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Annual Heritage Day brings community together

Conversation was the order of the day in Lottsville on Saturday. That included State Sen. Scott Hutchinson talking to constituents.

Much of a community’s story is passed from person to person in the course of casual conversations.

Those conversations were happening Saturday in Lottsville at the 16th annual Lottsville Heritage Day held at the township property. The event was put on by the Lottsville Heritage Committee and included dedication of the Freehold Township Archive Room, food and vendors, carriage rides, antique tractors, an auction and lots of conversation.

Don Martin, co-chair for the event, said that the goal is to “preserve the heritage of our community.”

It provides an opportunity, he said, to expose younger generations to the heritage of their local town.

“We love our community,” co-chair Ruth Ann Devore added.

Bill Nichols shares some of his grandmother’s stories from 1940s Lottsville during the dedication of the Freehold Township Archive Room, part of the 16th annual Lottsville Heritage Day.

Many township residents will get a chance to see the new Archive Room on Election Day — it’s located in the same room as the polling precinct.

There are a host of images and objects on display.

Martin called the effort a “work in process” but said they recently acquired 1916 and 1918 diplomas from the Freehold Township High School, or Lottsville High School depending on who is drafting the diploma.

The dedication drew a couple of notable guests – State Senator Scott Hutchinson and State Representative Kathy Rapp.

Hutchinson said it is “impressive” to see a community the size of Lottsville preserve its history in this way.

Times Observer photos by Josh Cotton Carriage rides were part of Saturday’s festivities in Lottsville as well as food and vendors, a bounce house and an auction.

“We can use these memories to make our lives better,” he said, “It is important for us to think about the past. Continue to do what you’re doing.”

Rapp echoed those sentiments.

“Looking back is extremely important for future generations,” she said.

Bill Nichols said that the history of the community is “hiding in plain sight.”

He shared stories he heard from his grandmother, specifically from the World War II years – letter writing campaigns, shifts manning the local air raid siren, folding bandages and waving flags to passing troop trains.

He fondly remembered that the stories were told with “the same freshness as if it was yesterday.”

Warren County Fair Queen Cassie Dalrymple, a Lottsville native was also on hand for the event. There was a certain pride expressed in the fact that she is the second consecutive Lottsville resident to claim that title.

This year marks the 207th anniversary of Lottsville.

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