H. Kels Swan

H. Kels Swan, 88, died Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Robert Wood Johnson 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 United States, 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 the funeral home, 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, New Jersey 08542 - 1575.