| Rocky Hill residents have always rallied in
support of community needs: for example, designing our own water tower
purification system, upgrading our playgrounds, examining our area
schools, reviewing our traffic calming initiatives, keeping green acres,
establishing a historic district and many others. A newspaper article from
April 1966 entitled "Planning New Use for Old House" describes
how residents worked side by side to start a neighborhood association.
Members of this new association began collecting money in 1965 to
restore the Amy Garrett House and donations from residents and businesses
came in which encouraged further fund - raising activities. Rocky Hill's
population in the 1960 census was 528 people. The 2000 census shows 662
residents. Volunteers worked diligently at the house on weekends 35+ years
ago to fix up a public place for residents to use and to start a
neighborhood association.
This year we are celebrating Rocky Hill's Tri-centennial. This
anniversary invites us to reminisce about the past and to plan for the
future. Again, a group of volunteer residents has stepped up to the plate
to develop new objectives for the Community Group, to examine what kinds
of activities residents want and how the Garrett House can be revived as a
true community center. Two committees are working to encourage and locate
people in town who want to be involved. This will provide guidance for a
new Board of Trustees and officers who will be in place by September.
Two new uses for the Amy Garrett House have already been planned. On
October 6th, Rocky Hill Heritage Day, there will be a reception at our
community center for the opening of an exhibit entitled: 'Rocky Hill: From
the Ground Up.' The Heritage Project was initiated in 1995 to revive the
spirit of the early '80's when the historic district was put on the N.J.
and National Registers of Historic Places in 1982. The exhibit will be
open to the public on weekends until the holidays and residents are
invited to contribute ideas and items for this exhibit. Part of this
exhibit will also be in Borough Hall as a permanent contribution to the
community. The second event planned is a workshop for anyone age 12 and
over called 'Hands on Heritage.' On November 10th, you will have the
opportunity to learn all about how to put together a family memory
album!
Carlos Fuentes wrote: "There are years when nothing happens and
years in which centuries happen." This year is an important time for
Rocky Hill, a time for celebrating 300 years and a time for renewal of our
"community spirit." |