Between 1955 and 1956, no one is quite sure, a small group of dedicated bow hunters started meeting at each other’s houses in the Lincoln Park area.

New Jersey had a newly established bow season and these bowmen were interested in adding to their meager knowledge and in meetings others who had the same interest. This group of 18 to 20 men formed the core of what was to soon become the Lincoln Park Archers.

After two years of meeting in each other’s houses, they started to have scheduled meetings at Henry’s Café in Lincoln Park. Upon the adoption of the first set of bylaws on June 5, 1958 the Lincoln Park Archers was created. The club continued to meet at Henry’s Café and had the use of a piece of land of Indian Lane in Towaco for a range, which the chapter members built.

The club expanded to 50 members in 1960 and at about that same time acquired the right to build a range on the YMCA property at Camp Dawson. At first, the club was only allowed to use this location once a week and not at all on weekends. The meetings were held in the upstairs portion of the barn, which was neither insulated, nor heated. This did not stop the club from growing and before long the YMCA became aware of the value of having the club on their property. They extended the times we could use the range and before long there were no limits and the club added bathrooms to the barn and starting having sanctioned shoots. To improve the club further, they heated the downstairs where meetings and indoor shoots occurred.

The club also purchased a tractor for the YMCA to help in the maintenance of the grounds. The membership was again expanded in 1971 to the current limit of 75 members. This helped support the continued growth of the ranges and the work needed to maintain the organization.

The Lincoln Park Archers have hosted several state championships and bow hunter festivals. We also hold the attendance records for many of these events.

The club has been and is the home of some of the finest archers and best bow hunters in the East. We continue to be with the dedicated and unselfish help of each of the current members.

We owe it to those that preceded us as members to at least maintain it and if possible to improve it.

Original bylaws adopted by the charter members on June 5th 1958

Founding Charter Officers

President:  George McCabe
Vice President:  Wm. Becher
Secretary: Edward Gallagher
Corresponding Secretary: Marion M. Boggess