As I look back on my term as President of the Historical Society of Mooretown, I am filled with gratitude to all of the Trustees on our Board who made our success possible.
Many positive changes took place in the past two years.
Physical changes such as the replacement of knob and tube wiring throughout the entire Smith Cadbury Mansion and the stabilization of the library floor were essential to provide adequate safety in the museum. Beautiful new bookcases were custom built in the library to organize and display our important collection. The attic, which had not been cleaned for many years, was organized and cleaned to prevent a fire hazard.
Donations, both financial and material increased over the past two years. The Historical Society of Moorestown received two substantial grants from the local Posomokin Questers and New Jersey State Questers groups. These generous funds will completely cover all expenses to have all three tall case clocks cleaned and restored in the museum.
The Edward Harris (friend of John James Audubon - see Blog entry Oct. 10, 2012) chest of drawers was a welcome surprise acquisition as was the generous donation of the large smiling portrait of former Victorian town resident, John Buzby.
Creative and successful fundraisers such as:
Oktoberfest
Ghost Tours
Wine Tastings
Beer samplings
Coffee Klatches
Vintage/Vision Sidewalk Sale
Appraisal Day
House Plaque Program
provided necessary and essential funds to cover Smith Cadbury Mansion’s operating expenses.
The Smith Cadbury Mansion hosts free tours on Sundays from 1-3 pm. Our library is the only free historic library of its kind. Library hours are 1-4 pm on Tuesdays and 1-3 pm on Sundays. Our Holiday Party in December was free and open to the public this past year.
Our visibility in the community is growing as we have joined the Moorestown Business Association to participate in “Autumn in Moorestown” and “Moorestown Day.” Exhibits at the High School and Community House including the “Wedding Dress Acquired from Catherine Kerlin Wilder” and “Sports Legends of Moorestown” increase community awareness.
The Swede Run Barn and Percheron Park are companion projects the Historical Society fully supports.
Currently, the Historical Society is working with an adjacent neighbor to provide safe and accessible means to all who wish to visit the Smith Cadbury Mansion.
Our docents play a key role in educating our community through historic interpretation. The docents faithfully volunteer from 1-3 on Sundays, and soon, will lead all Third Grade Moorestown children through the Smith Cadbury Mansion in June.
Publicity via internet, newsletters, post cards, banners, and membership drives all combine to keep our community in touch with events at our Society.
All of these projects, events, and Mansion activities are made possible by our energetic, enthusiastic, creative, organized, and friendly Board members. I am grateful to them for their support and look forward to more exciting changes at the Smith Cadbury Mansion.
Former President of The Historical Society of Moorestown,
Lisa Hammell