The life and legacy of Elric Johnston Endersby, a revered local historian and preservation advocate, will continue to inspire future generations through the establishment of a new internship fund. The Elric Johnston Endersby Internship in Public History Endowment, initiated by the Endersby and Gwazda family, will support an annual internship at the Historical Society of Princeton. This initiative aims to honor Endersby’s extensive contributions to local history, architectural preservation, and mentoring young people, ensuring his passion for preservation remains alive in the community.
Endersby passed away on October 13 at the age of 79 at his home in Ewing, leaving behind a rich tapestry of work that celebrates and documents the architectural heritage of New Jersey. As his sister, Deborah Endersby Gwazda, articulated, “Elric understood that the next generation needs to be aware of the value of preservation, so he encouraged students to appreciate the old ways and appearances.” This philosophy underpins the mission of the internship, which positions the Historical Society of Princeton as the perfect setting to support young historians and preservationists.
Born and raised in Princeton, Endersby cultivated a deep appreciation for the town’s historical landscape. His academic journey took him from Trinity College in Connecticut to the Cooperstown Graduate Program at SUNY Oneonta, where he specialized in preservation architecture. This foundation fueled his professional pursuits, ultimately leading to the creation of “The Princeton Recollector” in 1975, an oral history journal that has become an invaluable resource for understanding the local community’s narratives. The journal’s digitized archives are now accessible through both the Historical Society and Princeton University Library, ensuring that these voices endure.
In addition to his editorial work, Endersby was a pioneer in restoring historic structures. He co-founded the New Jersey Barn Company in Ringoes, which specialized in the restoration of homes and barns across New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic region. Over its 40-year history, the company gained recognition, including a feature as a cover story in Architectural Digest, for transforming countless historical properties, such as the 18th-century Edmund Burroughs House in Princeton.
His profound expertise also found expression in authorship; Endersby co-authored two significant publications: “Barn: The Art of a Working Building” in 1992, followed by “Barn: Preservation and Adaptation” in 2014. These works reflect his dedication not only to preserving the past but also to educating the public on the importance of historic buildings and their stories.
Farley Gwazda, Endersby’s nephew, recalls the meticulous nature of his uncle’s work. “He was a prolific documenter of timber-frame buildings,” he shared, highlighting Endersby’s extensive collection of over 700 meticulously measured drawings of barns. This comprehensive documentation is crucial for the understanding of barn architecture in the Mid-Atlantic region, and the collaborative effort to preserve these resources will ensure they remain accessible for research and educational purposes.
The Elric Johnston Endersby Internship in Public History will initially be funded through memorial contributions made to the Historical Society following Endersby’s passing. It will then transition to a self-sustaining model, supported by the endowed designated fund his family established at the Princeton Area Community Foundation. This strategic planning demonstrates a commitment to not only honoring Endersby’s memory but also to fostering future historians who share his passion for preservation.
A ceremony marking the official signing of the endowment paperwork took place at Updike Farm, the headquarters of the Historical Society of Princeton, a venue that embodies the essence of local history. Founded in 1938, the Historical Society serves as a museum, research center, and hub for public programming, dedicated to making Princeton’s history accessible and engaging for diverse audiences.
Through this new internship, Elric Johnston Endersby’s spirit will undoubtedly continue to inspire future scholars and advocates for preservation, ensuring that the stories of yesterday live on in the hearts and minds of tomorrow’s guardians of history.
