On April 17, final papers were signed by the State of New Jersey appointing me, a State Employee, working for the Department of Parks and Forestry.

[My] Duty Station will be the Royal Governor’s Mansion/Proprietary House. Officially I’m the gatekeeper and the eyes and ears of the State for the House.

After a few weeks ago, the state asked me to contact Mr. Kurt Epps to see if he would resume his role as Royal Governor William Franklin for the June enactment of the Governor’s Arrest of 1776. Always gracious and willing to support the Proprietary House, Mr. Epps was more than happy to resume the role and contact his friends who in the past played the principle roles. With an updated script worked on principally by Mrs. Dorothy Mushinski of Iselin, the program should be a great success. Of course, the House will cooperate with the City of Perth Amboy’s July 4th Ceremonies. Again the Royal Garden Club will be asked to produce their Award Winning Decorations.

For the immediate future, the Trustees and Volunteers are asking permission to spend time at the House removing the Xmas decorations, cleaning and setting up for the June program. Access will be granted as soon as the Association’s Executive Board proves to the State that they possess a fully paid, up-to-date liability insurance policy.

Personally, I’m very pleased to be a part of getting the Royal Governor’s Mansion/Proprietary House back in operation and open to the public.

– Thomas P. Ward
Perth Amboy