Local East Amwell historian Jim Davidson returns to Hopewell on Wednesday, September 5 at 7pm at the Hopewell Theater to continue his lecture series about events connected with the Lindbergh kidnapping, as part of the Hopewell Public Library’s Wednesday Night Out series.
Davidson, a Lindbergh enthusiast and memorabilia collector is a frequent speaker on everything Lindbergh related, will cover topics such as the first weekend of the trial when 50,000 people descended on Flemington and trashed the courthouse, the movie stars and radio personalities who were there, and Nellie’s Bar at the Union Hotel. Growing up in Flemington, Davidson knew many people associated with the case. Co-author of the book “New Jersey Lindbergh Kidnapping and Trial,” he will attempt to talk not about whether Hauptmann was guilty, but all the fascinating things that occurred in and out of the courtroom over the five months that Hauptmann was in the Flemington jail.
Davidson’s life has been intertwined with that of Charles Lindbergh. Early on, he began collecting Lindbergh memorabilia and now has one of the largest national collections. Trained in history at Muhlenberg College and later Lehigh University for graduate work, he taught history at Hunterdon Central High School in Flemington. But local history has been his main love.
The Hopewell Theater is at 5 South Greenwood Avenue in Hopewell Borough. The Hopewell Public Library’s Wednesday Night Out lecture series is held at 7pm on the first Wednesday of each month. Due to the size limitations of the library building these talks are held at different venues in the Borough. Speakers include local authors, environmentalists, artists, and experts. All library talks are free and open to the public. For more information contact the library at 609-466-1625, Facebook, or the library website at redlibrary.org.
