Get to Know Your Local Historical Society Project: Historical Society of Moorestown

The purpose of this project is to create a central repository of informational videos to promote the use of New Jersey historical societies to a wide audience. Many genealogical resources, especially those focused on a specific region or locale, are located at historical societies; yet many of those collections are unknown to researchers or librarians. By creating a library of informational videos of historical societies throughout the state, we aim to promote local collections, increase the visibility of the state’s historical societies, and provide a central repository for researchers, genealogists, and other librarians to get a high-level description of the collections and services available.

Founded in 1969 by the Moorestown Rotary Club, the purpose of the Historical Society of Moorestown was “to collect and preserve data and to engage in historical research touching on the history of Moorestown Township – and the surrounding area, – to collect and preserve articles, specimens and material things illustrative or demonstrative of the customs, – habits and history of the times – and – to perpetuate the memory of those who by their labors and heroism contributed to make the history of said municipality and surrounding area.” The Historical Society is housed in the Smith-Cadbury Mansion, an 18^th Century house with notable visitors such as the Marquis De Lafayette, and residents like Edward Harris, an ornithologist. The historical society offers research collections, exhibits, lectures, and community events.

How researchers use collections:

House and Property research
Family History Research
Moorestown History and Events
School and classmate Research

White wooden plaque mounted on wall of a house, with black text reading "William Bowen House, oldest portion built circa 1851, Historical Society of Moorestown" — House Plaque provided by Historical Society of Moorestown. In addition to the plaque, historical society members conduct research on the house, and maintain the research as part of the Historical Society’s collections.

Available Collections:

Diaries
Scrapbooks
City Directories
Plaque Program Historic House Research
Yearbooks
Photos
Newsletters

Services:

Historic House Plaques and research
In person research (walk in or by appointment)
Smith-Cadbury Mansion house tours
Lecture Series

Contact the Moorestown Historical Society at moorestownhistory@comcast.net.

Do you want to nominate your local historical society to be featured in the Get to Know Your Local Historical Society Project? Apply through our registration page.