Did you know Hudson County turned a whopping 175-years-old this year? The Hudson County History Advocates did, so they organized a series of walking tours to celebrate this anniversary. Jersey City was lucky enough to have two tours take place in November. Residents have been taking advantage of multiple neighborhood and landmark tours to learn about Jersey City history and the individuality of their city and county.

On November 1^st about twenty people attended the tour of Jersey City’s historic southeast Greenville neighborhood. Led by local historian and New Jersey City University librarian Patrick Shalhoub, stops included the Greenville Reformed Church, Public School No. 20, Ferris Triangle Park, Saint Paul’s Roman Catholic Church and School, Henry Lembeck Mansion and more.

On November 7^th, Bob Murgittroyd, Board Member of the Hudson County Genealogical and Historical Society, led another large group of Jersey City residents on a tour of Perishing Field. He taught them the history of the Jersey City park’s creation, which took over 40 years! Perishing Field was designed to be a memorial to the men of Jersey City Heights who gave their lives during World War I. Today the park is a great recreational space with tennis, bocce ball, basketball courts, baseball fields, a running track, a swimming pool and even an ice skating rink.  

Proving great minds think alike, another organization, Redstone Townhomes Neighborhood Association (RTNA), hosted a walking tour this month in Jersey City. On November 14^th Patrick Shalhoub again accompanied a group. This time he gave a tour of New Jersey City University and its surrounding neighborhood, allowing residents to learn more about the history of the 25-block area. He informed the curious group of many fun facts. Did you know NJCU’s Hepburn Hall was actually named after the university’s P.E. professor, Clara Hepburn, and not the actress Katherine Hepburn as many have said?

If you would like to become a Jersey City history buff for the day and participate in a self-guided walking tour of Jersey City check out these historical walking tours of Liberty State Park, Exchange Place, Newport, Grove Street, Greenville, Journal Square, Bergen Square or Van Vorst Park Historic District.  

For more information on the history of Jersey City and other Jersey City facts, feel free to browse around our site! We have plenty of information on other local NJ events and happenings in the Jersey City community.