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The change in zoning
requested by the Flemington Fair and Speedway, Inc., is a matter of
concern to the Flemington Raritan community. The President of the
Corporation's Board of Directors has described the Flemington Fair as "one
of the greatest little agriculture fairs in the USA." That location so
long devoted to community use ought not be changed to a commercial use so
easily.
On April 1, 1856, the records show a purchase of 25 acres from Edmund Y.
Hulsizer for $1,500 by the rejuvenated Hunterdon County Agricultural
Society. The Society had originally been organized on April 30, 1840, to
operate a fair and did so October 10 of that year at the site of the Union
Hotel. The Society held a second fair in 1841, awarding premiums for
excellence in grains, potatoes, and beets, in addition to livestock.
After a period of quiescence, by an act of the N.J. Senate and Assembly on
January 1, 1856, the Hunterdon County
Agricultural Society was re-created. The President was Hugh Capner, but
from families like Manners, Kuhl, and Young, which had been associated
with the first Society, came the leadership and dedication to purpose that
created an exhibition space still used by the community.
On September 3, 1862, the Governor of N.J. took possession of the
fairgrounds for the Fair Oaks Campground. Amidst much local fanfare, a
brand new thousand-man infantry regiment of 3-year volunteers mustered
there, and departed by train to the front.
Designated the 15th Volunteer Infantry Regiment, the unit was composed of
the standard ten companies of about a hundred men each. The traditional
place of honor on the right flank of the regimental line was given to
Company A, a group of men raised principally from the Flemington area. A
local merchant, Lambert Boeman, the husband of Henrietta Kuhl, organized
the company.
The "War of the Rebellion" was more than a year old, and it was evident
that defeating the South was going to be much longer and more arduous than
first thought. The "15th New Jersey" would eventually see action in some
of the most terrible battles of the war, suffering more casualties than
any other N.J. regiment.
During the Wilderness Campaign in the spring of 1864, ending in the
fighting at the Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, the regiment
lost three-quarters of its strength. In that battle, called the "Bloody
Angle," Paul Kuhl, the youngest child of Leonard P. Kuhl and Dorothy Ten
Eyck Sutphin, was killed May 12, 1864 at age 21. He had been commissioned
a 2nd Lieutenant at age 19 in the Copper Hill Guards of the Hunterdon
County Militia, and promoted up the enlisted ranks of Company A to 1st
Sergeant.
Compared to all Union regiments, the losses in the 15th New Jersey ranked
11th in total casualties. The fairgrounds did not hold troops after 1863,
although 500-600 men had been able to encamp there at a time.
The fairgrounds never made much money for its shareholders. Weather often
conspired to lessen crowds. By 1886, the acreage had increased to at least
32.5 acres and a 2 rods right-of-way to the Whitehouse Road, but at public
auction on March 12, the fairgrounds were sold to horse dealer Rienzi
Codugan. He paid $5,310. The Society's debt was $5,300.
Exhibitions and the annual gathering of the farming community continued
from 1892-7 at Packers
Island. W. Scott Smith, a horseman, owned the fairgrounds during this
time. By 1897, the fairgrounds were back in traditional use, and the
Pomona Grange, which had voted with the Hunterdon County Agricultural
Society in 1885 to form the Hunterdon Board of Agriculture, took charge in
1900. In the fall of 1909, the Hunterdon
County Democrat editorialized that carnivals seemed to be taking the place
of old county fairs. Sure enough, on June 13, 1910, the Flemington Fair and Carnival Association was
organized to hold fairs, carnivals, amusement enterprises, horse shows,
and exhibitions. Seven directors guided the organization until 1950, when
the number of directors increased to nine, then to fifteen in 1961.
On August 17,
1933, each shareholder of the Flemington Fair and Carnival Association
became a shareholder in the Flemington Agricultural Fair, Inc. Leases for
five years would be signed from the land holding association. Edward B.
Allen, President of the Directors from 1910-1947, who was also an
incorporator along with Chapman Harris, Herbert Van Pelt, George Robinson,
and Paul H. Kuhl, was attributed upon his death on Christmas Day, 1947, as
having accomplished good things for the community.
Lloyd Wescott replaced Major Allen. Paul H. Kuhl replaced Mr. Wescott, and
Paul R. Kuhl became President when his father died in 1966. In general,
the directors kept the fairgrounds financially afloat without personal
gain.
Bert Pedrick had assisted Major E. B. Allen and took over as manager until
1953. William Kinnamon managed the fairgrounds to 1958, and then again
from 1964 to 1970 after Norman L. Marshall's interim management. Blanche
Hoffman, who had been secretary from April 1946, succeeded Mr. "K" as
manager in 1970. Tribute should also be paid to Florence Wells Green, who
was personal secretary for E. B. Allen from 1922 to 1946, as well as
working for George K. Large.
Additional land was acquired from Barton Thatcher in 1928, when the State
of N.J. realigned Highway 31. Thatcher's land gave the fairgrounds road
frontage. In 1955, eleven acres were purchased from Hiram E. Deats. Also,
after the Board of Education consolidation between Flemington and Raritan
Township, the Oak Grove Schoolhouse and lot became part of the
fairgrounds.
Original capitalization was $10,000 divided into 400 shares, with the
formation of the Flemington Fair and Carnival Association, $25,000 was
raised with 500 shares at $50 per share. In 1925, a change to $50,000
value with 1,000 shares was made. The authorization was increased to
$100,000 in 1927. By 1953, there were 1073 outstanding shares of stock and
for each of these, three additional shares were issued.
Debt had reached $25,000 in 1953. By 1955, indebtedness was up to $40,000,
and at $152,000 by 1967. The State of N. J. recognized the plight of the
county fairs (there were 19 in 1951) and the benefits that were rendered
so some financial support was forthcoming. The Flemington Fair received
something over 10% of the total state appropriation, given before the
state income tax was enacted.
On June 1993, the name of the Flemington Fair and Carnival Association was
changed by a Certificate of Amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation,
to the Flemington Fair and Speedway Corporation. At the time, 6000 shares
were entitled to vote. Four thousand nine hundred and fifty-two voted for
the amendment with none against. The certificate was filed June 21st, with
the Secretary of State.
On June 14, 1994, the Flemington Fair and Speedway Corp. borrowed $763,000
from its president, Paul R. Kuhl, Sr. Monthly payments of interest were
requested; the note was on demand. Additional monies, $308,630.78 were
loaned by the mortgagee, Mr. Kuhl, to the corporation on November 30, 1999, for a total indebtedness of $1,071,630.78.
The history of craft work at the Flemington Fair dates from 1886, or
perhaps earlier. The categories at that time were zephyr work on crewel,
silk and cotton embroidery, crochet in cotton or zephyr (a soft yarn),
fancy knitting, applique work in cloth, silk, and cretonne, tidies in net,
canvas, or lace, wax work, stuffed birds, and painting on silk, velvet,
tile, or pottery.
Genevra Mahoney oversaw the fancy work exhibition in 1923, and continued
through the years. Embroidery in white and color, knitting, crocheting
with cotton or wool, applique, quilts, rag rugs, dressmaking, and tatting
were offered for participation and competition.
Under the guidance of the Hunterdon County
Extension Agent, Edwin Gauntt, quality and uniformity of the exhibits were
stressed. He served from 1927-1934 and countered the previous emphasis on
variety and size.
Excellence in crafts still draw crowds to the fairgrounds. Twice a year
crafts are offered for sale. Placing the Golden Talents Shop there with
adjacent studio space seems an appropriate use for the property, too.
The guilds which organize and promote the interests and talents of
craftsmen in the county could headquarter at the fairgrounds. One of the
guilds might direct wood carvers to the task of creating a permanent
carousel to be located at the Flemington Fair.
Children have been encouraged to attend the fair throughout the years with
free days, Pony Day, and since 1940, a free bike or "big wheels" given to
a child on Tuesday and Friday per drawing. A technical facility devoted to
their use with adult supervision might continue the attraction the
fairgrounds holds for children. Opportunities to learn crafts would be
available.
The automobile has been associated with the Flemington Fair since 1915,
but the first motorcycle race was held there in 1910. The Racing Hall of
Fame located on the grounds pays tribute to the champions through the
years. As a bus stop, too, commuters could use the facility for parking.
The vehicles owned by Educational Services Commission could also be parked
and maintained there.
Since inception the fairgrounds have adapted to change, and that is the
biggest challenge to confront today. To give up a space that has been
devoted to exhibitions, festivals, performances, a forum where ideas can
be communicated to residents and visitors, a community gathering place,
seems unfortunate. Adaptation is possible at this site so long associated
with Flemington, without sacrificing to commercial use. The fairgrounds
can become studio space, rehearsal sites, and performance venue for the
many non-profit groups focused on art, music, dance, and theater within
the county and the Skylands region. |
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