NEWTON -- The Sussex County Historical Society has been observing the 100th anniversary of the Society's headquarters located in the Hill Memorial Building on Main Street in Newton during this past year, and will continue until the year's end.

NEWTON -- The Sussex County Historical Society has been observing the 100th anniversary of the Society's headquarters located in the Hill Memorial Building on Main Street in Newton during this past year, and will continue until the year's end. Listed on both the state and national Registers of Historic Places, this building holds the distinction as the oldest museum building in the state that was specifically built as a museum.

As a means of celebrating this commemorative event, numerous presentations and programs have been held, with more planned for the rest of the year. But, the one project that will undoubtedly go down as an outstanding project is the Historic Sites Map that was released in conjunction with the Society's June Founders' Day event.

The heading on the front page of the map reads: "Sussex County N.J., Historic Sites Map, A Centennial Anniversary Issue for Hill Memorial Building 1917-2017. The Board of Trustees, Sussex County Historical Society." A colored photo of the building graces the front cover.

A map of New Jersey, with Sussex County blocked off, appears on the back. The inscription that appears on the back page identifies the map as a "Special edition of Sussex County Historic Sites Map for Hill Memorial Building, A Centennial Anniversary."

The innovative map serves several purposes. First, it serves as a map of Sussex County, as a tour guide and as a history book. Surrounding the map are 25 colorful photos showing some of the historical buildings scattered throughout the county.

It's mind boggling, but an index contains a list of 332 historic buildings or sites -- including several that are no longer in existence -- and where they may be found on the map. The buildings and sites are also shown on the map itself. Society Trustee Kiyoshi Hamada�prepared the conceptional design and compilation of the map.

Among the buildings or sites listed in the index, but no longer in existence, are archaeological sites in Montague and Vernon, the Cornelius Gunn House in Walpack, the Minisink Archeological Site, the Montonney-House Farmstead Archaeological Site, The Orchard Crest Red Barn, the Park Log House, the R E. Edsall Archeological Site, and the Zierdt Archaelogical Site.

A resume of the Hill Memorial Building, which was dedicated on Founder's Day, June 8, 1917, also holds a place of honor on the map. In 1985, the late Kevin Wright, a former society president, conducted the research and prepared the nomination forms to have the Hill Memorial Building placed on both the New Jersey and the National Registers of Historic Places.

Wright's research reflected "the Hill Memorial building, 82 Main St., Newton, N.J., was constructed in 1916 by a contractor, Thomas Farrell of Newton, in the Renaissance Revival style of architecture, according to the plans prepared by architect Henry T. Stephens in October 1915. Construction of the building was funded through the donation of about $15,000 from Joshua Hill, a native of Sussex County, for the use of the Sussex County Historical Society. The cornerstone was laid on May 23, 1916, and the building was dedicated on Founder's Day, June 8, 1917."

In the description of the museum, which appears in the brochure-like map, it is written that, "the Hill Memorial Building is faced with two shades of tapestry brick: stretchers of 'delicate freestone tint' furnished by N.H. Sloan from their Pennsylvania kilns. The raised basement, window trims and quoins are laid in stretcher bond while the fields of the first and second walls are laid in Flemish Bond with 'burnt' headers. The Brick Terra Cotta & Tile Company of Corning, N.Y., manufactured the terracotta portico and door casings at the main entrance. The roof slate was obtained from the New Jersey State Company's Lafayette quarry. Wooden elements on the exterior were originally painted to match the color of limestone."

As a history book, the map contains a brief history of each of the county's 24 municipalities, commencing with Andover Borough and ending with Walpack Township. The only exception is Sussex and Wantage where the history of the two is combined. In addition to the brief history of each municipality, at the conclusion are listed what are viewed as that municipality's historic buildings, sites, or other places of interest.

Society members that served on the map's Editorial Committee included Ron J. Dupont, Alex Everitt Jr., Klyoshi Hamada, Wayne McCabe, Myra Snook, Richard M. Stevens and William Strait.

As for the historical society itself, the map notes read that, "the Sussex County Historical Society was organized in 1904 in response to local interest generated by the Sussex County Sesquicentennial celebration that took place in September 1903, in Newton, N.J." The society is governed by 15 trustees, with Wayne McCabe serving as its president.

Another blocked off place on the map shows Sussex County with a number designating the municipality. A provided key lists the municipalities as well as the square miles each municipality contains and the municipalities' population using 2014 census estimates. Branchville Borough, containing 0.59-square miles, is the county's smallest municipality, while Vernon Township, containing 69.88-square miles is the largest. Walpack Township, with an estimated population of nine, is undoubtedly the least populated municipality not only in Sussex County, but in the state as well. Vernon Township, with an estimated population of 23,168, appears to be the most highly populated. The key provided on the map lists the county as encompassing 535.62 square miles with an estimated population of 146,295.

Another blocked off area on the map depicts the Newton Town Plot Historic District and shows the location of the buildings located within it. Wright also conducted this research.

The purpose of the map is not only to provide an updated county map, but also to acquaint residents and visitors alike to the numerous historic sites and buildings located within Sussex County and possibly encourage them to take trips to learn more about the rich heritage that the county enjoys and the efforts by the historical society to preserve as much of the past as possible.

One century has lapsed since the historic Hill Memorial Building was constructed at 82 Main St., Newton, to house the many historic books, maps, newspapers and other memorabilia collected by the society since its 1904 formation.

Many programs have been presented by the society since the beginning of the year and many are planned for the balance of the year. It appears highly likely that of all of its presentations and projects that the Sussex County Historic Sites Map of its centennial anniversary will stand out as one of its greatest accomplishments.

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Jennie Sweetman is the history columnist for the New Jersey Herald. She may be contacted at jenniee@warwick.net.

The Sussex County Historical Society may be contacted at 973-383-6010.

Editor's Note: The spelling of Sussex County Historical Society Trustee�Kiyoshi Hamada's name has been corrected.