Hoboken’s Elysian Fields: The Rise and Demise of a Riverside Paradise

October 25th 4pm at the Hoboken Historical Museum

Journalist and historian Irwin Chusid, an authority on early baseball, will explore the history of Hoboken’s vanished 19th century waterfront pleasure garden, the Elysian Fields. This iconic site is considered one of the birthplaces of baseball, hosting some of the earliest recorded games. But it was also a vortex of entertainment, recreation, and public debauchery. Disneyland, Central Park, and Coney Island are all descended from the Elysian Fields. Chusid, who has lectured on the topic at the National Baseball Hall of Fame, will share his extensive research and insights into how Hoboken’s early growth helped shape America’s pastime, and how the town evolved from an 18th century mosquito-infested swamp.

Irwin Chusid is a journalist, music historian, record producer, radio personality, and self-described “landmark preservationist.” He oversees the music estates of Sun Ra and Raymond Scott. Since 1975 he has been a DJ on free-form radio station WFMU in Jersey City, and has lived in Hoboken for 34 years.

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