10 Years @ 225 West Street

   

In April 2010, New Jersey State Archives celebrated the tenth anniversary of its relocation to 225 West State Street from its former quarters in the State Library. The Archives officially opened its doors to the public in the current facility on April 25, 2000. To recognize the ten-year milestone, on April 29th, 2010, the Archives hosted a day-long reception and open house for New Jersey’s historical community and colleagues in state government. More than 60 visitors enjoyed special exhibits of treasures from the Archives’ vaults, presentations and displays illustrating the move preparations andrelocation in 2000, and participated in tours of the Archives.

Also in conjunction with the celebration, on May 13th the State Archives hosted the County Archives and Records Management Association, providing an overview of the Archives’ services and programs and offering tours to CARMA members.

Images of the Move Preparation and Relocation, 1999-2000

Nick Turse sorts Burlington County court papers during the move preparation.		Beth Colosimo creates a mylar cover and clamshell box for a naturalization book.
Sean Curry labeling clamshell boxes during move prep.		Ethan Betten attaching hundreds of shelving number tags.
Joseph Klett and Ellen Callahan cleaning the new shelves before the move.		Catherine Medich (left) and Ellen Callahan (right) prepare a move cart.
Joanne Nestor applying last minute labels.		Greg Gill getting psychologically prepared for another truck load.
Up the ramp to the loading dock!		Sean Curry, Greg Gill and Joe Klett with shrink-wrapped move carts.
Everyone has to drive the truck!		Sean Curry loading the new shelving.
Catherine Medich unpacking the microfilm collection.		Relocating the vault contents. We've officially moved.

The Need for a New Archives, Move Preparations and the Relocation, 1987-2000

• Dan Weissman. “Panel rebuffs proposal to construct state archives building for $18 million …” The Star-Ledger, Newark, NJ, 12 December 1987, p. 4.
• Dan Weissman. “Jersey’s historic documents crumbling to dust.” The Star-Ledger, Newark, NJ, 25 December 1987, p. 36.
• Peter Genovese. “New Jersey Archives – a crammed attic in a bare basement.” The Home News, New Brunswick, NJ, 15 September 1988, p. B1.
• Associated Press. “Officials Fear NJ Historical Papers May Be History If No Help Is Given.” The Trentonian, Trenton, NJ, 20 September 1988.
• Associated Press. “Time taking its toll on N.J.’s historical documents.” The Record, Bergen, NJ, 20 September 1988, p. A5.
• Colleen O’Dea. “History without a home: State archives are scattered.” Daily Record, Morris County, NJ, 11 March 1991, p. A1, A4.
• “A home for the archives” (editorial). The Times, Trenton, NJ, 23 August 1991, p. A14.
• Edward Colimore, “Moving history: N.J. archives are on the go …” The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA, 19 January 1998, p. B4.
• “History Is Preparing to Move Down the Block.” The New York Times, New York, NY, 5 September 1999, Section 14 (New Jersey), p. 9.
• Tom Hester. “Past, present and future perfect: State archives moving to state-of-art home.” The Star-Ledger, Newark, NJ, 12 April 2000, p. 21, 25.
• “The new State Archives” (editorial). The Times, Trenton, NJ, 16 April 2000.
• Lisa Coryell. “History on the move to new archives site.” The Times, Trenton, NJ, 24 April 2000, p. A1, A6.

Images from the Anniversary Celebration, April 29, 2010

"Happy Anniversary to us!"		NJDARM Director Karl J. Niederer (right) and Deputy Director for Archives Joseph R. Klett (left) divvying up the cake.
New Jersey Historical Commission Executive Director Marc Mappen joins Mr. Niederer and Mr. Klett in the celebration.		Mr. Niederer leading a tour of the Archives.
Mr. Klett conducting a tour.		Lottery for reproductions of treasures from the Archives' vault.
Visitors perusing the New Jersey State Constitutions and Great Seals exhibited for the occasion.		David Pasicznyk, Chief of Bureau of Water Resources, New Jersey Geoological Survey, examines New Jersey's 1787 ratification of the United States Constitution.

Images from the CARMA meeting, May 13, 2010