Announcing the First Annual "Images of Historic Montgomery Township" Photo Contest

By Candy Willis | Posted August 7, 2024

The history of Montgomery is hiding in plain sight all over town! Everywhere you look, you see a visual reminder of what was here 50, 100, even 200 years ago. 

It may be as simple as rocks, once part of a mill, that have tumbled into the Millstone River, to a dwelling house still standing after a few centuries, to macadam from an abandoned roadway, to an Osage orange hedgerow planted to delineate property boundaries. Or, an old fire hydrant.

A FIRE HYDRANT in Skillman Park from 1968. Photo by Barbara A. Preston.

Even in housing developments and store complexes where the earth has been plowed and moved six ways to Sunday, the astute observer might discern a right of way from a long-abandoned railroad track, or an old barn that has been converted into a residence, or a small old stone foundation in the backyard.

Van Harlingen Historical Society and The Montgomery News want you, the residents, to take photos of historic sights around town.

The photos will be displayed publicly (place TBD) during the first two weeks of September and professional photographers will select the winners.

SCASSERA FARM HOUSE circa 1860 at 25 Washington Street in Rocky Hill. Photo by Barbara A. Preston.

The top three winners will receive a cash prize. Top 12 winners will receive a local history book and the opportunity to have their photo included in a 2025 calendar.

The history of Montgomery is hiding in plain sight.

The Rules

• There is a limit of two photos per person. 

• Please email entries to president@vanharlingen.org.

• Entries due August 26. 

• The contest is open to amateur photographers of all ages. 

• Include with entry: 

  • Photographer’s name 

  • Where the photo was taken (Montgomery/ Rocky Hill) 

  • What historic sight it is 

  • When the photo was taken (must be within last three months). 

Please email questions to library@vanharlingen.org. ■

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