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Hoboken Historical Museum opens I Belong. A History of Civic and Social Clubs in Hoboken

Hoboken Historical Museum presents I Belong. A History of Civic and Social Clubs in Hoboken, an exhibition on view July 29 – December 23, 2012.

Hoboken has always been a haven for newcomers. So perhaps it’s not surprising that from as early as the 1700s, social clubs have sprung up as a way for people to connect with others around shared interests. From purely social groups like the Turtle Club—an eating and drinking society—to organizations devoted to civic and social philanthropy, along with special-interest clubs for theater, debate and sports, Hoboken has spawned a colorful array of clubs that reflect its citizens’ diverse interests and backgrounds.

I Belong: A History of Civic and Social Clubs in Hoboken traces a colorful history of a wide variety of organizations that have forged bonds among Hoboken’s residents over the years. Exhibit curators Bob Foster, Dr. Christina Ziegler-McPherson, and Eileen Lynch have unearthed more than 250 clubs, and tell their stories through displays of photographs, uniforms, medals, event programs, trophies and other artifacts from the Museum collections and other sources. A photograph of one of the clubs will be blown up to life-size, so visitors can photograph themselves as a member of the club.

The exhibit is made possible through funding from the New Jersey Historical Commission, Applied Companies, Bijou Properties, Provident Bank, United Way of Hudson County, and John Wiley & Sons. – www.hobokenmuseum.org

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