Here are more fun activities in Moorestown, New Jersey.
- As of January 4, 2024, these are the details that have been released about this event.
Smith Cadbury Mansion Tours
The house was built around 1738 by Joshua Humphries, possibly on the foundation of an even older home. In 1766 the property was purchased by Samuel Smith, who was a Freeholder and Township Committee member for several terms. The farm was inherited by his son, Richard, in 1775. Richard was a farmer, a merchant, a member of the NJ State Assembly and a member of the New Jersey Convention which adopted the Constitution of the United States.
According to oral tradition, the home was visited by several military leaders during the American Revolution, including the Marquis de Lafayette and Hessian General von Knyphausen. During the British Army retreat from Philadelphia in June 1778, it is said that soldiers killed and dressed all the chickens in the parlor and feasted and reveled far into the night.
Newly arrived British merchant Edward Harris Sr. bought the house and farm. He exported clover seed and grew raspberries, apples and barley on the farm. He opened his home to visitors and allowed traveling clergy to preach to their flocks on the front porch and in the parlor. His son, Edward Harris, Jr. inherited the property at his father’s death in 1822 and lived there until 1849. He also farmed the land and lived the life of a scholar and gentleman. He was a naturalist and accompanied his friend, John James Audubon on two expeditions. Harris was an early benefactor of Audubon, supporting his work when he was a young struggling artist, and it is believed that Audubon visited the farm in Moorestown on several occasions.
Harris was the first to introduce the Percheron horse to the United States and he bred these horses on the farm. Following the Harris ownership, the property changed hands several times. Bartholomew Sutton was the last to farm the land in the 1890s. Through the following years the Smith house remained a residence, but the land was gradually partitioned into smaller town lots. In 1924, the house was purchased by John and Rachael Cadbury, with Mrs. Cadbury living there until her death in 1969.
Today the Smith-Cadbury Mansion serves as the headquarters of the Historical Society of Moorestown. The home is fortunate to contain much of the original paneling, floorboards, fireplaces and even window glass. As a dwelling continuously lived in from 1738 to 1969, today the furnishings of the museum-house reflect styles from the 18th and 19th century and are not pristine to a particular time. There are many items in the collection that have passed through the Cadbury and other local families. Among the important pieces in the Historical Society collection are samplers including one of the earliest schoolgirl samplers made at the Westtown School, quilts, early Quaker clothing, tall-case clocks such as a Peter Stretch clock from Philadelphia, and a Morgan Hollingshead clock from Moorestown, a William McElroy Windsor chair made in Moorestown, and other fine antique furniture. Off the 1738 dining room, the Historical Society maintains a lovely Gift Shop in a Victorian enclosed porch. Here visitors can purchase a variety of items for house and garden and books on local history.
The Smith-Cadbury Mansion is listed on the New Jersey State and National Register of Historic Places and has been recognized by the National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century with an official plaque.
When is this event?
June 11 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
When is the raindate?
No rain date information has been provided.
Does this event repeat?
2nd & 4th Sundays 1-3pm and Tuesdays 1-4pm
Is the event indoors or outdoors?
IndoorIs registration required?
NoWhat is the admission price?
This event is being organized and hosted by
Please contact them with any questions regarding this event. Jersey Family Fun is not directly involved with this event.
Where is this event happening?
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