read

New Archive Acquisition: Tunis Family Bible

By Leslie Potashner Published in The Review, Spring 2024, Volume 63, Number 1. Gary Troxell has donated a Tunis family bible to the Harding Township Historical Society. The bible belonged to William Lindsley Tunis, who lived from 1836 to 1897. The small bible is inscribed inside the front cover, “W. L. Tunis, New Vernon, Morris County, New Jersey.” Inside the back cover is written, “William L. Tunis, August 16, 1846.” William was born in New Vernon in 1836, the son of John S

hardingarchives

Aug 233 min read

A Short History of Tramp Houses

By Sally Quinn Originally published in The Review, Fall 2018, Volume 41, Number 2 The Tramp House on the site of the Tunis-Ellicks House Museum. Wanderlust would seem to be part of the human condition and a part that has served Amerca especially wee, as it inspired colonization and, then, westward movement. But there have been times in our history when that movement was caused by war or economic conditions. Such is the cas in the history of tramp houses in America. After t

hardingarchives

Aug 182 min read

Tunis-Ellicks Renovation

Originally published in The Review, Fall 2017, Volume 40, Number 2. The rehabilitation of the Tunis-Ellicks House was a seminal event in the development of the Harding Township Historical Society when the rehab began in earnest in 1978. In studying the record of those times, I can see three "phases" of the effort: acquisition of the house and design/definition of the scope of the project; stabilizatin of the house and surroundings for use by the early HTHS; and the rehabilit

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Aug 102 min read

Tunis-Ellicks Revnovation -- The Beginning

By Chris Allyn Originally published in The Review, Spring 2018, Volume 41, Number 1 Drawing of configuration of earlier portion of Tunis-Ellicks house. During the period from about 1975 through 1977, interest in the local history of Harding Township (New Vernon in particular) spiked quite notably. Starting with the Harding Township Bicentennial Committee (formed in 1975) and culminating with the formation of the Harding Township Historical Society in May 1977, a large number

hardingarchives

Aug 42 min read

Homes of the Revolution

By Leslie Potashner In honor of the Sesquicentennial, we showcase some of the Harding homes that were standing during the Revolution. The Job Brookfield house. Job died during the Revolutionary war of Small Pox during a huge outbreak among the soldiers at Jockey Hollow and the citizens in the area of Morristown in 1777. The Brookfield barn was used as Small Pox hospital. Located on Kitchell Road. The Goble Homestead located on James Street. Daniel Goble settled here as

hardingarchives

Jul 42 min read

The Harding Township Man Who Never Existed

By Charlotte V. Groff, PhD Originally published in The Review, Spring 2014, Volume 38, Number 1. In August 2000, I attempted to learn the maiden name of my 5th great-grandmother Abigail who married by 1749 Joseph Fairchild b. 1724. Their first child, Phoebe, was born 17 May 1750. During a trip to the Harding Township Historical Society, I talked to the ladies there who suggested that my Abigail was Abigail Goble b. 18 January 1729, the daughter of Judge Robert Goble. She was

hardingarchives

Jun 253 min read

Pathways of History Spring 2026

The Harding Township Historical Society had wonderful weather for this year's Pathways of History tour. The weekend event showcases the many historical buildings and museums throughout Morris County. Historic reenactor Bob Gula portrayed a Continental Army officer from the 3rd New Jersey Regiment and discussed the Battles of Springfield and Connecticut Farms. Gula showed maps detailing the troop movements during these battles. Gula also spoke on the conditions at Jockey Holl

hardingarchives

May 61 min read

George Washington, New Jersey, and the Revolutionary War

The Man... The State... The War... Historian Joel Farkas will speak on George Washington and the Revolution in New Jersey at our annual meeting on February 9, 7:00 PM, at the Kemmerer Library . The lecture celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Farkas was a docent at Washington's Headquarters and received the National Park Service Centennial Volunteer Challenge Award. His lectures focus on the American Revolution. The library is located at 19

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Jan 161 min read

Winter Scenes at Kemmerer Library

By Leslie Potashner Pleasant Plains Road Snowplowing. Horses pulling a V-snowplow. Many farmers opened the roads to their houses using their own horse teams. Gift of the Roscoe Family. The Harding Township Historical Society has set up a display of past photographs in town and antique winter toys. The items will be on display for the next month. A display of Winter Scenes of Harding Township and antique winter toys. The photos include many horsedrawn vehicles used to navi

hardingarchives

Dec 11, 20251 min read

Tree honoring Warren G. Harding removed from White House grounds

By Leslie Potashner First Lady Florence Harding planting the Southern Magnolia at the White House. Library of Congress. A one-hundred-year-old magnolia tree commemorating Warren G. Harding's presidency was torn down to build the new ballroom at the White House. First Lady Florence Harding planted the tree on March 29, 1922, a little over a year before the president died in 1923. The tree was moved in 1947 to flank the entrance of the East Wing to pair with another magnolia gr

hardingarchives

Oct 30, 20252 min read