Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 2:05 pm in the lower meeting room of the Lawrence Township Municipal Building by President William Agress

Pledge of allegiance was led by Helen and Alice Lahoda and Andrew Agress.

Election of Trustees: Nomination Committee Chairperson, Bruce Bitcover presented the slate of nominees:
                   Bill Agress     Ruth Barringer           Janet Bickal                                               
                  Bruce Bitcover          Paul Gatterdam           John Halvorsen
                  Jacqueline  Haun       Eleanor Horne             Janet Hubbard                       
                  Carolyn Kozlowski   Chantal McCarroll      Karen Perkins
                  Robert Smit              Chris Turnbull             Jim Williams
The slate was elected by acclamation.

Swearing-in of Trustees: Mayor Mark Holmes administered the oath of office and congratulated the Trustees.

President’s Remarks: President Agress summed up the achievements of the past year.  The Mary Tanner Lecture was a highlight with our speaker, Gordon Wood, telling him that it was one of “the finest days I’ve ever had.”  He thanked photographer Jim Williams and processor Emery Perkins for the handsome album commemorating the lecture, and he also thanked Pam and Gary Mount for hosting dinner for Mr. Wood and the LHS Board.  Seeing Terhune Orchard, crowded with customers on an October Saturday, startled the historian, who expected to see a “farm” suffering from hard times.
Mr. Agress also pointed out milestones of 2007 such as the hiring of business manager Ellie Calcagno and the plans to hold at least two more open public meetings each year in addition to the annual meeting.  He concluded with the hope that, in addition to re-issuing the “Green Book” about historic houses in Lawrence, there will be created a book on notable people from Lawrence, beginning, of course, with David Brearley.

Vote to amend the Constitution and By-Laws:  John Halvorsen moved and Ruth Barringer seconded a motion to approve the amendments previously published in the Society newsletter, Places in Time.  The motion carried.

Recognition:  Bruce Bitcover presented a plaque to out-going president William Agress, honoring him as an “advocate for history.”

Program: Martha Leigh Wolf, Executive Director of Historic Morven and Chairperson of the Celebration of the 225th Anniversary of the “Congress of Confederation” meeting in Princeton in 1783 outlined the events of those historic six months.
The Congress decided to flee Philadelphia after riots by soldiers who had not been paid  There were 32 delegates from 12 states, Georgia not being represented.  An impressive array of founding fathers gathered in the town of the College of New Jersey, the only college founded to train statesmen as well as clergy.  George and Martha Washington lived at Rockingham, where he wrote his farewell to the army, assisted by the rhetorical skills of Thomas Paine.  Delegates were housed in many of the 75 houses in Princeton and met  in Nassau Hall, the biggest building in the state.  While they were in Princeton, the Treaty of Paris was signed, ending the war.
The 2008 celebration will include a number of events and an ongoing exhibit at Morven of portraits of the many luminaries who were in Princeton 225 years ago.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 pm.

Reception: Members and guests enjoyed refreshments provided by the trustees.