In January 1935 more than 10,000 people surrounded the courthouse in downtown Flemington as the dramatic Lindbergh baby kidnapping trial played out within the beautiful 1828 historic building. The curious watched the comings and goings of some of the era’s most recognized celebrities including Walter Winchell, Damon Runyon, Edna Ferber and Dorothy Kilgallen. No wonder H.L. Mencken referred to the trial as “the greatest story since the Resurrection.”
Discover what Flemington was like when “the circus came to town,” in a fascinating presenation with historian and East Amwell Historical Society President Jim Davidson in our wagon house on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 11 a.m. during the Hunterdon Land Trust’s Farmers’ Market at the Dvoor Farm, 111 Mine St. in Raritan Township.
Davidson has been fascinated with the Lindbergh trial his entire life. Growing up in Flemington, Davidson met many of the figures associated with the kidnapping and trial including William Allen, who found the Lindbergh baby; Hauptmann’s attorney, Lloyd Fisher; and several jurors who decided Hauptmann’s fate. Early on he began collecting Lindbergh memorabilia and now has one of the largest national collections.
Davidson studied history at Muhlenberg College and later Lehigh University for graduate work, and taught for several years at Hunterdon Central Regional High School. He has co-authored Lindbergh Kidnapping and Trial, the first-ever pictorial history of the crime with Mark Falzini, archivist of the New Jersey State Police Museum.
Cost is $10 with proceeds benefiting the Hunterdon Land Trust and East Amwell Historical Society. Reservations are encouraged by calling 908-237-4582 or emailing Judy@hunterdonlandtrust.org.