The Westwood Heritage Society is proud to announce the release of “Did You Know? Stories and History of Our Hometown of Westwood,” by Helen Whalen, a new book celebrating the rich, quirky, and often surprising history of Westwood, told through a collection of historical documents and anecdotes connected to the Hub of the Pascack Valley.
After Whalen’s passing, in 2023, the manuscript was completed through editorial collaboration by WHS members, local historians, photo archivists, editors, and fact checkers Linda Salib and Jim Gines, with direction from Helen’s daughter Kathleen Whalen.
The book is an engaging compilation of stories, some fondly remembered by Mrs. Whalen, others long forgotten or never widely known, that capture the spirit, character, and evolution of Westwood over the years. Stories were carefully paired with photographs from the WHS archives.
“Helen had an extraordinary memory and a gift for storytelling,” said Salib. “She didn’t just remember dates or events. She remembered people, conversations, and the little details that make history feel alive.”
Kathleen Whalen reflected on the deeply personal nature of the project: “My siblings and I grew up listening to many of these stories about the town our mother loved so much, and as she was writing the book, she would share new chapters with us. We are so grateful that they can now be shared with the wider Westwood community.”
Publication of the book was managed by WHS founding member Lee Tremble and Salib, with funding for the printing made possible in part through grant funds administered by Bergen County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs, Department of Parks, through a General Operating Support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State, reflecting a shared commitment to preserving and promoting local history.
The grant helped ensure stories like “Westwood Police Department, Crime, and Order,” “A few Westwood High School Graduates Who Made News,” and “Westwood Loves a Parade,” amongst two dozen other colorful tales, would be professionally produced and widely shared with the community.
The book will be available early spring and priced at $30. Copies will be available for purchase in person via cash or credit card during WHS museum open houses, held on the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon at the historic Westwood Train Station. Online orders will be accepted for out-of-town customers and will include an additional USPS postage fee.
The publication of the book serendipitously coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States, honoring Westwood’s place in American history in the past centuries. During the Revolutionary War era, Westwood was a part of a network of small farming communities in Bergen County, shaped by its proximity to key routes used by both Continental and British forces. Local roads, farms, and meeting places supported troop movement, supplies, and communication, embedding Westwood in the larger story of New Jersey’s role as the “Crossroads of the Revolution.”
The release of this new book, alongside the upcoming renovation of the WHS archives by Bella Tirri of Scouts of America Troop 321, underscores the Society’s mission to preserve, share, and celebrate the stories that define Westwood.
For more information about the book, open houses, or the Westwood Heritage Society’s programs, residents are encouraged to visit the Society’s website upon launch, WestwoodHeritage.org, follow the organization on Facebook (“Westwood Heritage Society New Jersey”) or attend an upcoming museum open house at the Westwood Train Station.