Lawnside Historical Society

07/24/2024

TRIVIA:
Name a Green Book location where Gamble and the Romeos often played.

07/23/2024

TRIVIA:
Name a Green Book location owned or managed by a woman.

07/22/2024

TRIVIA:
One building held these three Green Book locations.

07/21/2024

TRIVIA:
Radio Personality Georgie Woods helped to secure top entertainment for this Green Book location.

07/21/2024

Nation’s 1st Black-owned country club gets grant to preserve NJ course history 🙌🏾🥰

The golf club and country club in Union County became a haven for Black residents in the early 1900s.

07/20/2024

TRIVIA:
Paddle boat rentals at Lawnside Park occured on this river.

07/19/2024

TRIVIA:
William and Laura Willis started these three Green Book locations.

07/18/2024

TRIVIA:
William "Coochie's" Wilcox owned establishments in these three locations.

07/17/2024

We are so grateful to the Institute of Museum and Library Services for this grant and are hard a work using it to share the Society's collections.

The Lawnside Historical Society received a grant of $134,180 from the Institution of Museum and Library Services to digitize its collections. Lawnside was a center of Underground Railroad activity.

07/17/2024

TRIVIA:
A schoolhouse was here before this Green Book location opened.

07/16/2024

TRIVIA:
This Green Book Location existed on both sides of the White Horse Pike in Lawnside.

07/14/2024

We are grateful to the New Jersey Historical Commission for funding “Green Book Locations in Lawnside and Berlin.” 🙏🏾

07/13/2024

Tales and Tours @ the Peter Mott House | Today was like grand central station at the PMH. We received a group tour request from a woman moving out of NJ and she wanted to take in history with her family. When they opened the door to enter, the room was already filled with visitors from NY and Washington, DC.

They were the family of Black Abolitionist and one of the developers of Lawnside’s Free Haven development, Jacob C White Sr. credit is always given to Quaker Ralph Smith, but White was equally active if not more so. We are planning programming together to expose his part in the economic development of Lawnside.

Then Mrs Brown arrived with AMAZING old photos which were mind blowing. One is a picture of the Lawnside Baseball team from the 1930s. Mr Gaines’s father was on the team.

Before all of that began, we stared the day with docent training. Thanks Robin and Sharon for attending. IF you want to be a docent please let us know. The PMH is getting quite busy so we could use your help.

Finally, I learned about Poke salad. Joyce Fowler pointed out a plant grown out of the side of the steps. They use to cook and eat it. What a wonderful day for learning history 🥰

This is your personal invitation to visit us on most Saturdays from 12-3 PM. check the website before you come. Groups of 5 or more should call ahead. Hope to see u soon 🙏🏾

07/13/2024

We are grateful to the research team of Andrea McDonald, Floyd M. Riley, and Shamele Jordon for providing the history of Green Book spots in Lawnside and Berlin 🙏🏾🥰🙌🏾

07/13/2024

MAP | Green Book Locations in New Jersey - "While many of these African-American communities continue to thrive in the twenty-first century, little survives of the rich commercial landscape documented in The Green Book. The variety and density of The Green Book’s listings give witness to the entrepreneurial success of black families who made New Jersey their home."

View Map - https://community.village.virginia.edu/greenbooks/states/new-jersey

07/12/2024

TIPPIN INN | Green Book - Tippin Inn was a thriving Black-owned business located in the East Berlin section of Berlin Township for several decades. James Toomer, the proprietor, purchased a small parcel of land for $100 in 1945, which was the first step of many which resulted in him becoming a successful young entrepreneur. 1 , 2 At first glance, Tippin Inn was a tavern, a bar, a beer garden. In truth, it was so much more… it was an establishment which provided numerous services and jobs to the community.

Funded and by the New Jersey Historical Commission

Read more:

The bar with the apartments upstairs is on the left. On the right is the"chicken shack" where diners were sold. Behind the bar is the showroom. (not shown)

07/12/2024

Join The New York Public Library to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of writer and activist James Baldwin with special exhibitions,...

07/11/2024

LAWNSIDE PARK | Green Book - In 1926, William A. Willis acquired over 14 acres of land on Evesham Avenue, Somerdale, NJ, from Horace Mann Ebert of Ashland. This tract, adjacent to Lawnside, Magnolia, and Ashland, was later transferred to the Lawnside Park Association by Willis and his wife, Laura P. To finance the development of what would become New Jersey's first Black-owned amusement park, the corporation sold $2000 in stock.

Funded and by the New Jersey Historical Commission

Read more:

In 1926, William A. Willis acquired over 14 acres of land on Evesham Avenue, Somerdale, NJ, from Horace Mann Ebert of Ashland. This tract, adjacent to Lawnside, Magnolia, and Ashland, was later transferred to the Lawnside Park Association by Willis and his wife, Laura P. To finance the development o...

07/10/2024

HI-HAT | Green Book - Between 1938-1967, the years the Hi-Hat advertised in the Green Book, there were two businesses named Hi-Hat in Lawnside. The first, called the Hi-Hat Inn, was located at what is now 131 White Horse Pike, and was from 1936-1948, managed by William A. Willis. The second, called the Hi-Hat Club, was located at what is now 16 White Horse Pike. It was owned by William Willis from 1948-1957, and by Franire, Inc., from 1957-1969.

Funded and by the New Jersey Historical Commission

Read more: https://community.village.virginia.edu/greenbooks/content/hi-hat-inn-hi-hat-club-hi-hat-supper-club/

07/09/2024

NEWTON'S | Green Book - Chester Newton and his wife, Jewel opened the service station in the late 1940s. As the owners and proprietors of the Black-owned gas station, they served the residents of the community and in turn, the residents and small businesses supported Newton’s by purchasing gas at the station.

Funded and by the New Jersey Historical Commission

In the 1940’s, Newton’s Service Station was located on the White Horse Pike in Lawnside which was a main route between Philadelphia and Atlantic City. During its period of operation, there were at least two easements granted to the property which allowed for the construction of the New Jersey Tu...

07/08/2024

HENRY SMITH BARBER SHOP | Green Book - The Mouldy Road property from which Henry Smith’s barber shop operated was built ca 1925. It was recently described as a “1231 square feet, single family home. Henry lived there from 1937, when he married

Funded and by the New Jersey Historical Commission

Read more at https://community.village.virginia.edu/greenbooks/content/henry-smith-barber-shop

07/07/2024

Underground Railroad Camp Day 5
Closing Ceremony! The Underground Railroad Camp culminated joyfully celebrating the Scholars accomplishments in learning Black History. With family and friends in attendance, they applied multiple intellences and learning styles to present their new found knowledge. Their presentations highlighted such figures as Dr. James Still and Henry Box Brown. One scholar sang “Amazing Grace”, another made up a poem (or rap) about Dr. James Still, several wrote stories of hope and resilience, another analyzed a book about “Box Brown”, and others showed and explained their maps of the UGRR. The Scholars also showed their artistic talent through the “Sip and Paint” activity. Also honored was Glenn Arterbridge, the first youth docent for the Peter Mott House Museum. We ended with stories read by author Rann Miller from his book called “Resistance Stories from Black History for Kids”. We express our gratitude to the parents and families for entrusting us with their brilliant children and for allowing us to share this important African American history.

07/07/2024

THELMA THOMAS BEAUTY PARLOR | Green Book - Thelma Elizabeth Adams Thomas and her mother, Lourinda Adams, ran a successful beauty parlor at the family home, 210 Warwick Road. In 1949 they earned $700. The Adams home, owned by Mayor James Victor Adams of Lawnside, was valued at $2500 in 1940. Funded and by the New Jersey Historical Commission

Warwick Blvd. Lawnside, NJ (Primary) (1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955)210 Warwick Road Lawnside, NJ (Modern Address)

07/07/2024

Lawnside Olympian Bill Miller won a silver medal during the 1952 Olympics. His family use to live on the White Horse Pike where the Dunkin Donuts is today.

Although Bill Miller beat Cy Young three times in pre-Olympic meets, it was Young who took the gold medal in Helsinki, but with Miller placing second, this was the best showing ever by the U.S. in Olympic javelin competition. Miller, an Arizona State University grad, won the AAU in 1952 and in 1954....

07/06/2024

INMAN | Green Book - The Inman Hotel was advertised in the Green Book from 1952 through to the final issue in 1967.1 Inman Walker, aka Frank Walker, a Philadelphia businessman, obtained the former hotel property in 1948.2 When he died unexpectedly in 1961,

Funded and by the New Jersey Historical Commission

White Horse Pike Lawnside, NJ (1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966)131 White Horse Pike Lawnside, NJ (Modern Address)

07/05/2024

LAWNSIDE INN | Green Book - Called “the finest roadhouse in the east,” the Lawnside Inn opened on Memorial Day, May 1923 on the White Horse Pike in Lawnside, N.J. This large 20-room home was situated on four acres of land. During segregation, it was one of the few places between Philadelphia and Atlantic City where African Americans could dine or rent a room. They held tennis matches, outdoor sports, and food service from 2-6 PM. William A.Willis was the proprietor.

Funded and by the New Jersey Historical Commission

At the Lawnside Inn, you could “dine and dance in a charmingly home-like atmosphere… delicious dishes…enchanting music will give you complete relaxation and rest.”

07/04/2024

During the Revolutionary War 3000 Africans, enslaved and indentured, made a choice to fight for the British crown to gain their freedom. These Black Loyalists appear in “The Book of Negroes.” America was so upset about losing their property they wanted compensation from the Brits. Thus the two volumes were created. According to the National Archives, no evidence of payment has been found. 😮🤣✊🏾 Happy 4th!

Read more about them and see the two volumes at the National Archives blog.

This February, the Rediscovering Black History blog is kicking off a new feature – the Record of the Week. Every Thursday during Black History Month there will be a post highlighting one of t…

07/04/2024

Amid July 4th celebrating, please take time to reflect on the sacrifices of Africans who fought for freedom from both the British crown and colonial enslavement. This marker placed March 30 at Lawnside's Community Center on East Charleston Avenue tells a small part of these stories. https://www.flickr.com/photos/camdencounty/53625307619/in/album-72177720315867808

12/21/2023

SANTA 😮🙌🏾🥰🎄

Residents, Santa will once again be coming around town on Christmas Eve. He will be departing from the fire house at 5pm. Keep a lookout for the bright lights and an ear out for the loud sirens to see the big man!

12/20/2023

Who was fighting fires in Lawnside in 1970? On Dec 28th the Wilcox Cafe on Evesham Ave caught on fire. Since this was a location in the Green Book (The Negro's Traveler's Guide) starting in 1948, we are documenting oral histories about the Cafe and other locations.