History

William Faulkner said, “History is not was, it is.” History is always being made in Burlington County. We are rich in culture, spanning from Native Americans to the Industrial Revolution. The Parks System is currently home to six historic sites where you can learn about the people and events that helped to shape Burlington County. Each offers a wide variety of tours, exhibits, programming and events that make history come alive for its visitors.

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COUNTY HISTORY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

We are excited to announce that the guidelines and applications for the County History Partnership Program (CHPP) are now available. 

There are a few changes to this year's application that we would like to make you aware of. The NJ Historical Commission was able to provide us with more regrant funds. Due to this, we anticipate being able to fund more projects which is great news. We have instituted a cap on all requests. This year an organization may only request up to $10,000. Also, due to current conditions, it has been decided to remove the match requirement for this year. THERE IS NO MATCH REQUIRED.  The previous matching requirements may be reinstated in future rounds so this is the perfect opportunity to request funding for a project or general operating support. 

 Please take the time to watch the instructional video. It reviews all of the guidelines, requirements, application, and procedures.  https://youtu.be/Su4SlWdWv9U 

County History Partnership Program instructional video

The Burlington County Board of County Commissioners is please to announce the FY22 County History Partnership Program (CHPP). 

Application

HISTORY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARDS

Each year Burlington County presents history and historic preservation awards to members of the community who have helped to keep our history alive through programs, education, exhibits, restoration, and more. Tune in as Commissioner Linda Hynes proudly announces the recipients of the 2021 Burlington County History Awards. https://youtu.be/gO_nBZk6W0M

2021 History Awards
 Below are links to each of the Burlington County 2021 History Award recipients. We hope that you will take a few minutes to learn about each of the wonderful organizations, volunteers, and sites. Hopefully, you will be inspired to visit some, or all, of them. 

Achievement and Leadership Award - Hal Pschunder 

Hal is a long-time supporter of local history, lecturer, and researcher. He provides tours for school children, lectures for adults on various topics, and has helped to translate historic documents from German into English. 

https://youtu.be/_XjGOthrugM 

 Achievement and Leadership Award - Dan Wolverton 

Dan is a board member of the Chesterfield Township Historical Society. He conducts extensive research, provides lectures, and coordinates exhibits on local history.

https://youtu.be/O460ob0AfIg

 Organization of the Year - Friends of the Mansion at Smithville

This volunteer organization has been a staple in the community and continues to provide quality tours of Smithville Mansion and events, as well has preserve the mansion and grounds for future generations.

 https://youtu.be/yzcMUCB3me4

 Preservation and Restoration Award - Red Dragon Canoe Club/Shipman Mansion The Red Dragon Canoe Club, over the past several years, has restored the 1857 Shipman Mansion, which sits along the banks of the Delaware River in Edgewater Park. The mansion has undergone restoration of its roof, shutters, windows, plaster, and interior woodwork. The outhouse has also been restored. 

 https://youtu.be/NRChdOWaArM

Published History Award - Riverside Historical Society 

Riverside Historical Society’s Lizette Gazette began in 2019 and continues as a popular publication in the community. It highlights local events and businesses, as well as features a section on local history as seen through the eyes of Lizette Zurbrugg. https://youtu.be/a53mLaFhqoQ

 Archival Records and Documentation Award - Whitesbog Village 

Whitesbog Village’s “Harvesting Stories” is an on-going oral history project focusing on individuals who have lived and/worked at Whitesbog. Through their video interviews one gets an inside glimpse at life in the village and surrounding community. 

https://youtu.be/0qUjcJEbgsk

 Education Award - Bordentown Historical Society 

Bordentown Historical Society developed a series of live story-telling events which they called Harrowing History. Harrowing History involved creating scripts from research completed on some of Bordentown’s most infamous residents which local actors telling the story through first-person interpretations. 

https://youtu.be/9TipvmeK9f4

 Education Award - Evesham Historical Society 

The Evesham Historical Society developed a coloring and activity book to engage children when they visit the John Inskeep Homestead. The coloring and activity book features puzzles, coloring pages, and a scavenger hunt. The Homestead is home to the historical society and houses a museum dedicated to the early history of Evesham Township. 

https://youtu.be/PuaMYfmAbls

 History Project Award - Colonial Dames of America 

The Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of New Jersey offer virtual teas from their headquarters at Peachfield in Westampton Township. The virtual tea series helped the organization to continue to offer quality programming despite the recent pandemic. 

https://youtu.be/HgJz8K6W8QE

History Project Award - Bordentown Historical Society 

Bordentown Historical Society’s project, "Untold Stories: Achieving Furthered Expectations", showcased the importance of two segregated schools in Bordentown, School #2 and The Bordentown Manual Training and Industrial School. The project discusses the impact segregation had on the nation and the local community, educational needs of African American students, and first-hand experiences of growing up in an age seeking racial equality. https://youtu.be/X03N5qHxXHo 

  Enjoy watching, learning, and exploring Burlington County history! 

 

2021 County History Partnership Program

grant workshop
Are you an organization that is interested in grant opportunities?  Learn if you're eligible and what is required in this workshop.  

Burlington County History Passport Program

Burlington County is rich in history and culture. Our diverse history spans from the Native Americans to the Revolutionary War, agriculture and the cranberry and blueberry industry, women’s rights, transportation, industry and innovation.

This summer we invite you to share in and explore our history, right here in Burlington County! Passports are available now at our Visitor Center. View Passport Online.


 

passport cover

History Presentations

The Burlington County Parks System offers many educational programs throughout the year at our locations. However, we can also bring the presentation to you! The following FREE programs and lectures are available at your location upon request:

  • A Soldier's Letters: The Letters of Antrim H. Curtis of Mount Holly, serving in the Union Army during the Civil War
  • African-Americans in Burlington County
  • Boston Strangler: Burlington County Prison's Most Infamous Inmate
  • Burlington County and the American Revolution
  • Burlington County: Rooted in Agriculture
  • Discovering the Rancocas Creek: from its creation
  • Ellis H. Parker: "Sherlock Holmes of America" and Burlington County's First Chief of Detectives
  • Historic Burlington County Prison Museum
  • History of Education in Burlington County
  • History of Mount Holly
  • History of the Smithville Industrial Village
  • Joel Clough: Crime and Punishment and Aftermath
  • Prison Reform
  • Robert Mills, Architect: from Charleston to Washington, DC
  • The Campbell's Soup Company: from humble beginnings to multimillion dollar business
  • The Mount Holly Fair: Burlington County's Premier Entertainment Venue - Predecessor to the Burlington County Farm Fair
  • Wesley Warner: Crime, Punishment and Aftermath

Request we bring the presentation to you.

Check out upcoming History Programs here!

​2020 History/Historic Preservation Awards:
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NJ Historical Commission Re-Granting Program Information

Historians Roundtable 

Are you a member of a historic organization or independent historian and would like to join the roundtable? 

The Historians Roundtable is made up of individuals in the Burlington County history community. Meetings are a time to come together to discuss issues facing the history community, promotion and marketing of our sites, fundraising, events and how we can work together to bring history to the forefront in our region. 

The Historians Roundtable meets every other month. Meetings are held at various locations throughout Burlington County and include a tour of the site. 

If you are a member of a historic organization or independent historian and would like to join, please contact Marisa Bozarth by email or at 609-265-5828.