Bette Jane Kowalski

Celebrating and Preserving Union County's History

BY SARA MAGNOLA

2007 was a big year for Union County – it celebrated its 150th anniversary. At the helm of the festivities was Freeholder Chairwoman, Bette Jane Kowalski. A member of the Board of Chosen Freeholders since 2004, it was fitting that Bette Jane held the title of Chairperson, on this particular year. With an educational and professional background, steeped in historical preservation and community involvement, she was a
perfect match.

After growing up in Cranford and graduating with honors from Cranford’s Public High School, she went on to receive an undergraduate degree in History and English from Hunter College in New York City. Her interest in community affairs was borne from her early years working at a local Brooklyn newspaper. From there she went on to earn a Master’s degree in Journalism from New York University and worked in an editorial capacity at the World Press Review, an international affairs magazine, for over a decade.

During that time, she and her husband decided to relocate back to Cranford, where her parents and other relatives still lived. “When you get past your twenties, you start to realize that the place you grew up is a lot better than you remembered it as a little kid.” Once they were settled, Bette Jane began to get involved in the community; helping to found the Lincoln Height’s Association, a neighborhood preservation group in Cranford and serving as a trustee for the Public Library. After becoming active in politics through her involvement with the League of Women Voters and the Cranford Democratic Club, she joined the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 2004. In addition to chairing the 150th Anniversary committee, she also chairs the Union County Democratic Women’s Alliance, and serves on the Fiscal Affairs Committee and the Union County Animal Shelter Committee.

Much of her time and energy over the past year has been dedicated to raising awareness and money to further the cause of historical preservation throughout the county. In addition to celebratory events held throughout the year, including a kick-off party last May at Union County College, the “Four Centuries in a Weekend” activities, and the anniversary’s closing event, which featured guest speaker Karl Niederer, Division Director of New Jersey’s Division of Archives and Records Management, the freeholders recently awarded more than half a million dollars to 15 different historic sites throughout the county, for restoration and preservation efforts.

“Throughout Union County, our historic sites help knit our communities together,” said Bette Jane. “They enrich our lives with new opportunities for recreation, education and creativity, and they strengthen our future.” The money came from the “Preserve Union County” program, which is part of the county’s Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund, and was initiated in 2003 to help provide funding for local projects being run by historical societies, municipalities and other non-profit organizations. Many of the sites where money has been allocated, including the Oswald J. Nitske House in Kenilworth, the First Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth and the Summit Playhouse, were venues for the “Four Centuries in a Weekend,” and received a “wonderful response” according to Bette Jane.

She spoke animatedly about the success of the weekend’s activities which were held at the end of October, noting the significance of the venues, as well. The First Presbyterian church in Elizabeth, for example, was the first English speaking congregation in the area and is where the legendary Reverend James Caldwell and his wife Hannah are buried. At the Cannonball house in Springfield, Revolutionary war re-enactors
stood on the front lawn with giant muskets, attracting passers-by and their families to stop and check out the activities. “The kids are clearly enjoying it and when you get the younger generation involved, it’s so
much better for ensuring the longevity of our project,” she said.

Her enthusiasm and pride in the preservation efforts are evident, as she continues to talk about attending Eagle Scout meetings over the last year. “It’s just so rewarding to find out that dozens of scout projects are about preservation and about our county parks and making public spaces better for Union County visitors.” Taking a cue from the younger generation, the County is also doing their part to entice visitors to our historic communities. Since receiving a state grant, they have been “coordinating more with the town historical societies and volunteer organizations, to create a plan for attracting more tourism to Union County.”

The state’s interest and involvement has also been evident through recent grants that are being utilized to preserve historic photographs and other documents, such as the original minutes from the first meeting of
the Union County Freeholders in 1871.

Although Bette Jane will conclude her term as Chairwoman with the start of the New Year, she will continue with her preservation efforts. Her passion and enjoyment for the area’s history is inspiring, as she even urges me to stop across the street from her office, and check out the legendary headstones at the First Presbyterian Church.