"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.

​September15, 2020
This will be on line using Zoom.  More information will be coming.


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October 20, 2020
This will be on line using Zoom.  More information will be coming.




March 16, 2021
This will be on line using Zoom.  Register starting March 2nd at historicalsociety@rosenet.org





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April 20, 2021: 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
To register go to contact page or use the email historicalsociety@rosenet.org



May 20, 2021: 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
​To register go to contact page or use the email historicalsociety@rosenet.org

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

Dr. Robert Butts:  The History of the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey

Richard Geffken:  Stories of Slavery in New Jersey
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William (Larry) Kidder: Revolutionary Princeton 1774-1783

Meridoc "Doc" Burkhardt: ​The Battle of Connecticut Farms and the Death of Hannah Caldwell

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.
• The Madison Historical Society 2020 Scholarship worth one thousand dollars is awarded to the top Senior history student at Madison High School.  The student is to be picked by the teachers in the history department and announced at the Senior Awards Ceremony.  Due to the corona-virus this was done virtually and the check and a certificate was delivered to the winner's home.  The student winner for the 2020 year is Erin Colligan.  Congratulations Erin!  
• 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 is 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