As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series for April, Dr. Stanley H. Lipson will talk, virtually, on the subject of "Historical Gems Hidden Among Westfield’s Postcards” on January 6, 2021. Dr. Lipson will share his extensive Westfield, NJ postcard collection giving us a glimpse of Westfield’s past along with postcard lore. This will be a live virtual event. Guests will enjoy their own lunch, in place, while watching Dr. Lipson’s live presentation. There will be Q&A and opportunities to interact. Instructions and the link to the event will be sent to all registered and paid guests.
The beginnings of the “internet” can be traced back well over one-hundred years. Before there were cell phones, desk phones, candlestick phones or even hand-cranked wall phones, there was “social media.” It consisted of postcards. In the era of three mail deliveries per day, it was possible for a postman to knock on a door in the morning and hand the resident a postcard. The latter could glance at it and say “when you come back at noon I’ll have a reply for you.” It would then be picked up for delivery later that afternoon. This talk, illustrated with Westfield area postcards, will examine some of the history that can be discovered not only in the images but also in other facets of postcards.
Dr. Lipson, holds Masters Degrees from Columbia University and Stevens and a Doctoral Degree from Columbia. After teaching high school for three years, Dr. Lipson joined the faculty at what is now Kean University, where he helped design the first Computer Science Major in New Jersey. Among other things, he spent nine years as Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, served on the Faculty Senate, and co-chaired the Presidential Task Force that planned and oversaw the College’s transition to a University. At his retirement in 2015 he was named Professor Emeritus recognizing his fifty-years of contributions to Kean.
Stan and his family moved to Westfield in 1969 and immediately became involved in community activities. He joined the Westfield Jaycees where he became a Trustee and the editor of their newsletter. He was appointed by the School Board as co-chair of the “Technology Committee” charged with recommending how the district should incorporate computers into both the administration and the curriculum. An avid genealogist, he was a charter member of the Genealogical Society of the West Fields and proposed the current title for their newsletter. Previously active with the Boy Scouts for twenty years, he became an Assistant Cubmaster of Pack 79 and then an Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 72, before spending several years as Scoutmaster. He remained active with the troop until 2019.
Those wishing to attend the luncheon may make a reservation by email to westfieldhistoricalsociety@gmail.com; or, by calling 908-654-1794, before Friday, January 1st. Please advise if there are special dietary needs. The virtual presentation fee of $10 (WHS members) or $15 (non-members) should be paid in advance (check payable to Westfield Historical Society) by mailing to Westfield Historical Society, P.O. Box 613, Westfield, NJ 07091; by Venmo to @Westfield-HistoricalSociety; or, online here by clicking on the “Registration” tab at the top of this page. Payments should be received by Friday prior to the luncheon.
The Westfield Historical Society celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018. Since 1968, the 501(c)(3) non-profit Westfield Historical Society has worked to preserve, interpret and encourage interest in history, Westfield, and its residents through educational efforts and community outreach programs.
