Episode 2: Persistence and Place with Charlene Burke

Nat’s Sidewalk Stories

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Episode 2: Persistence and Place with Charlene Burke

Or How One Voice Can Preserve a Neighborhood

Nat Kalbach

Apr 10, 2025

About This Episode

In this episode, I chat with longtime Jersey City resident and preservation advocate Charlene Burke to discuss how persistent civic engagement can transform neighborhoods. Charlene shares her journey from publishing a magazine about New Jersey history to becoming a driving force behind the West Bergen-East Lincoln Park Historic District. Her practical wisdom about speaking up at community meetings and showing up consistently reminds us that one person really can make a difference.

Meet Charlene Burke

Charlene Burke being award the Theodore Conrad Preservationist Award by the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy - photo courtesy of Charlene Burke

Charlene Burke was born in Jersey City's Margaret Hague Hospital and has been a Hudson County resident for most of her life. After growing up between urban Jersey City and at the time more rural Secaucus, she returned to Jersey City where she became a property owner, grant writer, and community activist. She has been instrumental in numerous preservation initiatives, particularly the successful designation of the West Bergen-East Lincoln Park Historic District in 2015.

Key Insights

Persistence matters: "Be persistent, but polite. You will get what you want in time because you keep plugging away at it."
One voice can make change: "One person can make a difference. You may think at times that you need to have a whole army behind you, but if you have all the documentation or all the persuasive arguments, you can make the difference."
We are the government: People fail to realize they are the government; showing up to compliment as well as complain makes for better civic engagement.
Do your research: Before speaking at public meetings, arm yourself with facts and background information.
Libraries are underutilized resources: Libraries provide access to grant databases and resources that can help fund community initiatives.
Parks shape neighborhoods: Lincoln Park attracted investment to the West Bergen area and continues to give the neighborhood its character.

Visual Documentation

Yesterday Today In New Jersey Magazines - courtesy of Charlene Burke

West Bergen-East Lincoln Park Historic District map showing the boundaries designated in 2015. Courtesy of Jersey City Planning Department

One of the The Lincoln Park "Summer Houses" (gazebos) mentioned by Charlene in their original appearance. They were altered in the 1970s. Postcard by Nat Kalbach

Related Resources

Explore Further

Look for my articles "The Power of Persistence: Lessons from Charlene Burke" and "Finding Your Voice at Public Meetings" here on my Substack "Nat's Sidewalk Stories" in the next two weeks, featuring additional photos of the historic neighborhood and practical tips for civic engagement.

Coming Up Next

Stay tuned for our conversation with Kelly Carroll on community-based preservation and how even unsuccessful preservation efforts can strengthen neighborhoods in unexpected ways.

Connect with Me

Music: Our theme music is "How You Amaze Me," composed by Jim Kalbach and performed by Jim Kalbach, Bryan Beninghove, Charlie Siegler, and Pat Van Dyke.

Support the Show: Subscribe to the podcast and sign up for Nat's Substack to receive additional stories and visuals that complement each conversation.

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Nat's Sidewalk Stories explores the intersection of place, community, and storytelling through conversations with practitioners, community leaders, and local changemakers. New episodes release on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month through August, with a break in September before Season 2 begins in October.