JULY -SEPTEMBER 2023
An air of innovation and creativity permeates the tiny hamlet of New Hampton. Once a bustling center of industry, a deep appreciation for the arts has always been an integral part of this community’s spirit. Our celebration of the village’s 25th anniversary of being included on the National Register of Historic Places highlights the previously unheard history, remarkable residents, and amazing artisans of the locale, from both then and now.
See the Original National Register of Historic Places Document submitted in 1998
click on the photo to learn more about the creator
CHUCK SPEIERL
A retired college administrator and history professor, this former Executive Director of the Red Mill is also a musician and artisan. A member of the Ancient Mariners Fife & Drum Corps of Connecticut and Colonial Musketeers Senior Fife & Drum Corps of Hackettstown, Chuck has also dabbled in Shaker crafts creating drying racks and wooden Shaker boxes, the “Shakers’ answer to Tupperware.”
SANDY GASKINS WATTS
Sandy is a fine artist and teacher who paints in many media. She attended the Newark School of Fine & Industrial Arts, London's Herald College of Art and Kean College. Her first teacher was her amazing father, Lee Gaskins Jr.
She put her serious artwork aside while she homeschooled her three sons. She also has worked creating chain maille and fine beaded items. She is a talented drummer who enjoys plein air painting during her many travels.
MARIA SAKOS
Maria was “bitten by the sewing bug” young and always asked Grandma Inez to teach her how to “make something.” Grandma taught her to cross stitch, hand stitch and machine sew. Maria has made clothing (including her own wedding gown) quilts, crewel, needlepoint and embroidery. She still loves to learn new stitches.
Maria and her husband have lived here for 40 years and raised 3 children here. She made the counted cross stitch and the cut work table runner. The printed piece shows what it'd have looked like before stitching and cutting.
JIM CHESTERTON
Jim has been a resident of New Hampton for forty-five years and is one of the original residents instrumental in helping attain the National Register designation in 1998. Jim and his spouse, Lebanon Township Historian Nina Savoia, purchased and began restoring the Dusenbery Mansion House in 1978. Jim is a member of Society of American Period Furniture Makers and has made many 18th century reproductions.
JOAN LUCAS
Joan has lived in New Hampton for fifty-nine years and was a participant in the quest for inclusion of New Hampton on the National Register. She was the museum’s second curator and dedicated over thirty years to the position. She has taught innumerable classes on 18th century arts & crafts and possesses a vast knowledge of local history. Joan handcrafted the hook rug seat cushions and other traditional needlework shown here.
MICHAEL BALDINO
Michael was born and raised in New Hampton. He learned woodworking from his father (and Historian Committee member) Lou in their basement woodshop. Michael creates and sells custom woodworking like the tray and knives seen here.
SCOTT LINZER
A lifelong resident of Hunterdon County, Scott has lived in New Hampton for thirty years. After expressing an interest in beekeeping, he was gifted with supplies for Christmas in 2015. He’s a self-taught beekeeper with four hives and has recently forayed into making beeswax candles and lip balms. Look for his honey for sale outside his home at 48 Musconetcong River Road.
JOHN KOBLEN
After growing up in Union Beach, serving in the military and working as a longshoreman, John feels that his magical circa 1820 home chose him. In New Hampton he’s been able to spread his wings with music, art and nature in a place rich with deep sacred vibration.
In his small office on the waterfront of a Jersey shipping terminal, John is surrounded by a cacophony of sounds. The generator mounted near his booth vibrates his desk, pushing his pen. Looking down one may see a mechanical ballet of timing and through the vibration sometimes images appear.
TOM MCCREARY
Tom was a lifelong resident of Hunterdon County and was a member of the Residents Committee of New Hampton. He was a self-employed cabinet maker, operating McCreary Fine Furnishings in New Hampton in the former American Hotel. He made the wooden plates on display. Unfortunately, Tom passed away unexpectedly in 2013 at the age of 58.