Historical group seeks names, items of value MICHAEL ACKER Sayreville Historical Society President Carol Kadi stands beside historical items that date back to the first and second world wars in the museum at 425 Main St. The objects were donated by local veterans of the wars or their family members, Kadi said. Society builds database of those who have contributed to Sayreville BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer SAYREVILLE - The borough's Historical Society is seeking information on outstanding individuals from the borough's past and present. The local historians are compiling a list of people who have contributed to Sayreville's history. They are asking present and former residents to provide information or contribute items of historical value to the society's museum, which is located at the intersection of Main Street and Pulaski Avenue, next to the senior center. Historical Society President Carol Kadi said her group currently has all the names of the Lions Club presidents since 1937, as well as lists of pastors from various religious organizations. "We are looking for names, especially of early people, but going right through to the present also," Kadi said. "So at some point, people could look back and this would be a comprehensive place where you can check whatever you are looking for. We are going to have thousands of names." The Borough Council called on the historical society to come up with a list of names after the River Road boat ramp park was dedicated as Buchanan Park in honor of the late Ken Buchanan, a former town volunteer who is also the grandfather of Councilman Daniel Buchanan. "Initially, the mayor and council asked us to come up with a list of names that they can refer to should they need to name anything," Kadi said. "[The project] is so much larger than I thought it was going to be." The society recently received a photograph of the 1942 high school football team, Kadi said, adding that the team was part of the first graduating class in Sayreville and was also the town's first undefeated team. "Whatever we can get, we are happy to add to this list," Kadi said. "We only have what people give us, so now we are asking people to give us information." Shimaa Saad, a local Girl Scout and senior at Sayreville War Memorial High School, will give the society a collection of Girl Scout memorabilia and uniforms that date back as far as the 1930s, Kadi said. Saad is seeking her Gold Award in scouting, and the materials she will provide will go on display for the public at the historical society's museum. The historical society's building has been closed recently as it undergoes some improvements, Kadi said, adding that the building may reopen by the end of this month. "Right now we are trying to neaten it up, because they just finished the elevator addition and a handicap-access bathroom," Kadi said. "We were trying to get that [bathroom] many, many years ago and we are happy to get it, but there were many delays." Historical society volunteers generally operate the museum on Sundays from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Group visits can be arranged during the week, Kadi said. The historical society building dates to the late 1800s and was originally a school. Kadi said it still contains old school desks, a library, an old phonograph and a rare printing press that is one of only two in existence. The other printing press is in the Ford Museum in Deerborn, Mich. The society will hold its annual May dinner tonight, when it will unveil the list of names collected thus far and honor Sayreville's outstanding persons. "We will have enlargements of this list, so that members know where people should be added or corrections should be made," Kadi said. "People oftentimes don't think they have anything of value and, in terms of this place, information is valuable. So many times we'll get a picture, but the names are not identified." Kadi, who taught history at the high school for 35 years, has been president of the 175-member historical society for two years. "We are here to preserve things about the history of Sayreville, and the second part is we are here to share with the rest of the town and the county, because much of what we have overlaps [with neighboring towns]," Kadi said. The society meets monthly on the second Thursday of the month at the senior center. No meetings are held in July and August. To submit names, information or items of value, contact Carol Kadi at the Sayreville Historical Society, P.O. Box 66, Sayreville 08871, call (732) 257-8854, or e-mail history@sayhistory.com.