There’s nothing sweeter than the Hoboken Historical Museum, at least now. David Webster is the curator of “The Sweet History of Hoboken,” a new exhibit at the Hoboken Historical Museum that guides visitors through mid-1900s Hoboken, back when the waterfront city was seemingly the candy capital of New Jersey.
From authentic artifacts in the former Tootsie Roll factory at 1515 Willow Ave., to a seat in a booth from Schnackenburg’s Luncheonette, a modern day historical Hoboken site on upper Washington Street, visitors of the exhibit are treated to a time when candy factories sat in the place of condo developments. The focus of the exhibit is 1938-1965, but modern technology guides visitors through the museum.
“Most small museums try to keep the same display, but we want people to keep coming back.” – Bob Foster
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A year in the making
The ideas for the museum’s exhibits aren’t simply sprung by one person, and then showcased to the public, according to Foster. An exhibit committee puts forth ideas, and then the planning begins. Foster says the “sweets” exhibit idea formed about a year ago.
The funding for exhibits comes from many outlets, but a major sponsor for the current exhibit is a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission. In order to obtain the artifacts on display, such as the blueprints from the old Tootsie Roll factory, off-color advertisements from the RB Davis, and sample cans from the My-T-Fine pudding company, the museum gets creative.
“We go to eBay, collectors, and we rely on donations,” Foster said.
In addition to actual artifacts, videos on display for guests summarize how old-time sweets products were produced, advertised, and sold.
Baker’s Coconut factory, which existed in the place of current condo developments uptown, started shredding coconut for baked goods. The museum features advertisements from the 1950s from the once-Hoboken based company. Nearby, the history of Log Cabin Syrup in Hoboken is told in pictures and also through a guide-by-cell program.
It’s not only the history of old factories on display. The exhibit also features a 10-minute film, made in 1989, by Nicole Lucas Haimes about Schnackenburg’s Luncheonette. Former Mayor Tom Vezzetti makes an appearance in the film. Vezzetti died in office in 1988, and the film was released following his death.
The exhibit also features a fast-forward to the present. Episodes of Cake Boss play near a detailed history of what is now Carlo’s Bakery. The site, though not always owned by the Valastro family, has been a bakery for over 100 years.
Oreo’s and ice cream
Other tidbits along the walk include the history of the Oreo in Hoboken.
“A lot of people think the first Oreo was made in Hoboken,” Foster said. “But the truth is, the first Oreo was purchased in Hoboken. And Nabisco has the receipt from that.”
Hoboken is also believed to be the first place an ice cream cone was made. But Foster says many sites claim to be the home of the first ice cream cone.
“So we just say it’s one of the first places the ice cream cone was made,” he said.
The history of Yum Yums is also an interesting one, as the snack was popular in Hoboken in the 1950s. However, the company disbanded after the city took over the property and built a new project: Church Towers.
25 years in business
The main exhibit of the Hoboken Historical Museum changes every few months to keep visitors flowing in.
“Most small museums try to keep the same display,” President Bob Foster said. “But we want people to keep coming back.”
The upstairs portion of the museum features art by Sterne Slaven, who presents different aspects of Hoboken in photomontages.
The exhibit, called “Deconstructing Hoboken”, shows life in Hoboken from all angles.
This year, the museum is celebrating its 25th Anniversary, and it’s 10th Anniversary in its current space.
“We used to do this in City Hall,” Foster said.
Now, the museum is in the 10th year of a 100-year lease at 1301 Hudson St. The rent is $1 per year, and it was paid up front. Foster said the great deal comes from Applied Housing, who also is a prominent sponsor of the museum.
Foster says approximately 80 guests will come in and out of the museum on an average Sunday. Admission is a $2 donation that helps keep the museum operating. T-shirts and hats, as well as Hoboken historical books, are available at a small gift shop.
Ray Smith may be reached at RSmith@hudsonreporter.com