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Historical Society of Moorestown
Smith-Cadbury Mansion
12 High Street, P.O. Box 477
Moorestown, NJ 08057
Phone (856): 235-0353
CLOSED MOTHERS DAY May 13th 2012
Open for tours Sundays from 1-3pm and on Tuesdays from 2-3 pm. Gift Shop available at this time.
Library hours include every Tuesday from 1-4 pm and second Sundays of each month from 1-4 pm.
Find us on facebook
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Our Mission Statement: The Historical Society of Moorestown is a nonprofit organization preserving the history of Moorestown Township, Burlington County, New Jersey, providing opportunities for the community to learn about the past and further understand and appreciate the history of Moorestown and the surrounding area.
Interesting programs take place at our Annual Spring Business meeting & Fall General Meeting, located at the Moorestown Community House.
Membership includes a quarterly newsletter. |
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Events (click on . Events link above for more details)
* Shaula Wright, expert antique appraiser, will be the first guest speaker at our newly initiated Coffee Klatch series on Tuesday, May 15 from 12:30 to 1:30
* Come see us on Moorestown Day for Saving Swede Run Barn fund-raiser at Smith-Cadbury Mansion Saturday June 2, 2012, Noon to 3pm. All local artists and photographers are also invited to exhibit their representations of the Swede Run Barn for display and/or sale at this upcoming special fundraising event. |
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Saving Swede Run Barn
A special committee has been formed in coordination with the Township Council and Boy Scouts of America Troop #601.
The Swede Run Fields barn on Westfield Road needs our help. This Jersey sandstone farm outbuilding dates as far back as the 18th or 19th century. It is a beloved local landmark and is one of the few remaining vestiges of Moorestown’s rich farming heritage.
Check donations to help restore the building can be made out to "The Historical Society of Moorestown" with "Barn Restoration" on the memo line. Please mail donations to:
Julie Maravich
660 Chester Avenue
Moorestown, NJ 08057 |
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To aid in the fund-raising effort, Moorestown photographer Jan Daniels has created a beautiful 34-page book of images of the Swedes Run barn and has generously offered to donate the profits from the sales of his books online at http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2669916. These lovely images are also available as greeting cards and photographic prints online, at the website: http://jan-daniels.artistwebsites.com/art/all/swede+run+barn+in+moorestown+nj/all
Both the book and the greeting cards are also available in the Historical Society gift shop during our regular open hours.
See Mr. Daniels's work and more on Moorestown Day for Saving Swede Run Barn fund-raiser at Smith-Cadbury Mansion Saturday June 2, 2012 |
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April 2012 Update:
The architectural plans, drawn by Kimberly Bunn, have been approved by the township. The building permit is in hand. Larry Tait, of Larry Tait Roofing, is donating much of the materials and labor. Once the roof is completed, masonry work will begin. Following that, some interior woodwork will be recreated.
We are in the planning stages of one additional big fund-raiser, and the emphasis is fun! Stay tuned to our website and FaceBook page for upcoming details.
Until then, see you on Moorestown Day at Smith-Cadbury! |
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Objectives of the Historical Society
To cultivate friendship among its members: to collect and preserve data and to engage in historical research touching the history of Moorestown Township, Burlington County, New Jersey and the surrounding area.
To collect and preserve articles, specimens, modes, habits, and history of the times in said Moorestown Township and surrounding area.
To perpetuate the memory of those who by their labors and heroism contributed to make the history of said municipality and the surrounding area. |
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Standing Committees
Members are invited to join our all-volunteer staff on the following committees: Docent/Hostess, House and Grounds, Activities/Special Events, Finance and Grants, Gift Shop, Textile/Costume, Library/Research, Acquisitions.
Events include inviting speakers to our membership gatherings, exhibits in the mansion curated by members of the community about the community, historic home showcases, a contemporary gift shop, historically based crafting for K-6. Membership in the Historical Society offers many varied volunteer and donation opportunities for both new and long-time residents of the area.
We welcome new members and appreciate the continued support of present members. We look forward to seeing you at Smith-Cadbury. The Trustees of the Historical Society are pleased to share the history of this important house and its surrounding town with future generations.
Let us know if there are friends or neighbors that might be interested in becoming a member of the Historical Society of Moorestown.
Contact our Membership Chair, Lynne Japka at (609)315-6515. |
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Gift Shop
The Gift Shop Committee stocks a variety of lovely gifts such as fine jewelry, pottery, handmade baby gifts, note cards, framed original artwork, photo reproductions from the archives, cookbooks, aprons, blankets and local history pamphlets.
The committee decks out the shop for certain holidays and brings in items of interest pertaining to that holiday. This is not your average museum store.
The shop is available whenever tours of the house are being offered. |
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A brick walk leads the visitor to the rear patio which is dedicated to the memory of May Borton. |
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History of the Society
By purchasing the very old Cadbury house in 1969, our founding members not only insured the preservation of the Smith-Cadbury Mansion (circa 1738), but laid the groundwork for the collecting of artifacts, furniture, oral histories and other ephemera of the community. As we have inherited the legacy of these dedicated men and women, we hope to pay tribute to their efforts by forging new friendships, by being good stewards of the property, by managing the archives and historical artifacts of Moorestown and by growing with the town as it expands.
We are a totally volunteer and not-for-profit 501-3 ( c ) organization. The Society governs with long established by-laws and a Board of Trustees, led by an Executive Committee. Financial support comes from membership dues, fund-raising activities and donations. Members are welcomed and encouraged (but not required) to volunteer. The membership has an Annual Meeting in April and a Fall General Meeting, both usually held at the Moorestown Community House, located just a block away from the Smith- Cadbury mansion.
Expansion of our Collections, a community resource, is made possible only through fundraising efforts and donations. Our library offers research material on family and house genealogies, local history, Quaker patterns of life, maps of the area, newspapers (old and new), school yearbooks, city directories, etc., eventually accessible through our Past Perfect Library software. The continually growing collections of local furniture, clocks, accessories, silhouettes, samplers and period clothing are on display. |
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A Glance at Moorestown's History
Today, as one walks along Main Street from the Friends School west past the old Town Hall, it is hard to believe that the ridge that the road (formerly The King's Highway) follows was once occupied with the wigwams of the Lenni Lenape Indians. Two fine springs, one to the west (off Main Street before reaching the Perkins Center for the Arts) and one to the east (off North Stanwick Road) were attractive to Indians and traders alike.
Although Moorestown has been settled for 300 years(formerly known as Chestertown and Rodmantown), it was incorporated by an act of the NJ State Legislature approved on March 11, 1922. This can be found in Chapter 68 of the Laws of 1922 published in the 'Acts of the One Hundred and Forty-seventh Legislature of the State of New Jersey and Seventy-ninth Under the New Constitution' MacCrellish & Quigley Co., State Printers, Trenton,N.J., 1923.
Chester Township was a large expanse of land which included what is now known as Delran, Cinaminson, Maple Shade and part of Mount Laurel. |
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The community was founded in the late seventeenth century by those who built homes and actually lived here rather than just hunting along the dry ridge. Thomas Hooton and son acquired 600 acres in 1682 and the Roberts family also set up their farmstead in the area. In May of 1686, when Philadelphia was about 3 years old, John Rodman bought 500 acres on the west side of Chester Township, and Thomas Rodman bought 533 acres additional in the same area, where the area soon became known as the Village of Rodmantown. The growing area around the eastern spring was known as the Village of Chestertown.
In 1700, the first Society of Friends Meeting House, built of logs, was erected on The King's Highway. Originally known as 'Meeting House Lane,' Chester Avenue was laid out in 1720. The Village at that time probably consisted of a few farmhouses along The King's Highway from Stanwick Road to Locust Street. |
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Former location of the Coles Hotel is denoted by this marker and Town Clock. In the background, you will find the Friends Burial Grounds. |
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Thomas Moore and his wife Elizabeth settled here in 1722 and in 1732, Moore purchased 33 acres of land on the north side of The King's Highway. The land ran from the west side of the Friends' graveyard on the northwest corner of The King's Highway and Meeting House Lane on the east and west to Locust Street on the western boundary of his property and north to Second Street. Mr. Moore set up a hotel and tavern on the northwest corner of The King's Highway and Union Streets (currently, a bank). With so much land eventually being owned by Thomas Moore, the name Moorestown gradually replaced Chester informally in what is now the center of town. Finally, Moorestown formerly split off from Chester and became a Township.
The Coles Hotel, east of the corner of Main and Chester, was the scene of great activity prior to the building of the railroad in 1867. Before this time, the stagecoach was the only public conveyance between Moorestown and Philadelphia, and the hotel was a stagecoach stop. |
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Cowperthwaite House HAB Survey (Library of Congress) Nathaniel R. Ewan, Photographer April 12, 1938 EXTERIOR - SW elevation |
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Another landmark on Main Street, east of Chester Avenue, is now the present home of the New Jersey Bell Telephone Company. In 1745 John Cox erected a tavern there that was to become famous in the early history of Moorestown. Town Meetings were held in the tavern prior to 1812 when 'Old Town Hall' was then erected.
The home now standing on the northwest corner of Main and Schooley Streets, then the home of Joshua Bispham, was commandeered by Hessian officers during the Revolutionary War as they retreated from Philadelphia in 1778.
The old homestead on the northeast corner of King's Highway and Lenola Road was constructed in 1742 by John Cowperthwaite. Because of its excellent example of an 18th century home, record of its construction was made in 1937 by the U.S. Department of Interior and is now recorded in the Library of Congress. |
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Annual Meeting: APRIL 12, 2012 at 7:30 in the Community House
All are welcome to attend. The guest speaker will be Walt Andariese who will discuss his new book, “Hilltop-to-Hilltop in 1840 --- Signals Across New Jersey.” His research has brought to light a communication system that operated during a five year period in the mid-1800s, without electricity or electronics, which made it possible for a message to be transmitted from New York to Philadelphia in minutes. A series of semaphore towers (one of which was located on top of Mt. Laurel) was constructed across New Jersey to send messages between the New York City stock exchange and a Philadelphia stockbroker. The knowledge gained through this unique communication system provided a variety of financial advantages to its users.
Light refreshments will be served following the meeting and copies of Mr. Andariese’s book will be available for purchase.
Community House of Moorestown 16 E. Main St., Moorestown, NJ (meters out front / parking lot to the rear - enter from Main Street) |
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Our Sacred Honor: Moorestonians in Time of War
We have Our Sacred Honor: Moorestonians in Time of War DVD's for sale! Inspired by The Historical Society of Moorestown's 2007 exhibit of the same name, the film traces the town's residents who have fought and in some cases paid the ultimate sacrifice, from the American Revolution to the present day. This DVD captures one small town's history of courage, sacrifice and honor.
Available at the Smith-Cadbury Mansion Gift Shop, Moorestown Hardware or by email to Lenny Wagner at lwagner559@comcast.net |
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2012-2013 Board of Trustees, Executive Committee
President -Lisa Hammell
First Vice President-Stephanie Herz
Second V.P. - Ann Condon
Treasurer - Harry Koons
Recording Secretary - Lynne Brill
Corresponding Secretary - Lynne Japka
Membership Renewal: May 1, 2012- April 30, 2013
Please see 2012 Membership form link below under Items of Interest. Membership is open to all who are interested. |
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Information filed with the Attorney General concerning this charitable organization and the percentage of contributions received by the charity during the last reporting period that were dedicated to the charitable purpose may be obtained from the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey by calling 973-504-6215 and is available on the internet at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov
Registration with the Attorney General does not imply endorsement. |
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Publications
(types avail:
Newsletters, Items of Interest,
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 Newsletters |
| | December 2011 Newsletter
File not yet uploaded (pdf4342).
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| | September 2011
 HSM_Sept_2011_NL.pdf
Size = 631,389 Bytes
(approx. 5 minute(s) to download by modem,
and 11 second(s) by Cable Modem/DSL Line)
Last updated: Friday, Feb 03, 2012,
2:00PM by Historical Society of Moorestown
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| | June 2011 Newsletter
HSM_June_2011_NL_BW.pdf
Size = 916,766 Bytes
(approx. 8 minute(s) to download by modem,
and 16 second(s) by Cable Modem/DSL Line)
Last updated: Friday, Feb 03, 2012,
1:59PM by Historical Society of Moorestown
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| | March 2011 Newsletter
HSM_Mar_2011_NL.pdf
Size = 375,251 Bytes
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and 7 second(s) by Cable Modem/DSL Line)
Last updated: Friday, Feb 03, 2012,
1:58PM by Historical Society of Moorestown
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| | December 2010 Newsletter
HSM_Dec_2010_NL.pdf
Size = 881,825 Bytes
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and 15 second(s) by Cable Modem/DSL Line)
Last updated: Friday, Feb 03, 2012,
1:57PM by Historical Society of Moorestown
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| | September 2010 Newsletter
HSM_Sept_2010_NL.pdf
Size = 914,409 Bytes
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and 16 second(s) by Cable Modem/DSL Line)
Last updated: Friday, Feb 03, 2012,
1:53PM by Historical Society of Moorestown
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| | June 2010 Newsletter
June Newsletter.pdf
Size = 1,647,684 Bytes
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Last updated: Sunday, Oct 31, 2010,
4:20PM by Historical Society of Moorestown
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| | March 2010 Newsletter
March 2010 Newsletter.pdf
Size = 1,153,551 Bytes
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Last updated: Sunday, Oct 31, 2010,
4:19PM by Historical Society of Moorestown
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| | December 2009
HSM_Dec_2009_NL[1].pdf
Size = 2,770,229 Bytes
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and 47 second(s) by Cable Modem/DSL Line)
Last updated: Friday, Feb 26, 2010,
12:12PM by Historical Society of Moorestown
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| | Septermber 2009 Newsletter
HSM_Sept_2009_NL.pdf
Size = 2,511,960 Bytes
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and 42 second(s) by Cable Modem/DSL Line)
Last updated: Friday, Nov 27, 2009,
1:30PM by Historical Society of Moorestown
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| | March 2009 Newsletter
HSM_Mar_2009_NL.pdf
Size = 592,088 Bytes
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Last updated: Friday, Nov 27, 2009,
1:28PM by Historical Society of Moorestown
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| | December 2008 Newsletter
HSM_Dec_2008_NL.pdf
Size = 2,627,415 Bytes
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and 44 second(s) by Cable Modem/DSL Line)
Last updated: Friday, Nov 27, 2009,
1:27PM by Historical Society of Moorestown
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| | September 2007 Newsletter
HSM_Sept_2007_NL.pdf
Size = 1,372,202 Bytes
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and 23 second(s) by Cable Modem/DSL Line)
Last updated: Friday, Feb 15, 2008,
2:00PM by Historical Society of Moorestown
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| | December 2007 Newsletter
HSM_Dec_2007_NL.pdf
Size = 2,348,014 Bytes
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and 40 second(s) by Cable Modem/DSL Line)
Last updated: Friday, Feb 15, 2008,
1:58PM by Historical Society of Moorestown
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| | June 2007 Newsletter
HSM_June_2007_NL.pdf
Size = 2,963,773 Bytes
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and 50 second(s) by Cable Modem/DSL Line)
Last updated: Friday, Feb 15, 2008,
1:57PM by Historical Society of Moorestown
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| | March Newsletter
HSM_Mar_2007_NL.pdf
Size = 4,319,457 Bytes
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and 1 minute(s) by Cable Modem/DSL Line)
Last updated: Monday, Jul 30, 2007,
12:07PM by Historical Society of Moorestown
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| | From the Front Porch
HSM_June_2006_NL_Archive[1].pdf
Size = 3,918,803 Bytes
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Last updated: Friday, Sep 01, 2006,
2:14AM by Sara Homer
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Items of Interest |
| | 2012 Membership Form
 Preserve Moorestown History - JOIN US.doc
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Last updated: Sunday, Apr 22, 2012,
12:16PM by Historical Society of Moorestown
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| | Local Interest Hardback Book
purdyorder.doc
Size = 27,136 Bytes
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and 1 second(s) by Cable Modem/DSL Line)
Last updated: Tuesday, Nov 01, 2011,
10:25PM by Historical Society of Moorestown
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| | Informal look at Moorestown, NJ
 Rendering of Moorestown Landmarks.jpg
Size = 222,596 Bytes
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Last updated: Friday, Mar 19, 2004,
7:57AM by Sara Homer
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Announcements |
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HSM on Facebook |
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We have been social-networking at the Historical Society of Moorestown for the last year. Check out our Facebook timeline to see the highlights. |
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contact email:
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website: https://www.facebook.com/#!/historicalsocietyofmoorestown |
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| Last updated: Saturday, May 12, 2012,
1:36PM by Sara Homer
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Renewal of Membership - Historical Society of Moorestown |
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Our 2012 Membership form is now available. Gift memberships keep people in touch with their community past and present. Don't miss out on what is happening at Smith-Cadbury Mansion. Join us, won't you? |
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contact email:
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website: http://www.moorestown.com/pubs/4343.doc |
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| Last updated: Saturday, May 12, 2012,
1:38PM by Sara Homer
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Postcards of Moorestown, NJ |
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Postcards are considered 'images in the public domain' or images no longer having a copyright.
This virtual collection has been shared with the Historical Society by various members of the community, past and present. It does not represent what is in the collection of the Historical Society archives, so printing requests cannot be honored.
Have any postcards that you would like to share here? |
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contact email:
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website: http://moorestown.com/community/history |
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| Last updated: Saturday, May 12, 2012,
1:38PM by Sara Homer
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'Moorestown, Old and New' |
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'Moorestown, Old & New' by James C. Purdy was originally written in 1886 and has since been re-published by the the Historical Society of Moorestown in 1976 and again in 2002.
This latest edition includes fold out maps, familiar names and explanations for local traditions. Order form online. Please see above for link to 'Local Interest Hardback Book.'
The Historical Society gratefully acknowledges Dave Ramsey Cabinetmakers, Inc. for their generosity in storing the Purdy book inventory. |
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contact email:
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website: http://moorestown.com/community/history |
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| Last updated: Saturday, May 12, 2012,
1:38PM by Sara Homer
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Events
| | Coffee Klatch Fundraiser |
May 15, 2012 |
| From: 12:30PM To: 1:30PM |
| The Historical Society of Moorestown is offering a new, affordable, monthly fundraising event.
Back in the olden days we often heard of Coffee Klatches: an opportunity to informally gather together, chat, and dunk donuts in our coffee. Meeting for refreshments and conversation is a wonderful way to enjoy each other’s company and also a great way to learn something new.
The Historical Society is asking knowledgeable people from Moorestown and nearby areas to share their expertise and passion for history with other members of the community in an informal setting at the historic Smith Cadbury Mansion. Are you a collector, hobbyist, tradesperson, craftsperson or researcher? Would you consider donating an hour of your time to talk about your favorite historical subject? If so, please contact us at the Historical Society (moorestownhistory@verizon.net).
Shaula Wright, expert antique appraiser, will be our first guest speaker on Tuesday, May 15 from 12:30-1:30. Shaula will bring a wealth of knowledge with her as well as a basket of mysterious antique objects for us to ponder. Weather permitting, we will hold this Coffee Klatch in our beautiful peaceful garden at the Smith Cadbury Mansion.
Coffee, tea, juice and homemade goodies will be available.
Tickets are only $10 and no reservations are necessary. All proceeds benefit the installation of bookshelves in the Smith Cadbury library.
Join us May 15 and share in a warm, friendly atmosphere at the delightful Smith Cadbury Mansion. |
| Phone: 856-235-0353 |
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| Saving Swede Run Barn fund-raiser at Smith-Cadbury Mansion |
Jun 02, 2012 |
| From: 12:00PM To: 3:00PM |
| Please join us on Moorestown Day, June 2 from 12:00 to 3:00 pm. We are located at 12 High St., one half block off Main Street. Jan Daniels' Swede Run Barn postcards, matted and framed prints and books will be available in our Gift Shop and all proceeds from the sale of his items will go to the restoration fund for the barn.
All local artists and photographers are also invited to exhibit their representations of the Swede Run Barn for display and/or sale at this upcoming special fundraising event.
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| Contact: Julie Maravich
eMail:
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| Phone: 856-235-0353 |
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