Dover Area Historical Society

Do you recognize the above spot in Dover? This is on Blackwell Street, just lightly west of the DAHS Museum. See this and other Dover treasures on a walking tour led by our museum curator, Rick Kelly, on Saturday, July 20, 2019, beginning at 10:00 AM at our Museum House, 55 W. Blackwell Street, Dover. Rain or shine, wear comfortable shoes and rain gear or sunscreen as necessary. Parking in the lot behind the museum. Rick will show you a new addition to our walking tour, the Pierson Block, which is 79-89 W. Blackwell Street. Constructed in 1887, the building is an example of 19th century row house architecture. The viaduct, which was built in 1905 to protect from a dangerous rail crossing, blocks the view and many Doverites seldom notice this hidden historic area.

In addition to showing you the Pierson building, Rick will tell you about the Ulster Iron Works, Bassett Highway’s changes over the years, The Moller Opera House, The Dover Fire Department, The Dover Dogs, stop in front of the Dover Library to discuss the canal basin and visit some of our beautiful churches, with a final stop at the Story Poles before returning to the museum. We hope can join us to hear some of Rick’s interesting stories about Dover in days past!

Come enjoy the beautiful weather, tour our museum, meet others interested in the history of Dover and enjoy some light refreshments. The museum is located at 55 W. Blackwell Street, Dover, next to the First Memorial Presbyterian Church.  Lots of parking behind the museum or on nearby streets.  We hope to see you there.

The Town of Dover will celebrate Memorial Day with a parade that starts at Rutan Drive at 10:00 am, proceeds west on Blackwell Street,  and ends at Hurd Park.  The Museum House at 55 W. Blackwell Street will open at 9:00 am and close a half hour after the parade ends. All are welcome to visit the museum, enjoy a cold drink, use our restroom facilities or just say hello.

Dover Area Historical Society and The Dover Little Theatre Present: MOVIES IN MAY. Friday, May 17, 2019 at 7:30 pm. at DLT, 69 Elliott Street, Dover, NJ 07801. Feature film will be Bringing up Baby, and there will be episodes of Little Lu Lu and Flash Gordon. Suggested Donation is $20 per person. Fun for the Whole Family! Tickets will be sold at the door, refreshments will be available. Contact Jeanne DeMark at 973-944-8604 for more info or call the Dover Little Theatre at 973-328-9202. This is a joint fundraiser for both organizations.

Please join us for a presentation, “My Dover-A Memoir”  by Robert Kelly, presented by his son, Rick Kelly, plus a power point, History of the Dover Fire Department.  This event will take place in the First Memorial Presbyterian Church, in Deck Hall.  Robert Kelly wrote a very interesting memoir of growing up in Dover, and the presentation will include lots of photos of life in Dover back in the day, and the variety of fire equipment used by DFD, major fires, etc.  Come and share your memories.  All are welcome.  Event is free, refreshments will be served.

Please join our curator, Rick Kelly, for a walking tour of Hurd Park on Saturday, September 29, 2018….see the Jackson Brook, the Doughboy statue, and hear about the history of this area of Dover.  Meet at the Park Heights Avenue corner of the Park.  Walk begins at 12:00 noon and will last about 1 1/2 hours.  Rain or shine, all are welcome, event is free.

This has become  one of our most popular annual events-Hope  you can join us.

Do you have fond memories of shopping in downtown Dover during the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s?  Did your family own a business or work in Dover stores during those years?

Please join us at our museum at 55 W. Blackwell Street, Dover (next to First Memorial Presbyterian Church)  for an open house on Sunday, August 12, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, to celebrate past local businesses and the shopping experience.  Dover’s  own, Henry Shapiro, “The Piano Man,” will entertain us while we share our memories of Dover and renew old friendships.

Born and raised in Dover, Hank began playing the piano when he was five years old and by the time he was 13, he started playing professionally. He has his own band at the age of 16.  Hank studied jazz improvisation and music theory in New York under Herman Wasserman, an arranger for George Gershwin.  His band was well known especially around Lake Hopatcong and throughout Northern New Jersey.

Henry, who is now 97 years young, will share his memories of what Dover what like in his earlier days.  He has great memories of the stores in the downtown area, including Shapiro’s Modern Economy Store, his family’s business on Blackwell Street.  Henry and his four children are all graduates of Dover High School.

You will be able to tour our museum, listen to timeless music, interact with other guests who remember Dover back “when,” and enjoy some light refreshments.  All are welcome!

DAHS is planning two summer events to highlight the  history of downtown Dover.

-On Saturday, July 14, our museum curator, Rick Kelly will lead a walking tour, starting at the Dover Free Public Library on Clinton Street at 10:30 AM, rain or shine.  The walk will take approximately one and a half hours and Rick will point out the historic buildings on Blackwell Street, with a stop at our museum, the Condict House for ice cream.  The tour will continue down Bassett Highway and along Sussex Street back to the library.  Rick has some great stories about events that occurred in buildings along the way.  Spanish translation  will be provided for those who are more comfortable in Spanish.  This event is back by popular demand and we hope you can join us to find out more about the rich history of our town.

-On Sunday, August 12, there will be an open house at our museum at 55 W. Blackwell Street, Dover, from 2:00 to 4:00.  Dover’s own Henry Shapiro, “The Piano Man” will return to entertain us with beautiful music from several decades.  Special guests will be families which owned businesses in downtown Dover during the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.  Come and share your memories of shopping in Dover and renew old friendships.  All are welcome, refreshments will be served.

Come and enjoy a relaxing afternoon with other folks who are interested in Dover’s rich history.  Share some conversation, tour the museum, have a snack.  All are welcome!  Hope you can join us!