Comments for Our Vanishing Past Producer's Blog

Comment on Snap Shot Project by Nancy Heins Glaser

Nancy Heins Glaser — Fri, 30 May 2008 11:45:46 +0000

I would like to submit a photo of several historic sites in south orange new jersey to “snapshot new jersey”web site and will be doing so within days.

I produced/directed (as a community collaborative) a “virtual” walking tour cultural documentary completed in 2005 about South Orange NJ to that same end. The film “Once Upon A Gaslight…A Walking Tour Of South Orange” highlights some of our Village’s most important and historic structures - including 5 buildings currently listed on the State of NJ and National registries.

By working with over 100 volunteer writers, researchers, archivists, historians and local celebrities, our non-profit group established a model which other communities could follow to catch and preserve that spirit of our past.

South Orange Village sits on land which could have been called the edge of the new frontier at the time of settlement (by land grants) which appeared as an outgrowth of the territory known as Achter Dull (New-ark Bay). \

OLD STONE HOUSE pre-dates 1680 is retained behind our modern day police station. Years have taken their toll — but historians have not given up. By producing “house-stories” as part of overall recognition of this structure — the local historic society has understood the value of those could give voice to real people who lived there.

A group of activists wishing to honor settlers and important industrialists of the past have kept this building in the forefront of Village leaders throughout time - never giving up the belief of its importance to the State and region’s history.

Many important structural changes have been added throughout history and reflect each era during which those changes were made. By chosing to retain the original 1680’s stone structure and build around it/rather than disrupt or destroy -each successive generation does honor to the value of this original vernacular farm house.

I am delighted to see the “Our Vanishing Past” producer took the mission to heart by preserving(the memory of) our collective past through the lens of the video/dvd camera.

When NJ recognizes and embraces cultural tourism dollars available to us — then and only then will this mission be fully realized.

Thank you to PNJ and NJN for supporting the efforts of those who believe in the power of imagery and past stories to benefit future generations!

Nancy Heins-Glaser

Comment on Broadcast Premiere by robin e

robin e — Thu, 29 May 2008 20:44:37 +0000

i was very impressed by your simple little graphic…it was very expressive. good job Steve!

Comment on Broadcast Premiere by Cora

Cora — Sun, 25 May 2008 08:37:20 +0000

I finally got the chance to watch “Our Vanishing Past” on DVD last night and really thought it was wonderful to see what came out of all the hard work that I know you put into this show. I was especially happy to see that The Church of Presidents made it into the final documentary and that the SAVE program of Jersey City was included as well, as I think that it is especially important to see that not only older people, but young people care about historic preservation.
I will try to let as many people here in Germany see the documentary as well, as I often have to experience that most of them associated the United States only with skyscrapers, highways and overcrowded cities. It is important for everyone to know that this is not everything - and that it is extremely important to preserve what will otherwise be lost.

Comment on Broadcast Premiere by Niita

Niita — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:04:06 +0000

Hello,

This is a global issue. Your film reminded me of India (was born and raised there). Every couple of years I visited my hometown Mumbai I would find a few buildings and structures missing , in their place would be a huge, lifeless highriser or something with no character or structure. It was so painful as I would feel I had lost a childhood friend or a relative. Even thought stones don’t talk we knowingly or unknowingly develop a relationship with them. They must be preserved or restored as much as possible.

Comment on A Night to Remember by Patty

Patty — Tue, 13 May 2008 04:08:38 +0000

I watched the premiere of Our Vanishing Past and the televised airing of the documentary again tonight. It had the same impact on me tonight as it did last week. I found the documentary to be insightful, educational, and enlightening. It is extremely well done and well researched.
It is imperative that we as a society be made aware of our connections to the past through these old houses, businesses,
factories, and institutions. These structures once sustained a society. There is fascinating history within each old building~~irreplaceable architecture.
After watching the show, I will never quite look at an old (and sometimes vacant) building the way I do now. We must be proactive and we must try to stop the pervasive tear downs of some of the most irreplaceable homes and buildings. With everyone trying to go green this year, doesn’t it make sense to try to hold onto these structures, to rejuvenate them, and to reinvent a usefulness to them once again? In a throwaway such as ours, it is time that we step up to the plate and hold onto to our historical treasures so that future generations can enjoy them.

Comment on Tune In by robin m. buehler

robin m. buehler — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:04:33 +0000

Loved the program. I grew up in South Jersey, not far from Atsion and recognized many of the sites the film focused on around Atsion, Batsto, the Wildwoods, etc., especially the old mill at Batsto. I took a photo of it years ago which I have hung in my house. Love history. Just love it.

Comment on A Night to Remember by Jon

Jon — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:45:46 +0000

I won’t be able to see the show on tv tonight (I’ll be working) but I will be sure to inform everyone in my address book to tune in tonight for the airing. I’ll also inform them of the live streaming that is available.

Comment on A Night to Remember by Lynn Kosek Walker

Lynn Kosek Walker — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:23:39 +0000

Our Vanishing Past will not appear on iTunes, but it will be available to watch online in its entirety tonight. It will be streamed live at 9 pm when the show has its broadcast premiere. Then it will be available for viewing at anytime in our Video Gallery archive. Follow the link below for the webcast.

http://www.njn.net/television/webcast/livestreaming.html

Comment on A Night to Remember by Steve

Steve — Sun, 11 May 2008 12:55:41 +0000

Is there anyy chance this will be available as a podcast or on apple’s itunes? I would love to watch it, but I will not be able to catch the airings.

Comment on Snap Shot Project by preservationnjorg

preservationnjorg — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:05:53 +0000

And Preservation New Jersey also invites folks to submit photos of your favorite historic place in NJ for our website’s “Someplace … not Anyplace” campaign. You can see the gallery of pics that have already been sent from all across the state.

Visit and then send: http://www.preservationnj.org

Happy Preservation Month!