tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43703168111382131152024-03-14T01:14:41.620-07:00Union City, NJ HistoryUnion City Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15034969499170865502noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370316811138213115.post-3732012706368987742020-01-02T09:21:00.001-08:002020-01-02T09:21:51.749-08:00"Thanksgiving" a film<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EQnm4_nWzYytb3g1-A-Fp3ASR2tcXAlzzRU2c3CK2wLB0ZWWueJdTv_ReQzH_ztoqEAcYNTGR2Qt9OYeIwW-hg7iSkI9bycmzobBbX3I1KhVHpzxpaJtsU58lQF-0g7OZuqKr4N3UAhr/s1600/Blog+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="951" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EQnm4_nWzYytb3g1-A-Fp3ASR2tcXAlzzRU2c3CK2wLB0ZWWueJdTv_ReQzH_ztoqEAcYNTGR2Qt9OYeIwW-hg7iSkI9bycmzobBbX3I1KhVHpzxpaJtsU58lQF-0g7OZuqKr4N3UAhr/s400/Blog+image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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MeLu Films <i>presents</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>THANKSGIVING</b></span></div>
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a film by Raul Barcelona</div>
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Watch it now: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEtWJeV6SHU&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEtWJeV6SHU&feature=youtu.be</a></div>
<br />Union City Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15034969499170865502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370316811138213115.post-25127061102277192732019-02-06T12:24:00.002-08:002019-02-06T12:24:48.350-08:00HUGO, The Story of Artist Hugo W. Morales<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGzZdJKGhi9e4g6stamw3c13M-FvghHENRSk3dQ3JV3bjdZNEP5mr2q9Ujm0H3nbDZ_FAEvq3bNnmA9CF49g8abNVWi2qa6SKAfphhImjOmRWVKpjViyxSlCraiDPw0MdWxJmnyeIofhp/s1600/HUGO+afiche.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1211" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGzZdJKGhi9e4g6stamw3c13M-FvghHENRSk3dQ3JV3bjdZNEP5mr2q9Ujm0H3nbDZ_FAEvq3bNnmA9CF49g8abNVWi2qa6SKAfphhImjOmRWVKpjViyxSlCraiDPw0MdWxJmnyeIofhp/s640/HUGO+afiche.jpg" width="484" /></a></div>
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Watch it now: <span style="color: #323333;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVFzE9O3ruM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVFzE9O3ruM</a></span></div>
Union City Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15034969499170865502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370316811138213115.post-72689159454435606162018-10-02T09:12:00.002-07:002018-10-02T09:12:50.653-07:00Union City group releases a new song: "Me Veo Sexy" MAXIMA ALERTA feat. Eduardo Antonio<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUP-Ru4Sir3em6inXVsMy-YHrQeNputwVzFEgsY3LQhxbclc66aGQFn4l3C1ugKTnAkKm7JvRfpHlodRJ6HHDZLxwLHFAIPFXBx5sPTHLXNNMCjHdOkMT6vo7Gb25vH_n5ZzvHwe83LQRy/s1600/MA+%2522Me+Veo+Sexy%2522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUP-Ru4Sir3em6inXVsMy-YHrQeNputwVzFEgsY3LQhxbclc66aGQFn4l3C1ugKTnAkKm7JvRfpHlodRJ6HHDZLxwLHFAIPFXBx5sPTHLXNNMCjHdOkMT6vo7Gb25vH_n5ZzvHwe83LQRy/s400/MA+%2522Me+Veo+Sexy%2522.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #141414; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;"><i>The Multi-award winning group from Union City </i>MAXIMA
ALERTA</span></b><span style="color: #141414; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;"> has just released their new single </span><span style="color: #121318; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">"Me
Veo Sexy" MAXIMA ALERTA featuring Eduardo Antonio & model/actress and
social media sensation Jessenia Vice Gallegos. It is a sexy tune that
will surely make listeners feel good and get up and dance. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #121318; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;"><b><i>See it
now:</i></b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15v2zuy9pu0&feature=youtu.be"><span style="color: #1081eb; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15v2zuy9pu0&feature=youtu.be</span></a></span></div>
Union City Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15034969499170865502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370316811138213115.post-6060322967740579222018-10-02T09:07:00.001-07:002018-10-02T09:07:35.855-07:00International Ballet Festival of Union City on the TV show "Live On Stage"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoXV_s1sWCkiLYemNmsDwAoNvhQnrk3MiSUrn8hdYc4e_ZrdFlu5yXB-zKELsa3n3JLuhp1ThIHCSoCpkN2l5gkzXYq32MSZvqMW4AAHc9eNGzwnVBc5ToDob_Zp1BQKlAs67cnPC2VNo/s1600/LOS+TV+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoXV_s1sWCkiLYemNmsDwAoNvhQnrk3MiSUrn8hdYc4e_ZrdFlu5yXB-zKELsa3n3JLuhp1ThIHCSoCpkN2l5gkzXYq32MSZvqMW4AAHc9eNGzwnVBc5ToDob_Zp1BQKlAs67cnPC2VNo/s640/LOS+TV+.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Check out this month’s episode of our TV show “Live On Stage". This episode features the International Ballet Festival of Union City, and an interview with its Director, Mami Hariyama. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>See it now:</i></b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BsC-_2du-s&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BsC-_2du-s&feature=youtu.be</a></span></div>
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Union City Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15034969499170865502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370316811138213115.post-70848097629826565372018-09-18T20:01:00.000-07:002018-09-18T20:01:32.746-07:00Revelations of Identity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVc2HCGyqVh2vfd4XrXgCXNYHePsbjqriKbGDi7IAlDcSO6UZNBKEhlP8EquFJNMw6s3QoLeALIzamU06305hxxR6Agy7Em3phhAG9nuDwtY7iBvySyiN4Nfa2OXBAhJKfDXDuuc2Dp02c/s1600/Revelations+of+Identity+-+afiche.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVc2HCGyqVh2vfd4XrXgCXNYHePsbjqriKbGDi7IAlDcSO6UZNBKEhlP8EquFJNMw6s3QoLeALIzamU06305hxxR6Agy7Em3phhAG9nuDwtY7iBvySyiN4Nfa2OXBAhJKfDXDuuc2Dp02c/s640/Revelations+of+Identity+-+afiche.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
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MeLu Films presents the short documentary film "Revelations of Identity" a film about the Hasidic Jewish community of Union City, NJ told through photographs by Frank Guiller.</div>
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<b><i>Watch it now: </i></b> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaFCkjBf4dU&feature=youtu.be">www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaFCkjBf4dU&feature=youtu.be</a></div>
Union City Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15034969499170865502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370316811138213115.post-82776709952806105882018-04-22T18:57:00.001-07:002018-04-22T18:57:58.180-07:00"Union City, U.S.A." now available for purchase<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPK5EK7LrUoqxSPkqlDeG4IQvH2lWVbyaH4NLZYaZktV1oHlnCYDOzk4pOWUrDV__r4-CBHPGrhX_2xL5LiMoasqnfm1VTGnlnVyAVckpXEYCV5MhXQDwFR510gNKfmeJTo30Y3pi2Y2J/s1600/UC+Film+Afiche.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPK5EK7LrUoqxSPkqlDeG4IQvH2lWVbyaH4NLZYaZktV1oHlnCYDOzk4pOWUrDV__r4-CBHPGrhX_2xL5LiMoasqnfm1VTGnlnVyAVckpXEYCV5MhXQDwFR510gNKfmeJTo30Y3pi2Y2J/s640/UC+Film+Afiche.jpg" width="418" /></a></div>
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<b>"Union City, U.S.A."</b> is now available on <b>Amazon</b>. </div>
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<i>Own a piece of history!!! </i></div>
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To order your copy, please visit: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CK7647S/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1524446883&sr=8-8&keywords=union+city+usa">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CK7647S/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1524446883&sr=8-8&keywords=union+city+usa</a></div>
Union City Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15034969499170865502noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370316811138213115.post-235839069676756162018-04-04T10:10:00.000-07:002018-04-04T10:10:05.001-07:00World Premiere Screening of the Documentary Film "Union City, U.S.A." <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi828ITereR-Qv1PYS7rCUqX9r348y0ueYYk7MeN3TxOrQQAyDwH9LuOBu2MfHa7OD72Ca3DHV1jOyyANr6oDFI5vQuGWDFRXxhwJd86DQWI0PhXCgXoXXbKma-IEOt0iEtWByyP9DTh-9A/s1600/UC+Film+Afiche.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi828ITereR-Qv1PYS7rCUqX9r348y0ueYYk7MeN3TxOrQQAyDwH9LuOBu2MfHa7OD72Ca3DHV1jOyyANr6oDFI5vQuGWDFRXxhwJd86DQWI0PhXCgXoXXbKma-IEOt0iEtWByyP9DTh-9A/s640/UC+Film+Afiche.jpg" width="417" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">World Premiere Screening of the highly anticipated Documentary Feature Film "Union City, U.S.A." Friday, April 20, 2018 at 7:00 PM at the Union City Performing Arts Center, 2500 Kennedy Boulevard, Union City, NJ. Free Admission.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.unioncitypac.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">www.UnionCityPAC.com</span></a></div>
Union City Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15034969499170865502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370316811138213115.post-4445995984642871052018-03-29T07:34:00.000-07:002018-04-02T08:25:27.275-07:00World Premiere Screening of the Documentary film "Union City, U.S.A."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDf8XJCKbz6cxOYRzPKpT-LZGDXlIXPHAx2bq6CwcDissUTg3fSaOVrsQEZ8W3f1UMfM7GJCbcTj94WD_Zg0ot2Qpl37QtaO1wYMmFogmIt2EumHlKsYhMupk5KSiacbVRnIolMFcZ3gm/s1600/Publicity+Announcement+Union+City%252C+USA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1211" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDf8XJCKbz6cxOYRzPKpT-LZGDXlIXPHAx2bq6CwcDissUTg3fSaOVrsQEZ8W3f1UMfM7GJCbcTj94WD_Zg0ot2Qpl37QtaO1wYMmFogmIt2EumHlKsYhMupk5KSiacbVRnIolMFcZ3gm/s640/Publicity+Announcement+Union+City%252C+USA.jpg" width="484" /></a></div>
The documentary feature film "Union City, U.S.A." directed by Lucio Fernandez will have its World Premiere Screening on Friday, April 20, 2018 at 7:00 PM at the Union City Performing Arts Center, 2500 Kennedy Boulevard, Union City, NJ. </div>
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The film covers the span of the City's history, from the Lenni Lenape era to present day Union City. A must see for anyone who has ever called Union City home.</div>
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Free admission. Free parking at the 23rd Street Municipal Parking Deck located on 23rd Street between Summit & Kerrigan Avenues.</div>
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<a href="http://www.unioncitypac.com/">www.UnionCityPAC.com</a></div>
Union City Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15034969499170865502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370316811138213115.post-21388306941302647282018-03-29T07:29:00.000-07:002018-03-29T07:29:51.890-07:00A Brief History of the Passion Play in Union City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxrKHe0A_tNdehlJ27z7Ehjtvlva0-lu-N9beBpddsMIB4IY7AH8oCWHD_cF_kQjL-MMsyWFaRFKP7Ovq7UY03tP0OIwpVjVFHRXUPBQM0Sb4dEWfkE7LSxr5xqMy9FfT1-UCRbijMb04/s1600/Cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxrKHe0A_tNdehlJ27z7Ehjtvlva0-lu-N9beBpddsMIB4IY7AH8oCWHD_cF_kQjL-MMsyWFaRFKP7Ovq7UY03tP0OIwpVjVFHRXUPBQM0Sb4dEWfkE7LSxr5xqMy9FfT1-UCRbijMb04/s400/Cross.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(Image: "La Pasion" 2018 presented at the Union City Performing Arts Center)</i></div>
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The original version of Passion Play to be performed in Union City was <b>“Veronica’s Veil” </b>which debuted in 1914 at the <b>St. Joseph’s Parochial School Auditorium</b> and played annually until 1999 when the school was rebuilt to become Veteran’s Memorial School. Up to that point, “Veronica’s Veil” had been the longest running Passion Play in the US; the distinction later passed on to the production at The Park Theatre.</div>
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The production at the Park Theatre, now the<b> </b>longest running Passion Play in the United States has been performed in North Hudson, New Jersey since 1915 and at the Park Theatre since 1931. The historic <b>Park Theatre</b> was built in 1931-1932 to house the local parish presentation of “The Passion Play”. The play or musical is the story of Christ’s last days on earth, which has been performed in the parish since 1915. </div>
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The Passion Play would draw thousands of people to Union City. Buses would line the street dropping of persons wishing to witness the story. With demographics changing in Union City and Hudson County, attendance dwindled.</div>
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The new <b>Union City Performing Arts Center</b>, a modern state-of-the-art 1,100-seat theatre located in the recently constructed Union City High School, which offers top-notch performances, responding to demands from a primarily Hispanic christian community decided to produce a Spanish language version. This year the UCPAC will present a lavish new production of the Passion Play in Spanish. This version will be presented annually.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIILHn-xa5_6q8vKgekptybHdnWWlm9Wc5rDtQs5efPqyPJHu6icTbQgM9uLXbd4mY4aDZxk4QTY4akiovU6aj_7mlmMtydmBclZhn4bHJxofGjSeSjDMgtnxfuKpwM7Vh9TbaBO8ZZmBf/s1600/La+Pasion+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIILHn-xa5_6q8vKgekptybHdnWWlm9Wc5rDtQs5efPqyPJHu6icTbQgM9uLXbd4mY4aDZxk4QTY4akiovU6aj_7mlmMtydmBclZhn4bHJxofGjSeSjDMgtnxfuKpwM7Vh9TbaBO8ZZmBf/s400/La+Pasion+2018.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: Times;">(Image: "La Pasion" 2018 presented at the Union City Performing Arts Center)</i></div>
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Union City Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15034969499170865502noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370316811138213115.post-81721243422269449512017-04-06T07:41:00.000-07:002017-04-06T08:23:03.847-07:00Monastery of the Perpetual Rosary <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKOikXip0H7ZOr3IX85XxAXW1FjUgKr0npK79IyuxSCQRejHqzyN7qsbeYkg-cuX56XlOB-WBq_FjLZhfh1018BF5WK1N-UmS4lo4irPNNMAA7Hnxc9Vf6xR4RJv5SlQeMccCY5N_4pDI/s1600/Blue+Chapel+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKOikXip0H7ZOr3IX85XxAXW1FjUgKr0npK79IyuxSCQRejHqzyN7qsbeYkg-cuX56XlOB-WBq_FjLZhfh1018BF5WK1N-UmS4lo4irPNNMAA7Hnxc9Vf6xR4RJv5SlQeMccCY5N_4pDI/s320/Blue+Chapel+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Picture by Lucio Fernandez from the book <b>Union City in Pictures</b> Collection.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>"Union City in Pictures" available at Amazon.com at:</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/main?ie=UTF8&seller=A2QIK6KGW3S9CW" style="font-family: arial;">http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/main?ie=UTF8&seller=A2QIK6KGW3S9CW</a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11px;">) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Monastery of
the Perpetual Rosary</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>was erected in 1912 – 1914 and <span style="font-family: "times";">referred by residents </span>in what was then West Hoboken
now Union City <span style="font-family: "times";">as the<b> “The Blue Chapel” </b>because
of its glowing bluestone masonry walls and cool-tinted stained glass memorial
windows</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">On
December 21, 1891, the first community of the Dominican Sisters of the
Perpetual Rosary was founded in West Hoboken (Union City), New Jersey. In New
York Harbor, four Sisters of the Perpetual Rosary arrived from France. They
were met by the founder of their cloistered order, Father Damien Marie
Saintourens and proceeded to their new home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The monastery was completed in 1914.
Here the nuns would follow a disciplined routine of household chores and
prayer, based on a schedule known as the Liturgy of the Hours, praying for
those who do not pray. From this first American Monastery of the Perpetual
Rosary, 21 others throughout the nation would rise. Today the Blue Chapel
remains an oasis of tranquility in Union City and a reminder of the City’s rich
historical heritage.</span></div>
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<b>Below</b> is a wonderful history written by <b>John Gomez</b> for <i>The Jersey Journal </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCaEJLg-kB0Fc11X7qi6DTnak0QkUnd30sVsl4OrOil0B5f-ogeGpV5HtfF_nl5dJ42kvhWOJ7r3xBKF0pAHRm0rI0735568ppQ0KsR-_kPCIfT-UsqcZPaGt_Bmln06BpnNHBkD8MYVq/s1600/Blue+Chapel+google+maps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCaEJLg-kB0Fc11X7qi6DTnak0QkUnd30sVsl4OrOil0B5f-ogeGpV5HtfF_nl5dJ42kvhWOJ7r3xBKF0pAHRm0rI0735568ppQ0KsR-_kPCIfT-UsqcZPaGt_Bmln06BpnNHBkD8MYVq/s400/Blue+Chapel+google+maps.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Google maps</i></div>
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The Google Earth satellite image of the Convent of the Dominican Sisters of the Perpetual Rosary -- referred to since 1915 by West Hoboken (and now Union City) residents as the "Blue Chapel" because of its glowing bluestone masonry walls and cool-tinted stained glass memorial windows -- appears to be occupied. But it has been vacant since 2009.</div>
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From above, through the fixed levitating lens of a Google Earth satellite, the Convent of the Dominican Sisters of the Perpetual Rosary -- referred to since 1915 by West Hoboken (and now <b>Union City</b>) residents as the<b> “Blue Chapel” </b>because of its glowing bluestone masonry walls and cool-tinted stained glass memorial windows -- appears to be occupied.</div>
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The elevated grounds, perimetered by plumb pointed trap rock stone walls 15 feet in height, are seemingly maintained. Giant hedge bushels, planted ages ago in a centered convent court outlined above by roofed abbey walkways, are still finely sculpted and manicured. Old growth trees dating back to the early 1890s still forest and shroud the now-endangered architectural monument bounded by Central Avenue on the west, 13th Street on the south, Morris Street on the east and 14th and West streets on the north.</div>
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Little can that sacred satellite sense that since 2009, after nearly 120 years of Dominican Order nun occupation, the ornamental iron gates of the closed-off cloister campus have remained locked, save for the daily presence of a property caretaker.</div>
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One must be at ground level, at the 14th Street sidewalk entrance, to hear the footstepped echoes still emanating from the abandoned chambers within.</div>
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<b>THE HOLLOWS OF TRAPHAGEN STREET</b></div>
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These Blue Chapel grounds are an ancient hollow -- one of the only remaining traces of the once dominant Kerrigan Woods of West Hoboken and Union Hill, two 19th-century cities that merged later in 1925 as Union City.</div>
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A statue-lined vista fenced off by steep walls and sharp wire - the piercing peals of the present absorbed and silenced by the aged buildings of a municipal monastery. Time here has been captured - light and architecture are captured, frozen, cocooned. I could be standing on 14th Street in 2011 -- or Traphagen Street in 1891.</div>
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Someone -- something -- is watching, be it the eyes of a man-made orbiting lens or the spirits of the departed sisters.</div>
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The non-Union City visitor - the historic site stumbler, the urban adventurer, the lover of landmarks -- will ponder the complex at the narrow concrete bourn and ask, What is this solemn place? Who reared its magnificent walls and chapel? Who laid out its idyllic lots with Dominican Order saints perched on pedestals, tucked away in towers? Why here at this precise precipice on the volcanic Palisades ridge?</div>
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Staring, pushing through the secured “Ave Maria” fence fired and fixed in place in 1915, asking more: Where are the cloistered sisters who came here so long ago - where have the peeking eyes and inner Gregorian chants gone?</div>
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The Google Earth satellite imagery gets it all wrong: the tranquil place is not immortalized on the lot. These memorized masonry walls are surmountable after all. Architecture is adrift here -- images from the past abound and are superimposed with the present. What was snapped-shot by multimillion-dollar technology in 2010 could instead be facsimiles of former moments.</div>
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<b>VISIONISTS IN WEST HOBOKEN</b></div>
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Such is the indescribable mysticality of the Blue Chapel. Time here gives way to four French-speaking nuns and a vision-filled priest. I -- anyone -- could be standing there with them as their story and destiny unfold: they wave their arms at the forested property as if conjuring the Gothic Revival structures that will rise there almost 25 years later.</div>
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Father Damien Marie Saintourens, O.P. and the four nuns -- two from Rouen, France and two from Louvain, Belgium -- have traveled to America via the steamer Gascogne exactly eleven years after founding the Perpetual Rosary order in the French town of Calais in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of northern France. The Dominican friar’s intent: spreading the preachings and spiritual philosophies of St. Dominic through the cloistered contemplative order of sisters whose apostolate is the constant recitation of the rosary for the sinners of the world.</div>
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In Father Saintourens’ eyes, West Hoboken is the perfect spot for this growth - affordable lots and easy accessibility to Manhattan via a newly erected trolley trestle leading from Hoboken to Palisade Avenue.</div>
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The potential for growth -- and longevity -- is, however, greater than they can ever realize. After rooming for a few months in a tenement on Hudson Avenue, the ambitious monk and sisters purchase the former Chambon Estates property -- and the ancient ramshackle wooden structures it comes with -- thereby establishing, with the signing of a West Hoboken deed, the first Dominican Sisters of the Perpetual Rosary monastery in the country.</div>
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We could, even now, see these five pilgrims transforming the estate into a makeshift cloister: reconfiguring buildings into prayer and dormitory rooms, Gothicizing facades, laying out walking paths and gardens for meditation. By 1895, 34 postulate nuns, prioresses and Father Saintourens are occupying the “Mother-House” and adhering to, day after day, around-the-clock, orthodox vows of poverty, chastity and strict obedience to the order.</div>
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To support themselves they farm their own organic fruit trees and vegetables. They tend to their ailments with self-taught medicinal treatments. They train and support themselves in the handicrafts of the then-burgeoning Arts & Crafts period: embroidery, sculpture, jewelry, painting. The sisters become skilled artisans and smart merchants in the surrounding West Hoboken community, selling rosary beads, condolence cards and other religious articles.</div>
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While they become a self-reliant, self-sustaining order, they seek out the support of the nearby, all-powerful Passionists at the Monastery of St. Michael the Archangel. The priests become both chaplain and protector of the sisters and will assist them in their architectural ambitions later on.</div>
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The sisters’ success is derived from their commitment, energy and drive. As a new century turns they branch out to establish cloisters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (1897), Catonsville, Maryland (1899), Camden, New Jersey (1900), Buffalo, New York (1905), La Crosse, Wisconsin (1909) and various cities in Canada and the West Indies.</div>
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And as 1912 arrives the sisters find it necessary to expand and add on to their own house. With the financial help of the public, they will erect a vernacular convent and chapel complex on their 1.3 acre campus, gifting West Hoboken (and the future Union City) with its greatest architectural landmark - a landmark now silenced and threatened with erasure.</div>
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The Blue Chapel's rich stained glass memorial windows are extraordinary examples of the Munich School style and were crafted by the Leo P. Frohe Art Glass Works of Buffalo. The Sacred Heart, Dominican saints and the Joyful Mysteries of the rosary are all depicted in triptych and lancet panels located in the north nave wall, clerestories, chancel and choir. Photo by Andrew Blaize Bovasso</div>
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<b>CROSSED CORNERSTONES</b></div>
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This distinct Catholic history continues to willingly unfold at the Blue Chapel site as I trace its rustic landscape, explore its graveled grounds, contemplate its uncertain future, walk with the imaged spirits of its founders.</div>
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Grottoes -- some sacked and barely discernible in the shadows, others perfectly intact with glowing statues of Dominican Order saints -- are greened and glazed by moss-mud and gripping poisonous vines. Ivy patches and great overhanging tree branches densify the paved and pebbled grounds. Gated pathways and stepped courts, well-worn by decades of gentle footsteps, traverse the blue convent walls and lead into a labyrinthine landscape of leaf-layered cavities and alcoves. A museum-like series of statues are galleried across the courts. Graves edge the elevated perimeters in inadvertent pockets. A central cemetery lies along the Morris Street wall. Leaning sun sheds, solitary clothing line poles, hand-built barbecue huts, stone seats, heaps of leaves - all still ring with the presence of the departed sisters.</div>
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But I am drawn most to two massive cornerstones -- an architectural enigma that also unravels at every time-cross-dissolved step.</div>
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One is etched with the year 1912, marking the construction of the convent dormitory. The other block glows with 1914, informing us that the chapel addition was started slightly after. Two highlighted years, I see, and yet one defining moment in October 1915 when both are unveiled simultaneously to the public.</div>
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Designed by Buffalo-based architect Henry Spann and contracted by Michael T. Connelly of Jersey City, the costly u-shaped Gothic Revival cloister complex -- $175,000 in total, all raised by chapel store sales and public donations -- is built of specification bluestone and terra cotta trimming. Each stone trap rock block is a memorial, a purchased prayer of perpetuity and penance. The names of the dead and their donors are etched between the mortar, hidden from view.</div>
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Staring at the cornerstones, I can almost see it: nearly 800 people gathering into the Ave Maria Chapel on October 23, 1915 for the blessing and dedication of the conjoined convent and chapel in its entirety, from deep basement to high rooftop, by Bishop John J. O’Connor. Above, glowing even now in a towering flèche coming out of the nave, an electrically illuminated statue of the Virgin Mary donated by Mrs. B. Holmes of Hoboken.</div>
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“The procession was led by six little girls, dressed to symbolize angels, and four little boys, who acted as pages...” observes a reporter in 1915. “Bishop O’Connor was highly pleased when 4-year-old Frances Markay, of Charles Street, West Hoboken, presented him with a beautiful bouquet of roses before he left the convent.”</div>
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Seminal image-filled words that pull me into the inner Blue Chapel sanctum where echoes -- some ancient, others of the present -- still resonate.</div>
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<b>ECHOES WITHIN</b></div>
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I pierce a shallow wood-worked vestibule that leads into a seated parlor reception area. Immediately, from this 1915 center point, this waiting room, the chapel’s sister-watched spatiality becomes evident.</div>
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This Blue Chapel is the revived architecture of the French medieval monastery - drenched in darkness, floor-planned with cavernous chambers, cellars, closets, corridors. Windows and transom lights are screened off. Surrounding doors, labeled with directional placards, are shut tight. Hallways and stairways fade into a lingering pitched shadow-fog. All is shadows and silence.</div>
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“A lattice divides the room,” another reporter observes at the dedication ceremony and public inspection. “On one side the visitor may be seated on a chair and through the small opening of the lattice work, about four inches square, may converse with the sister seated on the other side. This is the only means of communication with those who have taken the veil...All conversations are held in an undertone.”</div>
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Entering the chapel area, I see -- I imagine -- the actual 1915 crowd, now packed into the chapel. Their presence concludes a two-week public inspection -- a dispensation - initiated in early October in preparation for the dedication and the official sisters’ enclosure where, afterward, no layperson will be permitted to view their habited faces or cross over into the convent’s communal depths.</div>
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The sanctum is vaulted at the top. A mosaic crucifix reredos adorns the altar. Recessed apsidal alcoves pulsing with animated shrines line the north nave wall. Decorations by the famed Rambusch Decorating Company, including brass railings, sanctuary lamps and gold-leaf crown heraldic patterns, are abundant throughout. Stained glass memorial windows crafted in the Munich School style by the Leo P. Frohe Art Glass Works of Buffalo depict, in triptych panels, the Sacred Heart, Dominican saints and the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.</div>
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I infiltrate the abandoned depths of the convent through an expansive choir chamber flanked by more large memorial window lancets and hanging lamps. Industrial and medical rooms and corridor divides transition into the three-story, 51-room dormitory. Climbing upward, my steps releasing trend-creaks and banister rasps, I enter a once-closed region of architectural echoes and lingering primordial light. The convent rattles with wind. Chimes ring out in unseen corridors. All is lit by shafts of sunlight.</div>
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Across three floors, at each landing, over fifty doors shoot down in a pointed perspective. The rooms, each a narrow cell lit by a single Gothic window, are blocked by upturned beds, desks, chairs. Dust is accrued across the sagging threshold. Rain water leaks down freely through compromised plaster walls. Rosary bead parts lay scattered like spilled salts. Sleepy-eyed statuettes are left atop tables. Heavy crucifixes are innumerably pinned to walls. A cloistered open-air abbey runs across the convent wings high above. Below, a classic medieval cloister courtyard, squared off by a screened mint-green subway tiled abbey, centered by a large statue of the Virgin Mary.</div>
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I hurry back to the chapel. The dedication event is ending. The West Hoboken residents file out into the municipal void. Like a lost nitrate film, a fading to black occurs - or it could be that the hourglass measuring my visit expires under the coppered light of dusk.</div>
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But before leaving, the silent, slow-motioned bishop carries out a final astounding act. With the turning of his long staff, under the glow of mosaic and metal, he ceremoniously locks the convent and chapel for eternity -- effectively transforming the exposed edifice into a private monument, a surreptitious sanctuary meant not for public peering ever again.</div>
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With that locking, architecture pulls itself away from public eyes and sacrifices itself to the shadowed veil of the sisters.</div>
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<b>PRESERVATION GIFT</b></div>
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Outside it is now 2009 -- and the Blue Chapel, after 118 years, has been decommissioned, vacated, orphaned. By the early fall, the last few sisters of the Union City mother house are gone.</div>
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The next year arrives. Preservationists in Union City, frustrated with a municipal government that has a terrible preservation track record, submit an application to the non-profit, Trenton-based Preservation New Jersey, in the hopes that the Blue Chapel will be added to its 2010 Most Endangered Historic Sites register.</div>
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It is.</div>
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For a brief moment, the landmark is on the lips of the public. Suggestions for adaptive reuse -- a home for the aged, a school, condominiums -- are put forth.</div>
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But ownership is not clear. People ask: who is in charge of the Blue Chapel’s fate? Who will determine development plans? The deed, they claim, lists the Society of the Dominican Sisters of the Perpetual Rosary as owners. Others say the true proprietor is the Newark Archdiocese. Still some surmise that the Manhattan-based Dominican Order can lay claim and no one else.</div>
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In truth, in the larger preservation picture, the question of ownership is irrelevant. Union City itself will decide what happens to the Blue Chapel.</div>
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Recently, in a generous though missed-the-mark gesture, the city ceremoniously declared the site a city landmark. Everyone knows that that is not a binding protective designation and could be challenged and overturned in court.</div>
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A progressive city needs a preservation ordinance with legal oversight and regulatory powers. Why Union City does not have a real historic commission is beyond comprehension.</div>
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The Blue Chapel is Union City’s greatest preservation opportunity. From this precious monument can come an inner-city pastoral park oasis, an enriching cultural site, a civic amenity unlike any other.</div>
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The biggest mistake would be to allow developers to dictate reuse - or decide on demolition.</div>
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<b>THE FLÈCHE</b></div>
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Pulling back, I walk past the elevated walls of the Blue Chapel. The tops of the site’s old growth trees bend and sing with leaf-whirs.</div>
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Reaching Palisade Avenue, I catch the flèche flickering within, candle-like, with the green efflorescing glint of a half-obscured statue.</div>
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Circa-1913 photo of the Rev. Father Damien Marie Saintourens, O. P. In 1880 Father Saintourens founded the Dominican Sisters of the Perpetual Rosary in the French town of Calais, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of northern France. By 1891 he and four nuns - two from Rouen, France and two from Louvain, Belgium - were in America to establish a "Mother-House" in West Hoboken, New Jersey (now part of Union City). The Dominican friar's intent: to spread the preachings and spiritual philosophies of St. Dominic through the cloistered contemplative order of sisters whose apostolate is the constant recitation of the rosary for the sinners of the world. The Catholic Church in the United States of America, Vol. II, The Religious Communities of Women, 1913. The Preservation Papers, Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy Architecture & Historic Preservation Collection, The New Jersey Room, Jersey City Free Public Library. - John Gomez, M.S. Historic Preservation, Columbia University</div>
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Circa-1913 photo of the Convent of the Dominican Sisters of the Perpetual Rosary, Traphagen Street, West Hoboken, New Jersey. In 1891, Father Saintourens and four Dominican sisters purchased the former Chambon Estates property bounded by Traphagen Street (now 14th Street), Hill Street (now 13th Street), Morris Street, West Street and Central Avenue. The 1.3 acre site, once part of the fabled Kerrigan Woods, came with ancient ramshackle wooden structures that were transformed into a makeshift Gothicized cloister (above photo). By 1895, 34 postulate nuns, prioresses and Father Saintourens were occupying the "Mother-House" and adhering to around-the-clock, orthodox vows of poverty, chastity and strict obedience to the order. As the 20th century dawned, the West Hoboken monastery branched out to establish cloisters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (1897), Catonsville, Maryland (1899), Camden, New Jersey (1900), Buffalo, New York (1905), La Crosse, Wisconsin (1909) and various cities in Canada and the West Indies. The West Hoboken sisters, however, found it necessary to expand and add on to their own house. With the financial help of the public, they were able to unveil a substantial bluestone convent and chapel complex on their picturesque campus, gifting West Hoboken (and the future Union City) with its greatest architectural landmark - a landmark now silenced and threatened with total erasure. The Catholic Church in the United States of America, Vol. II, The Religious Communities of Women, 1913. The Preservation Papers, Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy Architecture & Historic Preservation Collection, The New Jersey Room, Jersey City Free Public Library. - John Gomez, M.S. Historic Preservation, Columbia University</div>
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For well over a century the Blue Chapel's population of Dominican sisters was revered and beloved by the surrounding community. Of all, however, Sister Mary of the Compassion, O.P. (1908-1977) stood out for her artistic brilliance. Born in London in 1908, the former Constance Mary Rowe studied at the Clapham School of Art and the Royal College of Art before winning the internationally prestigious Prix de Rome. In 1937 she journeyed to Union City to enter the Dominican cloister -- for life. While there, she painted Catholic art canvases that found their way into monasteries, museums and private collections across the country. Later in life she turned to the handicrafts, including smithmaking, in order to help her fellow sisters raise much-needed funds. Phyllis Liguori, a Union City resident, befriended Sister Mary in the early 1970s and helped curate an exhibit of her latest art work. As a token of her appreciation and their friendship, Sister Mary crafted a stunning gold and jade ring that she called The Loaves and Fishes. "To this day I treasure this ring," says Phyllis. Photo credit: The Dominican Province of Saint Joseph, The Order of Preachers, www.op-stjoseph.org. -- John Gomez, M.S. Historic Preservation, Columbia University</div>
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<b>By John Gomez for <i>The Jersey Journal </i></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2011/03/the_blue_chapel_in_union_city.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2011/03/the_blue_chapel_in_union_city.html</span></a></div>
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<u><b>Related Stories</b> </u><br />
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<b>Sister Mary of the Compassion, O.P.</b><span style="color: #444444;"> (1908-1977) </span></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2011/03/sister_mary_of_the_compassion.html">http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2011/03/sister_mary_of_the_compassion.html</a></span></div>
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<b>Blue Chapel Historical Marker: </b></div>
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<a href="http://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/index.ssf/2011/05/union_city_officials_unveil_hi.html">http://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/index.ssf/2011/05/union_city_officials_unveil_hi.html</a></div>
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<b>A closer look at a cloistered life:</b></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2017/03/a_closer_look_at_a_cloistered_life_di_ionno.html">http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2017/03/a_closer_look_at_a_cloistered_life_di_ionno.html</a></span></div>
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Three <b>short films</b> on the <b>Blue Chapel</b>, go to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/HistoryRules1999#p/c/70302DF24B1BA914/4/8VX04WdPi-8"><span style="color: #042eee;">PreservationTV's</span></a> YouTube page. <span style="color: #444444;"> </span></div>
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Union City Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15034969499170865502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370316811138213115.post-38416209633333968602014-07-04T12:52:00.002-07:002014-11-18T18:39:49.553-08:00Embroidery Industry In Union City, New Jersey<br />
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For many decades from the late nineteenth century to the last decades of the twentieth century, the embroidery and lace manufacturing industry was the dominant business of Union City and North Hudson County. Although all but gone from Union City, the impact that the embroidery industry had on the development of the City is not forgotten. A banner stretches across an overpass in Union City above the NJ 495 roadway. It proclaims,<i> </i><b><i>Union City “The Home Of The American Embroidery Industry</i></b>.” The Schiffli embroidery symbol is featured on the Union City seal, adopted in 1975. And May 30, 2014 saw the dedication of <b><i>Embroidery Plaza </i></b>on New York Avenue & 30<span style="font-size: 11px;"><sup>th</sup></span> Street in Union City<b>.</b></div>
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Embroidery business’s had existed in West Hoboken and Union Hill since the 1860’s, run by skilled Swiss, German, Italian and French artisans. Embroidery at that time, the mid-nineteenth century was all done by hand or manually operated machines. It was in the early 1870’s when Issac Groebli of Switzerland invented the first practical Schiffli Embroidery machine. This machine was based on the principles of the newly invented sewing machine. Groebli’s machine utilized the combination of a continuously threaded needle and shuttle containing a bobbin of thread. The shuttle itself looked similar to the hull of a sailboat. “Schiffli means “little boat” in the Swiss dialect of the German language, so his machine came to be known as a schiffli machine. The machine, powered by electricity, allowed for the mass- production of fine embroidered silks. Dr. Robert Reiner of Weehawken, a German immigrant who came to America in 1903, was the person most responsible for bringing the schiffli embroidery industry to Union City. He realized the potential for embroidery and became the American Agent of a German company that manufactured schiffli machines. Then began the mass importation of embroidery machines to northern New Jersey. Hundreds of Austrian, Swiss, and German immigrants, many in West Hoboken and Union Hill, became the manufacturers of schiffli embroidery. Many of the names of the Silk Mills still hold a familiar ring. The Schwarzenbach, Huber & Co. Silk Mills, Givernaud Brothers’ Silk Mills, De Poli Silk Mills, and the R. & H. Simon Silk Mills. From West Hoboken to Union Hill these and many other Silk Mills brought employment and prosperity to early Union City. </div>
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Many other factors contributed that made Union City the ideal place for the embroidery industry. First, was its location directly across the Hudson River from New York City and its garment district. Second, was the solid bedrock of the Palisades to which the five- ton to eight-ton machines were anchored by twenty-foot shafts, in order to keep the needles from vibrating. Third, the bustling shipping ports and railroads on both sides of the Hudson River, that until the 1950’s, were the main ways to transport goods across the country and overseas. Fourth, was the large labor force of skilled and unskilled workers employed by the silk mills. Whether employed in one of the areas silk mills or doing “piecework” for the mills at home, the embroidery industry employed thousands of people, many of them first-generation-immigrants. From the early German and Swiss immigrants of the late 1800’s, to the Italian immigrants of the early 1900’s, and the Cuban immigrants fleeing the oppressive regime of communist Cuba in the 1960’s and 1970’s, they all found employment in the Silk Mills of Union City, giving them the opportunity to succeed in America.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMm1CFrvrNsBgeaHZbHnD4WUPmmYgxSxZJR8ePH6Vrt-rkNaL2g6D_6qC-3VypMQPPG8pe84-JXI8UNIlR5KEOwk_FbuSFhq3RNAhA0_fy_VvsvUGZN11snO9nuLCxrXTzEACScixf6fG8/s1600/Embroy+Sculpture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMm1CFrvrNsBgeaHZbHnD4WUPmmYgxSxZJR8ePH6Vrt-rkNaL2g6D_6qC-3VypMQPPG8pe84-JXI8UNIlR5KEOwk_FbuSFhq3RNAhA0_fy_VvsvUGZN11snO9nuLCxrXTzEACScixf6fG8/s1600/Embroy+Sculpture.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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"The Embroy" Sculpture</div>
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Perhaps the most enduring legacy to the embroidery industry in Union City was seen at the dedication of the Embroidery Plaza. Many of those in attendance were the children and grandchildren of those first-generation immigrants. Most of them leading successful lives as doctors, lawyers, educators, and artists. They stood there in the sunset with smiles on their faces remembering their immigrant ancestors and the opportunity that was given to them by the silk embroidery industry in Union City. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdK7hyphenhyphen0Ai4aYaIhxABI6JgDXuClW5ayZCirdzDWqtkK6pPnrR51r8W8AmkQWybIZXhk5ur1Ql4w40PPXliA9yhKh49Mnk9CP013_ylticHHV_GsuiQQdCWUhBY2fa5_isUrw2cC4-sMwh/s1600/Embroidery+Docu+pic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdK7hyphenhyphen0Ai4aYaIhxABI6JgDXuClW5ayZCirdzDWqtkK6pPnrR51r8W8AmkQWybIZXhk5ur1Ql4w40PPXliA9yhKh49Mnk9CP013_ylticHHV_GsuiQQdCWUhBY2fa5_isUrw2cC4-sMwh/s1600/Embroidery+Docu+pic.JPG" /></a></div>
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<b>Union City Embroidery Industry Documentary</b></div>
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<i>Watch it now:</i> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj_zmabbbno">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj_zmabbbno</a></div>
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Union City Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15034969499170865502noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370316811138213115.post-40071579645038636642012-06-01T14:35:00.000-07:002017-04-06T06:12:49.199-07:00Union City Film History<span style="font-family: "arial";">Union City has been used as
the location for a number of feature and television movies, including the low
budget film <b>“Union City”</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"> (1980)
starring Deborah Harry; <b>“Out of Darkness”</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"> (1985); <b>“Bloodhounds of Broadway”</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"> (1989); and <b>“Far From Heaven”</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"> (2002).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In 2010 the City saw the
release of the cult art-house independent film, </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Vampire in Union City”</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (Available at Amazon.com at: </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/main?ie=UTF8&seller=A2QIK6KGW3S9CW">http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/main?ie=UTF8&seller=A2QIK6KGW3S9CW</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The film lensed all over the City and even
held its world premiere with a star-studded red carpet event at the Summit
Theatre on Summit Avenue in Union City.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In 2011 the independent short </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Massacre in the Woods"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> was filmed partly in Union City as well as in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. The film went on to win first place at the 2011 NoHu International Short Film Festival. Watch it now: </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgIKHGbPnTI"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgIKHGbPnTI</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also in 2011 the documentary </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Cubanoson: The Story"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> rolled in the City, and received a release on January 2012. Watch it now: </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt6qRTI4QcE"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt6qRTI4QcE</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">In 2012 a group of young
filmmakers from Hudson County banded together to shoot the feature film <b>“The
Death of April”</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial";">, which is to be
released Fall of 2012. The feature was shot all over Hudson County with
locations in Union City including Botanica “La Milagros” on Bergenline Avenue,
and a scene in the Union City Police Department.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">“The Death of April” is
project of Mojo Creative Group, the film is written and directed by Ruben Rodriguez,
and with Humberto Guzman serving as Director of Photography, both from Jersey
City. Cesar G. Orellana, Brit Godish, Dan Lefante, and Lucio Fernandez,
all of which are from Bayonne or Union City, are producing it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The feature stars Katarina
Hughes in the role of “Megan Mullen”. In the film, Megan Mullen, freshly
moved into her East coast home, keeps in touch with her friends through a video
blog. As her entries (and her life) become more complex and emotional,
strange things begin to happen in her apartment: and the camera captures it
all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Told from the
point-of-view of a wireless webcam mixed with documentary footage, The Death of
April” explores the unsettling activity in an otherwise average teenage girl’s
apartment and the mysteries that surround it.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The film promises to keep
viewers on the edge of their seats. What lurks in Megan’s mind, or in her
new home? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";">In 2015, the documentary film <b>"Bahia de Cochinos, Nuestra Perspectiva"</b> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8QQJCkATZ4TgerJdjNmHc-uxE6g4eGAjU4397dnQReKk6fFwIRdk5Kmd4mqVEn7c6YrlDc1bi_Mc55_BXqs_hXgdWav117iXv308kCjkt_Bwss5-20k9fvMNqQIWWnIBS_1nQgGxkGZs/s1600/Bahia+poster+2016+***.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8QQJCkATZ4TgerJdjNmHc-uxE6g4eGAjU4397dnQReKk6fFwIRdk5Kmd4mqVEn7c6YrlDc1bi_Mc55_BXqs_hXgdWav117iXv308kCjkt_Bwss5-20k9fvMNqQIWWnIBS_1nQgGxkGZs/s200/Bahia+poster+2016+***.jpeg" width="129" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-family: "arial";">(Available at Amazon.com at: </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/main?ie=UTF8&seller=A2QIK6KGW3S9CW">http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/main?ie=UTF8&seller=A2QIK6KGW3S9CW</a>) dealing with the Bay of Pigs Invasion, was filmed in Union City at the William V. Musto Cultural Center. The documentary is composed of interviews with members of the 2506 Brigade still living in New Jersey and of raw footage and photographs. The film premiered in Union City before screenings all over the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Union
City is rich in its artistic history, and filmmaking has and continues to
showcase the city to the world.
The City is also very friendly and welcoming to the film industry. In the future, it hopes many more films
of all genres chose Union City as its backdrop.</span>
Union City Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15034969499170865502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370316811138213115.post-67019392499255279002012-01-31T18:15:00.000-08:002012-06-02T13:03:25.350-07:00Union City Mayors<br />
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">John F. Boylan (1925
– 1927)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Charles A. Mohn (1927 – 1929)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">William Rannenberg (1929 – 1932)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Lewis B. Eastmead (1932 – 1939)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Harry J. Thourot (1939 – 1962)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">William V. Musto (1962 – 1970)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 24px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">William J. Meehan (1970 – 1974)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 24px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Willian V. Musto (1974
– 1982)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Robert C. Botti (1982)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Arthur Wichert (1982 – 1986)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Robert Menendez (1986 – 1992)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Bruce D. Walter (1992
– 1998)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;">Raul “Rudy” Garcia (1998 – 2000)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18pt;">Brian
P. Stack (2000 -
present)</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquseoB5GpbM6c36Wd7NeAFIoErw5m5icWqAx91AHSupk60XmePpaQ0t2phLcTNKIUVQWFtZf9ESZoCzsWhrLy2HALf0FLSW7we-CmUik3neug-u2oGQfwMbp3HVY8MHoXzNnzWfe4h6fX/s1600/Commissioners+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquseoB5GpbM6c36Wd7NeAFIoErw5m5icWqAx91AHSupk60XmePpaQ0t2phLcTNKIUVQWFtZf9ESZoCzsWhrLy2HALf0FLSW7we-CmUik3neug-u2oGQfwMbp3HVY8MHoXzNnzWfe4h6fX/s320/Commissioners+pic.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Commissioner Maryury A. Martinetti<br />Commissioner Lucio P. Fernandez<br />Mayor Brian P. Stack<br />Commissioner Christopher F. Irizarry<br />Commissioner Tilo E. Rivas</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></div>
</span>Union City Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15034969499170865502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370316811138213115.post-888389312117717172012-01-31T17:58:00.000-08:002012-06-02T13:04:31.248-07:00Union City 15th Street Branch Free Public Library<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_KysFwFORAHcQL0Ri8H-A21Wfwwqxj3iSQGxpvOwv024gCbXUVPFy6b3xA1bvTddmV4EH4eDo4N91mpwFNyprw96oCPh8t9oRlxCm8k57YLGSfVRlWmcVoXInMvVIMT87FeTqQqxYZ-b/s1600/LIBRARY_WEST_HOBOKEN_1911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_KysFwFORAHcQL0Ri8H-A21Wfwwqxj3iSQGxpvOwv024gCbXUVPFy6b3xA1bvTddmV4EH4eDo4N91mpwFNyprw96oCPh8t9oRlxCm8k57YLGSfVRlWmcVoXInMvVIMT87FeTqQqxYZ-b/s200/LIBRARY_WEST_HOBOKEN_1911.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Union City Free Public Library, circa 1911</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Builders</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">One of the
most prominent names in the history and development of West Hoboken and
Union Hill </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(in 1935 the two towns merged to become the City of Union City)</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> is that of the Cranwell family. Arriving
penniless from Ireland in 1857, George Cranwell as a young man studied and
learned the building trade. He founded a construction firm and became one
of the most prolific and respected building contractors in what would become
the City of Union City. Joined by his son James, the firm of George Cranwell
& Son erected many of the most notable buildings in Union City. Many of
these buildings still stand today and are a testament to a hard working
immigrant family that attained the "American Dream" of success in
Union City. Some of the notable structures erected by the firm of George
Cranwell & Son are the Union City Town Hall, Union Hill Middle School
(formerly Union Hill High School), the St. Michael's Monastery, Hudson
Elementary School, St. Michael's High School, and the Carnegie endowed West
Hoboken Free Public Library. The newly renovated Union City 15</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
Street Branch Free Public Library West Hoboken Library (West Hoboken Free
Public Library) is now the William V. Musto Cultural Center,
housing museums, art galleries, a concert hall, and rooms for community
activities. The legacy of the building skills and talent of George and
James Cranwell continues, now spanning three centuries. It is of special note
that the direct descendants of George and James Cranwell, spanning many
generations, still reside in Union City, a city built in part by their family.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">George W. Cranwell</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, a prominent builder and contractor of West Hoboken,
was born in Ireland on Christmas Day, December 25, 1836, and is the son of
Edward Cranwell and Elizabeth, his wife. Coming to this country with his
parents when very young, he received his education at the Christian Brothers’
school in Utica, New York, and in 1857 removed to West Hoboken, New Jersey. In
1866 he returned to Utica, where he resided until about 1886, when he again
returned to West Hoboken, which again became his home. Mr. Cranwell became
identified with the building and contracting business while yet a mere youth,
and during a period of nearly thirty-five years followed that vocation with
uninterrupted success, becoming one of the best known contractors and builders
in the country of his era. He learned the trade of mason and builder in Utica,
and there erected the German Catholic Church, the Wheeler, Kiernan & Company’s
Stove Works, St. John’s Protectory (then St. John’s Orphan Asylum), and many
other buildings of importance. He also built the north wing of Hamilton College
in Oneida County, New York, St. Mary’s Catholic Church at Cooperstown in the
same State, many well known structures in Little Falls, and a large part of the
buildings erected by Alfred Dolge at Dolgeville, New York, during a period of
twenty years, and the large public school edifice in that town. These are only
a few of the contracts executed by him in a number of towns and cities,
including the City of New York. In New Jersey he was also active in contracting
and building. He erected the original part of the Hoboken Monastery in West
Hoboken, the new town hall in the Town of Union, and numerous other private and
public buildings in the town of Weehawken and the City of Hoboken. Mr.
Cranwell’s work shows great skill and ability, and stamps him as one of the
ablest members of his vocation. Active and energetic, honest and upright in his
dealings, thorough and exact in the work committed to his care, and faithful in
the discharge of every trust, he was highly respected and esteemed. In politics
he was an ardent Democrat. He married Miss Margaret Fullerton of Jersey City,
NJ. His son James became a partner in his father’s business under the firm
name of G. W. Cranwell & Son.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">James W. Cranwell - Few men have contributed more to
the growth and prosperity of the Town of West Hoboken than James Cranwell,
during his era, one of the foremost builders and contractors in the county.
Associated with his father under the firm name of George W. Cranwell & Son,
he erected many buildings of historical significance in the town of West
Hoboken. His work however was not confined to West Hoboken alone, but
also extended over the whole State of New Jersey as well as New York State. The
Union Hill Town Hall, the Union Hill High School, St. Michael’s Parochial
Grammar School, Public Schools Nos. 6 and 7, Free Public Library of West
Hoboken, St. Joseph’s R. C. Church of Bayonne, Public Service Commercial
Building in Union Hill and hundreds of factories, loft buildings, large
apartment houses and private residences were erected by his firm.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">George W.
Cranwell erected the original part of the Monastery in West Hoboken, and
numerous churches and structures of all kinds throughout the States of New York
and New Jersey. When he retired from active life, his son James W. Cromwell
conducted the business.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Like his
father, James became one of the most conspicuous builders and contractors in
the State. His work demonstrated great skill and ability and stamped him as one
of the ablest men of his vocation. He was thorough in every detail,
conscientious and practical in carrying out his contracts. He achieved an
eminent reputation for his foresight, sound judgment and his capacity for
business. He was a public - spirited and enterprising citizen and was
universally respected for those virtues that make up the loyal friend and
honest man.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">James W.
Cranwel</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">l was born in Union Hill in 1866. His parents were George W. and
Margaret (Fullerton) Cranwell. He was the oldest of five children and the only
son. His father’s parents were Edward and Elizabeth Cranwell, natives of
Ireland, where George W. Cranwell was born on December 25, 1836. The family immigrated
to this country and settled in Utica, New York, and in 1857 moved to West
Hoboken. A short time later James was born and the family returned to Utica,
where James received his early school education. The family moved back to West
Hoboken in 1886.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After finishing
his early education, James Cranwell started to learn the building and
contracting business of his father, and was later taken on as a member of the
firm. While always interested in the welfare of his town, James never sought
nor accepted any political office, with the exception of that of Tax Collector,
which office he held for some years. James married Katherine McConan in 1894.
They had ten children, five boys and three girls. His wife died in 1913, and
two years later James married Katherine’s sister Minnie.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>Union City Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15034969499170865502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370316811138213115.post-36537178244815952772012-01-31T17:46:00.000-08:002012-06-02T13:05:25.321-07:00Andrew Carnegie and Union City<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hB5-PbPzq4YVyUWfc6OG9gBVtjesv_Cp7CI9vwuZ7uQE5a55CKa3zhRr7bauR8sRrk4lDVODiFznG1M_02FYpgMeu_AcKsYAaQWeWrE6D40wsF_kfnTYS47FJUJ7WjhOOvvrjxE6sJRF/s1600/Andrew+C..jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hB5-PbPzq4YVyUWfc6OG9gBVtjesv_Cp7CI9vwuZ7uQE5a55CKa3zhRr7bauR8sRrk4lDVODiFznG1M_02FYpgMeu_AcKsYAaQWeWrE6D40wsF_kfnTYS47FJUJ7WjhOOvvrjxE6sJRF/s1600/Andrew+C..jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Andrew
Carnegie</span></b></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
was born in Dunfermline, Scotland, on November 25, 1835. He was the first son
of William Carnegie, a linen weaver and local leader of the Chartists (who
sought to improve the conditions of working-class life in Great Britain), and
of Margaret Carnegie, daughter of Thomas Morrison, a shoemaker and political
and social reformer.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">An Émigré at Age 13</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">William
Carnegie's handloom business dwindled in the wake of industrialization, and in
1848 the family immigrated to the United States, settling in Allegheny,
Pennsylvania. There, at the age of 13, Andrew began his career as a bobbin boy
in a cotton factory. A voracious reader, he took advantage of the generosity of
an Allegheny citizen who opened his library to local working boys. Books
provided most of his education as he moved from being a Western Union messenger
boy to telegraph operator and then to a series of positions leading to the
superintendent of the Western Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Young Entrepreneur</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">While
still employed by the Railroad, Carnegie invested in a new company to
manufacture railway sleeping cars. From there, he expanded his business
ventures to encompass the building of bridges, locomotives and rails. In 1865,
he organized the first of his many companies, the Keystone Bridge Company, and
in 1873, the first of his steel works.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In Partnership with His Workers</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Carnegie's
companies were founded not as stock corporations but as partnerships, in line
with his philosophy that “it shall be the rule for the workman to be Partner
with Capital, the man of affairs giving his business experience, the working
man in the mill his mechanical skill, to the company, both owners of the shares
and so far equally interested in the success of their joint efforts.” As associates,
Carnegie attracted young men with exceptional talent for organization
management. His steel company prospered, and when Carnegie sold the company to
J.P. Morgan in 1901, the Carnegie Company was valued at more than $400 million.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Birth of a Philanthropist</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Andrew
Carnegie's philanthropic career began around 1870. He is best known for his
gifts of free public library buildings. His first such gift was to his native
Dunfermline in 1881, and it was followed by similar gifts to 2,509 communities
in the English-speaking world.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Rich as 'Trustees'</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In
1889, he wrote </span><a href="http://carnegie.org/publications/search-publications/pub/272/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“The Gospel
of Wealth”</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> in which he boldly articulated his view that the rich are
merely “trustees” of their wealth and are under a moral obligation to
distribute it in ways that promote the welfare and happiness of the common man.
Carnegie was a prolific writer, but the quotation for which he is most famous
comes from “The Gospel of Wealth”: “The man who dies thus rich dies disgraced.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Full-Time Philanthropist</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When
Carnegie retired from business in 1901, he set about in earnest to distribute
his fortune. In addition to libraries, he provided hundreds of church organs to
local communities. Carnegie's wealth helped to establish numerous
colleges, schools, nonprofit organizations and associations both in his adopted
country, as well as in Scotland and throughout the globe. His most significant
contribution, both in terms of money and in terms of enduring influence, was
the establishment of several endowed trusts or institutions bearing his name.</span><span style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">By
the time of his death in 1919, Andrew Carnegie had given away about $350
million, but the legacy of his generosity continues to unfold in the work of
the trusts and institutions that he endowed.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The
Union City 15</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Street Branch Free Public Library</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The
industrialist turned philanthropist Andrew Carnegie had little formal
schooling, but he educated himself. He prized books as the means to his
self-education. As part of his charitable efforts, Carnegie endowed many
libraries in the United States. The West Hoboken Free Public Library was one of
his beneficiaries. He gave $25,000 for the construction of a new library
building and the enlargement of the collection. The new library was erected in
1903 on the north side of High Street - now 15</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Street - between
Clinton Avenue and Spring Street - now New York and Bergenline Avenues.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A similar donation was given to the
Town of Union Hill in 1905 for the creation of their Free Public Library, now
the Main Branch of the Union City Free Public Library on 324- 43</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">rd</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">
Street, Union City. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Cultural Center</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The
historic building received a major renovation, and on Saturday, June 11, 2011
Mayor Brian P. Stack & the Union City Board of Commissioners, rededicated
the historic building as the William V. Musto Cultural Center.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The building is now home to the Union
City Museum of Art; Union City Art Gallery & Concert Hall; Union City
Police Museum; Union City Museum of History; and Union City Senior Citizen
Center.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Union City Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15034969499170865502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4370316811138213115.post-42917660673945678362012-01-27T14:05:00.000-08:002012-06-02T13:06:17.226-07:00Brief History of Union City<br />
<h1>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Compiled by Gerard Karabin</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></h1>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWQFno5p-h-XHCUxDt7N-MWuwAUIQAOKvypy-6EQ487GF1c_bmmS3MSlWMx2-12q4zc_BjZJFhWqUbKkka1Opfta1iDrUgri0xVVkQwglJHlnm6GBFtvgPpiVBpDr9te7L5PZVeeFaEu8/s1600/DSC03033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWQFno5p-h-XHCUxDt7N-MWuwAUIQAOKvypy-6EQ487GF1c_bmmS3MSlWMx2-12q4zc_BjZJFhWqUbKkka1Opfta1iDrUgri0xVVkQwglJHlnm6GBFtvgPpiVBpDr9te7L5PZVeeFaEu8/s320/DSC03033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eighty-five years ago on June 1, 1925, the Town of Union
(colloquially known as Union Hill) and the Township of West Hoboken joined
together and became one, the City of Union City. Today with a population of
approximately 80,000 residents the city is experiencing an unprecedented period
of economic, cultural, and artistic growth needed to remain vital and
prosperous in the 21st century. As Union City looks forward and embraces the
future it is also proper to pause and reflect on its past. In 2010, the City
commemorated its 85</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> anniversary, but eighty-five years only marks
the incorporation of the City of Union City. Its history is far older.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The original inhabitants of the area where Union City is now situated
were the Native Americans. An Algonquian group, the Munsee speaking branch of
the Lenni-Lenape, wandered the vast area of woodlands Henry Hudson encountered
during his voyage of exploration (1609-1610) in service of the Dutch. Of the
many European countries colonizing North America, the Dutch claimed this area,
which would include the future New York City, and named it New Netherland.
Peter Stuyvesant, the Governor of New Netherland, purchased the part of land
that would one day become Hudson County from the Hackensack branch of the
Lenni-Lenape in 1658. The deed is preserved in the New York State Archives. The
deed describes the boundaries of the land purchased: “The tract of land lying
on the west side of the North (Hudson) River. The tract beginning at the Great
Clip or Great Rock of Wiehacken (Weehawken) through lands above the Islandt
Siskakes (Secaucus) from there to the Kill van Kull and along the channel side
to Constables Hook. From Constables Hook once again to the Great Clip in
Wiehacken.” The tract of land was purchased for the price of “80 fathoms of
wampum, 20 fathoms of cloth, 12 brass kettles, 6 guns, one double brass kettle,
2 blankets, and one half barrel of strong beer.”</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The relationship between the early Dutch settlers and the Native
Americans was an uneasy one. Disputes over property and land claims frequently
led to skirmishes and war between the two groups. In seeking a way to protect
the defenseless farmhouses in the newly acquired area, Peter Stuyvesant in 1660
ordered the building of a fortified village. The village known as Bergen was
the first permanent settlement in New Jersey, now Jersey City. In 1664 the
English captured New Netherland from the Dutch. At that time the boundaries of
Bergen Township encompassed the area we know as Hudson County. To the north of
Bergen Village was a largely unpopulated area known as Bergen Woods that would
slowly be claimed by settlers. Some streets in Union City still retain the
names of the early settlers. Yet the area that would one day become Union City
remained sparsely inhabited until the early part of the nineteenth century.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The English granted a new town charter to the Town of Bergen in
1668. Then in 1682 Bergen County was created with its county seat in
Hackensack. The new county comprised all of present day Hudson, Bergen, and
Passaic Counties. In naming the new county Bergen, the English recognized and
honored its earliest Dutch origins. Although sparsely populated during the 17th
and 18th centuries, by the early part of the 19th century the population of the
southeast section of Bergen County had increased to a point where it was deemed
necessary to organize it as a separate county. In 1840 the New Jersey State
Legislature created Hudson County. In 1843, the newly created County of Hudson
was divided into two townships – Old Bergen Township and North Bergen Township.
Old Bergen Township through the consolidation of its various communities
eventually became Jersey City. North Bergen Township was gradually partitioned
into the various municipalities of present day North Hudson. In 1849 the future
City of Hoboken severed its ties with North Bergen Township. The next
separations were the Township of Weehawken and the Town of Guttenberg in 1859.
Union Township was created in 1861. From it, developed the Town of West Hoboken
in 1861 and the Town of Union in 1864. The northern section of Union Township
was finally incorporated as the Town of West New York in 1898.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The city that would one day become the City of Union City grew as
two separate entities for over 60 years until 1925. From these two towns Union
City derives a rich heritage of cultural diversity that continues to this day.
For example, in the 1890’s a small five- block area of West Hoboken running on
Central Avenue from 23rd street to 27th street was known as the “Dardanelles”
section. It was here more than nineteen different nationalities were
represented. From the earliest Dutch, English, and French settlers a steady
stream of immigrant groups would come to live in Union City. In 1851 Germans
began to settle the area that would become known as Union Hill. The progression
of immigrants would continue throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. The
Swiss, Belgian, Italian, Irish, Armenian, Greek, Chinese, Polish, Syrian,
Jewish, and Russians all found a home in Union City.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today that same cultural diversity can be seen throughout Union
City, especially in the stores and restaurants along Bergenline Avenue. Various
nationalities are represented, but dominated mostly by people from Central and
South America and the Caribbean.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beginning in the early 1950’s Cubans began to settle in Union
City. Many found work in factories and embroidery mills. By the early 1960’s,
when it became clear that Castro had embraced Communism, the trickle of Cuban
immigration became a flood of Cuba’s middle and upper middle class. They
quickly assimilated with American society helping revitalize the local business
areas such as Bergenline Avenue. In addition, as the Cubans were mostly
well-educated professionals, Cuban-Americans became very influential in the
social and political landscape of the City.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Union City takes pride in all its houses of worship and the many
religions they represent. Many of the churches are more than one hundred years
old and are admired for their architectural beauty. The former Saint Michael’s
Monastery Church, (today the Hudson Presbyterian Church), is perhaps the most
notable. Its cornerstone was laid in 1869 and it was completed in 1875. The
octagonal dome piercing the sky could be seen for many miles and once was the
focal point for travelers on trains and ocean steamers.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Union City has also been home to many noted artists. William
Ranney, Antonio Jacobsen, James Buttersworth, and Andrew Melrose all resided in
the city. Interest in art and sculpture has not abated, as there are many
talented artists living in Union City. In fact the city has been undergoing an
artistic renaissance. Recently Mayor Brian P. Stack & the Board of
Commissioners passed a resolution creating the Union City Artist Collective, a
committee dedicated to promoting the arts. The “UC ART Sculpture” designed by
artist Lucio Fernandez was dedicated in September 2009 on Bergenline Avenue
between 30th and 31st Streets at the location of the Plaza of the Arts that
held its ribbon-cutting ceremony in December 2010. September has been
officially designated Celebrate Art Month in Union City with numerous exhibits
and performances held throughout the City. The Union City Art Gallery At City
Hall, under the direction of Art Curator Amado Mora, hosts a new art exhibit
each month; and the Union City Museum of Art located in the William V. Musto
Cultural Center is the gem of the Union City art scene.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Writers and poets have always found Union City to be a source of
inspiration. These include Pulitzer Prize-winning poet W.S. Merwin and the
famous American author Pietro di Donato, author of “Christ in Concrete”. The
city is the home of two Public Libraries to serve the needs of its many
residents. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The performing arts have always been an integral part of Union
City. The new Union City Performing Arts Center, a modern state-of-the-art
960-seat theatre, inaugurated in 2009, offers top-notch performances. The
historic Park Theatre is world-famous for its annual production of the “Passion
Play”, first performed in 1915. The equally renowned play “Veronica’s Veil”
debuted in 1914 at the St. Joseph’s Parochial School Auditorium and played
annually until 1999 when the school was rebuilt to become Veteran’s Memorial
School. Theatres such as the Hudson, Lincoln, Capitol, and Roosevelt were well
known. Vaudeville and burlesque were theatre staples in Union City, and stars
such as Harry Houdini and Fred Astaire performed here. The performing arts
still thrive in the City. The Grace Theatre Workshop, Inc. is dedicated to
promoting theatre in Union City and new and exciting theatrical groups such as
the Donovan Ensemble, The Union City Opera Company, and the TapOlé Dance
Company are also making an impact. The City parks hold weekly performances of
drama, comedy, and poetry during the summer months, as well as concerts of
classical, jazz, rock, salsa and merengue music. Celia Cruz Park was dedicated
in 2004 in honor of the legendary entertainer, and every spring notables from
the entertainment industry are recognized there with a “star” in what has
become Union City’s Walk of Fame.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Under the administration of Mayor Brian P. Stack and the
Board of Commissioners the building of new parks and public plazas and the
improvement of existing parks is a top priority. Firefighter’s Memorial Park
was dedicated in August 2009 and has an Olympic sized swimming pool. Juan Pablo
Duarte Park opened in 2004 on the site of the old Indian Pond Park. Its large
wading pool and playgrounds make it a popular summertime stop for families,
especially those with young children. War Memorial Plaza situated on 46th
Street and Broadway is a beautiful area dedicated to all veterans. Liberty
Plaza located at 30th Street and Palisade Avenue is dedicated to the victims of
the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks. Both plazas offer residents
open spaces for rest and contemplation.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another top priority is the school system. The City and Board of
Education put the children of Union City above all else. To better serve the
educational needs of the community, its two high schools, Union Hill and
Emerson, were consolidated into one. In 2009, on the property where Roosevelt
Stadium once stood, the City opened the new Union City High School and Athletic
Complex. It proudly features a football stadium built on an elevated section of
the high school with views of the New York City skyline.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Union City is a city with a rich and interesting history and this
brief overview is by no means a definitive one. To aid in the recording and
preservation of the city’s history Mayor Brian P. Stack and the Board of
Commissioners appointed a Historic Preservation Advisory Committee. Historical
markers are being erected to honor note-worthy residents of the city. A History
Museum along with a Fine Arts Museum and Concert Hall is housed in the former
15th Street Free Public Library, a Carnegie endowed building, itself more than
one hundred years old. The statues that stand in the parks of Union City are
works of art designed by famous sculptors. The architectural qualities of many
buildings in Union City still exist although you may not recognize them at
ground level. Sometimes all you have to do is look up to see the beauty that is
the City of Union City and its people, the human monuments that continue to
make the city prosper and grow</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></div>Union City Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15034969499170865502noreply@blogger.com1