WATER WORKS!
The E-Newsletter of Water Works Conservancy, Inc.
Vol.1, No.2
June 6, 2002
This is WWC’s second edition of the E-Newsletter. The last two months have
been packed with preservation activities and the following articles will
bring you up-to-date with the WWC’s current efforts to save the historic
Hackensack Water Company Plant on Van Buskirk Island.
WWC encourages comment and contributions to the E-Newsletter, and new WWC
members are always welcome.
All the best,
Maggie Harrer
President of the Board of Directors
The Water Works Conservancy, Inc.
The topics today are:
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
SITE NAMED TO NATIONAL TRUST’S "11 MOST ENDANGERED"
WWC’S ANNUAL MEETING, MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2002, CARTER CRAFT OF METROPOLITAN
WATERFRONT ALLIANCE TO SPEAK
NEW JERSEY HERITAGE FEATURES HACKENSACK WATER CO. SITE
CURRENT STATUS OF SITE – MEETINGS WITH DEP COMMISSIONER
LIVING HISTORY INTERVIEWS BEGIN FOR BOOK ON SITE
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
HOW CAN YOU HELP SAVE THE WATER WORKS?
CONSERVING THE PAST, CREATING THE FUTURE
To change your e-mail address, see instructions in footer.
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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
This has been sent around the internet, and the original source is obscure,
but, thanks to a contributor, it seemed appropriate for all of those
volunteers out there fighting to save, preserve, restore, support and
strengthen historic sites, museums and our environment.
"Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals."
--Barbara Radomski
Oradell, NJ
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SITE NAMED TO NATIONAL TRUST’S "11 MOST ENDANGERED" LIST
On Thursday, June 6, the National Trust for Historic Preservation released
its "11 Most Endangered National Historic Sites" List, and the Hackensack
Water Company’s historic New Milford Plant is included on that list. "We are
very pleased and proud that the Hackensack Water Works site has been named to
the National Trust’s list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places,"
said Maggie Harrer, president of the Water Works Conservancy. "This desig
nation brings this unique historic site to the attention of the American
public as well as preservation experts. We view this as an important next
step in the site's progression to national landmark status. It serves to
confirm and strengthen WWC’s belief that the Hackensack Water Works is indeed
a national treasure that must be preserved and respected."
What follows is an excerpt from the press release from NTHP. For the full
press release, please go to WWC’s website: http://www.hwwc.org.
Washington, D.C. (June 6, 2002) – It is a rare and remarkably intact
testament to American ingenuity. But now the Hackensack Water Works, a time
capsule of 19th-and 20th-century technology that faithfully served the
burgeoning population of Northern New Jersey for nearly a century, is
threatened by a county proposal to demolish virtually all of this intact
industrial complex in order to create an artificial "ruin."
To raise awareness of the plight of the Water Works and other historic
industrial resources, the National Trust for Historic Preservation today
named the Hackensack Water Works to its 2002 list of America’s 11 Most
Endangered Historic Places.
"Industrial sites tell the story of the United States as much as historic
house museums or downtown commercial districts," said Richard Moe, president
of the National Trust. "Built in an era when our nation’s public health was
threatened by disease and cities lacked basic amenities such as a clean water
supply, the Water Works and the far-reaching industrial advancements made
there cannot be overlooked. One of the last remaining and most intact
historic industrial sites of its kind, we should not allow this extraordinary
place to be largely destroyed and transformed into an imitation ruin."
The History Channel“ will feature the list on Saturday, July 6, 2002, at 10
p.m. EDT/PDT in a one-hour documentary special entitled, "America’s Most
Endangered." The show, hosted by Josh Binswanger, also host of "This Week in
History," is part of the Save Our History‘ campaign, The History Channel’s
award-winning national initiative dedicated to historic preservation and
history education.
In addition, The Atlantic Monthly will present a special feature insert,
sponsored by Shell Oil Company, on the National Trust’s 11 Most Endangered
list in the July/August issue of the magazine.
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WWC’S ANNUAL MEETING, MONDAY, JUNE 10 – Carter Craft of Metropolitan
Waterfront Alliance is Guest Speaker
The Water Works Conservancy will hold its Annual Meeting on Monday, June 10,
7:30 PM at the Blauvelt Mansion, 699 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell, NJ.
Carter Craft, Director of the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, will be the
guest speaker this year. The Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance is a growing
network of organizations and concerned individuals dedicated to helping this
region reclaim and reconnect to our greatest natural resource--the harbor,
rivers and estuaries of the New York and New Jersey waterfront.
The Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance works through education, grassroots
organizing and media advocacy to include the public's voice and values in the
decision-making that will determine the future of our region's waterfront and
waterways. (Their website: http://www.waterwire.net)
WWC Members, present and former Board Members, Members of the Board of
Advisors and Friends of the WWC are invited to the annual meeting. There is
a lot to celebrate this year, and WWC welcomes new members as well as old to
its annual meeting. For further information and directions, please contact
WWC at 201-967-0133 or at the website: http://www.hwwc.org.
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NEW JERSEY HERITAGE FEATURES HACKENSACK WATER COMPANY SITE
The spring edition of the New Jersey Heritage Magazine features a 12 page
story on the historic Hackensack Water Company site and devoted the front and
back cover to photographs of the site. Mark Magyar, editor, states in his
introductory essay "More than the Revolution, "New Jersey history is much
more than just the Revolution. Few, if any, states can match New Jersey’s
rich history of industry, science and invention…Our cover story focuses on
the Hackensack Water Works, which is part of that heritage."
The article, written by preservation consultant Clifford Zink, details the
battle to save the historic site and provides in-depth historic background on
the technology and water treatment processes developed at the site. It also
features wonderful photographs of the site and architectural drawings of the
buildings.
If you would like a personal copy, or copies of this issue of NJ Heritage for
a library, please contact WWC at our website: http://www.hwwc.org; or call
201-967-0133. WWC is also a subscription partner, so that friends of the WWC
who wish to order a full subscription to this wonderful publication may order
through WWC and a small donation is sent to WWC for each subscription.
Contact WWC at the above website or phone number, or write: WWC, Box 714,
Oradell, NJ 07649.
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CURRENT STATUS OF SITE – MEETINGS WITH DEP COMMISSIONER
On May 1, Members of the Board of Directors of WWC, and the State and
National Coalition to Save the Water Works, met with DEP Commissioner Bradley
Campbell, to discuss the importance of preserving the site. The discussions
were open, frank and thorough. The Commissioner also met with Bergen County
Executive William Schuber and his staff on May 14.
On February 21, 2002, the New Jersey Historical Sites Council voted 9-0 to
reject Bergen County's request to demolish the historic Hackensack Water
Company site. To read the Council's Final Resolution, go to our website:
Http://www.HWWC.org and click on SAVE THE WATERWORKS.
This Historic Sites Council's Resolution and the future of the site is now in
the hands of Commissioner Bradley Campbell, who will make the final decision
on or before June 25.
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LIVING HISTORY INTERVIEWS BEGIN FOR BOOK ON SITE
WWC has begun work on the new book on the historic Hackensack Water Company
site with a $20,000 grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission.
Historic Preservation Consultant Clifford Zink will author the book, which
will include both new photographs and newly discovered old photographs of the
site.
Mr. Zink has worked on the preservation of historic industrial sites for more
than 17 years. He is currently preparing a National Landmark Nomination for
the Hackensack Water Works on behalf of the WWC. He has written a definitive
book about the John A. Roebling’s Sons Company in Trenton and Roebling, NJ,
and has served as project director of the Roebling Oral History Project,
which produced a booklet and video.
One of the most exciting elements is that the book will include an oral
Living History, stories from the men and women who actually worked at the
site as well as children and relatives of those who worked there in an
earlier era. The Living History Team includes photographers Dave Frieder and
Chip Renner, as well as Emmy award-winning broadcast engineer Nick Besink.
The team has already completed interviews of 4 former plant workers and
documented the interviews with video and sound tapes. The collection of
completed interviews will be the basis for a filmed documentary on the site.
WWC would like to hear any stories or memories any of you who have had direct
contact with the site might have. Please e-mail back to WWC through the
CONTACT US e-mail at the website: http://www.HWWC.org
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
WWC is looking for volunteers to help in the following areas:
Membership - to participate in the Membership Committee and help organize the
outreach and plan and organize events. 4-5 hours a month
Newsletter - editors, writers, photographers interested in volunteering 4 to
5 hours a month to create and edit a newsletter
Website - computer literate writers to help create new sections of the
website and edit materials for the website - 4 to 5 hours a month
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HOW CAN YOU HELP SAVE THE WATER WORKS?
The most powerful tool WWC has is the force of public opinion. Please write
a letter of support for saving the Water Works to Commissioner Campbell and
copy it to WWC, County Executive Schuber and the Bergen County Freeholders,
and Governor McGreevey. If you have written already, do so again and
encourage your friends and family to write as well. It can be short and
direct or as detailed as you wish. Together we can save our Water Works.
Here is a sample letter and the addresses:
Sample Letter (Select, Copy and paste this letter into your own writing
program. Modify it to suit your thoughts, then e-mail, fax or snail mail it
to the following addresses)
Dear _______:
I am writing to request that you support saving, intact, the Historic
Hackensack Water Company Site in Oradell, New Jersey. Many of my friends, {or
coworker, fellow citizens and neighbors, etc.} and I believe that saving this
site is vital to preserving an important part of New Jersey's industrial
history, the history of the technology of water treatment and 100 years of
irreplaceable intact technology - steam to electricity.
I whole heartedly support the Water Works Conservancy's "both
preservation/and environmental restoration" proposal to preserve the Historic
Hackensack Water Co. site within a restored natural habitat park on Van
Buskirk Island. This is a win/win for the environment, historic preservation
and the State of New Jersey and its citizens for generations to come.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Address
Phone/Fax
ADDRESSES
Commissioner Bradley Campbell
Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Parks & Forestry, Historic Preservation Office
PO Box 404
Trenton, NJ 08625-9494
Phone #: 609-292-2885
Fax #: 609- 292-7695
[log in to unmask]
Governor James McGreevey
40 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625-9494
Phone #: 609-777-3501
Fax #: 609-292-3454
http://www.state.nj.us/governor/contact.htm
County Executive William "Pat" Schuber, and Chairman Anthony Cassano and the
Board of Chosen Freeholders
One Bergen County Plaza, Fifth Floor
Hackensack, NJ 07601
County Executive Phone: 201- 336-7300
Fax #: 201- 336-7304
[log in to unmask]
Bergen County Freeholders Phone: 201-336-6200
Fax #: 201- 336-6290
[log in to unmask]
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CONSERVING THE PAST, CREATING THE FUTURE!
The Water Works Conservancy, Inc. (WWC) is an all-volunteer, 501(C)(3)
not-for-profit organization dedicated to: preserving and restoring the
historic Hackensack Water Works, a state and national historic site and a
designated "American Treasure," which includes an historic Pumping Station
with steam-powered equipment, and a Filtration Plant with Settling Basins,
all pre-First World War. The mission of the Conservancy is to preserve the
Hackensack Water Works and to tell the story of New Jersey’s history through
water: the historic interaction between the Hackensack River, its ecosystem,
and the humans who depend upon it.
WWC supports creating a 10-acre environmentally restored park, restoring the
historic Hackensack Water Co. site and restoring the rare and irreplaceable
equipment and technology - steam to electricity - inside the buildings.
WWC proposes creating a guiding presence on the Island that will: oversee the
environmental park; insure that the park is environmentally restored and
maintained properly; operate environmental education programs in the park and
along the river; create an Education Center and Museum within the historic
buildings; establish a Hackensack River Research Center to study the River
and its problems and search for solutions.
If you are not yet a member of WWC and wish to join, please go to the
website: Http://www.HWWC.org and click on membership. WWC welcomes all who
wish to preserve and protect Van Buskirk Island and create a rich, exciting
future for our children and future generations.
The Water Works Conservancy, Inc.
Box 714
Oradell, New Jersey 07649
Phone: 201-967-0133
Fax: 201-967-7517
Website: [UNDER CONSTRUCTION] http://www.HWWC.org
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SUPPORT THE WATER WORKS CONSERVANCY: Our mission and operations are funded e
ntirely by the voluntary financial support of our supporters. If you have
Internet access, please link to our Membership page at --
http://www.hwwc.org/membership.html. If you prefer to support us by check,
please make it payable to "Water Works Conservancy" and note your e-mail
address for proper credit.
Suggested contribution levels are:
Individual $25, Contributing $100,
Family $35, Sustaining $250,
Supporting $60, Sponsoring $500,
Corporate $75, and Silver $1,000.
Send your membership contribution to: The Water Works Conservancy, Inc., Box
714, Oradell, New Jersey 07649.
Contributions are tax deductable to the highest extent of the law.
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SUBSCRIBE: FREE by E-mail! Get your FREE subscription to Water Works! Link to
-- http://www.hwwc.org OR if you don't have Web access, send a blank e-mail
to: <[log in to unmask]> and you will be subscribed automatically.
UNSUBSCRIBE at: http://www. hwwc.org OR if you don't have Web access, send a
blank e-mail to: [log in to unmask]
PRIVACY NOTICE: We do NOT provide any information about our members to any
third party under any circumstances.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Link to -- http://www.hwwc.org OR you don't have Web
access, follow the "unsubscribe" instructions for the old address and the
"subscribe" instructions for the new address.
©2002 Water Works Conservancy, Inc.
All rights reserved.
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