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The New Jersey Radio Museum started as the brainchild of Dover Area Historical Society Trustee, George Laurie. His idea was to shave a section of a future museum showing Dover history and devote it to WRAN 1510 Dover, which went dark in November 1988. On a message board, George posted a question, asking if anyone knew anyone from WRAN. Lew White, air personality of WRNJ in Hackettstown (now on WRAN's old frequency of 1510) answered that he knew Carl Van Orden, a former WRAN'er and a WRAN historian. George and Carl talked, and in forming a partnership, they made plans to get together and share WRAN information. Soon, it was decided to include the other two Dover area radio stations, WDHA-FM of Dover, and WMTR of Morristown. Word was passed on the Internet about the project, and Carl invited some of his fellow WRAN friends to help with the project. Then the decision to include all Northern New Jersey radio stations was made. |
 Home of NJRM |
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The Dover Area Historical Society had finally secured space within the Boro Plaza in Rockaway, and space was given to the NNJRM for its presentation of radio memorabilia. Bi-weekly meetings of the new NNJRM committee, made up of former and present NJ radio employees were held, with decisions made on every conceivable idea to make the museum an important part in radio history. One important project the museum is continuing to work on is a massive reunion for all current and former employees of NJ radio. Another is to produce a CD of radio jingles and airchecks, sold to help produce funds for the museum. Yet another aspect of the museum, unique and proper, is the addition of a broadcast station, complete with 70's-era radio studio equipment. The museum has two websites, and is linked to others related to radio within the state. In the summer of 2002, DAHS and NNJRM lost it's space within Boro Plaza in Rockaway, and the museum progress was put on hold as a new home was secured. In October of 2002, the Dover Presbyterian Church, on Blackwell Street in Dover, decided to lease to the museum its Condit House right next door. It is a 4 story historical house, with 12 large rooms. |
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During the summer, it was decided to include all of NJ radio, including college stations, into the museum. Fall brought a new VP of South Jersey Operations, Dick Taylor (formerly of WOND in Atlantic City, now GM of "Smooth Jazz 104.9" in Egg Harbor City). In February 2003, "Pirate" Jim George (webmaster of Pirate Jim's Radio Site) secured the position of Central NJ Relations for the museum. Getting together 1000's of people who worked or currently work in NJ radio and all the memories and memorabilia is a daunting task...but it is ours, and we hope that with your help, the New Jersey Radio Museum will be the most complete of its rare kind anywhere. Sincerely, Carl M. Van Orden NJRM Project Manager . |
 Be sure and come up for a visit soon! |
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