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Bill and Linda Dator Collection

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CREATOR: Bill Dator, Linda Dator and various

EXTENT:  Linear Feet: 1.5 linear feet, number of containers: 5 boxes

COLLECTION SUMMARY: This collection contains correspondence, legal documents, maps, and photographs relating to the Dator family and Mahwah history. 

ACCESSIONS: 2009.14.001, 2009.14.002, 2009.14.0028, 2009.14.003, 2009.14.009, 2009.14.030, 2009.14.032, 2009.14.033, 2009.14.01, 2009.14.02, 2009.14.03, 2009.14.04, 2009.14.05, 2009.14.08, 2009.14.09, 2009.14.10, 2009.14.11, 2009.14.12, 2009.14.14,2009.14.16, 2009.14.17, 2009.14.18, 2009.14.28, 2009.14.31, 2018.15, 2018.15.01, 2018.15.02,2018.15.04, 2018.15.05, 2018.15.06, 2018.15.07, 2018.15.08, 2024.24.1, 2024.24.2, 2024.24.3, 2024.24.4, 2024.24.5, 2024.34.6, 2024.24.7, 2024.24.8, 2024.24.9, 2024.24.10, 2024.24.11, 2024.24.12, 2024.24.14, 2024.24.15, 2024.24.16, 2024.24.17, 2024.24.18, 2024.24.19, 2024.24.20, 2024.24.21, 2024.24.22, 2024.24.23, 2024.24.24, 2024.24.25, 2024.24.26, 2024.24.27, 2024.24.28, 2024.30.1, 2024.30.2, 2024.30.3, 2024.37

RECEIVED FROM: William and Linda Dator ( 2009.14.001, 2009.14.002, 2009.14.0028, 2009.14.003, 2009.14.009, 2009.14.030, 2009.13.032, 2009.14.033, 2009.14.01, 2009.14.02, 2009.14.03, 2009.14.04, 2009.14.05, 2009.14.08, 2009.14.09, 2009.14.10, 2009.14.11, 2009.14.12, 2009.14.14, 2009.14.16, 2009.14.17, 2009.14.18, 2009.14.28, 2009.14.31, 2018.15, 2018.15.01, 2018.15.02, 2018.15.04, 2018.15.05, 2018.15.06, 2018.15.07, 2018.15.08, 2024.24.1, 2024.24.2, 2024.24.3, 2024.24.4, 2024.24.5, 2024.24.6, 2024.24.7, 2024.24.8, 2024.24.9, 2024.24.10, 2024.24.11, 2024.24.12, 2024.24.14, 2024.24.15, 2024.24.16, 2024.24.17, 2024.24.18, 2024.24.19, 2024.24.20,  2024.24.21, 2024.24.22, 2024.24.23, 2024.24.24, 2024.24.25, 2024.24.26, 2024.24.27, 2024.24.28, 2024.30.1, 2024.30.2, 2024.30.3); Darryl Dator Rehill ( 2024.37) 

LANGUAGES: English 

PROCESSING ARCHIVIST:  Renae Grippo, June 2025

Collection Details

Biographical / Historical Note:  William “Bill” Dator is a third generation real estate agent and broker. Dator moved to Mahwah, NJ during his early childhood where he attended public school. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree from Monmouth College. He did graduate work in real estate at The University of Indiana, the University of Connecticut, and the University of San Francisco Law School. He married Linda O’ Lear, also a member of Mahwah, NJ. Bill and Linda are actively involved in the community of Mahwah, working as real estate agents and serving on boards at Ramapo College of New Jersey. Bill has been a member of Company #1 of the Mahwah Fire Department and Ambulance Corps, a founder of the Mahwah Museum, chair of the Bicentennial Committee, etc. 

Collection Description: This collection represents Bill and Linda Dator’s research of Mahwah History and materials on their personal lives in Mahwah. A large amount of research relates to municipal records, with documents including significant town events such as elections, construction sites, natural disasters, etc. There is also secondary research, newspapers, articles, etc. Their personal research and information on the Dator Family includes legal documents, personal correspondence and notes, family heirlooms, etc. There are historic photos of the Dator family, their properties, their businesses, and acquaintances. 

Arrangement Description: The collection is organized into six series. 

Series 1: Correspondence:  This series covers correspondence detailing Dator’s life in Mahwah, NJ. It includes discussions with neighboring Mahwah families such as the Sargents and Snows.

Series 2: Writings/Presentations: This series includes a poem, “A Poet’s Beginning” written by a member of the Sargent family. This also includes a traveling presentation entitled “The Victorian Lady”, which gave a demonstration on the steps of how a Victorian lady would get dressed in the 1860s.

Series 3: Research Files: This series contains research files dedicated to Mahwah history and the Dator family. Files include Mahwah municipal documents regarding elections, meeting minutes, police dispatches, fire department committee meetings , building plans,etc.  Dator family research highlights birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, Dator Agency account records, school diplomas, etc. 

Series 4: Historical Materials: This series contains historical materials such as legal documents, postcards, stock certificates, committee by-laws, etc. This series also includes several maps of Mahwah. Oversized materials are at the end of this series. 

Series 5: Photographs: This series contains photographs of houses, businesses, events, and families in Mahwah. There are a large selection of photos highlighting the construction of Mahwah Business Park and its completion. There are also photos of unknown historical places and people. 

Series 6: Oversized: This series contains oversized objects such as an antique brass firehose, Curt Belfray signed baseball, Mahwah Farms half pint milk bottle, and a pharmacy journal.

Separated Materials: Materials related to their work with the Mahwah Museum ( minutes, reports, etc.) were separated into the Museum’s archive; books have been separated to the library. Mahwah Master Plans have been separated into the Mahwah Master Plan Collection. Materials relating to Mahwah High School ( yearbooks, directories, etc.) were separated into the Mahwah Schools Collection. 

Subject Headings: 

Bergen County History 

Dator, Bill

Dator, Linda 

Dator Family

Mahwah, NJ, history

Sargent Family 

Using the Collection

ACCESS STATEMENT:  Collection is open and available for use.  If used in a publication, the Museum expects to be credited. 

RIGHTS STATEMENT: The Mahwah Museum owns the materials, but researchers wishing to publish or reprint materials need to secure permission from the copyright holder. 

PREFERRED CITATION:  [ITEM DESCRIPTION], Bill and Linda Dator Collection, Mahwah Museum, Mahwah, NJ.

Collection Inventory

Series 1: Correspondence

  1. Correspondence with Christopher Barnes 
  2. Correspondence with Mrs. Dator 
  3. Correspondence with Mr. and Mrs. Sargent 
  4. Correspondence with Louise Snow 
  5. Correspondence with Mr. Santa Claus 

Series 2: Writings/Presentations

  1. “ A Poet’s Beginning” 
  2. The Victorian Lady Program 

Series 3: Research Files

Mahwah History

  1. Annual Report of Hohokus Township ( 1929) 
  2. Chamber of Commerce Publications ( 1984 – 1988) 
  3. Darlington: The Legend Remains 
  4. Election of 1980
  5. Election of 2002 
  6. Mahwah Business Park “Before and After” ( 1997) 
  7. Mahwah Cemetery Surnames A to Z 
  8. Mahwah Citizens for Responsible Planning Minutes ( Jan 1976) 
  9. The Mahwah Chamber (1960)
  10. The Mahwah Democrat ( 1957) 
  11. Mahwah High School Tom-Tom ( 1961) 
  12. Mahwah Police K-9 Patches 
  13. Mahwah Taxpayers Association 
  14. Mahwah Township Fire Committee 
  15. Masonicus Brook Report (December 1974) 
  16. Old Station Time Table, Mahwah Historical Society 
  17. Pal’s Diner, Mahwah, NJ 
  18. Ramapo Ridge Office Park Plan 
  19. School 7 Performance Pamphlet ( 1936) 
  20. Sheraton International Crossroads Hotel Postcard 
  21. Silver Lakes Heights Newspaper Advertisements ( 1951) 
  22. Township of Mahwah Meeting Notes ( 1912 – 1924) 
  23. Trout Fishing at the Mountain Lakes Club Advertisement 
  24. Willow Lake Estates Advertisement 

Dator Family

  1. Births 
  2. Commerce, The Dator Agency, Inc. 
  3. Dance Recital by Pupils of Yvonne Dator ( 1950) 
  4. Dator Agency Account Records 
  5. Dator Agency Christmas Carol Booklet
  6. Dator Agency Inc., The Lisa House Floor Plans 
  7. Dator Family History
  8. Dator Iron Works 
  9. Deaths 
  10. F.W. Dator Obituary ( 1985) 
  11. Marriages 
  12. Memoranda 
  13. Montclair State College Continuing Education Unit Technical Assistance Award: William F. Dator ( December 1976) 
  14. Newspaper Clippings ( 1874 – 1965)
  15. William F. Dator Political Campaigns ( 1982 ) 

Historical Audio/Visual

  1. Ford 10 / 05 
  2. Fred Wehran: Oral History 
  3. Mahwah Business Park Fire ( Jan 1996) 
  4. Mahwah: Gateway to Opportunity 
  5. Middle States Community Report: “Welcome to Mahwah” 

Series 4: Historical Materials

  1. Administrator’s Sale, No. 3742 Market Street Catalogue ( 1882) 
  2. Bergen County Republican Committee By-laws 
  3. Croquet Principles and Rules ( 1877) 
  4. Ecole De Danse Students of the Arts Committee Ballet Program 
  5. Esther Sargent Marriage Announcement
  6. Inter-American Highway From Canada to Mexico, This Week Magazine ( 1966) 
  7. Jas. E. Stiles Family Drug Store Prescription 
  8. Kennecott Copper Stock Certificates ( 1929- 1932) 
  9. The Law as it Should Be 
  10. Marshall’s Pocket Illustrated Almanac ( 1908) 
  11. New Jersey History, Index to Volume 93 and 94 ( 1975 – 1976) 
  12. Postcard of Christmas from New York City 
  13. Postcard of The First C. C. Institute, Hackettstown, N.J 
  14. Postcards of Mahwah, N.J. 
  15. Postcard of Ridgewood N.J. 
  16. Property of Mrs. Edward W. Van Houten 
  17. The Ramapo Valley During the American Revolution
  18. Railroad-Machinery Club of New York Pamphlet ( 1944) 
  19. Sargent and Winthrop Coat of Arms (1780) 
  20. Standard Bleachery and Printing Co. Statement 
  21. State of New York Notice of Increase in Tax Payment ( 1970) 

Maps 

  1. Mahwah Land Use Map ( 1984) 
  2. Reconstruction of Robert Erskine’s American army maps 
  3. Silver Lake Heights and Mahwah Map 
  4. Trail Maps 

Series 5: Photographs

  1. Aerial Photographs of Mahwah
  2. A.J. Winter and Son Feedmill
  3. Al Sima 
  4. Ballet Dancers 
  5. Boarding House 
  6. Brake Shoe Baseball Team 
  7. Dator Family ( 1929- 1941 ) 
  8. Dator House 
  9. Ducks in Mountain Brook
  10. Elizabeth Henry ( 1933) 
  11. Frank Heilman and Bill Dator ( 1985) 
  12. Francis Worcester (1908) 
  13. Green Family (1932) 
  14. Houferkopf Country Club 
  15. Les Paul 
  16. Mahwah Business Park Before & After 
  17. Mahwah Fire Department 
  18. Mahwah Inn 
  19. Mahwah Railroad Tracks 
  20. Mahwah Township Officials 
  21. Mrs. John West ( 1908) 
  22. Mrs. Mary O. Wiler ( 1964) 
  23. National League for Women’s Service – Camouflage Division 
  24. Negatives 
  25. Old Dator Home off of Island Rd. 
  26. P.D. Ash Home ( 1920 – 1924) 
  27. Police Chief and Young Injured Boy in Hospital 
  28. Public School, Mahwah NJ ( 1906) 
  29. Raymond Dator
  30. Sargent Family ( 1900 – 1928) 
  31. Sargent House ( 1910 – 1998) 
  32. Snow Family
  33. Sunset Lake Club ( 1949) 
  34. Unknown Bridge 
  35. Unknown Group by Pyramid 
  36. Unknown Group of Men 
  37. Unknown Houses
  38. Unknown Men in Soldiers Uniforms
  39. Unknown Men Playing Golf 
  40. Wiley Family ( 1946 – 1959) 
  41. Winter Family 
  42. Winter in Mahwah ( 1910 – 1926) 
  43. “Wizard of Oz” Production 

Series 6: Oversized

  1. American Revolution Bicentennial Mahwah, NJ glass
  2. Antique Brass Firehose Nozzle 
  3. Certificate of Authenticity Curt Blefary 1965 AL ROY Baseball 
  4. Crosswords of the Revolution License Plate ( July 1, 1975 – Feb. 1, 1977)
  5. Curt Blefary Signed Baseball 
  6. Curt Blefary Baseball Card
  7. Eye Glasses
  8. Fiftieth reunion Mahwah Highschool mug 
  9. Framed Drawing by Architect Ballard 
  10. Houvenkopf Country Club Award Won by E.W. Van Houten (July 1910) 
  11. John Miller Baseball Card 
  12. Pharmacy Journal 
  13. Photograph of a Florida Barber Shop
  14. Photograph of the Homosassa River
  15. Photograph of Mahwah Savings and Loan Association on Franklin Turnpike 
  16. Photograph of Unknown Family 
  17. Photograph of Unknown Men 
  18. Portrait of John Worhol, Jr. 
  19. Mahwah Farms half pint milk glass
  20. Mahwah Fire Department Annual Fire Outing ( August 1940) 
  21. Mahwah Tri Centennial Celebration Scrapbook ( 1999 – 2000) 
  22. Quality Leadership Mahwah Assembly Plant Ashtray 
  23. Ramsey High School Alumni Directory (1995) 
  24. Real Estate Directory ( October 1936) 
  25. Recipe Book 
  26. Rockland Telephone Directory (1957 – 1958) 
  27. Signed Photograph of Curt Blefary 
  28. William F. Dator Elementary School Graduation Certificate

Materials Separated to Other Collections

To Library: 

  1. Lincoln Library of Essential Information, The Frontier Press Company ( 1928) 

To Mahwah Master Plan Collection: 

  1. Mahwah Master Plan April 1975
  2. Mahwah Master Plan June 1989
  3. Mahwah Master Plan April 1999

To Mahwah Museum Archive: 

  1. Mahwah Museum Society Meeting of the Board of Trustees ( April 12, 2004) 
  2. Mahwah Museum Grant Committee Report 
  3. Bill & Linda Dator Deed of Gift, Mahwah Museum Society 
  4. Minutes of the Mahwah Museum Society ( November 11, 2003) 
  5. Mahwah Museum Purchase Orders
  6. Mahwah Museum Tax Exemption 
  7. Alteration for Mahwah Museum 
  8. Mahwah Museum Insurance Fund Application 

To Mahwah Schools Collection: 

  1. Closing Exercises Mahwah Elementary Schools ( 1957) 
  2. Commodore Perry Yearbook and Graduation Program ( 1957) 
  3. Mahwah High School Alumni Directory Class of 1960 and 1961
  4. Mahwah High School Reunion Class of 1960 and 1961
  5. Mahwah High School Yearbook Class of 1980 
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