| Author | Message | ||
     MARSHALL Citizen Username: Smoked_ribs Post Number: 24 Registered: 7-2003 |
I became the care taker of this wonderful old building and I would love to find out it's history. I know it was a T.B. hospital around 1900, Dr Runions Hospital.That is the only bit of history I have. Are their any photos of the building from that time? Thanks Marshall | ||
| talk-it-up Citizen Username: Talkitup Post Number: 59 Registered: 3-2004 |
I think I remember some photos in the SO Library. Look at the books in the New Jersey room. Gem of the Oranges and such. Also there was a diary from a young girl that grew up in South Orange and she speaks of the Dr Runions. A copy was given to the library, if they still have it. | ||
| jdh118 Citizen Username: Jdh118 Post Number: 26 Registered: 6-2001 |
Hey Marshall, Good news - There is definitely a photo of the house. I saw it myself at the library across from the Middle School in the Reference Dept, where they are VERY friendly and helpful. I live a little down from you on Prospect and I'd posted your same request about my house, looking for direction in restoration projects. There was a sepia photo from the early 1900's with all the original gablework and fretwork on the L-shaped porch. Needless to say it'll be my guideline going forward! My neighbors recently tore off the aluminum siding that a previous owner had put up on their home and put up all new clapboard and restored all the Victorian ornamentation, saving a hidden gem. I'd gone last year sometime in search of a photo of their house. The Ref dept had organized the stack of photos somewhat differently, but that's when I saw the home that is now the Ethical Society. From what I remember it was a great shot. Good luck! JOHN JDHX118@aol.com | ||
| jem Citizen Username: Jem Post Number: 1091 Registered: 5-2001 |
If your neighbor's house is the house I've been watching metamorphose over the past month or so, the one on Prospect that's just been painted, tell them for me that it looks fabulous! I love seeing beautiful old houses re-emerge from bad aluminum siding! And there's another house fairly nearby that's also looking great - they've recently added a front porch, fishscale shingles to the second floor and sort of eyebrow dormers at the roof. | ||
| jdh118 Citizen Username: Jdh118 Post Number: 27 Registered: 6-2001 |
Yup, that's the one, and you couldn't dream up nicer neighbors. The house with the front porch is three or four up toward Parker, I "think" that it's Classic Construction, but it is looking fantastic. Across the street and 2-3 blocks down in the opposite direction, corner of Oakland(?), is another home from the mid or early 1800's that's currently undergoing the same 'diamond-in-the-rough' polishing, another metamorphosis! | ||
| Psychomom Citizen Username: Psychomom Post Number: 26 Registered: 5-2005 |
I always wondered what exactly the Ethical Culture Society was... I remember going to a string quartet concert there in the 70's. It also was a "free thinking" type of hangout for the "hippies" in the 70's. We used to joke and call it the Ethical Creature Society! LOL | ||
| tulip Citizen Username: Braveheart Post Number: 2520 Registered: 3-2004  |
Psychomom: Not really funny. That's my beloved grandfather, father, mother, sister you were laughing at, then, and calling names. We all attended back then, and we were far from hippies. Intellectuals, or people interested in ideas, for sure, but not hippies, just not Catholics, Protestants or Jews. But laughing at us doesn't surprise. Look at how ethics are regarded by many in NJ--a laughing matter. If more would take ethics seriously, perhaps corruption would not be so rampant. Keep laughing, if it makes you happy. Realize, however, your comment borders on hate speech. | ||
| Psychomom Citizen Username: Psychomom Post Number: 31 Registered: 5-2005 |
Good heavens relax, that was thirty years ago, and I was an ignorant high school kid...I'm NOT laughing at anyone. | ||
| AGD4 Citizen Username: Agd4 Post Number: 45 Registered: 2-2003 |
Here is the photo that appears in Gem of the Oranges, Copyright 1922. You can copy a digital version of this by checking out the digitized version of Gem of the Oranges available at the South Orange Public Library. -Amy Dahn  | ||
| Irvington Pirate Citizen Username: Irvingtonpirate Post Number: 37 Registered: 6-2005 |
tulip - I've always wondered about this place also. I pass it all the time. Never really saw much going on as to people coming and going from the place though in the past week or so there seemed to be a big event going on one night and there was a lot of activity and people milling about. Is this a church of some type or just a group of people of different beliefs that come together to discuss ethics? The reason for my thinking it's a church is that from the sign out front there seem to be some sort of regular services held and something that seems, to me anyway, like a sort of Sunday School for the kids. | ||
| tulip Citizen Username: Braveheart Post Number: 2660 Registered: 3-2004 |
http://www.essexethical.org IP: Hi!! Yes, it's a group of people of different backgrounds and beliefs who come together to discuss the ethical implications of many things. You know, it's terrific to read about your interest. You can, you know, just "drop by" of a Sunday, or other day. You will be well-received, and will no doubt acquire plenty of (correct, relevant and thorough) interpretations of Ethical Culture upon your visit. Ethical Culture has been around since the nineteenth century. The Society has an extensive website, describing its perspective.(In Maplewood, it's http://www.essexethical.org.) It's a belief system. It's not a science, it is based upon a world view, and has a deep, abiding value system which I would prefer to defer to the website to describe. My husband and I were married by a leader in the Ethical Culture Society, by the name of Howard Radest. He wrote a beautiful statement for the ceremony, about commitment and love. My grandfather joined Ethical Culture Society (headquarters 2 West 64th St., Manhattan, where you can get literature about it)_ after arriving as a young man in America, anxious to assimilate, but finding Orthodox Judaism not exactly expressive of his views, values and priorities. Since then, my parents joined when we moved to Cleveland, where there was an active Society. My sister and I went to Sunday School every Sunday. In ninth grade, we visited a variety of churches and religious gatherings, then discussed them among ourselves, one message being that if we wanted to change to another, we were free to do so. Sunday School is also about ethics, for kids. Thanks again for your interest. | ||
| susan1014 Supporter Username: Susan1014 Post Number: 889 Registered: 3-2002 |
In addition, the building is used by a number of other groups (presumably renting space). My daughter took many sessions of Kindermusic there. I think there is also a church of some sort who uses the space (but I could be wrong, haven't been in a while) | ||
| letters016 Citizen Username: Letters016 Post Number: 205 Registered: 5-2005  |
Tulip, “But laughing at us doesn't surprise. Look at how ethics are regarded by many in NJ--a laughing matter. If more would take ethics seriously, perhaps corruption would not be so rampant. Keep laughing, if it makes you happy.” I’m only commenting on this because your response to Psychomom rings a little hollow. Seems to me I remember a certain past leader (not all that long ago) of the Ethical Culture in Maplewood who was sent to jail because of an ethics violation he committed while practicing law. If this is the truth (and since I do not attend any of your meetings) I will just assume that he is not indicative of the average member or leader. But one should be careful about throwing around the “ethics” label when there is dirty laundry in your own closet. (Gee, I hope I am not guilty of hate speech, too.) | ||
| tulip Citizen Username: Braveheart Post Number: 2689 Registered: 3-2004 |
letters, First, you are not yet guilty of hate speech. If, however, you extrapolate from one leader having ethics problems, to the entire society, you are guilty of unfortunate thinking. I don't know who you are talking about, and no one I know had ethics problems. Maybe you ought to stop passing rumors around based upon your "recollection" and start looking into making your accusations based upon fact. Second, they are not "my meetings." They are the meetings of a group of people who want to discuss issues relating to ethics, and share values similar to those of the Judeo Christian ethic. If you are so curious about the meetings and the people, start attending!! Don't be a stranger!! Third, do you go around looking for old disagreements and revive them on purpose? Fourth, no one I know claims to be ethically perfect. (Do you?) That's why the meaning and substance of ethical behavior needs to be discussed. Thanks. | ||
| letters016 Citizen Username: Letters016 Post Number: 208 Registered: 5-2005 |
Tulip, I already said that I assume “that he is not indicative of the average person or leader”, so that should clear that up. If you do not know who I am talking about, then either you are new to the Ethical Culture Society, which according to your posts you are not, or you are misinformed, unaware or otherwise not telling the truth. This happened probably within the last 5 years, and since I don't closely follow the goings on at the society, I presume that he was the leader before Bo. If not, he couldn't be more than two before her. If you really do not know, simply ask around. He lived in Maplewood, very close to the Society building (when he wasn’t in jail). You will find out that this is no rumor. And I am not even the least bit curious about the meetings. We'll just call it a different lifestyle, if you please. I don't have any time or inkling to sit around and discuss with people ethics as they relate to the community, state, country or world. I spend my time with my ethics, which I have never found to be disagreeable with the vast majority of people, and live them. I have two grown children who are both wonderful people and have no enemies. I have been a leader in youth groups almost my entire adult life because I chose that as my avenue of paying back to a society that I grew up in. I don't need "thank-you's" and "great jobs" nor do I find it necessary to sit around with like minded people and discuss things (such as ethics). In other words, I get my satisfaction from watching kids that I have had interactions with grow up and become outstanding young men and women. I have had the opportunity on occasion to read your newsletter that comes out periodically and never did I see anything in it that had me curious enough to attend. | ||
| tulip Citizen Username: Braveheart Post Number: 2690 Registered: 3-2004 |
Why do you keep saying "your" this and "your" that? If you read my posts, you would know that 1) I haven't been to meetings since the 1970's when my family and I attended every Sunday. 2) I was married by an Ethical Culture leader (who was a professor of philosophy and sociology, so I guess not the fellow you are talking about) 3) I don't claim ownership of Ethical Culture viewpoints or issues, but my family and I enjoyed and benefitted from them, so maybe you could grant us that without disrespect or condescension....? I couldn't care less whether you attend meetings of the Ethical Society or not, and I hope you might give me the same level of privacy. I don't know why you have to dredge all this up now, after a "conversation" taking place in the past....? Thanks. | ||
| tulip Citizen Username: Braveheart Post Number: 2691 Registered: 3-2004 |
PS Your rant against Ethical Culture reminds me of discussions I had in Cleveland when I was in my teens, with people who must have been very uncomfortable with it. Too bad. Live and let live, I always say! I wouldn't make fun of your place of worship, nor should you make fun of mine. And now, if you'll excuse me, I do have other things to do, rather than sit here and debate with you. Please, worship in your way, where you want, with whomever you want. I will only post if I perceive a misconception to be present. Thanks, and have a nice day, tulip | ||
| letters016 Citizen Username: Letters016 Post Number: 210 Registered: 5-2005 |
I’m sorry. After reading about your grandfather, father and mother, Sunday school, the fact that you were married by a leader, your invitations to people to come in and visit, I can’t imagine why I thought you would have been a member. My bad. And exactly how is my saying that there is nothing about a place that makes me want to attend a rant? Of course you also told Psychomom that her use of the word “hippie” was bordering on hate speech. So I guess it all makes some sort of sense.  PS. Thank you for allowing me to live my life in my own way. That’s not condescending at all. | ||
| tulip Citizen Username: Braveheart Post Number: 2692 Registered: 3-2004 |
letters: Membership in the American Ethical Union is not like membership in a political party. I don't carry a card, nor do others. I am a "member" from the perspective of having been raised in the teachings of the American Ethical Culture Society, and my pride in that should speak for itself. I don't think anything I say to you will be making any sense to you. Judging from your posts on other threads, I choose to stay out of further discussions with you, so would you please stop addressing me? I certainly wouldn't want to "snub" you and not answer something you direct toward me. However, if you continue to address me on this board, I may have to. I am sorry. I simply do not want to tangle with you. Thanks. | ||
| Jay Citizen Username: Jaymon Post Number: 596 Registered: 10-2004  |
This one is dedicated to AlleyGater... Yes, it is a lovely building, but it could use a nice big wood desk.......  | ||
| tulip Citizen Username: Braveheart Post Number: 2693 Registered: 3-2004 |
Jay, you should ask them!!  | ||
| Jay Citizen Username: Jaymon Post Number: 599 Registered: 10-2004 |
You really think so, Tulip? I was just goofing around for Alley's benefit. | ||
| tulip Citizen Username: Braveheart Post Number: 2694 Registered: 3-2004 |
I don't know. It's been so long since I've visited them. You could put a note in their mailbox, with a picture. I don't think they regularly look for furniture, though. They're not the type to have a big budget. If your desk is an antique, or has special qualities, have you contacted antique dealers, or taken pictures to show them? Have you made a pitch, so to speak to the libraries and municipal buildings, churches? If you go in person, or make an appointment, the strength of your personality along with a picture of the desk could "sell" it. | ||
| Jay Citizen Username: Jaymon Post Number: 602 Registered: 10-2004 |
Hmm, food for thought. I'm waiting for my 'agents' to chime in. | ||
| Lisa Ebert Citizen Username: Boomie Post Number: 147 Registered: 7-2005 |
It sounds a lot like Unitarian Universalism. How is it different? | ||
| tulip Citizen Username: Braveheart Post Number: 2696 Registered: 3-2004 |
Lisa, Excellent comparison. Lots of similarities. In fact, my sister has joined the Unitarian Universalists in her community out on the West Coast, and feels right at home. | ||
| Lisa Ebert Citizen Username: Boomie Post Number: 149 Registered: 7-2005 |
I am a *recovering* Catholic and a few years back joined a UU church in Summit that we love. Its incredible to find some spirituality in a world filled with so much logic and coldness that it can be mind-numbing. | ||
| tulip Citizen Username: Braveheart Post Number: 2697 Registered: 3-2004 |
UU's terrific. There's a wonderful church in Morristown, that is a community center as well as a church. They have pioneered and supported many excellent causes in Morris County, and in NJ. My best friend in Ethical Culture was a lapsed Catholic, in fact, my husband is a "recovering" Catholic. (Descriptive adjective!!) While I can't really appreciate his experiences when he was a in a very Catholic childhood, I can appreciate the fundamental notions of allegiance and devotion to one's family, and the primacy of altruism toward one's fellow humans. I am, however, not always as altruistic, patient and loving as I should be, and I know it. I think UU differs from Ethical by virtue of its being an accepted, known entity in Protestantism. It doesn't have to identify or explain itself to those who wonder what it is, quite as much. Also, it has more of a theological bent, I imagine, than Ethical, which is comprised of people of all theological bents, including agnosticism, deism, and atheism. It's not just atheists, as some people seem to think. | ||
| Lisa Ebert Citizen Username: Boomie Post Number: 151 Registered: 7-2005 |
Tulip I did some reading about the Ethical Culture society yesterday and found many many similarities as well. Thanks for the info. | ||
| tulip Citizen Username: Braveheart Post Number: 2698 Registered: 3-2004 |
Lisa, You are welcome!! | ||
| Minimalist Citizen Username: Minimalist Post Number: 43 Registered: 12-2004  |
does anyone know about the george c cobb sanitarium in south orange? like where it used to be? | ||
| Minimalist Citizen Username: Minimalist Post Number: 44 Registered: 12-2004 |
sorry, george h cobb | ||
| lynn199 Citizen Username: Lynn199 Post Number: 21 Registered: 12-2002 |
I don't know where it was, but here is a link to a picture: http://library.shu.edu/gallery/Health-Cobb-GeorgeH-MDSanitarium-SoOrange-pre1906 -b-wpc.jpg | ||
| Minimalist Citizen Username: Minimalist Post Number: 45 Registered: 12-2004 |
I just received some information from a UMDNJ librarian of the special collections, where that postcard comes from, in case anyone else is interested. I'll have to go see what's there, if anything: The postcard image on our website of the Cobb Sanitarium has an undivided back so dates circa 1906. In checking the Medical Directory of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut for 1907, George Henry Cobb is listed at 117 Irvington Avenue, which is probably the address of the sanitarium. Dr. Cobb (1863-1926) is also listed as an 1888 graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons (Columbia University), and a member of the American Medial Association, New York County and NY State Medical Associations, as well as the Orange Mountain Medical Society. | ||
| Minimalist Citizen Username: Minimalist Post Number: 46 Registered: 12-2004 |
there's some rumor that there used to be some kind of a sanitarium or home for people with downs syndrome in the block between lenox ave, lenox terrace, and lenox place in south orange/maplewood (right on the border). That half of the block has a number of ranch-style homes built later than the surrounding area, there are a number of other weird things with that block that might indicate that there was something else there at one time. <p> anyone have any idea about this? | ||
| galileo Citizen Username: Galileo Post Number: 195 Registered: 7-2001 |
You are correct.There was a large home on either Lenox Terr. or Lenox Place at the corner of Cedar Lane.As a child I would look through the tall iron fence.It was some sort of sanitarium but not just Down's syndrome. One patient there attended our church.We would always know when he arrived as he would drop pennies in the poor box. There was something mentally wrong with him but he enjoyed the church music. I haven't thought of this place in years. | ||
| Psychomom Citizen Username: Psychomom Post Number: 81 Registered: 5-2005 |
My mom lived in Orange as a child and is in Maplewood now and has been for 45yrs or more...so I asked her if she remembered any sanitarium....she mentioned that in the area of Ivy Hill apartments on Irvington Ave, there was what they called the "poor farm" where indigent people were housed and she thought some mental patients too. It did not look like the postcard though. They were red brick buildings. I only thought this was interesting because of the reference to Dr. Cobb's Irvington Ave address. There is a small strip mall type shopping area there now. I don't know the address. | ||
| bill671 Citizen Username: Bill671 Post Number: 135 Registered: 6-2002 |
Newark Sanitary Hospital was farther east of the Ivy Plaza - about 50 yards east of Boyden Avenue, on the far side of Irvington Avenue (Newark Side), and was down a driveway about 100 yards from the street. Buildings were bulldozed about 10 to 15 years ago. I seem to recall it was originally "Newark City Hospital", and later became a sanitarium. Remember, tuberculosis was truly a scourge in our grandparent's day - before antibiotics. Interesting note - a Maplewood PD motorcycle officer died in the line of duty in the 1930's. Was believed to have been thrown from his 'cycle while chasing a speeder. Was initially taken to that hospital, then transferred to Orange Memorial, which was more state of the art for the time. | ||
| AGD4 Citizen Username: Agd4 Post Number: 53 Registered: 2-2003 |
Here is another photograph of Dr. Cobb's Sanitarium which states that it was on Irvington Avenue. The 1911 Mueller Atlas shows that the house was located next to the First Presbyterian Church. In the SHU photo link which was posted earlier on this thread, you can see the stone structure of the church to the left of the Sanitarium. Today, where Dr. Cobb's house once stood, there is an addition to the church and a parking lot.  | ||
| bmpsab Citizen Username: Bmpsab Post Number: 194 Registered: 3-2001 |
I find the pictures of these older buildings, along with the history associated with them to be fascinating. Thanks for sharing. | ||
| campbell29 Citizen Username: Campbell29 Post Number: 357 Registered: 4-2002 |
Do we have a historical society? I remember in the town I grew up in - we had one that had a tremendous amount of local knowledge (lots of old photos, newspapers, postcards). It would certainly be an interesting addition, if we don't have one. | ||
| AGD4 Citizen Username: Agd4 Post Number: 56 Registered: 2-2003 |
The two historic groups in South Orange are: The Montrose Park Historic District Association www.MontroseParkSONJ.org The South Orange Historical & Preservation Society http://www.sohps.org/ | ||
| Joshua Pines Citizen Username: Deiscane Post Number: 1 Registered: 4-2006 |
Ethical Culture was established as a way for Jews to convert out without feeling guilty. | ||
| Scully Citizen Username: Scully Post Number: 686 Registered: 8-2005 |
Or maybe as a place for people who would have 'converted out' anyway to have a place to go where they would feel comfortable. | ||
| tulip Citizen Username: Braveheart Post Number: 3583 Registered: 3-2004 |
Scully- Precisely. The Cleveland Society I belonged to as a child was interfaith (ex-Catholics, ex-Protestants, ex-athiests,etc.) and interracial. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 5469 Registered: 1-2004  |
Lisa Is that the church on Springfield Road? If so, they have a great Open Mike Night the second Saturday of each month. | ||
| Joshua Pines Citizen Username: Deiscane Post Number: 2 Registered: 4-2006 |
"Or maybe as a place for people who would have 'converted out' anyway to have a place to go where they would feel comfortable." You say potato... | ||
| tulip Citizen Username: Braveheart Post Number: 3585 Registered: 3-2004 |
So Joshua, do you not believe that there are people who were never of the Jewish faith in Ethical Culture? Why are you irritated by it? Some people can be uncomfortable with organized religion (people such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson) and still fairly good people, no? |
