Tonya Cubby visited West Milford for a day trip when she was nine years old. Aboard a boat on Greenwood Lake she was struck by the beauty, the mountains, the fresh air. “I just felt that I should live here,” she said in a recent interview. The little girl’s dream of living in the township and another childhood wish, that she could repair old buildings that she passed along the way eventually came neatly together. Tonya moved to West Milford in 1986. The mother of three adult children, she works in town hall as secretary to boards and commissions. This is a convenient location for Tonya, since it is just across the street from where she has spent so much of her time the West Milford Township Museum. As chairperson of the Heritage Committee for over 15 years, Tonya and the all-volunteer museum staff have sought to bring local history to the forefront in the township. The museum building was erected as a church in 1862 and deeded to the town in 1910. It then went into service as the first town hall, including, at one time, the fledgling police department. In the 1980s it was designated as a local historic landmark and future site of the museum. As a member of the Heritage Quilters group, Tonya was sent to a meeting of the Heritage Committee, an advisory panel to the town council. She then became a member of the Heritage Committee which later took on the monumental task of overseeing the building’s much needed restoration and collection of valuable artifacts. Now Tonya’s wish is that the children of the town will develop a deeper understanding and love of history. “When a child can touch and see an object from the past, instead of just reading about it, they seem to come alive with curiosity and excitement,” she said. The current exhibits include an 1835 bedroom set, complete with a portrait of the original owner and period clothing as well as a quaint school room from the early 1900’s. Children who have visited recently were mystified by the dunce cap set on a tall stool. The museum is open on Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and for special events. It also opens its doors to schools and other groups upon request. Speaking of her work at the museum, Tonya said “I strongly believe in giving something back to the community and I can feel that I have accomplished something in my lifetime.” In keeping with the historic theme, Tonya submitted a recipe from her grandmother’s kitchen. Apple Nut Squares 1 and 3/4 cups sugar 1 cup butter 3 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla extract 2 cups sifted all purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 1 tsp. cinnamon ½ tsp. nutmeg 6-8 Macintosh apples, pared and sliced 1 cup chopped nuts Preheat over to 350 degrees. Cream sugar and butter, add eggs. Sift flour, baking soda, sale, cinnamon and nutmeg together. Stir dry ingredients into sugar/butter/egg mixture. Fold in apple slices and nuts. Spread in a greased and floured 9x13 pan. Bake for about an hour or until apple slices are tender and cake is firm. Cool and cut cake into squares.