Newsletter and Event Guide for the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park
Spring 2005
625 Canal Road, Somerset, NJ 08873
Vol. 5, Issue 2
Phone: Somerset Office (732) 873-3050 / Bull’s Island Office (609) 397-2949
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Web Site: www.dandrcanal.com
The following story is a reprint of an article orignially printed in the Community Section of the Courier News on
November 24, 2004. With the paper’s permission, we are reprinting the text here for our Park patrons to enjoy.
Copyright Courier News, 2005. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.
"A Model Citizen"
By SUSAN GULLIFORD; Correspondent
Model-maker Paul Kayne's works delight young and old D & R Canal visitors.
For more than 40 years, Paul Kayne of North Brunswick enjoyed the Delaware and Raritan
Canal as he fished, hiked and motorcycled along the park area and he brought his family along
too, "as soon as the kids were old enough to learn to fish."
In April 2001, Canal Park Historian Vicki Chirco, trying to expand the park's educational outreach program, posted a "help wanted" notice for a volunteer model-maker to build working
lock models. When Kayne noticed Chirco's note on the bulletin board, he saw an opportunity
to repay four decades of enjoyment; donating his model-building talent would be his gift to the
canal. He contacted Chirco and provided her with photographs of a Maine lobster sloop that
he had carved in cherrywood and with working sidewalk-sized cars that he had made for his
grandchildren. Chirco, impressed with his work, explained that she needed models that showed
detail, but were still sturdy and portable, suitable for children's educational programs and
meant to be touched. A partnership was born that has resulted in bridge and canal models that
have already enhanced the park experience for thousands of visitors.
Kayne began his project with extensive research, traveling with Chirco to the New Jersey State
Archives in Trenton, the National Canal Museum in Easton, Pa. and to examine a working Aframe swing bridge in Paulsboro. He spent hours on the Internet and visited the City of New
Brunswick offices for information on their restoration of the Boyd Park Double Outlet Locks,
Photo by Susan Gulliford including studying the materials they used and photographs. Written information wasn't always
D & R Canal State Park Historian Vicki
easy to find, but Kayne obtained copies of The Delaware and Raritan Canal and Champlain to
Chirco, pictured above with Paul Kayne,
posted a "help wanted" notice for a volun- Chesapeake - A Canal Era Pictorial Cruise, both by William J. McKelvey Jr. He discovered
teer to construct a working lock model for that the WPA projects of the 1930s included the Historic American Buildings Survey and the
her educational outreach programs.
Historic American Engineering Records and through them, he was able to access canal-related
Kayne, a North Brunswick resident, saw
his chance to repay the Park for decades photographs and drawings on the Library of Congress Web site, including those of the D&R's
of outdoor enjoyment.
Kingston lock, lock house and bridge.
When Kayne was finally ready to begin construction, he started with design studies, made with primarily foam board and pine,
building with them to see if there were any problems before he cut the final materials. His first mitre-gate study included a wooden
chopstick that determined the size of the model: 3/8 inch = 1 foot. With no money for this project in the park budget, Kayne set out
to construct the models using scraps of mahogany and cherry from his shop and store-bought cast stone and turnbuckles from model
railroad shops. He hand-fabricated pieces of brass. Kayne has completed models of three working A-frame swing bridges, a working lock model and mitre gates, with all eight working wicket doors (the openings that let the water through when changing water
levels).
Many of the tools used by the lock-tenders were lost during World War II scrap drives, so Kayne, a man with a mission, designed a
wicket wrench based on canal photographs and a drawing, built a wood model, got North Brunswick's Maltese Iron Works to donate
a piece of steel and had the Millstone Blacksmith Museum fabricate the final wrench.
After taking some time off from the project, Kayne, a retired Exxon heavy-equipment operator, is ready to start his next model: a
graceful canal boat, originally 20 feet wide, that he describes as "the mainstay, the workhorse of the canal." He has already admired
pictures of these boats in the McKelvey books and obtained Library of Congress drawings.
"These models started as a school program and have been immeasurably helpful with the kids," said Chirco. "But adults also have
benefited. This is a wonderful, historic waterway and the research is not always written and gets lost in time."
Built to last 100 years, Kayne's models will continue to fascinate and educate for generations to come, with information that was
already in danger of being lost.
Newsletter Design: Stephanie Fox, RIS - Natural Resources
Vicki Chirco, RIS - Historic Resources
Park Superintendent: Susan Herron
Photocopying: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
FREE SPRING 2005 PROGRAMS AT
THE D & R CANAL STATE PARK
Programs are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather, lack of interest or illness.
Registration is REQUIRED for ALL PROGRAMS unless otherwise noted. Call the Park
Office at 732-873-3050 (Somerset Office) to register or do so online. Visit
www.dandrcanal.com for further details and to check for program updates.
All programs are FREE unless otherwise specified!
Walk the Path in Lawrence Township: Enjoy a morning walk along the canal with the
D&R's Historian and visit two historic homes along the way - The Port Mercer Canal House
and the 18th Century Brearley House. The group will meet at the Port Mercer Canal House
in Lawrence Township (4278 Quakerbridge Rd.) at 9:30 a.m. for a brief talk about the history of
the D&R Canal and a tour of the Canal House. We'll then walk along the historic towpath to
the Brearley House where the group will be treated to a tour of this restored 18th century
home. Come join us for this 2.5 mile round trip walk back in time.
14th Annual D & R Canal Watch 5KRun & 1st Annual 1-Mile Walk: The D&R Canal Watch 5K Fun Run, which
Apr. 2:
begins and ends at Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville, has become a popular annual event attracting as many as
250 runners. The course loops through the village of Titusville and then along the D & R Canal towpath. Prizes will be
awarded and T-shirts supplied to all registrants while supplies last. Race day registration fee of $20 for the 5K Race and
$15 for the 1-Mile Walk will apply. For full details, directions and registration information/materials contact the D&R
Canal Watch at (609) 777-9379, (609) 924-2683 or online at www.canalwatch.org.
Apr.
23 & 24: Watercolorist Art Sale at the Blackwells Mills Canal House: The Blackwells Mills Canal House Association is
pleased to welcome back Watercolorist Unlimited who will be displaying (and selling) their paintings at the historic canal
house on the corner of Blackwells Mills and Canal Road in Franklin Township. This popular annual sale holds great local
interest. This weekend event will be held on Saturday, April 23th from 10 - 5 pm and Sunday, April 24th from 12 - 5 pm.
Registration is not required and admission is FREE.
Apr. 2:
Apr. 30: Walk the Path to Rockingham: Enjoy a morning walk with the D&R’s Historian for a tour along the canal path to
historic Rockingham! In addition to receiving an introduction to the story of the D&R Canal, participants will visit two
historic homes along the way - The Kingston Canal House and the 18th century Rockingham. Attendees are asked to
meet at the Kingston Canal House located off Route 27 (approximately 3 miles north of Princeton) at 9:30 am for a brief
talk about the history of the D&R Canal. The group will then walk along the canal’s historic towpath to Rockingham
where they will be treated to a tour of George Washington’s newly restored 1783 headquarters. Come join us for this
2.5 mile round trip walk.
“Spirit of the Jerseys” ~ Annual History Fair: This full afternoon of events highlighting all the state hisMay 7:
toric sites (including the D & R Canal) will be held at Washington Crossing State Park located off County
Road 546 in Titusville, Mercer County beginning at 11:00 am (schedule TBA). A variety of activities will be
offered including foodways, music, living history & reenactment demonstrations as well as historic games,
crafts, puppet shows and vintage baseball. Come discover NJ’s history and celebrate the Centennial of our
State Forests. Join the family fun at “The Crossing” from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. NO ADMISSION FEE. RAIN OR
SHINE. For information call (609) 737-9303 or visit www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/historic.
May 14:
May 14:
May 15:
May 28:
Walk the Path in Lawrence Township: Enjoy a morning walk along the canal with the D&R's
Historian and visit two historic homes along the way - The Port Mercer Canal House and the 18th
Century Brearley House. The group will meet at the Port Mercer Canal House in Lawrence Township
(4278 Quakerbridge Rd.) at 9:30 a.m. for a brief talk about the history of the D&R Canal and a tour of the
Canal House. We'll then walk along the historic towpath to the Brearley House where the group will be treated to a tour of this restored 18th century home. And as a bonus, participants will have the opportunity to partake in the
Lawrence Historical Society’s Second Annual May Fair Celebration at the Brearley House (last year’s activities
included a May Pole dance, English folk dancing, a puppet show, a carousel with live ponies, colonial era games, silhouette making
and quilting and spinning demonstrations). Come join us for this 2.5 mile round trip walk back in time.
Blackwells Mills Canal House Association’s Market Day: This annual Spring event features perennial plants from
our members' gardens as well as baked goods, collectibles, and the items from our own gift shop! DONATIONS FROM
YOUR GARDEN, ATTIC OR KITCHEN ARE WELCOME! To donate please call (732) 297-5548 or (732) 257-4557. The
sale will be held at the historic canal house on the corner of Blackwells Mills and Canal Road in Franklin Township
between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. Registration is not required and admission is FREE!
D&R Canal Watch Walk ~ Kingston to Princeton Basin: Come join D&R Canal Watch members for a 4-mile
Sunday afternoon walk along the historic towpath. Participants are asked to meet at Princeton’s Turning Basin Park located on Alexander Street at 2:00 pm in Princeton across the road from the canoe rental. All attendees will be carpooled
to Kingston where the walk will begin. Come see and learn about original canal structures and experience nature’s beauty on this towpath walk that will pass along Lake Carnegie and end back at Princeton Basin. For direction and further details contact the D&R Canal Watch at (609) 924-2683.
Bike the Path to Griggstown: The warm weather is here so its time to dust off the old bike and join
the D&R’s Historian for a ride along the canal towpath! Bring your own bicycle and meet at the
Somerset Park Office (625 Canal Road) located in the Blackwells Mill section of Franklin Township at
10:00 am. This 8 1/2 mile ride will take us to the Griggstown lock and back. Come enjoy the park, burn
a few calories and learn a bit about the D&R!
~ MORE FREE SPRING 2005 PROGRAMS ~
Walk the Path in Lawrence Township: Enjoy a morning walk along the canal with the D&R's Historian and visit two
historic homes along the way - The Port Mercer Canal House and the 18th Century Brearley House. The group will
meet at the Port Mercer Canal House in Lawrence Township (4278 Quakerbridge Rd.) at 9:30 a.m. for a brief talk about
the history of the D&R Canal and a tour of the Canal House. We'll then walk along the historic
towpath to the Brearley House where the group will be treated to a tour of this restored 18th
century home. Come join us for this 2.5 mile round trip walk back in time.
June 11: Blackwells Mills Canal House Association’s Folk Concert By the Canal: Musicman Tal and
Friends returns to the historic canal house on the corner of Blackwells Mills and Canal Road in Franklin
Township for the 8th Annual Folk Concert by the Canal. The song sheets are ready, all you need to do is
bring a blanket, chair, some munchies and be prepared to enjoy a few hours relaxing by the canal. Come join
the fun! Registration is not required and admission is FREE!
June 12: Canoe the Canal Day: This Lawrence Historical Society annual event offers an afternoon of boating on the canal. Bring
your own canoe (or contact the Lawrence Historical Society to arrange for a rental) and join us between 1:00 - 4:00 pm
for an afternoon of fun. Boating will start at Cherry Tree Lane in Lawrence Township and end at the Port Mercer Canal
House where tours, music and homemade ice-cream await. For further details please call The Lawrence
Historical Society at (609) 896-0782 or visit www.thelhs.org.
June 4:
June 18: Bike the Path to Zarephath: Summer is in the air so plan on getting outdoors to enjoy a morning
bike ride along the canal with the D&R's Historian. Bring your own bicycle and meet at the Somerset
Park Office (625 Canal Road) located in the Blackwells Mill section of Franklin Township at 10:00 am.
The group will head north towards Zarephath for this 10-mile ride. Come enjoy the park, burn a few
calories and learn a bit about the D&R!
June 25: Walk the Path to the Millstone Aqueduct: Enjoy a morning walk along the canal towpath with the D&R's
Historian. We'll begin at the Kingston Canal House at 10:00 am and head south to the Millstone Aqueduct past
Carnegie Lake for a 4-mile round trip tour along the historic towpath. Participants are asked to meet at the
Kingston Canal House located directly off Route 27 (approx.. 3-4 miles north of Princeton and just past the Rt.. 27
bridge over the Millstone River). Come enjoy the outdoors, burn a few calories and learn a bit about the D&R!
Park Naturalist Welcomes
Newest Addition to
Fox Family
The D & R Canal
State Park staff
is happy to
announce the
safe arrival
of Maxwell
Douglass Fox
- the newest
addition to the
Fox family. Max
entered the world
on January 11, 2005,
weighing in at a healthy 9 pounds 6 ounces
and measuring 22 inches long! Quite a little
handful! Mother and son are doing well.
Brother Jeffrey has been an ideal older sibling
and everyone is adjusting well to Max’s arrival
at the Fox family homestead. Stephanie will be
out on maternity leave until mid-June and
although she is thoroughly enjoying the exclusive family time, she looks forward to returning
to her Naturalist duties here at the D & R. We
miss her and look forward to having her back.
Congratulations from all of us!
Prallsville Mill Lunch Series
The Delaware River Mill Society’s
Brown Bag Lunch Series
at the Prallsville Mill
is held in Stockton every
2 nd and 4th Wednesday monthly from
12:00 Noon to 1:00 pm.
On the 2nd Wednesday of every month you are welcome to come share the lunch hour and learn of local
topics by local speakers or find out about projects and
activities by area residents. The Brown Bag Lunch
Series is free for members and open to the public for
a $3.00 donation each Wednesday. (Join the Mill
Society for $25.00 as an individual or $35.00 for a
family.) This new speakers series is just one benefit
of becoming a Mill member. Bring your packed
lunch, meet your neighbors and join the fun! Contact
the Delaware River Mill Society for program and/or
membership information at (609) 397-3586 or
[email protected].
Every 4th Wednesday of the month the Brown Bag
Lunch Program always concentrates on the history of
the Prallsville Mills site. The format is the same as the
2nd Wednesday program - free to Mill members and
open to the public, bring your packed lunch and learn
Mill history.
New Executive Director Assumes Duties
Bulls Island Campground Progress Report
As January 2005 drew to a close, the D & R Canal
Commission’s James Amon prepared to hand-off the
executive director torch to his chosen successor.
After an exhaustive and through search and interview process, Mr. Ernest Hahn was selected to
assume the post - this he did at the start of February
2005. By all accounts his selection as the new executive director promises to be fortuitous for the
future of the canal park. The new director brings
years of experienced, high-level public service and
an outstanding environmental record to the position. Most recently he served as the Assistant
Commissioner for Land Use where he developed,
oversaw and carried-out several landmark natural
resource protections for the state including the
much anticipated Highlands legislation. Mr. Hahn
has an intimate knowledge of the state’s environmental resources and the issues impacting them
having begun his long public career with the
Division of Fish and Wildlife. And, for a time, he also
worked at DOT, a connection that will no doubt
come in handy when reviewing the many proposed
road and bridge projects that can (and do) effect
park property. We welcome Mr. Hahn to the D & R
Canal family and look forward to working with him
on the many upcoming park projects. We wish him
a successful and fulfilling career at the Commission!
Last issue we reported on the devastating flood damage
caused to the Bulls Island campground in September of
2004 by Hurricane Ivan. The devastation caused by the high
water forced the Park to close the popular overnight facility
before the start of the fall camping season. We are now
pleased to inform our readers that due to the hard work and
dedication of our entire maintenance staff, we are tentatively
setting April 1st as the campground’s opening date. The April
1st date is not firm however, as it hinges on the completion
of several projects among which include the re-electrification
and inspection of the pump house and restroom/shower
facilities as well as the repaving of the campground’s roadway and boat launch areas. It is anticipated that these projects will be completed by the April 1st date, however, the
pouring of asphalt and laying-out of the roadway is contingent upon dry weather and scheduling. Despite these outstanding items, our crew is to be applauded for the winter
clean-up work that included preliminary repair work to heating, electric and plumbing systems, as well as the removal of
damaged trees, brush, mud, trash and debris (including a hot
tub that was washed down the river with the flood water).
Although return campers will notice the loss of many trees,
we are hopeful that these will eventually be replaced with
help from the state’s Forestry division. Other improvements
will be on-going as the season progresses such as the
replacement of picnic tables, fire rings and fencing as well as
the resurfacing of the multi-use path along the canal.
Dept. of Environmental Protection
NJ Division of Parks and Forestry
Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park
625 Canal Road
Somerset, New Jersey 08873
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