For past Newsletters click here
Current Newsletter: March 2026
View From the Porch
As we look forward to spring, we also look forward to celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution. Our town was at the crossroads 250 years ago. Soldiers marched down Kings Highway, British spies sought refuge from the fury of the Philadelphia Patriots, George Washington wrote of troop movement through Moorestown, and the Marquis de Lafayette stayed the night on his way to Haddonfield. Our Declaration of Independence was so beautifully and artistically scribed by Timothy Matlack, whose roots are in Moorestown. On a more personal level, local families were also torn apart as an allegiance to the “other side” made living together impossible.
We hope to unite as a town to enjoy the celebration of our nation and the freedoms we cherish. New signage in the Smith-Cadbury Mansion tells the story of Moorestown’s role in the events of the late 1700s and special events are planned for all ages.
We will explore wooden toys that children made and played with, how to fold the 5-pointed star on the American flag and try baking from “receipts” (now known as recipes) from 1770 during a children’s program in March. In April, children can try to write with invisible ink just like those British spies!
There are two great events this May. On the 15th, George Washington and his horse Nelson will visit the Diligence statue at Percheron Park on Main Street. Bring your friends, children, and grandchildren to meet George and have your photo taken. Then, follow him down Main Street to Van Meter Hall (formerly The Greenleaf) for a cocktail party. The Double Nickel Brewery Co. in Pennsauken has offered to brew us a beer using Washington’s recipe and there will be varieties of Madeira wine to taste – another favorite of our first President. Present day libations and appetizers will round out the evening.
On Saturday May 16th in cooperation with the Museum of the American Revolution and the First Oval Office Project, we will bring a replica of George Washington’s Field tent to Locust Street Park in Moorestown. In addition, there will be special visitors such as a bread maker from Mt. Vernon who will build an oven and bake bread all day and a silhouette artist who will create your profile! A New Jersey- based band and re-enactment group called the Sea Dogs will play music of the period including sea shanties and songs of the sea. You might run into George or Martha Washington, Ben Franklin, and who knows who else!
More events are in the making, so keep checking the HSM website.
We welcome three new Trustees: Joseph Chiaccio, Sr., Farrell Lines, and Lorenzo Eagles. Each has already contributed so much to our programs and our mission (read more about them on page 7). We are thrilled to have them as we continue to engage the community.
Our collection and presence in Moorestown continue to grow as we try to keep pace with a town that has a long and interesting history. Please join us as we celebrate Moorestown and the founding of the United States of America.
Linda Vizi, President
moorestownhistory@comcast.net
To view a color PDF of this March 2026 Newsletter, click here.
Top right: Model of Smith-Cadbury Mansion, built by Bill Rose. Image shows north side of the house with the restored side porch.
