Peramus Fritz Behnke Historical Museum
330 Paramus Road Paramus NJ 07652 201-445-1804
The Paramus Fritz Behnke Historical Museum is named after Fritz Behnke, who was actually born in Paramus in 1919. His family has lived in Paramus since 1886, and Fritz grew up on his father's vegetable farm until it was sold in 1951. At that time, Fritz and his two brothers Walter & Donald started “Behnke's Paramus Building Supply” on Route 17 & Century Road.
For many years, Fritz enjoyed being the official Historian of Paramus, and was the driving force behind the creation of the museum. His goal was to preserve the memories of the past by showing people the way life was lived many years ago. Although Fritz passed away in April 2012 at the age of 93, his memory and passion for this museum lives on. Today, Fritz's son Fred, along with many other dedicated volunteers, proudly gives tours and shares their personal experiences about the way things used to be.
Visiting The Fritz Behnke Historical Museum is like taking a walk through yesteryear... As you reminisce with us, we hope you will get a glimpse of how life was lived many years ago!
Imagine for a moment a farm community nestled in the heart of Bergen County. Picture a peaceful community comprised of black dirt (muck) and upland farms with acres of celery, corn, tomatoes, spinach, eggplant, and peppers as far as the eye can see. There are greenhouses and barns, trucks and tractors dotting the landscape along with chicken farms and dairy farms… This is Paramus 90 years ago!
As you walk through the first floor of the museum, check out the furnishings of the farmhouse, including the utensils used for cooking and cleaning, washing, ironing, and sewing, which were all part of a housewife's daily chores. One of the first electric washing machines is on display, a duplicate of which is currently in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC. Other items on display include an old ice box (refrigerator), a wood-burning stove, and an early gas stove. Take notice of the many toys that the children played with, such as dollhouses, scooters, toy tractors and board games. Farmers worked from dawn to dusk 6 days a week, but on Sunday they rested, attended church, and would visit with friends and family in the “Parlor”. The radio on display was the only real contact with the outside world. And, the only entertainment of that time was sitting around listening to records on the RCA Victor-Victrola, also on display in the museum. Life was so simple back then!
There is also a replica of an old school room, an exhibit of Police Department and Fire Department memorabilia, and a very interesting exhibit displaying the history of the Bergen Pines County Hospital. There are many photographs of “old” Paramus including the amusement park and bathing beaches, former businesses and restaurants, historic homes and the many “mom & pop” gas stations and businesses that were scattered throughout the town. On the lower level are displays of woodworking and blacksmith equipment, along with an extensive array of farm implements. The farm display depicts the two distinct types of farming in Paramus; the west side of town which had muck soil that was perfect for growing celery, and the east side of town had rich brown soil where vegetable farms thrived. Observe the hand and horse drawn equipment used to cultivate the soil, which was later replaced by tractors. One of the items on display is a shovel hand-carved from one piece of wood! Also worth seeing is an original Eggomatic machine that was used for candling and sorting eggs, which still works today.
At the end of the tour, sit and relax while watching a very interesting 8 minute video presentation which elaborates on the history of Paramus.
As you walk through the Museum, reflect on the way things used to be, and marvel at how far we have progressed! We hope you catch a glimpse of life as it was in yesteryear, and trace the many adjustments rural America had to make to keep up with the growth of the time. Visit “The Paramus Fritz Behnke Historical Museum” for a wonderful tour of yesterday.
Bergen County Zoological Park
216 Forest Avenue
Paramus, NJ 07652
Ph: 201-262-3771
Fx: 201-986-1788
Hours
Monday - Sunday
10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Admission
The Zoo is currently free of admission for the fall/winter season. Admission to the zoo will resume on May 01, 2016 . Hours of operation are from 10:00 am until 4:30 pm.
Last admission to the zoo is at 4:00 pm - those within the zoo can remain until 4:30 pm
Amphitheater:
In July and August, live animal shows are held daily in our outdoor amphitheater, which is located behind the Tamarin Exhibit.
Shows are free with zoo admission, and seating is first-come, first-served. Daily shows with time frames can be seen as you enter the zoo.
Train / Carousel:
For the week of May 08th the schedule for the train and carousel will be as follows:
Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10am - 4:45pm (weather permitted)
Tickets are $1.50 person.
Pony Rides:
The Pony Ride concession operates from April through October. Currently, the vendor is Ironside Farms, they can be reached at 201-835-0932.
Helpful Links
The New Jersey Naval Museum
78 River Street, Hackensack, New Jersey
Hours
Open to general public:
Saturday and Sunday
10:00AM to 4:00PM
* Special Group & weekday tours are also available by appointment year round. Please call us 201-342-3268 for details.
Last tour is 2 pm.
Exhibits
USS Ling WWII Submarine, and much more!
Click for more information.
Tours
Guided tours of the LING:
$12.00 for adults
$6.00 for children under 12
$7.00 for seniors
Prices, times & dates are subject to change without prior notification.
Admission to the museum building and grounds are free.
Groups
Bring your scouts, school group or organization to the New Jersey Naval Museum. We can make special arrangements to accommodate any size group Open selected weekdays for Group Tours, call 201-342-3268 for schedule. Closed Major Holidays. Click for details
Birthday Parties
Want something unique for your child's next birthday party? Throw a USS LING BIRTHDAY PARTY Children love the Submarine!
"Be Captain For The Day"
Weekends only, click for more information.
Evening Event
We now are offering an "Evening Event" on the Ling in which we do all the things that are done on the "Overnight Sleep over Program" except the sleep over.
Corporate Events
Sponsor an event at our museum. Have your meeting on the submarine make it a unique experience your guests won't forget.
Call for details 201-342-3268.
Meadowlands Attractions
New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority
NewJersey Sports & Exposition Authority serves as the zoning and planning agency for a 30.4-square-mile area along the Hackensack River covering parts of 14 municipalities in Bergen and Hudson Counties in New Jersey. The Bergen County municipalities include: Carlstadt; East Rutherford; Little Ferry; Lyndhurst; Moonachie; North Arlington; Ridgefield; Rutherford; South Hackensack; and Teterboro.
Meadowlands Racetrack
50 State Route 120East Rutherford, NJ
www.meadowlandsracetrack.com
201.THE.BIGM
Known as “The Big M,” Meadowlands hosts thoroughbred racing in the fall and harness racing the rest of the year. Located in East Rutherford's Meadowlands Sports Complex.
MetLife Stadium
One MetLife Stadium Drive (102 State Route 120)
East Rutherford, NJ
www.metlifestadium.com
201.559.1562
MetLife Stadium is the only stadium in the NFL that house two NFL teams, the 2012 Super Bowl Champions the New York Giants and the New York Jets. On May 25th, 2012 the NFL announced New York/New Jersey as the host of Super Bowl XLVIII in MetLife Stadium for the first cold-weather, outdoor Super Bowl. In addition, MetLife Stadium anticipated events include international soccer, major concerts, top 25 college football games and many other unique events.
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
149 Polito DriveLyndhurst, NJ 07071
www.medievaltimes.com
201.933.2220
Medieval Times unique combination of medieval banquet and thrilling competition between Knights captures the imaginations of all ages.
Division of Cultural & Historic Affairs
One Bergen County Plaza
Fourth Floor
Hackensack, NJ 07601-7076
Ph: 201-336-7274
Fx: 201-336-7262
Arts Line
Ph: 201-336-7292
History Section
Ph: 201-336-7267
Preservation Section
Ph: 201-336-7294
The Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs (DCHA) serves Bergen County as one of New Jersey's 20 county cultural agencies by supporting the arts, history, and historic preservation. Playing a leading role in helping build a flourishing cultural environment that benefits and distinguishes Bergen County as a New Jersey cultural destination, the DCHA offers programs, services, and resources in all three areas.
Arts
The arts staff offers a variety of programs that center around an arts in education core but that include events that serve the wide community, including a county cultural events calendar, grant funding for local nonprofit arts organizations and others that present arts programs, the largest arts education festival for teenagers in New Jersey, arts education opportunities for schools and artists (see recent scholarship offer by Skyline Theatre Company ), visual art exhibits, a major regional art show for artists at all levels, a poetry recitation festival, a concert band invitational for high schools, technical assistance workshops, and arts organization resource directories.
History
The DCHA encourages public participation in Bergen County heritage through the celebration of historic events associated with the nine County-owned historic sites and history, having as a prime objective to promote heritage tourism and present educational programs at these sites. The DCHA is charged with the ongoing endeavor of preserving and maintaining the County-owned sites, a mission that is carried out by the DCHA staff with the advice of the Bergen County Historic Preservation Advisory Board.
Cultural Events Calendar
Send information on upcoming events to Greg Lucente (arts events) at glucente@co.bergen.nj.us and Janet Strom (history events) at jstrom@co.bergen.nj.us . The County cultural calendar only lists events within Bergen County and through or for nonprofit organizations/events. The Division of Cultural & Historic Affairs may make a determination as to the nonprofit status and location of what is being listed.
Research
Serving as a resource center for county historical and preservation research, the DCHA staff and consultants provide historical information to the public, update the County Historic Sites Survey for 70 towns, provide history and preservation grant funding and technical assistance for county societies, organizations and towns, and curate the Bergen County Archives. The Historic Preservation Awards are an annual highlight, providing commendations for historic preservation projects, leadership, and education.
Art in the Park Show & Concert Art in the Park Show & Concert
Arts Sites & Museums Arts Sites & Museums
Arts in Education Opportunities Arts in Education Opportunities
Bergen County Arts Grant Program Bergen County Arts Grant Program
Discover Jersey Arts Discover Jersey Arts
High School Band Invitational High School Band Invitational
Poetry Out Loud Poetry Out Loud
Mahwah Library Writers Collective Mahwah Library Writers Collective
Teen Arts Program Teen Arts Program
CULTURAL SITES
African Art Museum
23 Bliss Ave., Tenafly, NJ 07670 http://www.smafathers.org/museum 201-894-8611
Art School at Old Church & Michail Zakin Gallery
561 Piermont Roa d Demarest, NJ 07627 http://www.tasoc.org/about 201-767-7160
Belskie Museum of Art & Science
280 High St. Closter, NJ 07624 www.belskiemuseum.com 201-768-0286
Bergen Community College Performing Arts - Ciccone Theatre
400 Paramus Rd. Paramus, NJ 07652 www.bergen.edu 201-447-7428
Bergen County Players Inc.
298 Kinderkamack Rd. Oradell, NJ 07649
201-261-4200
Bergen County Y (a Jewish Community Center)
605 Pascack Rd. Twp. of Washington, NJ 07646/ 201-666-6610
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 N. Van Brunt St. Englewood, NJ 07631 www.bergenpac.org 201-816-8160
Berrie Center at Ramapo College
505 Ramapo Valley Rd. Mahwah, NJ 07430 www.ramapo.edu/berriecenter 201-684-7844
Center for Modern Dance Education
84 Euclid Ave. Hackensack , NJ 07601 www.cmde.org 201-342-2989
Edward Williams Auditorium/ Edward Williams Gallery
150 Kotte Pl. Hackensack, NJ 07601 www.fdu.edu 201-692-2449
Fair Lawn Art Association 10
10 20th St. Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 www.fairlawn.org 201-791-6799
Fair Lawn Community Center 10
10 20th St. Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 www.fairlawncommunitycenter.org 201-794-5346
Felician College Community Cultural Affairs
262 So. Main St. Lodi, NJ 07644 www.felician.edu 201-559-6072
Flat Rock Brook Nature Center
443 Van Nostrand Ave. Englewood, NJ 07631
www.flatrockbrook.org 201-567-1265
Flyway Gallery, Meadowlands Environment Center
2 De Korte Plaza Lyndhurst, NJ 070 71 www.njmeadowlands.gov/environment/flyway.html 201-460-2033
Friends of Grace Seniors Korean Community Center
40 Bennett Rd. Englewood, NJ 07631 www.fgskcc.org 201-541-1200
Hackensack Cultural Arts Center
39 Broadway Hackensack, NJ 07601 http://www.hackensack.org 201-646-8042
The Holocaust Museum of the New Synagogue of Fort Lee
1585 Center Ave. Fort Lee, NJ 07024 http://www.state.nj.us/education/holocaust 201-261-0012
Kaplen JCC on the Palisades
411 E. Clinton Ave. Tenafly, NJ 07670 www.jccotp.org 201-569-7900
Puffin Cultural Forum
20 Puffin Way Teaneck, NJ 07666 / 201-836-3499
Radburn Players 29
20 Fair Lawn Ave. Fai r Lawn, NJ 07410/ 201-873-5570
Ridgewood Art Institute
12 East Glen Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07451 www.ridgewoodartinstitute.org 201-652-9615
Teaneck Creek Conservancy
20 Puffin Way Teaneck, NJ 07666 www.teaneckcreek.org 201-836-2403 x12
Miles West Theatre Company
62 Park Ave, Rutherford, NJ 07070 www.12mileswest.org 201-636-2127
