Society Honors Martin Heller at Gala

Martin Heller

On April 11, 2026, the Madison Historical Society held its second successful fund-raising gala. This year’s event honored long-time Madisonian Martin Heller who gave one million dollars to help purchase, renovate and repurpose the Masonic Lodge, originally built as a Presbyterian Church in 1825. The building is now known as the Heller building with the  first floor being named the Peggy Heller Senior Center in honor of Martin’s late wife.

Martin Heller, a long time Madisonian, received the Mayor’s Hero Legacy Award for an impactful difference he had made in the community in February of 2025. He is the President of The Heller Group, whose headquarters is in Madison. The Group leases, manages and maintains shopping centers throughout New Jersey.

The Gala was held at Grace Episcopal Church with the purpose of raising financial support for the Madison Historical Museum.  Heading up the Museum’s creation is Susan Simon who gave an update on its progress.  Renovation of the east wing of Borough Hall is well underway and the target date for opening the museum is sometime in the Summer of 2027. Susan also introduced the new part-time director of the museum, Francine Stern whose background include working at the Museum of Natural History in New York and the 9-11 Museum.

Our Gala event sponsors