Category: Education, Museums and Libraries

Eliza A. Chase

Oct 7, 2023

in 1820-1849 (Born), Authors, Journalists and Writers, Education, Museums and Libraries

c. 1829-2 Jan 1880 Eliza Chase was the first principal of the Female Department of Newark High School in 1855. The 1938 Barringer yearbook wrote, “an inspiration to all her students when high school and college education for women was in its infancy”. She had poetry and short stories published, including in the Daily Advertiser.…
Rose S. Ray Moryck

Sep 21, 2023

in 1850-1869 (Born), African Americans, Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Education, Museums and Libraries, Phyllis Wheatley Society, Social Work, Civic and Philanthropy

c. 1858 -1942 Rose S. Ray Moryck was the mother of Brenda Moryck. Rose was one of the first colored teachers and principals in NJ, according to her obituary in the New York Age. She hasn’t been found in the Board of Education Reports for Newark, so where Rose taught is a mystery. In Newark,…
Janet Gilchrist Paterson

Jun 13, 2023

in 1870-1889 (Born), Education, Museums and Libraries

*Image is Washington Street School Class for the Blind, undated c. 1871-1964 Janet Paterson helped found the first class for the Blind in Newark with Lydia Young Hayes and was the first teacher of the Blind, at Washington Street School in 1910. The NJ Commission for the Blind calls it the first “integrated class” in…
Mary and Louise Curcio

Jun 13, 2023

in 1890-1909 (Born), Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Education, Museums and Libraries, Entertainers, Theater and Music, People With Disabilities, Social Work, Civic and Philanthropy

c. 1901-1973? , c. 1904-1987 The featured photo (above) is Mary Curcio, Daily News, 1931. Mary and Louise Curcio were two blind sisters born to Eva Bender and Paul Curcio in Newark. They lived on Morris Avenue. Mary entered school for the first time at Washington St. Public School when the first class for the…
Marguerite L. Gates

Mar 15, 2023

in 1870-1889 (Born), Education, Museums and Libraries

1885-1965 Marguerite L Gates was born in Massachusetts, attended Mt. Holyoke College and then came to work at Newark Library in 1907 for John Cotton Dana. She became head of lending and then assistant librarian, the secondary position in the library to Beatrice Winser, from 1930-1942. Marguerite was briefly Acting Librarian after Winser left but…
Bernice Schneiderman Edelcreek

Mar 2, 2023

in 1910-1929 (Born), Athletics, Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Education, Museums and Libraries, Jewish Women

1927-2015 Bernice Edelcreek was a lifelong Newark teacher who said “Newark was the only place I ever really wanted to teach.” Bernice was a physical education teacher and was named Newark’s Teacher of the Year in 1994. She said, “I am particular concerned…with youngsters who are having difficulty accomplishing the skills which are required in…
Evelyn Silverstein Simpson

Mar 1, 2023

in Artists, Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Education, Museums and Libraries, Jewish Women

1931-2021 Newark space planner, interior designer, teacher and potter. Graduate of Weequahic High School and Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art. Lived on Renner Ave during highschool. She tudied ceramics at the Newark Museum, among other places, and studied at Edison State College, Pratt Institute and Parsons with concentrations in architecture, planning, and design.…
Eva Hodgson

Feb 21, 2023

in 1910-1929 (Born), African Americans, Education, Museums and Libraries, Immigrant (born outside the Continental US)

1924-2020 Eva Hodgson was an internationally known Bermudian activist, union leader and author (read more here). However, she had an important Newark connection and was in Newark for a significant time period. In 1969, during the first years of Essex County College Ms. Hodgson was coordinator of Black Studies. Essex County was the first public…