To mark the 50th anniversary of the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) and emphasize the significant work of history organizations and programs across the state, we asked our FY 2017 and FY 2018 grant recipients to submit a short narrative and photos describing the impact of NJHC funding. Each week until the end of our fiscal year in June, we will post a spotlight featuring the responses of our grant recipients. Whether NJHC support contributed to general operating, a brand new exhibit, an engaging education program or the restoration of a historic object, it’s truly amazing to see what New Jersey’s history organizations, libraries, and individuals have to offer.
This week we spotlight Burlington County Historical Society in Burlington City, New Jersey:
“New Jersey Historical Commission funding has helped us reach a brand new audience… Kids and their families! On one Saturday a month, families are invited to get hands-on with local and New Jersey history in our fun and interactive family programs. Colonial cooking over a fire using recipes from our BCHS archives, partying down with George Washington at his annual birthday celebration, singing a sea shanty and searching for Blackbeard’s pirate treasure, and meeting the animal friends of a local 4H are just some of the ways we are meeting our new audience’s needs. These programs help us to discover how these young people learn, what their interests are, and strategies to make them repeat visitors. All of this data has directly informed the planning for our new 3,000 square Children’s History Center which is set to open in 2018: from the subjects chosen for the exhibit to the strategies for accessibility, the support from NJHC has helped us focus and fine-tune our plans for our future. We couldn’t have done it without the generous support of the New Jersey Historical Commission!”
-Lisa Fox-Pfeiffer, Executive Director, Burlington County Historical Society
For questions about NJHC Grantee Spotlights, please contact Greer Luce, Communications Officer, at 609-633-0776 or greer.luce@sos.nj.gov.
About the New Jersey Historical Commission
The New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) is a state agency dedicated to the advancement of public knowledge and preservation of New Jersey history. Established by law in 1967, its work is founded on the fundamental belief that an understanding of our shared heritage is essential to sustaining a cohesive and robust democracy.