New Bench Honors Longtime Chester Volunteer, Resident

Carmen Helmer Smith wasn’t just a Chester resident of nearly 50 years, she was the first person to achieve and be part of many, many community initiatives.

And because of that, the Chester Library, in conjunction with the Chester Lioness Club, now has a bench in the front of the building to honor Smith’s legacy.

Smith moved to Chester in 1968, but not before receiving the first Golden Eaglet awarded by the Plainfield Girl Scout Council in 1934. She was active in the organization for more than 30 years, according to the Chester Lioness Club.

Upon moving to Chester, Smith became active right away, becoming part of the Chester Historical Society when it was created in 1969, and served as the body’s president from 1982 to 1988, and vice president from 2002-2007.

She was also a volunteer for the National Park Service at Millbrook Village in the Delaware Water Gap for more than 20 years. That service led her to found The Gristmill Weavers, a group of 20 young girls and boys she taught who would demonstrate her skills at Morris County Parks Cooper Mill, Fosterfields Living Farm and at the Colonial Craft Days at Bragg School in Chester.

Because of her long-standing commitment to the community at large, Smith was named as a “Living Treasure of Morris County” in 1999 and in 2004, the Chester Historical Society named their new room in the Chester Library the “Carmen Smith History Room.”

While Smith passed away in 2007, she continues to gain recognition and honor for her efforts. The bench at the library is now on display for all residents to see.