I attended Tunes from the Crypt on Friday, October 28ty.  What a great evening.  The church was full with no standing room.  Joanne Owen's performance was out of this world.

Star Hall Corner

I love Salem County! When I was in high school I wanted to grow up and live anywhere but Salem County, however, something strange happened as I grew older and visited more places my love for Salem grew. I can’t imagine wanting to live anywhere else. Maybe it is something in my DNA? I am the thirteenth generation of my family to live in Salem County; my roots run deep. Or maybe, just maybe I live here because I stepped on a star, literally.

Star Hall Corner has always symbolized the passion and significance that a place can hold for people. As legend has it, Starr Hall used to be quite a social club when my great-grandparents and their friends were younger. Star Hall was located on the second and/or third floor of the building which was a prime location to see what was going on downtown on Broadway and Market Street. It was also a prime location to see and be seen. There were great dances and gatherings that took place at Star Hall and I am guessing a great many love stories began through gatherings at this legendary location.

As time marches on, and facades began to fade, the building which Star Hall lived was set to be demolished and a new state of the art banking facility was slated to occupy the prime location in the center of town. The townspeople who loved Star Hall were angry that their beloved social club was going to be demolished for the sake of progress and, in an effort to appease the masses, City Council and the bank developer agreed to take the star from the social clubs sign and create a memorial, thus the creation of Star Hall Corner which you can visit today. The simple metal star rests in a concrete square, a grave marker of sorts, located at the corner of Route 45 and Route 49 in downtown Salem City. As a small child walking downtown with my grandparents, I was always warned to be careful where I stepped, everyone knew if you stepped on the star you would always return to Salem.

I can’t really recall when I first heard about Star Hall Corner, much like I can’t remember the first time I heard the fairytale Cinderella, I just know the legend and I step on the star every time!

Place vs. Destination

Historic landmarks and attractions are what draw visitors to a specific location, but I have found that it is the people that I encounter during my adventures that really allow me to connect to a destination.

The Salem County Historical Society House and Garden Tour is an ideal way to spend a spring day and learn about the rich history of Salem County from homeowners who have painstakingly researched the story of their homes to share with you. Yes, you will learn about the amazing architectural design of these early American homes filled with antiques and local artifacts. Yes, you will wander through beautiful gardens filled with blooming flowers and vegetables. However, it is the unexpected, personal stories that each home offers that make this tour truly exceptional. You will not only learn about the people who are the current caretakers of these homes, but you will also learn about the people who once built, lived and died in these homes. You will learn about the people who made (and continue to make) Salem County, and really our nation, what it is today.

Come and explore what Salem County has to offer… you won’t be disappointed!