Right now, the Stanley Theatre on Kennedy Boulevard in Jersey City serves as a regular meeting place for the Jehovah’s Witnesses. But back in 1934, visiting the theater would have meant taking in the James Cagney flick, “Here Comes The Navy.”
It is possible to make such then-and-now comparisons by checking out the new photo book, “Changing Jersey City – A History in Photographs” (Schiffer Publishing; Oct 2009; $29.99).
“We started out wanting to do a Jersey City past and present book, but it evolved.” – Leon Yost
________
“We started out wanting to do a Jersey City past and present book, but it evolved,” Yost said.
Harris saw the evolution taking place after two years of research and image gathering.
“Once we started writing, it started to morph where Leon concentrated on the historic sites and architecture while I started writing about the people,” Harris said.
The end result is a 144-page book filled with 350 black-and-white and color images (from photos and postcards) labeled with text chronicling various sites and figures over more than a hundred years.
There’s a 1930 photo of the old Pennsylvania Pier F alongside a 2004 image of the Hyatt Hotel at the same waterfront site.
The book is divided into six chapters, with Yost and Harris showing off their respective photographic and research skills.
Teaming up to present history
Both worked independently, looking through their collections of postcards and photographs.
Harris said she “really enjoyed” hunting down information on the people prominent in many of the photos by consulting Social Security and birth records, as well as old newspapers. She also complimented Yost’s photography skills.
For Yost and Harris, the most memorable images were black-and-white negatives taken of the old Jersey City Medical Center in the Jersey City Public Library’s Collection. They had to be processed and developed at a special photo lab in Manhattan.
Yost also looked back at the project happening with some relief.
“It turned out it wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be,” Yost said. “Even though the publisher wanted us to finish in a year, it took us three years to do it. To do that, you have to be interested enough in the subject.”
Harris looked at the experience of putting together the book as just a continuation of the service she has provided over the years as a research librarian.
“I have worked with a lot of authors, and I had an idea that it was not one, two, and three,” Harris said. “I am not surprised it took us three years.”
Public, be aware
Yost and Harris said they are both keeping files of any mistakes or infomation that readers of the new book call to their attention. The public can e-mail Yost at ermaleon@ gmail.com or Harris at cravioloti@aol.com.
Also there will be presentations and book signings at the following locations in coming weeks, where the public can purchase the book:
•The Jersey City Museum, 350 Montgomery St., Saturday, Dec. 5, 12:30–1:30 p.m.
•The Jersey City Main Library, 472 Jersey Ave., Thursday, Dec. 10, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
•Plainfield Public Library, 800 Park Ave., Plainfield, NJ, Saturday, Dec. 12, 1–3 p.m.
Also, book orders can be placed with Yost at (201) 320-1556.
Ricardo Kaulessar can be reached at rkaulessar@hudsonreporter.com.
Post a Comment
