In Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of Americ:
Elizabeth, NJ – July 23, 2026
It was a privilege to present my award — this original pen and watercolor painting of the newly restored train station– to the City of Elizabeth at a Elizabeth History, Heritage & the Arts event, for their exemplary work in revitalizing this important city landmark.
Here is my pen and watercolor painting of the newly restored Elizabeth train station that now serves as a Welcome Center and Museum for the city!
Here I am introducing my award at the entrance of the new Elizabeth Welcome Center and Museum.
As I stated in the presentation: “A building with history has a story and once it is destroyed it is lost forever. With this award I recognize the City of Elizabeth for setting a stellar example of historical stewardship by preserving and transforming this landmark to tell the story of not only of the built things surrounding us, but more importantly, the people who made them so.”
Honorable Mayor J. Christian Bollwage accepted the award on behalf of the City of Elizabeth, stating.“Elizabeth has always been a city that values its history while continuing to build for the future. This event celebrates the people, places and stories that have shaped our community and reminds us that preserving our heritage strengthens our identity for generations to come. We are honored to receive this recognition and to welcome residents and visitors to experience the new Historic Buildings of Elizabeth exhibit.”
Panel Discussion: Painting the Past Forward
The award presentation was followed by a panel discussion, Painting the Past Forward: How Art and Historic Stewardship Keep Community Stories Alive. Moderated by the Caretaker of the L. Ron Hubbard Elizabeth, NJ Historic Home, the panel brought together well‑known and respected community leaders who shared insights on how art, cultural storytelling, and historic preservation work together to illuminate untold stories, strengthen community identity, empower individuals and build local pride. In a world moving faster and faster into the future—where disregard for our cultural past has become an urgent issue—the panel emphasized the need to effectively remedy this trend to preserve, inspire and encourage our community, reflecting on the power of the arts not only to safeguard history, but to engage and inspire individuals to get involved and pass it forward to future generations.
Panelist, Union County Commissioner and Elizabeth Recreation Director Stan Neron brought his experience in public service, cultural enrichment, and community involvement to the discussion. As a board member of the 313+ Ancestors Speak Project, he highlighted the power of art to and history to inspire, empower and enrich our culture and shared insight on communication and engagement required to inspire others to get involved.
Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs History Programs Coordinator Mr. John Prescott also served on the panel, sharing insights from his projects and programs with community groups to create dynamic programs that educate the public about the remarkable history of Union County, develop history initiatives, and organize historical activities. He shared his passion for history, illuminating how this topic spans all fields of learning and the importance of taking that personal initiative to get involved.
Focusing on keeping humanity at the center of our storytelling, panelist Ms. Katherine Craig—Caretaker of the Boxwood Hall State Historic Site in Elizabeth, NJ—added perspective from her experience designing and presenting historical programs and her success in leading the site’s public engagement across all age groups. She shared her experience in diverse programs and exhibits to engage individuals of many different interests and thus increase appreciation for history and preservation.
My role in the panel was to share how the use of art can preserve the character of historic places and elevate the stories of the people who lived them, shaping how cultural history is sustained and passed forward.
As the event concluded, guests made their way inside the Elizabeth Welcome Station for a closer look at the newly unveiled Historic Homes & Buildings of Elizabeth exhibit. The exhibit showcases the city’s historic structures and treasured landmarks, offering an even deeper understanding of Elizabeth’s rich history and its legacy as the “City of Firsts”—a place where so much of our nation’s story began.
The Elizabeth Welcome Station is open to visitors to explore the city’s history, culture, and community through the GoElizabethNJ250 initiative. Its transformation reflects a shift from transportation hub to cultural gateway, linking the movement of the past with the discovery of the present and inviting all who enter to engage with the stories that continue to shape Elizabeth. For more information visit: https://www.goelizabethnj.com/things-to-do/attractions/historic-sites/elizabeth-station-welcome-center/.
To conclude, I would like to sincerely thank Ms. Jennifer Costa, President of the Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce and Ms. Valery Merritt, Caretaker of the L.Ron Hubbard Landmark Site in Elizabeth and their teams for their roles as co-organizers of these wonderful events.
A little history about the former Train Station
- Transportation Anchor: Operated as a major passenger stop for the Central Railroad of New Jersey, moving thousands of daily commuters, workers, and new residents into the city.
- Regional Connection: Tied Elizabeth directly to national and regional economic networks during the height of American rail travel.
- Closure: Closed down in the late 20th century as rail patterns shifted and passenger volume dropped, leaving the physical structure empty but preserved as a community landmark.
Architectural Style and Design Features
The Elizabeth Welcome Station, located inside the historic 1893 Broad Street Clock Tower Train Station, is built in the Romanesque Rivival architectural style.
- Stone Exterior: Heavy, durable masonry construction.
- Wide Arches: Prominent rounded archways characteristic of late 19th-century public architecture.
- Clock Tower: An iconic, towering anchor that establishes a bold civic identity.
- Cultural Reimagining: Converted into the Elizabeth Welcome Station to function as the official City of Elizabeth Museum and Tourism Welcome Center.
- America 250 Hub: Serves as the primary headquarters for the local
GoElizabethNJ250initiative celebrating the nation’s semiquincentennial.
Cheers, Leisa
