John Cunningham Receives 2003 Marcellus Hartley Dodge Memorial Award

John Cunningham of Florham Park is being honored on November 14, 2003 by the Great Swamp Watershed Association. He will receive the Marcellus Hartley Dodge Memorial Award for his life-long commitment to preserving and sharing the riches of New Jersey. 

Cunningham has already published 46 books about New Jersey's history and continues to update them, with the third edition of his history of Drew University just published and his newest book, the story of Ellis Island due out this fall. He has already begun work on his next project, a book about Morristown and the impact of the terrible winter of 1779-80 on the Continental Army.

Mr. Cunningham is a self-declared "swamper" and played a key role in the fight to save the Great Swamp. He was the Master of Ceremonies at the Far Hills Inn at one of the legendary meetings nearly 40 years ago. The room was packed with local residents and dignitaries, Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. Udall was there, and according to Helen Fenske, "John Cunningham handled the meeting with incredible grace." Cunningham loves to go to the Great Swamp for the sense of peace he gets just from being there, but also says "I feel that the fight to save the Great Swamp has galvanized this region in a very special way and for me that only adds to its appeal." 

Cunningham has also written 18 documentary films including his Emmy winning "Dreams of Distant Shores" about Ellis Island. His New Jersey books have explored baseball, railroads, colleges and universities, farming, and the Jersey Shore. He was a founder and second chair of the New Jersey Historical Commission and served for six years as president of the New Jersey Historical Society, the state's oldest and most prestigious historical group. At 87 years old, he has no interest in slowing down and continues to be active in conservation and preservation, making the history of New Jersey come alive.

The award will be presented at the Watershed Association's Annual Meeting and Silent Auction on November 14, 2003 at Mead Hall, Drew University. Tickets are available from the Watershed Association 973-966-1900 x 15.

The Great Swamp Watershed Association was founded in 1981 to protect the environmental, cultural, and historical resources of the Great Swamp watershed region. For information on becoming a member, and to learn about upcoming events, visit the Watershed Association website at www.greatswamp.org. or call 973-966-1900.

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