Westfield Historical Society’s May
Virtual First Wednesday Luncheon Program
“Saving the Great Swamp…the Battle to Defeat the Jetport” with Donald Stahl
As part of The Westfield Historical Society’s First Wednesday Luncheon series for May, Don Stahl will give an historical talk about Saving the Great Swamp, which almost became a jetport, on May 5, 2021 at 12:00 noon. This will be a live and interactive virtual event. Guests will enjoy their own lunch, in place, while watching Don’s live presentation. Instructions and the link to the event will be sent to all paid registered guests. For anyone who may not be familiar with Zoom meetings, the Society is happy to set up a tutorial session on how to participate in a Zoom presentation with the Westfield Historical Society. Just call or email if interested in this tutorial.
As incredible as it might seem, there was a plan in 1959 that would have completely destroyed the rural beauty of North Jersey, and impacted the way-of-life for most of the region, including the Westfield area. The fight began when the powerful Port of New York Authority announced plans to construct a huge 10,000 acre "jetport “in the portion of Harding Township called the Great Swamp. In the name of progress, entire towns would be obliterated, the aquifer and wildlife destroyed, and runways would extend to within seven miles of Westfield! As the promotion for a recent documentary film notes, “The events that followed became one of the most defining environmental confrontations of its time - a grassroots movement that started in a local high school and grew to historic proportions. It was a battle that took almost a decade, a President and an Act of Congress to stop, and ultimately led to the creation of a national treasure - the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.” Our presentation will note the geological, historical and ecological significance “The Swamp” has played. The inspiring story continues to resonate as a model for community action in the face of powerful forces.
Born and raised in New Jersey until college, Donald L. Stahl grew up along the ridge of Long Hill in Gillette- which, as you will hear in his presentation, was planned to become fill for the Great Swamp! Don Stahl brings 35 years of senior leadership, fundraising and consulting experience to a wide diversity of non-profit organizations. He has served over sixty non-profits, ranging from those with modest budgets to some over $1/2 billion. He currently serves as a vice president with The Angeletti Group of New Vernon. He has served on dozens of boards, and currently volunteers with multiple advisory boards, including Star of Hope Ministry in Patterson, New Jersey, Young Life Garden State Region (NJ) and the Operating Council of the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking. Don is a graduate of Wheaton College (IL), Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div) and Boston University (MBA). He lives in Morristown, New Jersey with his wife Liz.
Those wishing to join the virtual luncheon may make a reservation by email to westfieldhistoricalsociety@gmail.com; or, by calling 908-654-1794, before Monday, May 3rd. The presentation fee is $10 (WHS members) or $15 (non-members). The fee 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 at the Registration tab at the top of this page. Payments should be received by May 5th to assure receipt of the emailed link to the event.
