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.
If you would like to be notified when the CHPP Grant applications are open, please sign up for ourCHPP Grant Notification email list
COUNTY HISTORY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM GRANT
We are excited to announce that the guidelines and applications for the County History Partnership Program (CHPP) are now available.
We have instituted a cap on all requests. This year an organization may only request up to $10,000. THERE IS NO MATCH REQUIRED for this year. 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.
NOTE: There are a few changes to this year's application. These were made for us to best understand your organization, as well as for reporting purposes.
Applications will be due on or before August 31, 2022.
A workshop will be held on May 23 at 1 pm at the Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences. It is highly recommended that all past applicants and those interested in learning more about the program attend this workshop.
If you have any questions prior to the meeting on May 23 regarding the guidelines, application, or grant process please email mbozarth@co.burlington.nj.us.
If you would like to be notified when future CHPP Grant applications open, please sign up for our CHPP Grant Notification email list
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
2020 History/Historic Preservation Awards:
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.