A stone arch bridge in Sussex County. (Photo courtesy of Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: Turning rails to trails During the past 20 years, I have been an enthusiastic advocate for turning our abandoned rail lines into trails. I had the... Columns 22 Apr 2024 | 08:16
The Silver Lake YMCA Scouts camp. (Photos courtesy of Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: The Old Turnpike, Part 2 A few weeks ago, I told of a hiking trail I’ve known my whole life that is out of the way and little used. It used to be... Columns 11 Apr 2024 | 02:40
FI1 Earl Hornyak holds a trout that he caught on opening day, Saturday, April 5. He and his friend Bill Repasy took a difficult path through dense shrubbery to get to an exceptional location with huge trout. (Photo by Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: ‘Fishin’ Blues’ I’m blending current events, Sussex County history and my personal history as well. As March is ripped from my wall calendar... Columns 07 Apr 2024 | 03:43
Sussex County History Today: RevolutionNJ proclamation We in Sussex County are preparing for a great event in the history of the United States. That will be the 250th celebration... Columns 31 Mar 2024 | 12:14
The Ogdensburg Historical Society opened the old Fire Department building to the public on Sussex County Heritage Weekend. (Photo by Bill Truran) Sussex County History Today: Heritage Weekend trip An event that I look forward to each October is the Sussex County Heritage Weekend. This is the time when the historical... Columns 23 Oct 2023 | 12:23
The Forum on Democracy’s American Dream essay contest The Forum on Democracy is a group of former government leaders, professors, cultural anthropologists, researchers and other... Columns 31 Jul 2023 | 04:00
The Declaration of Independence Note: The following text is a transcription of the Stone Engraving of the parchment Declaration of Independence (the document... Columns 19 Jun 2023 | 12:16
Local miners gathered last weekend for Miners Day at the Franklin Mineral Museum. (Photo provided by Tema Hecht) Sussex County History Today: Miners The history of Sussex County has been built through the lives and labors of many individuals along with their relatives -... Columns 15 Jun 2023 | 08:59
George Washington Sussex County History Today: Famous Visitors Sussex County has seen some famous people over the years. For example, have you heard of George Washington, Thomas Edison... Columns 07 Jan 2023 | 02:51
Bill Truran sits on Santa’s lap at Sears in Newton in 1951. ( Photo courtesy of Bill Truran, Sussex County Historian) Sussex County History Today: The Season Immediately on the heels of Thanksgiving comes the Christmas season, more lately referred to as “the holiday season” to include... Columns 09 Dec 2022 | 02:22
Christmas Tree It is not easy being a Christmas tree, In our life, we face much adversity. Our forest home cremated by fierce wildfires, And... Columns 08 Dec 2022 | 01:32
Branchville from the east toward the town around 1910. Branchville historical marker awarded in 2022 One of the most pleasing parts of being the Sussex County Historian is to be involved in awarding historical markers to significant... Columns 31 Oct 2022 | 02:34
Franklinite: Thank the kids for making it the state metal We are witness to history in the making for Sussex County, New Jersey. Franklinite, from the Franklin area, may become the... Columns 24 Oct 2022 | 11:47
Sussex County History Today: The Old Clove Church My eyes welled up with tears. I love our Sussex County. There are times that some core values emerge from the din of everyday... Columns 26 Sep 2022 | 01:03
The oak tree in front of Franklin school. Sussex County History Today: The Old Oak Tree As years come and go, the lifetimes of humans may bloom and then fade away. Nature has other life surrounding us, many of... Columns 20 Sep 2022 | 02:30