Author Archives: Wes Hughes

Intro

Budd I

Budd 2

Salem County (New Jersey) College Glass Education Center and the Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc.

The manufacturing of glass is an important part of Batsto’s history.

When it was clear the production of Bog Iron would no longer be sustainable, the Richards family turned to glass as a way to keep their family business alive.

The blowing of glass, using the cylinder method to produce window glass and “ Batsto Lights” (small panes used in the construction of gas street lights used in several large east coast cities) began in the late 1840’s.  It did keep Batsto going for several years but ultimately could not save the Richards family empire from falling into receivership.

An interesting piece of history related to the Glass Works at Batsto involves Joseph Fralinger.  Amongst Fralinger’s accomplishments later in life was the creation of Fralingers Salt Water Taffy. The gooey, sweet treat enjoyed by visitors to the south Jersey shore…even to this day.

Joseph Fralinger was born at Batsto and as a young boy was employed as a laborer at the Glass Works.

Many years later, descendants of Joseph donated funds to the Batsto Citizens Committee in his honor as a way of recognizing his time at Batsto and the importance of glass at the site.

In 2007, the Committee endowed an annual scholarship to a student at the Salem County (New Jersey) College Samuel & Jean Jones Glass Education Center as a way to honor Fralinger’s time at Batsto.

Tucked away in the lower South East corner of the state, the Salem County College Glass Education program is world renowned for the work it does educating students in the art and science of producing glass products.

An award ceremony is held annually to recognize the recipient of this award; the Stella Grote Scholarship award, along with students involved in other programs at the college.

There was no ceremony in 2020 due to the pandemic.

In lieu of the ceremony, the Batsto Citizens Committee arranged to meet ..via Zoom… the 2020 recipient Robin DeGroof of Arizona.  We wanted an opportunity to congratulate Robin and learn a little about him.

At the end of February 2021, two members the Batsto Citizen Committee met with Robin and Kristin Deady; the glass program administrator at the college.

We have included a link to this interview along with links to the Colleges Glass program website and a virtual tour of the glass program facility.

The Batsto Citizens Committee couldn’t be prouder to partner with Salem County College in this important work.

Enjoy!

Ps…as technology goes, there are some times glitches. The video interview with Robin does some strange things near the beginning, but corrects itself after a short period. This is raw / unedited video and you see it as it was recorded. Robin is in the lower right box on the screen and Kristen appears in the upper right box.

Link to the Salem County College Glass Center Website

Virtual tour of the Salem County College Glass Center

Get through a rainy day thinking about the fun you will

have at Batsto Village on a

beautiful spring day just like this one!

Thank you Craig Castelein for sharing.

Fred and Vivian Wagner of Toronto Ontario Canada visited Atlantic City in late August of 1966 while on their honeymoon.

The newlyweds thought a trip to Batsto Village was in order since it was close to Atlantic city and Fred had a connection to the area. The maternal side of Fred’s family can be traced to the Hackensack, NJ area in the 1600’s; when it was still called New Barbados. Fred’s father was from Philadelphia, Pa.

While at Batsto, Fred and Vivian used their Kodak Super 8 movie camera ( no audio capability on those devices back then )  to take film of their ride on the Batsto stage coach.

Fred and Viv were kind enough to not only share this piece of footage with us, but have allowed us to share it with you all.

Thank you Fred and Viv!

This is a rare glimpse into Batsto when it had been in operation for only two years.

Enjoy!

Fred & Viv in 2021 ...a beautiful couple for 55 years...with great memories of Batsto Village!

Not Fred & Viv....but a 2021 view

This terrific picture was taken by a visitor to Batsto....Audrey Geddes Geraci.

Thank you for letting us share.

This picture of the Nature Center at Batsto adorned the cover of the New Jersey Pinelands Commission

January 2021 Monthly Management Report.

They made a great choice!

Even though things are on hold for the time being, the Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc. ( BCCI )  always has a need for new members who have an interest in volunteering at Batsto Village & Atsion.

There are many opportunities to help out. It could be interpreting the mansion or post office for visitors, assisting with special events BCCI holds at the sites or helping at the nature center. There are many ways to help. Some are behind the scenes, helping us with things necessary to keep our organization running. You don't have to be an expert in any of these things, just a strong desire to help tell the Batsto story and improve the experience for visitors to the site.

If you have an interest...or even think you might have an interest...please email us through the "Contact" link on this site. We will get back to you to explore how you might be able to help and your level of interest.

The Batsto Citizens Committee ( BCCI ) is one of the sponsors of the

February 10, 2021 virtual tour of Mount Vernon.

BCCI is proud to help bring this free presentation to the public.

The home of George Washington contains two articles

produced at Batsto!

You must register on - line through Eventbright to view the presentation.

The registration link is below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-vip-tour-of-george-washingtons-mount-vernon-featuring-new-jersey-h-tickets-135998121041

The Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc. ( BCCI ) will host a live presentation on our Facebook page from the famous Batsto Post Office on Sunday January 17th beginning at 1PM. The Batsto Post Office is unique in that it is....well...join us Sunday to find out!

Since the Batsto Mansion has been closed for several months due to the pandemic, we thought we would give you a chance to see it in a different way.

This Sunday December 6^th, long time Batsto Citizens Committee, Inc. (BCCI) member and docent Janice Dispoto will host a tour of the first floor of the mansion beginning at 11:30AM.

You can view this tour live on our ( Batsto Citizens Committee / Historic Batsto Village ) Facebook page and the tour will last about 45 minutes. It is best if you are already “following” us or “like” us.

This is the first time we have ever attempted a tour of the mansion in this manner. We are working through some technical obstacles but should be set for Sunday morning.

The mansion will not be decorated for the holiday as it has been in the past, but if you have not been in the mansion before here is your chance to see a big piece of it.

When the pandemic has passed, you’ll want to come visit in person!

Come join us.