This list of previous programs should give you an idea of the topics presented at our monthly meetings and at occasional activities at the Shinn-Curtis Cabin. Funding for programming at the Shinn-Curtis Cabin has been made possible in part by the New Jersey Historical Commission, Department of State, and the Burlington County Board of County Commissioners, Department of Resource Conservation, Division of Parks.
February 24, 2025 - History of Hainesport
Conley Brooks will discuss this historic town, called Sandhickney by the Lenape Native Americans, then Long Bridge around the time of the War of American Independence, and Haines' Port by the mid-19th century.
March 24, 2025 - Revolutionary Housewives of Mount Holly
MHHS member Alicia McShulkis describes the lives of typical women in late 18th century Mount Holly.
April 28, 2025 - Creek Turn Park
In addition to the Annual Meeting and Election of Officers, Paula Uhland will discuss the development of this once abandoned property, former site of the Creek Turn Ceramic Supply Company (and home to a 20-foot troll sculpture made of recycled materials named "Big Rusty").
May 26, 2025 - Street Names in the Mount View Neighborhood of Mount Holly (Dinner to start at 6:30)
Did you ever wonder why Mount Holly has a street named Bong Terrace? Or if we have a Tinker Drive, where are the streets named for Evers and Chance? MHHS member Ian Johns will describe the people behind the street names in this section of town between The Mount and Fairgrounds Plaza.
Note that tonight will be our last official meeting of the season, during which we celebrate with a potluck supper. Bring a side, drinks, or dessert.
July 13, 2024 - Open House at the Shinn-Curtis CabinMaking a Penny Rug
For all ages. Participants will learn how penny rugs were made using old clothing and blankets made from felted wool. We will discuss the many uses for penny rugs and then create one using cardstock to take home. The program is given by Recycled Artist Holly Doyle.
August 10, 2024 - Open House at the Shinn-Curtis CabinDrop Spinning Wool
Participants will practice the basics of drop spinning wool. Youth will keep their CD drop spindles while supplies last. Local resource shared. The learning will be ongoing. Spinning wool in colonial times and its uses is discussed as well as natural dyeing. The program is given by MHHS member Barb Johns.
September 14, 2024 - Open House at the Shinn-Curtis CabinMaking a Corn Husk Doll
FREE!! Ages 10 & up. Under 10 are welcome but they need to have an adult to help them. Learn about the history of corn husk dolls and their uses while making one. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with Mount Holly’s rich history through craft. The program is given by Recycled Artist Holly Doyle.
September 23, 2024 - Preserving, Protecting, and Promoting Timbuctoo
Fifteen years after archeological studies put Timbuctoo "on the map," as a historic site, preservation and educational activities are thriving. Come and hear Timbuctoo descendant Guy Weston talk about what has been learned, innovative projects to share information in schools and community settings, as well as strategies to preserve Timbuctoo for generations to come. Weston will also seek input on ways to make Timbuctoo more engaging for visitors, since the primary above ground evidence of Timbuctoo’s history is a small cemetery.
October 12, 2024 - Open House at the Shinn-Curtis CabinQuilling
For all ages. Children under age 10 need to have an adult present to assist them. Participants will learn the ancient history of quilling as an art form using strips of paper which are rolled, shaped and glued to create decorative designs. A notecard with a fall theme will be created to take home. This program is given by MHHS member Alicia McShulkis.
October 21, 2024 - Tour of the Renovated Relief Fire Company (note different time and location)
Relief Fire Company historian Carl Shaw will give a tour of the renovated, enlarged firehouse at 17 Pine Street at 6:30 pm. This is a unique opportunity for Mount Holly Historical Society members and guests to view the building and learn about its past and future.
November 9, 2024 - Open House at the Shinn-Curtis CabinMaking a Felted Acorn Cap
For all ages. Children under age 10 need to have an adult present to assist them. This demonstration and workshop descrives how wool is felted together to make it thicker. (Spinning wheels make a strand of yarn, whereas felting creates a solid material.) Felting was often used for heavy winter coats and blankets, but we will discuss its many other uses. The participants will make a felted acorn cap using similar techniques of the felting process to take home. The program is given by Recycled Artist Holly Doyle.
January 24, 2023 - Researching Your Historic Home (back by popular demand)
MHHS member Alicia McShulkis presents her experience with paper and online resources. You don't have to own a historic property to research it. After a quick review of how to use a deed to trace a property, Alicia takes a look at using other methods to look at two specific properties and their stories.
February 28, 2023 - Still A Story of the Black Doctor of the Jersey Pines
Medford historian Ed Gager discusses and sells copies of his book chronicling Dr. James Still. The son of former slaves, Dr. Still is one of South Jersey's most beloved folklore heroes. He spent less than six months in school, yet became a man of many talents and accomplishments. His herbal and homeopathic medical practice enabled him to become one of the wealthiest men in the Medford/Vincentown area, owning several hundred acres of prime farmland. His son, James Jr. became only the second black man to graduate from Harvard Medical School.
March 28, 2023 - Scenes of Burlington County
Local photographer Kevin Sean Lee will present and discuss some of his amazing photos of Burlington County scenery and wildlife. You can follow him on Instagram.
April 25, 2023 - Annual Meeting and Election of Officers
Program: Along the Cooper River
Kevin Cook, co-author of “Along the Cooper River,” will talk about the Cooper River, a meandering tributary of the Delaware River in Camden County with a rich cultural heritage. Along the Cooper River, English Quakers found safe haven from religious persecution in colonial times, and General Washington’s soldiers fought for control of Cooper’s Ferry during the American Revolution.
Note: To allow for a comfortable transition from the Chair Yoga folks to our meeting, we will start at 7:30.
May 23, 2023 - End of Season Social Meeting
Tonight will be our last official meeting of the season. Dinner to start at 6:30. Plan to bring a side or dessert.
Come visit our table at Burlington County's May Faire on Sunday, May 21 at Smithville Park. We'll be selling photo DVDs, pins, buttons, and other Mount Holly memorabilia.
October 24, 2023 - Ghosts of Mount Holly
Got ghosts? Mount Holly does! Yes, it’s such a great town it seems some can’t bear to leave, even when their time on earth has come to an end. Just ask the young woman in a yellow dress, seen dining at the Robin’s Nest, the little girl who fell down the stairs at the Burlington County Lyceum and has been seen peeking around the corner, or the former firefighters (including fire dogs) still hanging out at Relief Firehouse. Or ask the attention-starved ghosts at the Burlington County Prison Museum, who like to play pranks to get your attention, and who often show up on film! Please join the Mount Holly Historical Society for their October 24th meeting at the Lyceum at 7 pm where these ghosts and others will be the topic of discussion.
January 23, 2024 - Bordentown and Mount Holly
A speaker from the Bordentown Historical Society will discuss Clara Barton's life in Bordentown before she formed the American Red Cross.
February 27, 2024 - Sears Roebuck Mount Holly Houses
The Sears Roebuck catalog sold more than toys; they also sold houses. Learn about these houses as MHHS Board member Judy Gauntt describes three examples located in Mount Holly.
March 26, 2024 - An American in Qing Dynasty China: Nathan Dunn, the Chinese Cottage, and 10,000 Chinese Things
Nathan Dunn, a Mount Holly resident who lived in what's now known as the Chinese Cottage (across the street from the Burlington County Lyceum), was among the first Americans to trade in Qing Dynasty China, starting in 1818. He practically became a lagend in fact, as his story mixes with China's expansionist and foreign policy. Once his wealth was established, he not only contributed locally, but became an ambassador of sorts, teaching the world what life was like in the prohibited interior of Qing Dynasty China.
April 23, 2024 - Annual Meeting and Election of Officers
Program TBD
May 28, 2024 - End of Season Social Meeting
Tonight will be our last official meeting of the season. Dinner to start at 6:30. Plan to bring a side or dessert.
For all ages. Participants will learn how penny rugs were made using old clothing and blankets made from felted wool. We will discuss the many uses for penny rugs and then create one using cardstock to take home. The program is given by Recycled Artist Holly Doyle.
Participants will practice the basics of drop spinning wool. Youth will keep their CD drop spindles while supplies last. Local resource shared. The learning will be ongoing. Spinning wool in colonial times and its uses is discussed as well as natural dyeing. The program is given by MHHS member Barb Johns.
FREE!! Ages 10 & up. Under 10 are welcome but they need to have an adult to help them. Learn about the history of corn husk dolls and their uses while making one. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with Mount Holly’s rich history through craft. The program is given by Recycled Artist Holly Doyle.
For all ages. Children under age 10 need to have an adult present to assist them. Participants will learn the ancient history of quilling as an art form using strips of paper which are rolled, shaped and glued to create decorative designs. A notecard with a fall theme will be created to take home. This program is given by MHHS member Alicia McShulkis.