Jim Wright, who maintains this blog for the Meadowlands Commission, also writes a twice-monthly column for the South Bergenite. His latest features the NJMC’s Brian Aberback, who started the commission’s Oral History Project five years ago.
Video interviews with long-time muskrat trappers. The audio recollections of life-long Meadowlands residents. Insights from the people who helped turned the region from wasteland to wonderland.
Five years ago, to mark the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission’s 40th anniversary, we created an oral history project to capture the recollections of people who grew up in the old days of the Meadowlands or who played a pivotal role in the region’s incredible environmental comeback — or both.
This spring on our nature blog, www.meadowblog.net, the NJMC is posting nearly a dozen of those interviews (including the memories of a few folks who have since died) in order to remind residents of this region not only about its checkered bygone days but as a place of wonder and adventure for youngsters growing up in the early to mid-20th century.
Brian Aberback, the NJMC’s public information officer, supervised the project and conducted many of the interviews. He was happy to talk about the project’s contribution to the history of the Meadowlands.
The interview follows. Continue reading →
The Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society have four exciting events in the next two weeks, so get out your calendars and save the dates.