County Calls on Residents, Visitors to ‘Dig into County’s History’ by Visiting the Many Historic Buildings and Museums in BurlCo

MOUNT HOLLY—Burlington County’s celebration of America’s semiquincentennial, or its 250th Birthday that is upcoming on July 4, was held in Mount Holly earlier this month coinciding with Flag Day.

And to celebrate the grand occasion, Burlington County leaders rang the centuries old Olde Courthouse bell (cast originally in 1755) during a ceremony – the very same bell that rang in the summer of 1776 in Burlington County after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, according to county leaders.

“We are all excited to be here today because we get a chance to celebrate a nation born out of resilience and rebellion, born out of compassion, conviction and courage, and one born out of passion and perseverance,” declared 7th District Senator Troy Singleton. “A unique nation that still symbolizes the high ideals of our character, one that each of us are obligated to ensure that we live up to each and every day.”

Dr. Felicia Hopson, director of the Burlington County Board of Commissioners, described the Burlington County Celebrates America Festival as a “party 250 years in the making with history groups, civic organizations and representatives from towns across Burlington County participating.”

Deputy Director Allison Eckel (also chair of the Burlington County 250th  Anniversary Planning Committee) called it a “special moment for Burlington County and all Americans, an opportunity to look back on 250 years of history and reflect on the people and events that shaped our nation and the ideas that sparked its creation.”

The bell that rang once again on June 14, Eckel explained, was originally in the county’s courthouse in Burlington City when it first sounded 250 years ago.

It was then moved in 1796, she noted, to its current home at the Mount Holly Courthouse, after the county seat had been switched from Burlington City to Mount Holly.

“It continues to be a shining example of Burlington County history and a symbol of liberty, justice and equality – the principles that our nation is built upon and that continue to unite us,” Eckel declared. “Beginning with the first indigenous people who settled here through America’s struggle for independence, the rise of industry and the fight for Civil Rights, Burlington County and its residents have been at the heart of countless events that have shaped our nation.”

The deputy director described that county leaders “value our county’s history” and are “steadfast in our commitment to preserve, restore and promote it for current and future generations.”

“We hope today’s anniversary celebration, and many of the other 250th and Fourth of July events still to come, will inspire more residents and visitors to dig into our county’s history and journey to some of the many historic buildings and museums here and discover why this county is considered among America’s most historic destinations,” she said.

Eckel pointed out that the county has “already invested significant resources” to restore historic buildings throughout the county, including those in Smithville, in addition to those nearby where she was speaking in Mount Holly – the Burlington County Prison Museum and the Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences.

The deputy director revealed plans to start installing new exhibits and displays in the Lyceum “so visitors can explore even more aspects of Burlington County’s history.”

“Our county is also planning more work to the Olde Courthouse behind me, from the top of the cupola down to the brick walkway,” she proclaimed. “We will be repainting the walls, repairing masonry and woodwork, and making other fixes to ensure the Olde Courthouse remains preserved for the rest of this century and beyond.”

Eckel pointed out that “this is one of America’s oldest courthouses to still be operating,” calling it “an important, living piece of history that shines a light on our past, so we can better understand it and draw connections to our present lives.”

Commissioner Tyler J. Burrell read a message from U.S. Senator Cory Booker, who wrote in part, “This anniversary is more than the celebration of our founding, it is an opportunity to reflect on the enduring ideals that built this nation – liberty, democracy and justice.”

“Known as the crossroads of the revolution, New Jersey was an important part of America’s fight for independence,” Booker added. “More battles of the Revolutionary War were fought in this state than in any other in the colonies. For 250 years, our state has continued to embody the spirit of America and lift one another up in times of challenge and hope. Our American journey is not yet complete. Each generation inherits the responsibility to deepen justice, broaden opportunity and protect the democracy and democratic ideals that unite us.

“This moment is an opportunity not only to remember our history, but also to reconnect ourselves and recommit us to the values that define our nation as it is. Seeing people across the country come together to make this moment special means that there are bright days ahead of us.”

Singleton observed during the occasion that while the Pledge of Allegiance “may seem rote to some,” it is “not something that we just say and recite without a deep understanding of that meaning because every generation has an obligation to ensure that it lives up to that credo, lives up to that manifest of who we are as Americans: E pluribus unum, ‘out of many, one.’”

“Let’s make today and every day thereafter our obligation to ensure that those words are not hollow, that those words mean something to each and every one of us; not only when we put our hand across our heart for the pledge, but we live it each and every day by the acts that we show one another,” Singleton declared. “God bless each and every one of you and God bless the United States of America.”

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