March 13, Spring Membership Meeting & Lecture

The Earth Beneath Us: the Geology of Hunterdon County

Join Mr. John Allen for an afternoon lecture on Sunday, March 13, @ 2:00 p.m. at the Flemington Presbyterian Church, 10 East Main Street in Flemington. Mr. Allen will explore the relationships between Hunterdon County’s ancient geological past and its modern demographics and economic history.

Mr. Allen will explain the earth beneath us in Hunterdon County—the iron ore that once fueled the forges during the American Revolution, and how in the 19th century, carbonate rocks fed the numerous lime kilns that sprang up in the northern part of the County. In the southern reaches of the County, the presence of tantalizing traces of copper ore led to a spate of hopeful investment opportunities in the late 1800’s. The County also has rocks best known for their architectural use such as “brownstone” (New Jersey’s official State rock) as well as “trap rock”–used by the State for roadways, riprap, railroads and garden landscaping.

Mr. Allen earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a master’s from Rutgers University, both in geology. After 34 years as a petroleum geologist, and living on three continents, he retired in 2013. He fills his time researching denizens of the area’s cemeteries, reading historical literature, and studying the impact of New Jersey’s geological history on the development of the Garden State.

The talk will last about 45 minutes, followed by questions; refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public!