PALISADES CLIFF-HANGING PRESENTATION

Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood

In a presentation called “Palisades Cliff-hanging” Dr. Marcia Anderson, Ph.D, will guide participants through a historical journey to Palisades, NJ, venturing from 200 million years ago to the early 20th century.   She will explore geology, plate tectonics, dinosaurs, the American Revolutionary War, the birth of our US film industry and “cliff-hangers” at the September meeting of the Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 27th at the Shady Rest Country Club, 820 Jerusalem Rd. (at the corner of Plainfield Avenue) in Scotch Plains.

Anderson, a  US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Specialist for 13 years who also has a Master’s degree in Education and Curicculum in Earth Science, can explain Giovanni da Verrazano’s description of the Palisades sill as “looking like fence stakes” along the Hudson River in 1594.  She will also detail the Dinosaur Fever that hit New York City when a crocodile -like dinosaur was found in the Palisades.  And for us American History buffs, she will look back to a rainy 1776 November night, when Lt. General Lord Charles led the invasion of the Red Coats into NJ to take Fort Lee, an American rebel stronghold.  Finally she will answer why the film industry began in NJ, specifically at the majestic Palisades.

Founded in 1972, the Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood operates the historic Osborn Cannonball House in Scotch Plains, while providing guest lectures at its monthly meetings and taking care to preserve some of the historic artifacts and legends from the area’s early days.

The upcoming meeting is free and all are welcome. Refreshments and fellowship will follow the presentation. For further information, please contact Connie Klock at (908) 232-9489.