HCCC Celebrates “Fifty Years of Excellence” with New Exhibit at the Museum of Jersey City History Set to Open on Friday, November 7th
November 5, 2025
November 5, 2025, Jersey City, NJ – Hudson County Community College (HCCC) is proud to announce the opening of Fifty Years of Excellence, a new, first-of-its-kind exhibit highlighting the College’s five decades of transformative impact on Hudson County. The exhibit will open on Friday, November 7, from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Museum of Jersey City History, located at 298 Academy Street, Jersey City. The exhibit will run through March 7, 2026.
The event will feature special welcoming remarks at 4:00 p.m. by HCCC President Dr.
Christopher Reber, followed by a discussion entitled “Hudson’s History” at 6:00 p.m. by Hudson County native, Former New Jersey State Representative, and
Former Vice President for External Affairs and Senior Counsel to the President Dr.
Nicholas Chiaravalloti.
Black-and-white photographs of HCCC’s early days, courtesy of the Jersey Journal. Copyright NJ Advance Media. Used with permission.
Fifty Years of Excellence offers visitors a compelling journey through HCCC’s legacy of empowering Hudson County residents through education, innovation, and community engagement. The exhibit showcases student honors, faculty achievements, award-winning academic programs, media features, historic yearbooks and student publications, graduation gowns from different eras, and rare photographs of Journal Square and the College’s evolution.
“For half a century, Hudson County Community College has opened doors of opportunity and transformed lives in Hudson County,” said President Reber. “This exhibit is not only a look back at our rich history, but a fitting tribute to the enduring spirit of our students, faculty, and community through the ages. It’s also a an opportunity for members of the HCCC family to reconnect with everything that makes the College a truly special place.”
Like HCCC, the host venue is home to a rich history itself. Also known as the Van Wagenen House or the Apple Tree House, the historic building dates back to 1740 and once hosted a meeting between George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette during the American Revolution, according to legend.
The exhibit invites all community members – students, alumni, current and former faculty and staff, and local history buffs – to explore the story of HCCC and its important role in shaping the educational and cultural landscape of Hudson County.
Event: Opening of 50 Years of Excellence HCCC Exhibit at the Museum of Jersey City History
Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Museum of Jersey City History, 298 Academy Street, Jersey City, NJ
This exhibit is open to the public and admission is free. Light refreshments and autumnal treats will be served.
For more information or to register for the event, visit HCCC’s 50th anniversary events website.