"Envisioning New Jersey" Book Reception  

On Wednesday, October 19th, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., in the Beck Rooms of the Library Prof. Maxine N. Lurie of the Department of History will present her new book project "Envisioning New Jersey" (Rutgers University Press, 2016).

Envisioning New Jersey uses 654 images to tell the history of the state from prehistoric times to the present. Included are portraits of George Washington and "Molly Pitcher" from the Revolution, battle flags from the War of 1812 and the Civil War, women air raid wardens patrolling the streets of Newark during World War II, and the Vietnam Memorial. There are also pictures of Thomas Mundy Peterson, the first African American to vote after passage of the Fifteenth Amendment; Paul Robeson marching for civil rights; Seton Hall University students protesting in the 1960s; and Martin Luther King speaking at Monmouth University. The ethnic and religious diversity of New Jerseyans is shown through Native American arrowheads, Dutch and German buildings, modern Catholic and Hindu houses of worship. Nineteenth century industrialization, twentieth century suburbanization, technological developments from the telegraph to transistors are included. The book is meant to be comprehensive, scholarly, and fun.

Presentation will be followed by Q&A and book signing.

Refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public.