The Sussex Fire Department in a 1909 parade. (Photo courtesy of Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: Main Street, Sussex Borough This column is by a guest historian, my friend from Sussex Borough, Mario Poggi, who is president of the Sussex-Wantage Historical... Columns 10 Aug 2025 | 09:05
The Decker-Munson property will receive a historical marker. From left are Sussex County historian Bill Truran, Paul and Regina Downs, and county Commissioners Jack DeGroot and Bill Hayden. (Photos provided) Sussex County History Today: History awards at the fair A highlight of my service as the Sussex County historian is to recognize those action-oriented historians of our county.... Columns 03 Aug 2025 | 09:09
‘Fishing at Lake Grinnell’ along the railroad tracks with the ice house in front. (Photo courtesy of Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: Meet me at the fair July is coming to a close and August is ready to burst upon us. August brings the annual fair that many of us look forward... Columns 25 Jul 2025 | 10:58
Painting called ‘The Battle of Bunker Hill.’ (Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress) Sussex County History Today: Battle of Bunker Hill As this column focuses on history and history related to Sussex County, we will dwell frequently on the 250th anniversary... Columns 21 Jul 2025 | 10:50
PW1 World War II veteran Mike Parchomcik in his uniform before the fighting began. (Photo courtesy of Bill Parchomcik) Sussex County History Today: Bataan Death March Part II Before Memorial Day, I wrote about three Franklin lads who joined the Army before World War II and were shipped off to the... Columns 12 Jul 2025 | 06:57
Sussex County History Today: Basketball dynasties In this column, the usual roles are reversed, and I answer questions about my new book, “Franklin High School: Two Basketball... Columns 03 Jul 2025 | 02:01
The Monroe one-room schoolhouse in Hardyston. (Photo courtesy of Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: Raising the flag An American tradition is to honor our country on Flag Day, June 14. This year, the holiday falls on a Saturday. Flag Day commemorates... Columns 06 Jun 2025 | 10:50
A general store is recreated for the Back in Time Yuletide Stroll last December in Stillwater. (File photo by Maria Kovic) Sussex County History Today: Stillwater’s bicentennial Stillwater is celebrating the 200th anniversary of its incorporation. The township has a beautiful country landscape in Sussex... Columns 03 Jun 2025 | 01:22
Interior of a Morris County iron mine, 1859. (Photo courtesy of Ron Dupont) Sussex County History Today: Route 80 blues This week, this column was written by my friend Vernon historian Ron Dupont. Sinkholes on Route 80 in Wharton have caused... Columns 24 May 2025 | 11:19
Three friends from Franklin - Mike Parchomcik, Mike Concoy and Joe Auche - joined the Army in 1940 and shipped off to the Philippines. (Photo courtesy of Bill Parchomcik) Sussex County History Today: Bataan Death March Memorial Day weekend is upon us. Enjoy your picnics and parades. Speaking of parades, let’s talk about the Bataan Death March... Columns 16 May 2025 | 10:57
The drummer boy. (Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress) Sussex County History Today: The drummer boy We recently recognized an Army soldier from McAfee, Roy Sisco, who was killed in action in Belgium near the end of World... Columns 09 May 2025 | 11:16
George DeGroot, left, and his son Jack. (Photo courtesy of Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: Farmers are the best Most of us love Sussex County as a wonderful place to live. Among its many attributes are the farmers. Farmers have been... Columns 20 Apr 2025 | 09:05
The gravestone of Revolutionary War veteran Theodorus Polhemus in the Old Newton Cemetery is decorated as part of Wreaths Across America in December 2018. The gravestone was erected in October 2018 as part of a joint effort of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Sussex County Historical Society and Old Newton Cemetery Committee to locate and mark previously unmarked graves. Polhemus was born in Haverstraw, N.Y., and served as a corporal in the Orange County, N.Y., militia. He died in Newton in 1820. (Photo by Mandy Coriston) 250th celebration begins The signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, gave the United States its official birthday, but that seminal... Local News 17 Apr 2025 | 11:19
The Minute Man statue in Concord, Mass. (Photo courtesy of Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: The British are coming! Listen, my children, and you shall hear ... On the 18th of April in ’75. “One if by land, two if by sea.” “The shot heard... Columns 11 Apr 2025 | 07:18
Remains of Windham Forge. (Photo courtesy of North Jersey Highlander, Ralph Colfax and the John Royle Co.) Sussex County History Today: Windham Forge With sinkholes populating Route 80, our region’s mining history has become of great interest. We recently spoke of the mines... Columns 06 Apr 2025 | 09:09
