It’s time to gear up for a full year of celebration.
Next year marks 300 years since the completion of Elizabeth Haddon’s home, and thus, the settlement of Haddonfield.
So far, 40 events have been planned throughout 2013, with at least one per month. Maureen Eyles, committee director, said that the tricentennial committee hopes to plan more than 100 events before 2013 says its goodbyes.
“It’s our hope that the whole community will come together to participate in these events,” Eyles said.
By the end of the 365-day celebration, she said, the goal is for every resident, business owner and visitor to be touched in some way and look at Haddonfield with pride.
The series of events will be held in conjunction with area civic and community groups with the desire to engage the whole borough.
The model was melded from the bicentennial in 1913. More than 6,000 people participated in a variety of events in one day.
A website, www.haddonfield300.org, is being designed as a hub for the community.
Residents and visitors alike can keep up with events through the website with blog page. The Historical Society of Haddonfield is contributing.
Why 1713?
Elizabeth Haddon migrated from England as a single woman to claim land and act as her father’s attorney in America with the intent to settle in front of her family’s arrival.
“She had power of attorney and conducted business for him beginning in 1701,” said Kathy Tassini, librarian of the Historical Society of Haddonfield and co-town historian.
A year later, she married John Estaugh, a Quaker minister who attempted to convert people to Quakerism.
Haddon was in charge of running the business to establish a farm on which her family could live while establishing a community in which Quakers could live freely without persecution, said Tassini.
In 1713, Haddon built a large mansion house that stood where 201 Wood Lane is in current times. It was named New Haddonfield.
That building signified the beginning of the community, Tassini explained.
Haddon sold land along Kings Highway and built rental properties to bring in other settlers.
Some events
Don’t be alarmed! Haddon and Estaugh will be roaming around the borough through the year. The first-person re-enactors will serve as ambassadors to the town, said Eyles.
The historical society will also be compiling a traveling trunk of artifacts to be used in schools and in visits with community groups. Goods will include photographs, period pieces, household items and clothing.
Interested in volunteering? The committee is developing 300 days of service. Throughout the year, the committee will be collecting the various dates of existing service projects, matching volunteers and then documenting the projects and hours.
To nominate a charity to be involved in the service, contact Eyles with its name.
The committee hopes that the 300 Days of Service will build spirit and awareness of the organizations and projects that go on in the borough each year, Eyles said.
To ring in the year, a solemn service followed by a reception in honor of Haddon will take place at the Friends Meetinghouse.
Also in January, the historical society will be unveiling an exhibit of reproduction clothing.
Dance Haddonfield will perform a demonstration of 17th century dance during its 13th anniversary dance in April.
The Friends of the Indian King will host a beer tasting in May at the tavern.
Events will continue into the summer, with a tribute to Haddon in the Fourth of July parade.
Next fall, the Friends of the Library will have a quilt exhibit that will include both historical and modern designs, sewn into a colonial style.
Looking even further into the distance, the 2013 Haddonfield Holiday House Tour will specifically feature historic homes.
Kids will have their fun, too, said Eyles.
A photo scavenger hunt will take place all year.
Digitized photographs from Old Haddonfield will be distributed to schoolchildren and the youngsters will be charged to find the old location in its modern setting.
“One very exciting thing is that the Historical Society of Haddonfield will be self-publishing a biography of Elizabeth Haddon in 2013,” Eyles said.
The author will have a preview as well as book signings.
“We really want to encourage the whole community to get involved in some way,” said Eyles. “We have something already scheduled for every month of 2013.”
Plan to attend
The community is welcome to a tricentennial community planning meeting on Monday, Oct. 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Haddonfield Friends Meetinghouse, 45 Friends Ave., Haddonfield.
To attend, R.S.V.P. to Maureen Eyles at (856) 795–9927 or email Maureen@haddonfield300.org.
Online resources
Keep an eye on www.haddonfield300.org and https://www.facebook.com/Haddonfield300 to stay up to date on events being planned as 2013 closes in.
