Unless noted below, our meetings are on the 4th Monday of the month at 7:00 pm in the Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences, 307 High Street. Here's our tentative schedule of meetings and presentations for the current season. (See our new Facebook page for the latest information, or our Past Programs page for descriptions of previous MHHS programs.) Please arrive a few minutes early so we can begin promptly at 7. Our meetings are open to the public, but non-members are requested to donate $5 to attend the program. Members will receive a reminder email.
September 28, 2026 - Virtua Mount Holly Hospital
MHHS board member Judy Gauntt and a representative from Virtua Health will discuss the history of what most of us knew as Memorial Hospital.
October 26, 2026 - John Woolman (This meeting will be held in the John Woolman Memorial at 99 Branch Street in Mount Holly)
MHHS President Charles Bruder will discuss the history of the Memorial house and the life of John Woolman, an American merchant, tailor, journalist, Quaker preacher, and early abolitionist during the colonial era. Based in Mount Holly, he traveled (usually on foot) through the American frontier and abroad to preach Quaker beliefs and advocate against slavery and the slave trade, cruelty to animals, economic injustices and oppression, and conscription.
November 23, 2026 - The Widow's Campaign: December 1776 and Mount Holly's Legacy in the Revolutionary War
Adam Zielinski, a historian and vice president of the Rev War Alliance of Burlington County, has been instrumental in researching and presenting the often-overlooked Battle of Iron Works Hill. His book, including the "Engagement at Woodlane" essay, highlights how this small-scale skirmish had strategic importance in the broader context of the war.
December 21, 2026 - Battle of Iron Works Hill
Burlington County historian Eric Orange is another key figure in bringing attention to the Battle of Iron Works Hill.
The Battle occurred just before the famous Battle of Trenton. It was fought a day after the Battle of Petticoat Bridge as part of General George Washington’s campaign to cross the Delaware River. These engagements helped ensure the succcess of the crossing and contributed to the surprise victory at Trenton.
January 25, 2027 - Spinning Flax Straw Into Linen Thread
A demonstration of the process of turning flax straw into a finished linen thread using antique tools. Includes an introduction to flax growing in our region and a retelling of a historic fairy tale. Presented by MHHS board member Barb Johns, an interpreter of historic women’s arts and an expert spinner of fibers.
February 22, 2027 - The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Early American Women and Their Kitchen Gardens
Kitchen gardens in the 1700s fed, healed, and clothed Early American families. The 18th century "huswife" skill set included "physicke, cookery, distillation perfumery, the making of wool, hemp flax, dayries, brewing, baking," and, of course, gardening. Garden historian and writer Lesley Parness has worked in public gardens in America and abroad for the past four decades, and will discuss how these women turned their soup pots into the "melting pot" that is America.
March 22, 2027 - Patience Wright: American Revolution Sculptor and Spy
Burlington County Parks historian Marissa Bozarth presents Patience Lovell Wright, a sculptor of wax figures and the first recognized American-born sculptor. After an introduction to London society by Jane Mecom, sister of Benjamin Franklin, Wright may have worked as a spy, sending information back to the colonies inside her wax figures.
April 27, 2027 - The Underground Railroad in Mount Holly and the Rancocas Valley
Debbie Grace, curator of the Underground Railroad Museum in Smithville, will discuss how the Underground Railroad operated in this area for many decades.
May 18, 2027 - MHHS Elections and Mount Holly History & Heritage Fundraiser
Join us for our last official meeting of the season, during which we celebrate with a potluck supper and raffle. Bring a side, drinks, or dessert, plus a book, historical curio, etc. to be raffled off. All members are free to nominate themselves or someone else for open board and committee chair positions.