By JACQUELINE DURETT
Correspondent
SOUTH AMBOY — The city’s historical society may be getting closer to having a museum to house and display its artifacts.
Councilman Tom Reilly brought up the issue for discussion at the Nov. 2 City Council business meeting, adding that he would support efforts toward establishing a museum.
“I’ve been a big proponent of the historical society,” he said. “I think they add a lot of value to the town.”
Mayor Fred Henry said he had spoken with Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald Rios about funding possibilities. He said Rios told him to have the historical society draft a proposal for consideration.
“South Amboy obviously has a lot of history to it,” Henry said. “People like to donate things, but we have no place to put them.”
The society has been up and running with formal events for about five years, Henry said, and has accomplished much in that time. He said that other historical societies — some of which have existed much longer than South Amboy’s — have looked to South Amboy’s historical society for direction with their own initiatives. The historical society has annual events, such as an open house, a cemetery tour and a holiday trolley tour.
Henry also recommended incorporating the concept of a museum into the city’s master plan, formalizing the city’s intent.
Councilwoman Zusette Dato asked if there was a specific location in mind for the museum. Henry said the city has been considering various properties — generally homes for sale — but he said he has found that many of the homes would need substantial work inside to accommodate both a museum-like setting and events. Many city homes, he said, would also need work to become handicapped-accessible.
An alternative would be for the city to purchase land, he said, and construct a building.
Reilly, meanwhile, said he would like to see the museum be housed in a glass-front space on Broadway.
“It kind of ties right in with the Broadway business district,” he said.
The council briefly discussed Gov. Harold Hoffman’s former home on Broadway as a possibility. Business Administrator Camille Tooker said the city did not own that property, and it has been converted to residential units.
Councilman Donald Applegate asked if the senior center on South Stevens Avenue could be subdivided, but Tooker said the seniors use the full space.
“I think it’s a great idea and I think we all agree that it would be wonderful for the city, but it’s always about money,” Dato said.
Henry agreed and added the city would continue pursuing the idea with the county.
