2009 SCHEDULE
SMITHVILLE LYCEUM SERIES
Click here for an explanation of the Lyceum Series and a full description of each of the 3 lectures in the series
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 - "The People, Places and Stories of Historic Vincentown." Smithville Lyceum Series. Billiard Room, Smithville Mansion. 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009 - "Burlington County's Still Family: A Story of Survival, Service and Success." Smithville Lyceum Series. Billiard Room, Smithville Mansion. 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 - "Burlington County's Military Cemeteries, Memorials, and Monuments" Smithville Lyceum Series. Billiard Room, Smithville Mansion. 7:30 p.m.
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The Burlington County Office of Tourism has just published three leaflets based on three of Joe's most popular lectures. Joe served as a consultant for the projects.
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"Quaker Meetinhouses of Burlington County" is a 12 page multi-flold which highlights the location of 10 active Friend's Meetings and 7 former Meetinghouses.
"Notable Women of Burlington County" provides an overview of 15 prominent women of Burlington County whose lives influenced world events far beyond the confines of Burlington County.
"One Room Schoolhouses in Burlington County" lists, illustrates and describes 17 Burlington County One-Room Schoolhouses scattered throughout Burlington County
A fourth leaflet, "Tour Guide of African American Historic Sites of Burlington County", created by Black History expert Giles Wright, is also available through the Office of Cultural Affairs and Tourism. |
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"PARALLEL COMMUNITIES" - NEW BOOK BY DENNIS RIZZO ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD IN SOUTHERN N.J.
Author Dennis Rizzo will speak and sign copies of his new book on the Underground Railroad in southern New Jersey Friday, February 6th, at 7 P.M. at the Mount Holly Library 307 High Street Mount Holly , N.J. For information call 609-267-7111 Copies for sale will be available. Proceeds benefit the Mount Holly Library.

Parallel Communities: The Underground Railroad in South Jersey
Dennis Rizzo
For slaves escaping on the Underground Railroad, names like Springtown and Snow Hill promised sanctuary and salvation. Under the pressures of racial prejudice, free blacks, runaway slaves and even many Native Americans formed island communities on the periphery of South Jersey towns. Dennis Rizzo validates their role in the preservation of tradition, definition of extended family and creation of a social bond between diverse peoples; together they formed parallel communities based on, but independent of, the larger towns and villages familiar to us all.
NEW SMITHVILLE CONSERVANCY WEBSITE
There is a new website dedicated exclusively to the history of the H.B. Smith Industrial Village. It was created for the Smithville Conservancy and features very detailed historical data about this historic site.
Visit www.SmithvilleConservancy.org to experience this introduction to Burlington County's first public park steeped in history. There are lots of pictures there, too.
STEAMBOATS ON THE DELAWARE
Between June 2, 2007 and August 26, 2007, the Office of Cultural Affairs and Tourism conducted 14 Riverboat tours on the Delaware River, attracting 1,179 passengers. The original idea was to conduct only two tours. However, once the word got out, telephone calls requesting tickets became overwhelming, to the point that many who desired tickets were unable to get them. The boat held only 100 people. The tour started at the Oneida Boad House on the Promenade in The City of Burlington, and proceeded south on the Delaware to "Andalusia", the Biddle Mansion on the Pennsylvania shore across from Delanco. Paul Schopp and Joe Laufer shared the narration, pointing out the historic sites and mansions along the way. The tour lasted approximately 2 hours. Currently, a private River Boat is docked at the Burlington City wharf -- partly a result of the success of the County tours of the summer of 2007.
NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR PRESERVATION AWARDS - 2009
Once again we are looking for nominations for the annual Preservation awards in a variety of categories. Click here to view the categories and criteria for the awards, presented each year during National Historic Preservation Month (May) by the Burlington County Freeholders.
2010 DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS:
MARCH 31, 2010
Request application forms by calling 609-265-5068 or
email: Information@BurlcoHistorian.com
BORDENTOWN CITY: 325 YEARS OLD IN '07
The historic city of Bordentown will celebrate its 325th anniversary next year. One of Burlington County's most historic towns, Bordentown has a number of historic sites and has maintained its sense of history through preservation and proactive efforts to promote its heritage. A series of events are planned for a two-week period in September of 2007. Larry Denny is president of the anniversary committee and can be reached at 609-298-1892.
Click here for related BC Times Article - 3/23/06
COUNTY BELL CAST 250 YEARS AGO
We are fortunate in Burlington County to have the "County Bell", which hangs in the tower of the historic Court House on High Street in Mount Holly, as one of our historic keepsakes, both because of its symbolism and its direct connection with significant county events. It relates directly to two of our most historic towns, Burlington and Mt. Holly; it is our link with our country’s struggle for independence, and has always been associated with our court system, which champions the basic rights of our citizens. Therefore, for Burlington Countians, it is as significant as the Liberty Bell is for all Americans.
The "County Bell" was cast in England in 1755 (only four years after the "Liberty Bell" was commissioned by the Pennsylvania Legislature to celebrate the 50th anniversary of William Penn's Charter of Privileges for Pennsylvania*). The Burlington County Bell was first used at the early court house in Burlingtron City, and while there, in 1776, rang the news of our contry's independence. It was in 1797 that the bell was transferred to the belfry of the Court House at Mount Holly, where it remains till this day.
*After its arrival in Philadelphia from England, the Liberty Bell was melted down and recast twice, and the final version wasn't hung and used until June, 1753 -- which makes the Liberty Bell only about 2 years older than the County Bell.
See article on the County Bell in the Courier Post, Friday, December 31, 2005
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