Name: Visitation for H. Kels Swan
Start: 2017-04-27T18:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-04-27T20:00:00.000Z
Location: Hagan-Chamberlain Funeral Home

H. Kels Swan

AGE: 88 • South Bound Brook

H. Kels Swan, 88, died Saturday, April 22, 2017, at RWJ University Hospital, Somerville. Born November 14, 1928, in Somerville, he was a lifelong South Bound Brook resident. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Rutgers University, Class of 1952, and his Master of Education Degree from Rutgers in 1954. He was a member of the Kappa Delta Pi, Delta Xi, and Phi Beta Kappa fraternities.

An historic preservation specialist, Kels was the Historian and Curator Americana at the Washington Crossing State Park Museum, Titusville, for many years, retiring only recently. He was Curator and Historian for Liberty Village, Ltd., Flemington, Historian for the American Legacy Association, Clinton, and the Washington Campground Association, Bound Brook. He was President of the Daniel Morgan Memorial Foundation, Clinton, and a member of the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission. He was a Trustee and Founding Member of the South Bound Brook Historical Society.

Kels was the author of The History of South Bound Brook, New Jersey (1964), and Raritan's Revolutionary Rebel: Frederick Frelinghuysen (1967). He received the 1981 Humanitarian Achievement Award from the American Legacy Association; the 1982 Heritage Award from the Raritan Valley Sons of the American Revolution, and the 1984 American History Award from AMVETS.

Kels was Historian and Past Marshal of Raritan Valley Lodge No. 42, Free and Accepted Masons, Somerville. He was a member of the Valley of Central New Jersey, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Bordentown, and the Crescent Shriners, Westampton.

Kels' ability to speak unabated, from memory, regarding all parts and details of the American War for Independence was legendary in central New Jersey. His dream was to open a Museum of the American Revolution in Somerset County, as no such museum currently exists in the US, and New Jersey was so pivotal in that war. He will be sadly missed by the citizens of South Bound Brook and Bound Brook.

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Friday, April 28, at Hagan - Chamberlain Funeral Home, 225 Mountain Ave., Bound Brook, followed by interment at Riverside Cemetery, Clinton. Friends will be received at the funeral home 2:00 - 4:00 and 7:00—9:00 P.M. Thursday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Swan Historical Foundation, P.O. Box 1575, Princeton, NJ 08542 - 1575.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Courier News on Apr. 25, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for H. Kels Swan

Sponsored by Hagan-Chamberlain Funeral Home.

12 Entries

Dennis Berube

November 13, 2018

Harry was a walking history encyclopedia, sharing his stories with his special touch bringing the event to life. He never missed the coin show in May in Somerset N.J. I always looked forward to seeing him with his hat and sports coat on. A true treasure and gentlemen.So long my dear friend...........

Bonnie Crone

May 31, 2018

I can't believe Kels is gone and none of us were notified. My mom Ruth Phillips former Ruth Swan was Kels first cousin. Kels would visit us so much when I was still living at home. When he officiated the state quarter I took my children to it. I now live in Pittsburgh. He will be missed had I known I would have been there.

Bonnie Phillips Crone

John Sciullo

May 9, 2017

Kels was a loyal, sincere friend.
I already miss him a lot and extend my condolences to his family.
I'm sure he is still with us all in spirit. He's just in another place now.
I'm lucky to have known him and thankful to him for all that I learned from him and for the wonderful times we had.
There was no one quite like Kels.
He goes down in history for his love of history and his way of sharing it with everyone and for all that he accomplished.
Thank you, Kels.

May 9, 2017

I know of few who have taught more to many than Kels.
Trip kahn

John Tracy

May 5, 2017

"Swan at the Crossing" is no more. I miss him.

Ralph Siegel

May 3, 2017

Kels could seem cranky to those who did not know him but he exhibited a stunningly deep well of patience for those who like me came to him to learn. Hours of storytelling, patience, he taught historical details that could sink a book but he always counseled on keeping a casual, respectful manner of presentation. He has sole possession of the phrase "The 10 Days Campaign," and should be given 1000% of the credit not just for the catchy label but for enshrining in us the deeper concept of how these separate battle events were interconnected and how every inch of historic space is precious. It is no possible to ever forget him.

Barbara Britton

April 28, 2017

In November 1979, our son, Bob, accepted a position at Washington Crossing State Park. It was there that we met Kels Swan, who entered our family's life in his usual energetic and dynamic fashion. Words and gestures tumbled over one another, as he became engaged in showing us how he and Bob were working together at the Visitors Center to set up his Revolutionary War collection of authentic and rare artifacts. With all history as his playing field, Kels was easily recognized as an erudite person,
but his forte' was the American Revolution. It was his extensive and detailed knowledge of this 18th century era for which he will always be remembered. To all who listened, children and adults alike, Kels was both teacher and mentor. He lived and breathed history; it was simply Who he was!
In his zeal to create a "living history" museum, Kels amassed a superb collection of infinite scope and importance focusing on the birth of our nation and its founders. Now, this will be his lasting legacy l
Historian, curator, preservationist, writer, and collector are all descriptive words that define his life - Kels was all of these. But, to our family, as to many others, he will never be forgotten and remembered always as our beloved friend.

Barbara L. Britton and sons, Bob, Jr. and Jim

Rae shaffer

April 26, 2017

Thank you Kels for all your historical inspiration. Your love of history and the willingness to show it to everyone along with your humor and personality really meant a lot.

Michael Davis

April 25, 2017

Kels was a good friend who was always available to share with me his vast knowledge of the Revolutionary War and the Eighteenth Century. I suspect only those who were there in the first instance had greater familiarity with the those times and events. It is almost as if the last survivor of the Eighteenth Century has just past away. Rest in peace, Kels.

Kathy Ormosi

April 25, 2017

When I first met Kels, more than a decade ago, he stunned me by talking without pause, for wll over an hour, about a certain period of history, what had occurred locally at that time, the people involved, the dates, how things related... his recall seemed almost as if he had lived it. Which, I think he did, to some extent. His passion and enjoyment of history, the people, things and actions - particularly of the 18th century and local history - were undeniable. And he loved relating it. Later, as I got to know him through his dedication to and involvement with the Friends of Abraham Staats House, I also saw how generous he could be with sharing his knowledge and how delighted he was to show off objects and important artifacts that told a story. We were lucky to know him. He was truly unique, with a gift for history and a passion for it- and I will miss him very much. My sincere condolences to the family.

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