Nature Done Wright

Patty Finn, one of the founders of the efforts to save the historic John Fell House in Allendale from being bulldozed and replaced by 11 townhouses, is one of the recipients of the 2016 Bergen County Historic Preservation Awards.

I have known Patty a long time and know her to be a good egg richly deserving this award. In the photo above, she is seen talking to several classes of local third-graders about the Fell House.

John Fell was a Founding Father who led the American resistance against the British in Bergen County.

Fell was arrested at the Fell House in May 1777 and imprisoned in the Provost Jail in New York City without a trial. He kept a secret diary that documented British atrocities against the American prisoners of war.

Fell's arrest will be reenacted next Sunday at the Fell House at noon,  part of free activities devoted to local history and Earth Day.  The Celery Farm Natural Area was once part of Jon Fell's estate. More info on next Sunday's events, which run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., is here.

 A link is an article about the award recipients is here.