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Email: Information@BurlcoHistorian.com
 

 
  Mission Statement
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Preservation Awards

New Views Art & Tours

Preservation Rsources

 

This website is not sponsored by Burlington County, the Burlington County Freeholders nor any of its agencies. It was created independently by Joseph M. Laufer, Burlington County Historian and he alone is responsible for its contents.

  • BCHS RE-INSTITUTES SUNDAY LECTURES The Burlington County Historical Society has re-instituted its popular Sunday Lecture Series for 2011-12. Click here for the Speakers and Topics.
  • ANNIVERSERIES 2011 We have added a special page just for Local and National Anniver-series being celebrated this year. Of special interest are dates related to the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War. Click here for Anniverseries

  • BOOKS OF LOCAL INTEREST Periodically Joe reviews books of local historical interest, and has now created a section of this website devoted to these reviews and announcements concerning new videos and books. He also lists book and gift shops where these books may be purchased Click here .
  • NINE-ELEVEN MONUMENTS IN BURLINGTON CO.There are 9 sections of the World Trade Center in Burlington County. Click here for the Burlco inventory of 9/11 steel.
  • QUAKER CORNER - Ongoing interest in topics dealing with the Quaker heritage of this area warrants a special place on this website for notes on activities and events dealing with this subject. Joe has recently delivered the John Woolman lecture and made comments at the anniversaries of the Mt.Laurel Quaker Meeting and Cropwell Metting which are published here. The page also has directions for touring all the Quaker Meeting Houses in the county . Click here!
  • LINKS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST:
  • Halley's Comet - This is a topc that Joe researched during the visit of Halleys Comet 25 years ago. It will be back in 2061, so keep informed. Click for Info on Halley's Comet -
  • Passport to Burlington County - 21 places to visit in your back yard" (April 7) Click for Passport
  • "Showcasing Burlington County's Unique Stained Glass Treasures" Click for Stained Glass page.
  • The Eagles Have Landed In 2005, The Burlington County Office of Cultural Affairs and Tourism, in collaboration with New Jersey Transit, conducted a public art project called "The Eagles Have Landed," which consisted of the creation of 15 sculptured majestic eagles. Click here for the Illustrated Booklet describing each of these eagles.
  • PUBLIC ART IN MOUNT HOLLY: MURALS AND SCULPTURES - Take a look at our special page which tells the story of "First Night Burlington County" and other projects highlighting public art. Click here for Mount Holly's Public Art.
  • MILE MARKERS IN BURLINGTON COUNTY - I've added a new page with a brief power point presentation on historic mile markers in the county. Click here for MilerMarkers.htm.
  • TEN THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT BURLINGTON COUNTY! Recently, Joe Laufer was interviewed by Erin Roop of the Central Record about his role as Burlington County Historian. Erin asked Joe to list ten things that make Burlington County unique. Click here to see Joe's "top ten" list.
  • QUAKER MEETING HOUSE SERIES : On the first Saturday of each month in the Burlington County Times "AT HOME" supplement, a different Burlington County Quaker Meeting House was highlighted from March, 2006 through June, 2007. Joe was the consultant on this series. The June article consisted of a series summary and a self-driving tour of all 21 Quaker Meeting Houses in Burlington County. We have posted the tour on this site, recommending that it be spread over two days to get the full flavor of the sites. Click here for the tour..
  • SELF-GUIDED ONE ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE TOUR. The County Cultural and Heritage Office, in cooperation with the Colonial Dames of New Jersey offered a tour of Burlington County's One Room School Houses last year. Joe Laufer created a self-guided driving tour of the schools. Contact him via e-mail if you would like a copy.

 
 

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Welcome to the web site of Joe Laufer, Burlington County Historian

http://www.dvrpc.org/Mapping/maps/burlington.pdf

Click on Map

There are forty independent communities in Burlington County. Click HERE for a map which identifies each community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YOUR ONE-STOP LOCAL HISTORY RESOURCE

This web site has been created as a one-stop resource for historical information about Burlington County. Perhaps its greatest value is in the many links to web resourses created by local historians, historical societies and organizations dedicated to our rich history. Wherever we refer to a historic person, place or thing, if we are aware of a website which expands on that topic, we will link to it. The link page at the end of this web site is a veritable encyclopedia of local historical information about each of the 40 communities of Burlington County. If there are multiple web sites on the subject, we have linked to each of them. Anyone doing research on the history of any topic or location in Burlington County should be able to quickly link to the information they are seeking. We welcome you and invite you to explore the site -- and start now with a jump to the Link page by clicking HERE!

BULLETIN BOARD:

HISTORY OF THE POST OFFICE AT SMITHVILLE, EASTAMPTON TWP., BURLINGTON COUNTY.

A fourteen page article about the Smithville Post Office appeared in the November, 2011 edition of the New Jersey Postal History (Vol. 39/No. 4, pages 197 to 210). We have created a link to this issue. The article was written by Doug D'Avino, who interviewed several individuals associated with the history of Smithville, including descendants of the last Postmaster of the facility that was located in the historic Industrial Village. Edith Vaughn, who was appointed Acting Postmaster in January, 1930, and then promoted to Postaster in July, serving in that position for 34 years until it was discontinued on June 5, 1964.

Click here for the link to the November, 2011 issue of NJPH

SIXTH HISTORIANS' ROUNDTABLE HELD SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2011

The sixth and final Historians’ Roundtable, an informal discussion led by Burlington County Historian Joe Laufer and two colleagues, was held at the Cinnaminson Library on Saturday, Dec. 3..

Sponsored by the Burlington County Library System, the roundtable program was launched last spring in an effort to bring together history aficionados interested in discussing the County’s rich past. Led by Laufer and fellow historians Paul W. Schopp and David Kimball, the discussions are held at various historic sites and libraries located throughout the County.

The December 3rd program featured guest speaker Gary Saretzky, photographer, educator and archivist of the County of Monmouth. His topic was“Photographic Conservation.” Other items of current historical interest were also addressed.

Click here for AGENDA for Historians' Roundtable VI

Click here for POWER POINT shown at Historians' Roundtable VI

Click here for notes and Power Points summarizing past five Rountables

RE-ENACTMENT COMMEMORATES 235TH ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE OF IRON WORKS HILL

The annual re-enactment of the 1776 Revolutionary War Battle of Iron Works Hill, which pitted the American Revolutionary Militia against the Hessian Troops lured south from Bordentown to facilitate Washington's Christmas Day crossing of the Delaware at Trenton was held in Mount Holly on Saturday, December 10. This classic re-enactment conducted by seasoned Revolutionary War re-enactors firing musket and cannon is a popular all-day event in Mount Holly.

Click here for photos from 2011 Re-enactment event

Click here for the official Battle of Iron Works Hill website for schedule details.

HISTORIANS' ROUNDTABLE SCHEDULE FOR 2012 ANNOUNCED

Burlington County Historian Joe Laufer has announced the schedule of Historians’ Roundtables for 2012. This is the second year for this highly popular and well-attended series. Six roundtables were held in 2011, and five have been scheduled for 2012. Hosted by Laufer and fellow historians Paul W. Schopp and Dave Kimball, the program brings together officers and members of local historical societies and history organizations throughout Burlington County. The programs are held at different locations throughout the county and provide networking opportunities for historians and history buffs as well as opportunities to discuss common problems and history-related issues. Consultants are engaged for selected meetings to provide professional advice and expertise dealing with specific history topics. Laufer announced the schedule and venues for 2012, with a caveat that the April meeting may have to be re-located if the new Library Auditorium is not completed for occupancy by the April 14 th scheduled program.

Saturday, February 18, 2012 - Historians Roundtable I - Paulsdale, Hooten Road, Mt. Laurel.

Saturday, April 14, 2012 - Historians Roundtable II – Tentatively scheduled for the County Library Auditorium, Westampton.

Saturday, June 2, 2012 - Historians Roundtable III - Pemberton Library, Browns Mills.

Saturday, September 22, 2012 - Historians Roundtable IV – Billiard Room of the Smithville Mansion, Eastampton.

Saturday, November 17, 2012 - Historians Roundtable V - Bordentown Library.

The Roundtables are free and open to the public. Further information is available on the County Historian’s Website: www.Burlcohistorian.com. Registration is recommended for each program by using the County Library events registration calendar at www.bcls.lib.nj.us.

SPEAKER LISTINGS TO AID PROGRAM CHAIRPERSONS

In order to provide ideas to the Program Chairpersons who are looking for speakers and topics for their meetings, we have created a page called "Who's Speaking Were?" Program chairs can learn what the "hot" topics are this season, as well as contact other Program chairs for contact information on their speakers. Click here for current listings.

ABOUT COUNTY HISTORIAN, JOE LAUFER

Over the past thirty years Joe has delivered hundreds of lectures to local, regional and even national groups. He has been a member of the National Speakers Association, the Liberty Bell Speakers Association and the International Platform Association and is listed in Who's Who in Professional Speaking. Most of his lectures deal with historical subjects.

Mr. Laufer is also President of the H.B. Smith Industrial Village Conservancy and has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Jack Allen Memorial Country Living Museum of Southampton and the Roebling Main Gate Museum. He is a past president of the Southampton Historical Society and has served on the Board of Trustees of the Burlington County Historical Society. In June, 2003, Joe Laufer was appointed official Burlington County Historian by the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

He is a strong advocate for the expansion of tourism in Burlington County, having been a founding member of the Historic Rancocas Valley Tourism Association, which was a precursor to the establisment of a Department of Tourism in Burlington County. He was a staff member of the Division of Cultural Affairs and Tourism until 2010, As County Historian, he is in residence at the Headquarters of the Burlington County Library System.

Joe is actively involved in the selection of recipients of annual Burlington County Preservation Awards, and in the selection of venues for the popular "New Views" county tours.

In recognition of his volunteer service to the citizens of Burlington County, a scholarship was named in his honor available to graduating High School seniors who excel in community service. Click here for information on the Joe LauferCollege Scholarship.

SJ MAGAZINE SPOTLIGHTS JOE LAUFER: The January, 2009 issue of SJ Magazine contains a feature by Mary Lou Sheffield about Joe Laufer's role as Burlington County Historian. Click for PDF version of the article.

Joe's Speaking Events Calendar   County News

2012 LECTURES

Tuesday, January 3, 2012 - "The Mount Holly Fair" - Questers of Burlington County - 10 a.m., Mt. Holly Lyceum and Library, High St., Mt. Holly

Thursday, January 5, 2012 - "Burlington County Trivia" Unusual Persons, Places and Curiosities in the History of Burlington County. 10:00 a.m. - Burlington County Board of Agriculture Reorganization Meeting.

Friday, January 27, 2012 - ""Burlington County Trivia" Unusual Persons, Places and Curiosities in the History of Burlington County." 7:30 p.m. - Easton Bible Church, Fostertown Road, Lumberton.

Unavailable February 4 through 12, 2012

Monday, February 13, 2012 - A Bridge to Our Past - a History of Burlington County - History Club of Leisuretowne, Laurel Hall, Leisuretowne. 7 p.m.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012- Dr. James Still, the Black Doctor ofr the Pines . 10:30 a.m. - Ocean County Library, Long Beach Island Branch, Surf City.

Saturday, February 18, 2012 - Historians Roundtable I - Paulsdale, Mt. Laurel

Sunday, February 19, 2012 - "Burlington County Trivia" Unusual Persons, Places and Curiosities in the History of Burlington County. 11:00 a.m. Men's Cllub, Adath Emanuel, Elbo Lane, Mt. Laurel.

Sunday, February 26, 2012 - "Burlington County: Cradle of Emancipation - A local Black History Overview" - 7:00 pm. Sam's Club Associates, Cinnaminson.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012 - "Burlington County's Still Family, A Story of Survival, Service and Success' - 10:00 a.m. USDA, Springfield.".

Tuesday, February 28, 2012 - "Burlington County Trivia" Unusual Persons, Places and Curiosities in the History of Burlington County. 12:00 noon. Springfield-Mansfield Senior Club.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - "Ten Historical Facts that Make Burlington County Unique" - Westampton Shriners at Charlie Browns Restaurant, Westampton. 7:45 p.m.

Thursday, March 8, 2012 - Topic TBA - Care-One, Marlton, 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012 "Notable Women of Burlington County" - Cinnaminson Library, 1619 Riverton Rd., Cinnaminson. - 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 24, 2012 - Pinelands Short Course - Two lectures on Pinelands topics: 1) - 11:15 a.m." Burlington County's Still Family: A Story of Survival, Service and Success;" 2) 1:15 pm. "Pinelands Panorama - A Virtual Tour."Burlington County College, Pemberton Campus. Rt. 530, Pemberton. Schedule availabe at http://www.nj.gov/pinelands.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012 - "Notable Women of Burlington County" . 7:00 p.m. Merchantville Women's Club. 212 Somerset Ave., Merchantville.

Saturday, April 14, 2012 - Historians Roundtable II - Library Auditorium, Westampton

Saturday, May 19, 2012 - New Views Bus Tour

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - "D-Day - The Sixth of June" - New Jersey Society of Pennsylvania. 12:30 - Doubletree Suites, Friendship Road, Mt. Laurel, NJ

Saturday, June 2, 2012 - Historians Roundtable III - Pemberton Library, Browns Mills

Unavailable September 2 through 9, 2012

Saturday, September 22, 2012 - Historians Roundtable IV - Smithville Mansion

From October 14-27, 2012, Joe will be visiting "Magnificent Cities of Central & Eastern Europe (Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Karakow & Warsaw).

Saturday, November 17, 2012 - Historians Roundtable V - Bordentown Library

COMPLETED TALKS - 2011

Monday, January 10, 2011 - "Burlington County Trivia: Unusual Persons, Places and Events". 7:00 p.m. Leisurtowne History Club.

Saturday, January 15, 2011 - Presenter at program in Beverly, NJ in honor of Martin Luther King. "Picturing America - From Slavery to Voting Rights." - Beverly Elementary School.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011 - "A Bridge to our Past - History of Burlington County ". 2:00 p.m. Care One At Evesham Assisted Living, Marlton, NJ.

Sunday, January 30, 2011 - "Burlington County Trivia: Unusual Persons, Places and Events in the History of Burlington County." Crosswicks Historical Society. 2:00 p.m. - Chesterfield Baptist Church, Matthews Lane, Chesterfield Village.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011 - Premiere of Documentary on Dr. James Still. "Dr. James Still, Black Doctor of the Pines - And the Legacy of the Still Family."- Lenape High School Auditorium - 7:00 p.m.

Saturdday, February 5, 2011 - "Dr. James Still, The Black Doctor of the Pines and the Legacy of the Still Family of Shamong" - Delaware Valley Unit of the Herb Society of America -Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead Museum, Rt. 29, Lambertville, Hunderton County, NJ. - 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 10, 2011 - "Burlington County Trivia: Unusual Persons, Places and Events" - 1:00 p.m. Holiday Village, Mt. Laurel, NJ.

Sunday, February 13, 2011 - "Dr. James Still, The Black Doctor of the Pines and the Legacy of the Still Family of Shamong" -12:00 Noon - Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 801 W. State St., Trenton, NJ

Wednesday, February 16, 2011 - The story of Junteenth (Emancipation Day), June 19, 1865 -- and Burlington County: the "Cradle of Emancipation" - AAUW of Willingboro. Willingboro Senior Center at Kennedy H.S. 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 26, 2011 - Historians' Roundtable - 10:00 a.m. Mount Holly Lyceum and Library, High St., Mt. Holly. More info... and you can register on line by clicking here.

Monday, March 14, 2011 - "Burlington County and the Civil War" - Civil War Sesquicentenary. 7:00 p.m. Leisurtowne History Club. Laurel Hall.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011 - "Burlington County Trivia: Unusual Persons, Places and Events". 7:30 p.m. Springfield Historical Society. Springfield Municipal Building, Jobestown.

Saturday, March 26, 2011 - Dr. James Still, Black Doctor of the Pines and the Legacy of the Still Family - Pinelands Short Course - Burlington County College. For registration/ brochure, click here. Or obtain information at http://www.state.nj.us/pinelands/about/events.

Saturday, April 2, 2011 - Pinelands Panorama - Bus Tour sponsored by the N.J. Pinelands Commission as a part of the Pinelands Short Course Project. 9 a.m. through 3 p.m. From Burlington County College. Further information: Click here for brochure or click on link below:

http://www.state.nj.us/pinelands/about/events.

Monday, April 4, 2011 - "Vincentown and the Civil War" - Civil War Sesquicentenary. With Dorothy Best - Southampton Historical Society, 7:30 p.m. Olde Towne Hall, Mill St., Vincentown.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011 - "Burlington County Trivia: Unusual Persons, Places and Events".Corpus Christi Social Club; 1:30 p.m. Corpus Christi Parish Hall, Willingboro, NJ.

Saturday, April 16, 2011 - Historians' Roundtable - 11:00 a.m. Library Company of Burlington, 23 West Union St., Burlington City. More info...

Wednesday, April 20, 2011 - Notable Women of Burlington County - Merchantville Women's Club, Merchantville, NJ, Greenly Ct., Merchantville.

Thursday, May12, 2011 - Ellis Howard Parker: First County Chief of Detectives - with Paul W. Schopp at the Warden's House of the Historic Burlington County Prison Museum - 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 14, 2011- World Trade Center Memorial Dedication at the Air Victory Museum. (More info...). 10:00 am at 68 Stacy Haines Rd., Lumberton.

Saturday, May 21, 2011 - Bus Tour: Civil War Connections in Burlington County - Sponsored by the Friends of the Burlington County Library. Click for tentative Itinerary

Thursday, June 9, 2011 - "Burlington County Trivia" Unusual Persons, Places and Curiosities in the History of Burlington County. 7:30 p.m. Union St. Friends Meeting hall, Medford. Medford Historical Society

Wednesday, June 15, 2011 - Bus Tour: One Room Schoolhouses of Burlington County - Private Tour - AACS National Convention at Rider University. http://csaa.typepad.com

Thursday, June 16, 2011 - "Burlington County Trivia" Unusual Persons, Places and Curiosities in the History of Burlington County. 6:00 p.m. Wrightstown Rotary - Garden State Diner, Rt. 537, Wrightstown.

Saturday, June 18, 2011 - Historians' Roundtable - 10:00 a.m. Evesham Public Library, 984 Tuckerton Rd., Marlton. More info...

Tuesday, July 12, 2011 - All Aboard: Travel Tips, Tales and Tools From a Seasoned Traveler - 7:00 p.m. Pinelands Library, Medford. See Joe's Travel Website.

Thursday, July 14, 2011 - Dr. James Still, The Black Doctor of the Pines and The Legacy of 5the Still Family - 7:30 pm. Video and Commentary. Pinelands Preservation Alliance, Pemberton Road, Southampton.

Wed., Thur, Fri., Sat, July 20-23, 2011- History Faire at the Farm Fair - Route 206 at Springfield. Joe will be present throughout the Burlington County Farm Fair at the History Tent.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011 - "A Bridge to our Past - History of Burlington County ". 2:00 p.m. Bright View at Greentree, Marlton

Wednesday, July 27, 2011 - Travel Tips, Tools and Tales - 7:00 p.m., Cinnaminson Library, 1619 Riverton Rd., Cinnaminson. See Joe's Travel Website.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011- "Burlington County Trivia" Unusual Persons, Places and Curiosities in the History of Burlington County- 7:00 p.m., Cinnaminson Library, 1619 Riverton Rd., Cinnaminson.

Thursday, September 8, 2011 - All Aboard: Travel Tips, Tales and Tools From a Seasoned Traveler - 6:00 p.m. Maple Shade Library, Maple Shad. . See Joe's Travel Website.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011 - "Historic One Room Schoolhouses of Burlington County"- 1:15 p.m., Care One of Evesham, Marlton, NJ.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011 - "Burlington County Trivia" Unusual Persons, Places and Curiosities in the History of Burlington County- 7:00 p.m., Vincentown-Medford Rotary, Medford Lakes Country Club.

Saturday, September 24, 2011 - Historians' Roundtable IV - Batsto Visitor Center - 10 a.m. - Noon.

Thursday, September 29, 2011 - "Burlington County Trivia" Unusual Persons, Places and Curiosities in the History of Burlington County- 6:00 p.m., Maple Shade Library, Maple Shade..

(Oct. 4 through 15, Joe will be touring Peru and Machu Picchu)

Wednesday, October 19, 2011 - 38 "Burlington County Trivia" Unusual Persons, Places and Curiosities in the History of Burlington County- 1:00 p.m., Charlies Other Brother, Eastampton - Mt. Holly Rotary

Wednesday, October 19, 2011 65 "Notable Women of Burlington County" - 7:00 p.m., Leisuretowne Civic League, Southampton, NJ

Thursday, October 20, 2011 - 32 "Burlington County Trivia: Unusual Persons, Places and Events". 7:00 p.m. Pemberton Community Library, 16 Broadway, Browns Mills, NJ

Friday, October 21, 2011 -81 "Burlington County Trivia" Unusual Persons, Places and Curiosities in the History of Burlington County- 7:00 p.m., Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Adult Volunteers - Rutgers Extension, 2 Academy Drive, Westampton.

Saturday, October 22, 2011 40 - Historians' Roundtable V - Roebling Museum- 10 a.m. - Noon.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011 - 32 - "Burlington County Trivia: Unusual Persons, Places and Events". 7:00 p.m. Bordentown Public Library, 18 E. Union St., Bordentown, NJ

Thursday, November 3, 2011 - 83 - Ellis Howard Parker: First County Chief of Detectives - with Paul W. Schopp at the Medford Historical Society Meeting, Quaker Meeting House, Union St. Medford. 7:30 pm.

Friday, November 4, 2011 -78 -D-Day, June 6, 1944 - 7:00 p.m. Friday Nighters Club, First Presbyterian Church, Moorestown.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011 - 1:00 P.M. Notable Women of Burlington County - Hadassah, Temple Har Zion, High & Ridgeway, Mt. Holly.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - "Burlington County and the Civil War" - Civil War Sesquicentenary. 7:30 p.m. Riverside Historical Society

Wednesday, November 17, 2011 - 7:00 P.M. Travel Night: Magnificent Cities of Central & Eastern Europe - 7:00 p.m. Informational program on planed tour for Oct., 2012. Flying W Airport, Medford- Flight Operations Lounge.

Monday, November 21, 2011 - 7:30 P.M. Burlington County Trivia - Indian Mills Historical Society, Shamong Municipal Building, Willow Grove Road, Shamong.

Thursday, December 1, 2011 - Speaker at Volunteer of the Year event honoring Regan Young at Madison Cafe, Riverside, NJ.

Friday, December 2, 2011 - Master of Ceremonies for Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Vincentown. 6 p.m.

Saturday, December 3, 2011 - Historians' Roundtable VI -Cinnaminson Library, Riverton Road, Cinnaminson - 10 a.m. - Noon.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - 7:30 p.m. Notable Women of Burlington County - Burlington County Farm Bureau Women's Committee Dinner. Charley's Other Brother, Eastampton, NJ

Saturday, December 10, 2011 - Battle of Iron Works Hill Re-enactment. Narrator during the re-enactment - 2:30-4:30 High St., Mount Holly

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SMITHVILLE CONSERVANCY WEBSITE

There is a 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.

UNDERGROUND R.R. MUSEUM CREATES WEB SITE : Executive Director Louise Calloway of the Underground Railroad Cafe, Art Gallery and Educational Center, 16-18 East Union St., Burlington, which boasts of an excellent Museum on the subject, has its own website: http://ugrrburlington.webs.com

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.

expectations and is a welcome addition to Burlington County's historical landmarks.

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The Burlington County Office of Tourism has 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.

COUNTY BELL CAST OVER 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

 
     

 

  
 
 
© 2005 Burlington County Historian. All rights reserved.