Historic Preservation Grant Pending for James Library Building

Building that now houses Museum of Early Trades and Crafts could be awarded $21,375.

Madison's James Library Building may see $21,375 from the New Jersey Historic Trust if the Legislature ultimately approves recommended Historic Preservation Grants. The Christie administration has included 37 preservation projects that would receive $1,393,084 in matching grant funding, including the James Library Building, which now houses the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts. The recommendations must go before the Garden State Preservation Trust for ratification before heading to the Legislature for approval. "These matching grants go to projects that encourage local investment, create jobs, stimulate economic growth and attract tourism. New Jersey's history is a great asset for attracting residents and businesses to participate in our …

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Museum Savior Remembered Fondly in Madison

W. Stanley Brown, who oversaw a crucial fundraising campaign when borough was considering selling the historic James Library building, died last week at the age of 77.

The historic James Library building on the corner of Main Street and Green Village Road in Madison, which is owned by the borough and houses the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, would not exist in the condition it does today if it was not for the work of W. Stanley Brown. Brown, a Chatham resident, served on the museum’s Board of Trustees from 1986 to 2012 and, as its chairman, oversaw a more than a million-dollar fundraising campaign to restore the historic building in the 1990s. The effort came at a time when borough officials were considering selling it because it was not being adequately maintained. "There was a very high likelihood the town would have sold that building and it would be a real estate office or law firm, out of public …

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Rosewood's Turn in Concert Series

Band comprised of Madison residents unites audiences with 'a powerful spirit of friendship and family fun.'

Rosewood—a band comprised of Madison residents—is scheduled to perform in a free concert Friday in front of the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts as part of the Downtown Concert Series. The concert is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Rosewood's members—Mary McManus (vocals, percussion), John McManus (vocals, guitar), Bill Meyer (bass, piano) and Leo McClusky (vocals, guitar)—bring their love for music to the community with a natural beauty and sincerity, and their songs have musical roots ranging from pop, rock, jazz, classical, blues and spiritual, including many originals, according to an announcement for the event. "Rosewood has a synergy that unites an audience, young and old, with a powerful spirit of friendship and family fun," the museum …

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Local Musicians Rock Downtown

Big Bad Irish headlines METC series' penultimate show.

Local favorites Big Bad Irish were the stars of Friday's penultimate free downtown concert at the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts. Big Bad Irish not only features classic rock and blues, but lead guitarist Scott McMahon actually makes his own guitars. Shawn Murphy, a Madison resident, also plays guitar in the band. Perhaps the biggest crowd of the season enjoyed the cool temperatures and the hot rock and roll sound.  Museum director Vivian C.R. James said that plans are already underway for next year's season on the lawn (or in the museum itself if it rains). The final show of the season is Sept. 30 with classic rockers The Mood Swings and opening act, No Shame.

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De Biasse Named 2011 Craftsman of the Year

Madisonian to be honored by Museum of Early Trades & Crafts.

The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts will honor Madison High School social studies teacher Mark De Biasse as its 2011 Craftsman of the Year. De Biasse will be honored at a benefit event at the Museum June 2 at 6 p.m. Since 2004, De Biasse has been enhancing the education of his students by promoting a community-based approach to the study of state and local history.  "Always using an innovative teaching style, Mark has created projects and programs that have given his students a hands-on experience with local Madison history. He has intertwined a number of the Museum’s exhibits with the Social Studies curriculum at the High School," the Museum stated in a release. In 2005, in preparation for the exhibit, Wintering Over, students wrote en …

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Madison Rocks Out at Downtown Concert

Downtown Concert Series featured classic rock band Bill Jayne and Friends.

Greenday, Van Morrison and The Beatles could be heard from outside the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts at the latest installment of the Downtown Summer Concert Series. Bill Jayne and Friends, a local group of musicians, performed classic rock favorites such as "Brown Eyed Girl" and "I've Just Seen a Face" for a crowd of several hundred Madison residents.  During intermission, Jayne's 13-year-old son, Will, sang vocals with the band Spazz Attack. The band added some contemporary covers to the evening.

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Downtown Madison Swings during Summer Concert Series

The fifth concert in the Downtown Concert Series featured a blues and swing quartet.

The Downtown Concert Series continued Friday evening with a little tribute to the big band swing era. Kati and the Lil' Swing Band performed for a crowd of approximately 350 Madison residents outside the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts with a mix of blues and swing standards. As the band entertained the crowd, concert series sponsors offered a variety of free refreshments and raffle prizes. Provident Bank served up popcorn and Whole Foods offered hotdogs, watermelon and other summer treats. Here is a slide show of Madison residents enjoying an evening of swing downtown.   

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Richard Reiter Swing Band Delights at Concert Series

Another good weather day to relax with some great tunes at second installment in summer series.

The Richard Reiter Swing Band played to a delighted crowd outside of the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts for the second Downtown Concert Series event of the summer. The event is a free and happens every other Friday. Here is a gallery from the event.

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Downtown Concert Series Starts off in Style

Suburban Rhythm Kings had adults and children alike more than tapping their feet.

The streets were filled with children romping about and adults swaying to the rhythm of the Suburban Rhythm Kings during Friday's first installment of the Downtown Concert Series in front of the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts. Check out who we found enjoying themselves.

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The Neighborhood Files

Inside Look at 110 Years of History

The James Library Building, now the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, celebrated a milestone on Sunday.

If you missed it, here is a look at the 110-year anniversary of the James Library Building which is now the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts. This video gives you a look at the history of the building and the celebration from this weekend.

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