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HISTORIANS ROUNDTABLE JUNE 8, 2013 Slide 2 Judith Lamb Olsen Wife Mother Grandmother Colleague - Friend Teacher - Author Genealogist Librarian - Historian Slide 3 AGENDA 1. Welcome to Bordentown - Brief overview of Historic sites 2.Introduction of participants (brief announcements about forthcoming programs and projects). 3.Report on Meeting of Joe Laufer and Paul Schopp with Freeholder Director Joe Donnelly and Resource Conservation Director Mary Pat Robbie on May 8, 2013, concerning allocation of Open Space funds for Historic Preservation and related history projects. 4.Freeholder announcement about proposed History Center at former Mt. Holly Library. 5.2013 Burlington County Farm Fair (July 17-20): 3 rd Annual History Faire at the Farm Fair. Invitation to exhibit. 6. Review of 2013 Preservation Awards. Invitation to participate and encourage participation in 2014. Slide 4 7.New! - Underground Railroad Exhibit/Museum at Smithville. 8.Feature Presentation: BEST PRACTICES IN PUBLICITY AND PROMOTION OF PROGRAMS AND EVENTS BY HISTORY ORGANIZATIONS - Come prepared to share your organizations best practices and showcase your successful newsletters, brochures and public relations successes. 9.History tent at Arts in the Park, September 15, 2013 at Smithville Park. 10.Post-meeting invitation to visit White Hill Mansion in nearby Fieldsboro for tour of the mansion and to witness the ongoing archeological dig there, hosted by Loretta Kelly and the Friends of White Hill Mansion. 11. Suggested schedule of Roundtable Meetings and locations for Fall, 2013. 12. Adjournment. Slide 5 Slide 6 Statue of Thomas Paine Prince St. at the waterfront Bordentown, NJ Dedicated June 7, 1997 Thomas Paine - 1737-1809 Father of the American Revolution Father of the American Revolution Slide 7 The Thomas Paine House became the home of the fiery pamphleteer in 1783. Paine's "Common Sense;' published in early 1776, began "These are the times that try men's souls. His words and spirit heartened many a patriot in the early days of the Revolution. 1736-1809 Slide 8 Each building at this historic corner figures significantly into our area's Revolutionary War history. The Francis Hopkinson House was the home of one of New Jersey's five signers of the Declaration of Independence. Occupied by the enemy on several occasions, it was spared the torch by a scholarly Hessian officer who was impressed with Hopkinson's library. Facing the Hopkinson House, across Farnsworth, stands the Patience Lovell Wright House, home of the noted American sculptor. Carried to England and the court of George III by her talent, Patience Wright reportedly gathered information helpful to the American Cause during the Revolution. Farnsworth at Park St. intersection, Bordentown Slide 9 The Borden House Site of Hoagland Tavern Next to the Wright House, across Park St., stands the home of Col. Joseph Borden, or rather the house built upon the foundations of Borden's home which was burned by the British in May 1778. It was his idea to float the dynamite-filled kegs down the Delaware to blow up British ships docked at Philadelphia. Across Farnsworth from Borden House stood Hoagland's Tavern, a center for the 2,000 Hessians and Scotsmen billeted in Bordentown under Col. Kurt von Donop in December 1776. Had these troops not been lured southward just prior to Washington's attack on Trenton, they might easily have reached the 1,500 Hessians quartered in Trenton and turned Washington's victory there into a devastating defeat. Slide 10 101 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown The Francis Hopkinson House was the home of one of New Jersey's five signers of the Declaration of Independence. Occupied by the enemy on several occasions, it was spared the torch by a scholarly Hessian officer who was impressed with Hopkinson's library. Farnsworth at Park St. intersection, Bordentown Slide 11 Francis Hopkinson (1737-1791) One of New Jerseys signers of the Declaration of Independence. A man of extraordinary talent and charm. First scholar and first Graduate of the College of Philadelphia. Studied Law both in America and Europe. Composed music, poetry, and satire. A Pretty Story, a skeptical examination of the relationship between Great Britain and the colonies. Battle of the Kegs, a sarcastic taunting of the British forces occupying Philadelphia. Slide 12 THE SIBYL Portrait of Patience Wright, c. 1781- 1783, attributed to Robert Edge Pine. This is the inspired modeling observed by William Dunlap and others, the wax under the apron on her lap, but here the right hand withdrawn in a gesture that points to a mysterious encircled symbol in the lower left corner of the painting. Earlier references to Wrights portrait attributed it to her son-in-law, British painter John Hoppner.* *George IIIs bastard son Slide 13 Revolutionary War Ships Monument Bordentown, NJ Slide 14 Bordentown Wharf At the foot of the bluff stood, at the time of the American Revolution, the bustling Bordentown wharf. In an attempt to destroy a portion of the British fleet stationed at Philadelphia during the winter 1777-78 a number of floating explosive devices (wooden kegs filled with gunpowder) were launched from this point. The episode was later recounted by Francis Hopkinson in his poem "The Battle of the Kegs" in which he observed, "The kegs, 'tis said, tho' strongly made, of rebel stayes and hoops, sir Could not oppose their powerful foes, The.Conque'ring British Troops, sir:" Although a failure militarily, the kegs came to symbolize American ingenuity and spirit, and in Hopkinson's satirical lines they provide an early glimpse of American humor. Slide 15 Clara Harlowe Barton Bordentown, New Jersey 1821-1912 Arrived in Bordentown in 1852, remaining there only one year, until 1853 Slide 16 Founded Red Cross in 1881 Experience in Washington, DC during Civil War (securing supplies for wounded) and a trip to Europe inspired her to found the Red Cross. Slide 17 Recently underwent a $25,000 restoration with help from the State of N. J. and the Crosswicks Foundation. Slide 18 Slide 19 Slide 20 The JOHN BULL Bordentown, NJ Slide 21 The John Bull Locomotive Monument Location: At the corner of Farnsworth Ave. and Railroad Ave. adjacent to the Farnsworth House, at 135 Farnsworth Avenue. Significance - Moved here from its original location on Amboy Ave. in 1970, this monument commemorates the famous "John Bull" Locomotive. The inscription reads: First movement by steam on a railroad in the State of New Jersey, November 12, 1831 by the original locomotive "John Bull" now deposited in the United States National Museum at Washington. The first piece of railroad track in New Jersey was laid by the Camden and Amboy Railroad Company between this point and the stone 3,500 feet eastward in 1831. Slide 22 More on the John Bull Monument According to the booklet issued for the monument dedication ceremonies, the Pennsylvania Railroad erected the monument To mark the first piece of track laid between New York and Philadelphia, 1831. While the bronze tablet set into the monument does celebrate the John Bull and its movement on the track, the monument primary purpose was to celebrate the trackage itself. The monument consists of a cube of Baltimore granite measuring five feet square and seven feet high set on a foundation of the stone sleepers, manufactured at Ossining Prison by inmates, which once supported the rails of the Camden & Amboy. A circle of original Robert L. Stevenss designed T-rail encircles the stone cube. When the monument stood along the railroad right-of-way, a second marker, a stone obelisk, set 3,500 feet east of the main monument, marked the opposite end of the first section of track. Back in the early 1970s, a local plumbing supply retailer and renowned model maker named Ed Scholl rescued the monument and moved it to his front yard after discovering some miscreants had stolen a section of the original rail to sell for scrap. He recovered the rail section (or otherwise replaced it) and the main monument remained at his store and house until his death in the 1980s. Subsequent to Scholls demise, the City of Bordentown removed the monument and placed it at its current location. I am not aware of what happened to the obelisk marker. Slide 23 Bordentown Female College Watering Trough Intersection of Farnsworth Avenue and Crosswicks Street Slide 24 Bordentown Iron Lacework overlooking the Delaware & Crosswicks Creek Slide 25 2. Self introductions and brief announcements of "What's happening in your neck of the woods?" Slide 26 TODAY 1 to 3 PM 150 th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AMERICAN LEGION POST 115, MELBOURNE AVENUE, BEVERLY, NJ NEW JERSEY YAHOOS 23 RD REGIMENT SPONSORED BY THE RIVERFRONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY Slide 27 The 23rd New Jersey Volunteers came from Burlington County and served in the Civil War from September 1862 to June 1863. In April, 1863, Colonel Grubb unveiled a blue flag with the coat of arms of the state of New Jersey to the Yahoos a gift from the children in the Sunday schools of Burlington County that many members of the regiment attended (The Sunday School Army). Slide 28 Battle of Salem Church Spotsylvania County, Virginia May 3 4, 1863 23 rd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry (9-month enlistees) Slide 29 Slide 30 Battle of Salem Church Slide 31 E. Burd Grubb organized the annual reunions of the Yahoos at his Grassmere estate in Edgewater Park. Slide 32 Get up close with a Civil War-style hydrogen balloon when Professor Thaddeus Lowe visits the opening of the Reobling Museums new exhibition, "Steadfast Under Fire", on June 22-23. The Museum grounds will be free and open to the public! ROEBLING MUSEUM: STEADFAST UNDER FIRE EXHIBIT OPENS JUNE 22-23 Slide 33 Slide 34 The Friends of the Beverly Free Library, in association with the Riverfront Historical Society will commemorate Juneteenth 2013 and the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War on Saturday, June 29th at 2PM at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 158 Warren Street, Beverly. The event will feature Dr. James M. Paradis, who will discuss The Sesquicentennial edition of his book, African Americans and the Gettysburg Campaign. This title will appeal to the general reader, students, teachers, and scholars of the American Civil War and African American History alike. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing by the author. Dr. Paradis is a former licensed battlefield guide at Gettysburg National Military Park and an authority on the African American soldier in the Civil War. He is currently Dean of the Upper School at St. Mary's Hall-Doane Academy in Burlington, N.J and Adjunct Professor of History at Arcadia University. Dr. Paradis is a frequent lecturer and participant in Civil War Round Tables. His expertise on the place of African Americans in Civil War history has culminated in this book, which is considered to be the defining text on the role of African Americans in the Gettysburg Campaign. Dr. Paradis recently delivered the keynote address at the United States Colored Troops Graveside Salute at the Soldiers National Cemetery in Gettysburg, along with Steven Spielberg. JUNETEENTH 2013 Slide 35 June 19 th, 1865 The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863. The proclamation declared that all persons held as slaves within the rebellious states are, and henceforward shall be, free. It took until June 19th, 1865, two and a half years later, for the news that slavery had been abolished to reach Galveston, Texas. Even so, this news inspired a time of celebration and joy at started in Texas and spread across the nation. Slide 36 ATSION MANSION TOURS HAVE RESUMED FOR THE SEASON Tours are available every Saturday at 1 PM and 2PM. All tours are free. Sign-up at the Atsion Office by calling 609-268-0444. The tour is strictly architectural there is no furniture inside. Tours will continue on Saturdays through the end of October. The address of Atsion is 744 Route 206, Shamong, NJ 08088. Update: Barbara Solem Stull Slide 37 Update: Bob Von Bargen Slide 38 Slide 39 3. Open Space Funds for History? Report on Meeting of Joe Laufer and Paul Schopp with Freeholder Director Joe Donnelly and Resource Conservation Director Mary Pat Robbie on May 8, 2013, concerning allocation of Open Space funds for Historic Preservation and related history projects. Slide 40 Slide 41 Slide 42 Slide 43 Slide 44 Slide 45 Slide 46 Mount Holly Library 307 High St., Mt. Holly 4.Freeholder announcement about proposed History Center at former Mt. Holly Library. Slide 47 The Mount Holly Library, 307 High Street, Mt. Holly. King George III first chartered this library in 1765 as the Bridgetown Library and for a time during the nineteenth century the institution also carried the dual namel of The Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Science. It is the fifth oldest library in New Jersey. The present Georgian style building dates to 1830 and once served as the mansion of James Langstaff, a wealthy farmer. It became the librarys first permanent home in 1957. King George III of England 1738-1820 Slide 48 5.2013 Burlington County Farm Fair (July 17-20): 3 rd Annual History Faire at the Farm Fair. Invitation to exhibit. JULY 17-20, 2013 Slide 49 Slide 50 Slide 51 6. Review of 2013 Preservation Awards. Invitation to participate and encourage participation in 2014. Weldon Storey Lumberton History Indian Mills Middle School, Shamong Slide 52 Slide 53 Woodlawn Cemetery Chatsworth Entrance Arch & Wrought Iron Fencing Slide 54 Wrightstown Grist Mill Denis McDaniel Slide 55 Slide 56 Slide 57 7.New! - Underground Railroad Exhibit/Museum at Smithville. The new Visitor Center at Smithville : 34 Maple Ave. Slide 58 Wm. Lambert Slide 59 Slide 60 8.Feature Presentation: BEST PRACTICES IN PUBLICITY AND PROMOTION OF PROGRAMS AND EVENTS BY HISTORY ORGANIZATIONS - Come prepared to share your organizations best practices and showcase your successful newsletters, brochures and public relations successes. Slide 61 Eight Basic Steps to Marketing your Nonprofit Organization Beyond the Media: COMPOSE A RELEASE Beyond the Media: PRESS RELEASE HOOK Beyond the Media: Using Calendar Announcement Elements Associated Press Style 5 Keys to Running a Successful E-mail Newsletter Slide 62 9.History tent at Arts in the Park, September 15, 2013 at Smithville Park. The Burlington County Parks Department offers members of the history community free space at Arts in the Park, Sunday, September 15, 2013 at Smithville Park. Similar to the History Faire at the Farm Fair, a tent will be provided for free-standing or table exhibits by Historical Societies and History Organizations and Museums. Interactive activities are encouraged. Organizations not interested in exhibits may take advantage of the Pamphlet racks to promote their venues or fall and winter activities. Slide 63 The "White Hill Mansion" was the 18th Century home of the American patriots Robert and Mary Field. An early activist for the American cause, Field was to die shortly after the Revolution began, leaving his wife alone to protect her young family through the ravages of war. More than once her home was occupied and she was frequently interrogated for her alleged patriotic activities. As a result of the British army's capture of Philadelphia in the fall of 1777, most of the American navy, which had been stationed on the Delaware, became trapped upstream. For lack of a better place to moor, the vessels stood at the foot of White Hill in the spring of 1778, near the Field landing. In early May word reached the area that a detachment of British ships was sailing up the river to seize the American fleet and the inhabitants of this tiny community, acting under orders, took the only course open to them to prevent the seizure. When the British reached White Hill on 6 May 1778 they found the riverfront ablaze-local patriots having put the torch to each and every vessel. White Hill Mansion Fieldsboro 10.Post-meeting invitation to visit White Hill Mansion in nearby Fieldsboro for tour of the mansion and to witness the ongoing archeological dig there, hosted by Loretta Kelly and the Friends of White Hill Mansion. Slide 64 10. Suggested schedule of Roundtable Meetings and locations for Fall, 2013. 1.Mid to Late September 14 th, 21 st ; 28 th. 2.Late November to Early December (except Thanksgiving weekend 28 th ) Nov. 23, Dec. 7 th 14 th SUGGESTED VENUES Red Dragon Canoe Club; Roebling Museum; Burlington County Historical Society; Burlington County Library Headquarters; Mount Holly Library; One of the Quaker Meeting Houses; Smithville Mansion Billiard Room; Slide 65 TODAY IN BORDENTOWN Slide 66 Slide 67 The first page of the Emancipation Proclamation, as signed by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. The last page, with Lincolns signature Slide 68 A Joe Laufer Production 2013 Slide 69