Local History | haddonfieldlibrary

Local
History

Explore the Library's resources, collections and projects relating to local history.

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PBHHP

The Preserving Black Haddonfield History Project

In these sensitive times, when improving diversity, equity, and inclusion are priorities throughout the nation,

THE PRESERVING BLACK HADDONFIELD HISTORY PROJECT not only celebrates once overlooked residents; it also educates students, teachers, and everyone whose path it crosses.

Ultimately, this multi-dimensional celebration and education program is to include:

PRESERVE: NARRATIVES FROM HISTORIC HADDONFIELD’S AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY* (An Anthology of Oral Histories from 10 Elders)
PRESERVE: THE DOCU-SERIES
WALKING TOUR, DIGITAL MAP & WEBSITE
HISTORIC MARKERS PROGRAM

We do more than simply recall private memories about Haddonfield’s African-American community. We celebrate the value added here through current and past residents’ contributions, ideals, and legacy.

*NOTE: Developed in collaboration with HMHS Accelerated English Program students and their instructor Holly Maiese. Visual/digital aspects were developed in association with Digital Arts Department students and their instructor Karen Bannett. C. Adrienne Rhodes was the executive editor/producer.

Interviews & Videos

31:44

Preserve Interviews and Event Slideshow

01:11:36

Conversations with Haddonfield's African-American Elders Saturday, February 25 Alfred Dansbury

01:19:11

Conversations with Haddonfield's African-American Elders Sunday, February 26 Nancy Kirby and Stacey Brown-Downham

Who We Are

THE PRESERVING BLACK HADDONFIELD HISTORY PROJECT is a Sub-Committee of Haddonfield Alumni Society under the leadership of President Joseph Serico, EdD. Spearheaded by Haddonfield Memorial High School alumni and Haddonfield Alumni Society members, as well as current and past residents and their descendants, educators, and like-minded leaders of local institutions, everyone involved shares a commitment to doing his/her part to strengthen Haddonfield’s reputation for being a unique community with a rich history. Click here for a list of co-founders, partners, and sponsors.

Community Support

The Haddonfield Foundation presented a $5,000 check to the Haddonfield Educational Trust to support the work of The Preserving Black Haddonfield History Project on June 19, 2023.

Walking Tour Map

Media

Click the arrows to scroll through media mentions and highlights. Some links may require subscriptions.

The Preserving Black Haddonfield History Project gives new color, context to historic NJ town

Preserving Black Haddonfield: Anthology of first-person stories to be released

WHYY PBS NPR

Students Interview Black Seniors, Gain Perspective

The Retrospect

Haddonfield Foundation funds historic Black Preservation Project

The Haddonfield Sun

Intergenerational project preserves Haddonfield’s Black history

The Haddonfield Sun

Alumni and students to help preserve borough’s African American past

Haddonfield Sun

As a South Jersey borough’s Black population shrinks, residents say preserving history and culture becomes vital

WHYY PBS

‘The Point’ was once Haddonfield’s vibrant Black community. Now their stories will be preserved.

The Philadelphia Inquirer

Wake Up With WURD w/ Solomon Jones 8.29.23 - Adrienne Rhodes And Melanie Burney

Pre-Juneteenth walking tour highlights Haddonfield's Black history

Courier Post Online

Group seeks to preserve Black history in Colonial-era N.J. town

NJ.com

Preserving Black Haddonfield History Project Commemorates Neighborhood Sites

NJ Pen

Support

THE PRESERVING BLACK HADDONFIELD HISTORY PROJECT Organizing Committee would welcome the opportunity to collaborate on this groundbreaking endeavor. Please join us in making history!

Thanks for your consideration!!!

Tax-deductible donations earmarked to support PBHHP can be made by mailing your check directly to:

The Preserving Black Haddonfield History Project

c/o Haddonfield Educational Trust

PO Box 178

Haddonfield, NJ 08033

You may give online, too.

https://www.haddonfieldeducationaltrust.org/donate

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 917-497-8874.

The Preserving Black Haddonfield History Project is a Camden County History Alliance Member.

Haddonfield's Return to the Cooper River

A volunteer-driven effort to build a water trail along the Cooper River, Haddonfield Side

Haddonfield Water Trail Association, a new nonprofit, is building a 3-mile walking path with river access for canoes and kayaks along the Cooper River on the Haddonfield side in partnership with local and county agencies. The Haddonfield Water Trail will stretch 3 miles from Crows Woods recreation area to Grove Street at Coles Mill Road.

The purpose of the Haddonfield Water Trail Association is to educate the public about the Cooper River and its tribuataries, the history and uses of these waterways, and to promote sustainable recrational and education uses of the waterways consistent with environments protection.

HWTA Trustees:

Andrew Johnson, President

Robert Marshall, Vice President

Deborah Garwood, Secretary

Stuart Harting, Treasurer

Joe Sikora, Board Member

Liaison to Haddonfield Environmental Commission:

Robert Bergauer, HEC Chair

Haddonfield Property Files

Explore digitized property records, appraisals and deeds of Haddonfield's residences.

Haddonfield Public Library has a repository of property records for almost all the addresses in the Borough. Examine past owners, appraisals, photographs and more for a property. The records are accessible in the Library only via an external hard drive and may be checked out at the Circulation Desk.

Women's History Walking Tour

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Traveling Trunks

Local History Traveling Trunks

Take home a rolling suitcase full of information, replica artifacts and primary source documents on Haddonfield History. Trunks circulate for 7 days and can be booked through our Museum Key page. Click on photo to learn more and book a trunk today. The Traveling Trunk Project is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.