"Cecilhurst" Adolphe DeBary residence

public meetings

All progams are held in the Chase Room of the Madison Public Library.  Refreshments are available at 7:00 p.m. and the program at 7:15 p.m.  unless specifically mentioned the program will occur elsewhere or at a different time.

​July 20, 2019 Saturday


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September 17, 2019

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​October 14, 2019 (Monday)


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​March 17, 2020


April 21, 2020


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​May 21, 2020

Jim Malcolm: Madison's Participation in World War I, 10:30 a.m.  Jim is the present Treasurer of the Madison Historical Society.  In 2011 the book, The Civil War Journal of Private Heyward Emmell, Ambulance and Infantry Corps: A Very Disagreeable War was edited by Jim. 

Robert Dunne of the Madison Fire Department:  The History of the Madison Fire Department

Dr. Herman Huber: Lt. Samuel S. Coursen, Madison's Medal of Honor Recipient;  Followed by David Luber demonstrating the Library's Madison Eagle Archive

Ray Williams, Columnist for "The Numismatist" (Journal of the American Numismatic Association): To Counterfeit is Death

David Hanna: Americans Who Joined the Foreign Legion in 1914 to Fight for France and Civilization

Dr. Nicole Yanoso: The Newark St. Patrick's Day Parade.   Save the date for the Society's Annual Dinner at the Madison Hotel

Historic House Plaque Project

​Madison Historical Society board members Jim and Kate Malcolm (left) receive the society's first Historic House Plaque, which recognizes the Malcolm's Maple Avenue home as having been constructed in 1889.  Presenting the plaque are Society President Susan Simon and Committee Chair Ginnie Laughlin.

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The Society is excited to announce the kickoff of the Historic House Plaque Project.  The project was initiated through a grant awarded to the Society by the Madison Elks Club.  Through the use of the Madison property tax records and other corroborating research, the society identified over 250 homes that qualify for this commendation.

The Society believes that commemorating homes built between 1730 and 1900 will call attention to the rich historic character of Madison, give recognition to the community's architectural origins, and encourage the appreciation and preservation of its unique heritage.  The plaque recognizes the historic nature of the age of the house only.  The recognition neither restricts future alterations of the building nor does it carry any legal protections.

​The plaque, designed by the society, is an oval tablet made of cast aluminum with a rich bronze finish.  It displays the date of record for the home's construction, a rose insignia to honor the Rose City and the name 'Madison Historical Society.'  It is designed to be mounted by the homeowner on or near the front facade of the residence.  Application letters to purchase a plaque were recently mailed to residents of homes that met the criteria.  The homeowner's share of the cost of the plaque is $50.00.  The remainder of the cost will be assumed by the society.

If you feel your home should receive this commendation, contact us for an application.  You will need to prove to us that your house was built between 1730 and 1900.

​The plaque committee consisted of Virginia Laughlin, Kathy Rogers and Kate Malcolm.

 Community Outreach programs

Community outreach is an important service offered by the Madison Historical Society.  Society outreach programs are designed to acquaint our younger citizens with Madison's history and why the study of our history can be fun.

Some examples of the outreach programs:

• Each year a classroom program for Second Grade students is held.  The program includes an introduction to the Society and its history, examples of historical clothing, photos of historical Madison buildings and a history of the Madison's rose industry which gave the town its name, the "Rose City".
• A program has been designed to be held at a Cub Scout pack meeting.  The program introduces the Society to the scouts and explains why it is important for them to know the history of their town.  The group is divided into small groups that attend a sequence of ten minute presentations of photos and artifacts on subjects of historical interest with the town.
• A Historical Society essay contest for Madison High School Juniors is held each year.  The award is a five hundred dollar scholarship toward college expenses.  The society works with the school on picking a topic that fits with the history classes.  The students not only write an essay but present the topic to judges made up of Society members and representatives from the school history faculty.  The 2019 winner is Marisa Papa.
• For the renovation of the Luke Miller Forge the Society raised $6,250 through wreath sales and house tours.  The renovation is the small brick building at 105 Ridgedale Ave. which  known as the Luke Miller Forge.
• Historical Society members gave a walk for a Brownie troop along Ridgedale Avenue and through Summerhill Park talking about the various historic houses and buildings.  This was part of an "Historical Homes" merit badge.
• Madison High School students were treated to a talk on the Vietnam War from both an historical and a personal perspective by a Historical Society member that participated in the War.
• On Madison High School Volunteer Day the Historical Society gives a tour of the Luke Miller House on Ridgedale Ave. 

Luke Miller Forge