About the Historical Society of Plainfield

About the Historical Society of Plainfield

The Historical Society of Plainfield was founded in 1921 to preserve the Drake House as a local landmark. Title was later transferred to the City of Plainfield, which assists the Historical Society in maintaining the house as a public museum. Support from Society members, foundations, local organizations, and individuals aids the ongoing cost of restoration and acquisitions to the collection. The museum presents educational programs for members, school children, and the public, as well as exhibits and lectures.

Jesse Levine

Educational Program Coordinator

Danielle Franklin

Office Manager

Officers of the Board of Trustees

Eloise Bryant-Tinley

President

Barbara Zeh

1st Vice President

Nancy Piwowar

2nd Vice President

Roland Zeh

Treasurer

Our Educational Programs:

The" Traveling Trunk" exhibition includes photographs, postcards, colonial household items, maps, etc... This is our way of reaching out to groups while we are undergoing restoration.

Mining History: The Age of Washington at Drake House

The Education Department invites elementary and middle school teachers to join us for a tour of Drake House as we explore history during the colonial and revolutionary eras in Plainfield and the Mid-Atlantic colonies. A curriculum folder entitled "Mining History: The Age of Washington at Drake House" is available for teachers of grades 4-8.

Education Initiative 2005-2006 Taking a Stand in History

The Education Department is pleased to offer assistance to students who participate in New Jersey/National History Day in 2006. The theme, "Taking a Stand in History" is broad enough in scope to encourage investigation of topics ranging from local to world history.

The Education Department will once again provide history workbooks for children who participate in this competition, now in its 28th year. Two students from Plainfield, Anaya Rodriguez (Queen City Academy Charter School) and Natalie Torres (Jefferson Elementary School) won top honors (1st and 2nd prize, respectively) in the State Youth Division History Day Contest for 2003! In 2005 a group of students from Brenda Noble's Social Studies class, at Maxson Middle School, were chosen to represent the state of New Jersey in the National History Day Contest.

Please contact the Education Department to request educational materials.