Planning for Haddonfield's 300th Anniversary Begins

Submitted by Lee Albright, president, Historical Society of Haddonfield:

I would like to invite you (or someone from your organization) to an informal meeting to discuss the planning of events for next year's 300th Anniversary of the Settlement of Haddonfield.  According to our records (and the records from the 200th Anniversary in 1913) Elizabeth Haddon built and occupied her home in 1713 which makes that date the official settlement of Haddonfield. The historians at the society concur. 

To honor the important milestone coming up in 2013, the is organizing events in partnership with several other organizations. This is the tentative schedule so far: 

January 2013 – Worship Service at Friends Quaker Meeting House (similar to 1913 Celebration) to honor Elizabeth’s Quaker heritage. HSH Exhibit: "Unveiling" of Elizabeth Haddon and John Estaugh reproduction clothing

February 2013 – The Gardens of Haddonfield, a HSH lecture for the Haddonfield Garden Club

March 2013 – HSH Candlelight Dinner, featuring a preview of Elizabeth Haddon biography to be published by the Historical Society in September 2013

May 2013 – HSH General Meeting Program: Foods from Early 18th Century; Haddonfield Fortnightly – A Colonial Tea

September 2013 – Publication of the Elizabeth Haddon biography and book signing event with author

November 2013 – HSH Thanksgiving Groaning Board (Colonial Food cooking demonstration)

Summer or fall 2013 – HSH Game Night: Colonial Toys, Today and Yesterday

It would be wonderful if other Haddonfield organizations joined in, either by partnering with us or by creating their own unique events. 

Many of the volunteer organizations in town have a yearly schedule of events already in place so it might be as simple as adopting a Colonial/Elizabeth Haddon/Haddonfield theme for each one to honor our founder in this anniversary year. It is certainly worth sitting down and talking about. January 2013 will be here before you know it!

Please join us and bring your ideas. Anything is possible—now is the time to brainstorm and think outside the box. I can't think of a better way to honor Elizabeth Haddon, risk taker that she was.

This is going to be fun!

Lee Albright,
President, Historical Society of Haddonfield

856-354-9761 home,  609-417-8935 cell