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. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * 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 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * 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. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * 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. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *** * * * 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. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *** * * * 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. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * 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 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** ** * * 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 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * 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] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * ** * 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 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * 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. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * 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. 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