Victorian Society in America

Northern New Jersey Chapter

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VSA-NNJ meets monthly from September to June for lectures and events

related to 19th Century history, usually on the third Monday of the month.​

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Looking for Mrs. Thompson

The Life of Geraldine L. Thompson

presented by Jane Scimeca

 

Monday, March 16, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Montclair Women's Club,
82 Union Street, Montclair NJ
 

This venue is handicap accessible. Parking is available behind the building 

and on the street.  Light refreshments, coffee and tea will be served.

The program is free for members, and $10 for guests.

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Described by Governor Alfred E. Driscoll as “New Jersey’s First Lady”, Thompson was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in November 2024 - yet her extraordinary career as a political leader, reformer and philanthropist has been forgotten. In this presentation Prof. Jane Scimeca will discuss the research journey to restore Thompson's story to public memory as she writes the first biography of Geraldine L. Thompson. Come and learn about Prof. Scimeca's extraordinary discoveries through the archives, libraries and basements of Thompson family members. 

 

Jane Scimeca is a distinguished Professor of History at Brookdale Community College, where she specializes in teaching World History and Women’s History. She has earned a Master of Arts degree in History and Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies from Rutgers University. Professor Scimeca is also the host of New Books in Women’s History, a podcast on the New Books Network where she discusses new scholarship in women's history. Professor Scimeca is currently working on a biography of Geraldine L. Thompson titled, Mrs. Thompson Saves the Day: The Life of Geraldine L. Thompson.

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For more information, please contact

 christinapmayer@gmail.com 

973-886-9956

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Visit us online at www.vsa-nnj.com​