William J. “Captain Bill” McKelvey
103 Dogwood Lane, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
(908) 464-9335 | mckelvey@LHRy.org
NJ Transport Historian & Preservationist, Author (five books), Publisher (two books), Bookseller, Lecturer, Canal Study Tour Leader (seventeen tours), Philanthropist (for Liberty Historic Railway), focusing on canals, trolleys, railroads, steamboats, and road vehicles. Editor of the 700+ page chronology / database of historic New Jersey Transportation Excursions, Trips, Events, etc. on the Liberty Historic Railway website.
Employment
Independent Loss Control Consultant: Railroad - Rapid Transit - Light Rail 1996-1998
CIGNA Property & Casualty Insurance Companies, Loss Control Services 1963-1993, Senior Railroad Specialist 1993-1995
Author
Delaware & Raritan Canal: A Photographic History 1975
Champlain to Chesapeake: A Canal Era Pictorial Cruise 1978
Lehigh Valley Transit Company’s Liberty Bell Route 1989
The Transportation History of Boonton, NJ 2018
Historic Transportation in the Phillipsburg to Washington and Port Murray Corridor 2026
Publisher
“The Old Raging Erie... There Have Been Several Changes” by Harry L. Rinker 1984
The Schuylkill Navigation: A Photographic History by Harry L. Rinker 1991
Major Memberships / Achievements
Advocates for New Jersey History: 2012 Dwyer Award for outstanding achievement in journalism related to or supporting New Jersey History
American Canal Society: Life Member / Vice President / Director Emeritus
American Society of Safety Engineers, New Jersey Chapter: Professional Member / Past President 1965-1995
Canal Society of New Jersey: Life Member / Director / Consultant 1975 - present
Canal Study Tour Leader / Historian: US, Canada; Champlain / Delaware & Raritan Canals 1988, 1990; Erie Canal; England / Wales: 1973, 1974, 1982, 1987, 1990, 1998, 2005, 2010; Holland: 1995; Ireland: 1991, 2001; South France: 1993
Certified Safety Professional: 1973 - Retired 1998
Friends of the New Jersey Transportation Heritage Center, Inc.: 1989-2011 / Founding Member / Director / President Emeritus / Curator / Collections Manager / Editor, New Jersey Transport Heritage 1991- 2011 / Annual Symposium Coordinator 1990 - 2011 / Book Sales Manager / Facility Manager: Rail Storage Yard; Pump House / 2011 “Public Service” Award in Recognition of the Contributions of Capt. Bill McKelvey
Liberty Historic Railway, Inc.: 2010 – Founder / Chairman / Treasurer / Chairman Emeritus
New Jersey General Assembly: Recipient of Legislative Proclamations: 2009 & 2011
New Jersey Historical Commission: Award of Recognition for Outstanding Service to Public Knowledge and Preservation of the History of New Jersey: 1984
Rutgers University, Bloustein School of Planning: Liberty State Park Rail Access Feasibility Study: Graduate Student Studio Advisor & Part Time Lecturer 2008-2009
Society for Industrial Archeology, Roebling Chapter: 2004 John Augustus Roebling Award for “dedication to preserving the transportation heritage of New Jersey in all its watered and wheeled forms.”
Tri-State Railway Historical Society: Lifetime Membership Awarded 2017; Annual Thomas Taber Service Award 2018
United Railroad Historical Society of NJ: 1989 – 2010 Delegate / Volunteer / Site Committee Chair
Education
Upsala College, Business Administration Major - 1962
US Army, Served in Korea and as Post Engineer Assistant, El Paso, TX 1957-1960, Honorably Discharged 1963
Bloomfield, NJ Senior High School - 1957