Welcome to the “official” webpage for the Oxford, New Jersey Historical Society! This blog will serve as a means of not only communicating to the world-wide web about the going-ons of the Society, but also as a time capsule of Oxford days gone by. Readers can look forward to posts that highlight such topics as the Oxford Movie Theater, a look into work-related accidents in the mines and railways, getting to know the locals during the early years of Oxford, and how two World Wars changed a small town.
For starters, let’s introduce the writer and blog founder….
My name is Renee and I have lived in Warren County all of my life. I am proud to say that my paternal heritage runs deep in Oxford, descending from the Zulauf and Decker families, and being a part of the “Meshach” clan that lived on Dutch Hill. I grew up with a love of history and have fond memories of visiting old Oxford garbage pits when I was little, digging up old bottles and finding thrown away “treasures”. I was at the "grand opening "of Shippen Manor and remember watching an excavation take place in on the hill in front of the Manor house. Many years later, I would find myself going back to Shippen Manor to see if they were in need of tour guides. Fast forward 10 years later, to present day, and I still am a docent at the Manor and enjoy being able to take part in a home that is so rich in history.
The best part about being able to volunteer at the Manor is that it is a part of my history. My grandfather, great uncles, great grandfather, and various other relatives called Oxford not only their home but their place of employment. The mines of Oxford were no strangers to my ancestors and so being a part of Shippen Manor, talking about the Oxford Furnace, the mines, and the company store is explaining a part of my history as well.
When I was asked to take over the Oxford Historical Society, it was an easy decision to make. It felt like I was being handed a golden ticket, a chance to delve deeper into a little town that I loved. I have many hopes for the historical society, some lofty and some small, so please allow me the time to research, write, and plan future meetings and gatherings for all of us to share our love and knowledge of Oxford.
Check back soon for an updated blog with pictures and a historic post about our beloved little town!
I enjoyed reading your memories of Shippen Manor. Thanks for sharing that. My great grandparents Sterling (1862-1924) & Adele (1861-1936) Valentine lived at Shippen Manor 1912-1922. Adele's sister Kate Elliott (1859-1945) also lived with them. I have researched all these relatives and also have many photos of them on the property and have written a narrative of their time at the Manor and in town at the Methodist Church and fundraising selling Liberty Bonds to support the First World War, leading the Red Cross Drive and having a hand in making an old building into the town library. They also held a family reunion in 1917 of their four children and four of their grandchildren, including my mother Betty at age 5, on the property. Sterling served as superintendent of the blast furnace as he was a PhD chemist and had a ton of experience at other mining sites where he worked prior to coming to Oxford and Empire Steel & Iron Company. He also played piano, led the choir, and soloed at the church wherever he lived. His relaxation was fly fishing on lakes nearby. He began college at age 14 and had his PhD at age 24, both at Pennsylvania College in Gettysburg, PA, where his father was college president and later led the Lutheran Theological Seminary in the same town. The family had ties to the 2nd Mrs. Woodrow Wilson and before that through Sterling's uncle to President Grover Cleveland.
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