JOIN US: Sun, Nov 9 at 2PM for our Fall Meeting
HCHS Fall Program Looks Back at Liberty Village
Brian Armstrong has many fond memories of his two summers at Liberty Village. In the late 1970s, he worked in the carpenter’s shop and performed in a musket-firing demonstration as part of a militia.
“It was a summer job that complemented my history major at American University,” Armstrong reflected. “The people I worked with fun, excellent — mostly teachers and other colonial-era enthusiasts.”
Armstrong’s treasured reminiscences led to his interest in researching the history of the original Liberty Village. He will share his findings during the Hunterdon County Historical Society’s annual fall meeting on Sunday, November 9 at 2 p.m. at the Flemington Presbyterian Church. Everyone is welcome, and the program is free. Refreshments will be served; registration is not required.
Armstrong will provide an overview of the history of the design, construction and original use of Liberty Village, which operated as a re-creation of a colonial village where visitors could see working craftsman. He will profile the key colonial buildings there – including the tavern and blacksmith shop – and discuss the historic collections that were displayed, and the products created by the workers. The talk will include a brief discussion of the Foran Foundry and Turntable Junction
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Liberty Village offered a unique experience to visitors when it was established in the early 1970s. One writer described it back in January 1973 as “an oasis of simple country life. . . a sample of the architecture and crafts prevalent in the 13 colonies has been assembled in a tasteful blend on land that once was the site of the Foran Foundry.”
Attendees will get an appreciation for the vision of Theodore Merritt Sr. and his great creation. “He meticulously researched, designed and created this amazing colonial museum that was New Jersey’s Williamsburg,” Armstrong said. “As with many of the great lost buildings, I hope that people will realize what a valuable thing Liberty Village was and that it should be remembered. Also, Merritt’s theme of the free enterprise system at work was an important aspect of American History.”
Some of the information in Armstrong’s talk was derived from his research for his upcoming novel, The 9/11 Murder. In addition to his upcoming release, Armstrong is the author of numerous books including The Franklin Park Tragedy: A Forgotten Story of Racial Injustice in New Jersey, which won the 2020 New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance Author Award; Hunter’s Rest Birthday; Lost Museums; The Franklin Park Axe Murders; and A History Lover’s Guide to Bar Harbor Maine. Armstrong was past president of the South River Historical & Preservation Society and current president of the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey, and is director for the Raritan Millstone Heritage Association. He also is a Hunterdon County native.
This PowerPoint program will include some artifacts of Liberty Village.