The Tabernacle Historical Society will hold its annual “Strawberry Social” on Saturday, June 7 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the grounds of Tabernacle’s town hall at the corner of Tabernacle-Medford Lakes Road and Carranza Road. In case of rain, it will be held at the Tabernacle United Methodist Church on Carranza Road.
As a fund-raiser for a Seneca High School scholarship, the “Strawberry Social” has been a tradition of the historical society since 1976. It’s a fun time to enjoy the fruits of the town and to meet your fellow townspeople. While the main attraction is the cake, strawberries and topping, hot dogs and beverages will also be available. The strawberries are always sourced from the local farms in Tabernacle. The cakes are all homemade and the portions are very generous. In addition, the society will have various items available for purchase. These include historic plates, afghans and Christmas ornaments. New this year, the Dave Hangley Band will perform live country music.
The bicentennial of 1976 generated the idea for the community to band together to preserve, protect and promote the history of the town. Once called the “Tabernacle in the Wilderness,” Tabernacle was a part of Shamong, Washington Township and Chatsworth as the Lenape Indians lived throughout the area. The Tabernacle Historical Society boasts that they have a basket woven by the last of the Lenape, Indian Ann. She is buried in the Tabernacle Cemetery.
The historical society maintains and preserves three buildings in the town. The Pepper House was proudly owned by only three families. Built in 1860 by Gilbert Knight who fought in the Civil War and was the town’s blacksmith was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Samuel and Carrie Scott were the next owners who ran a filling station and grocery store across the street from the house. The last people who owned the Pepper House were Arthur and Clara Pepper who resided there until the 1950’s. The Pepper House is located on Carranza Road, the second building from town hall.
The Friendship Schoolhouse was not originally built in Tabernacle, but many of the town’s people went there. It was located in Washington Township on a cranberry farm and brought to Tabernacle in the 1970’s. The building was restored by the society and placed on the grounds of what is now Sequoia Alternative School on Carranza Road. For a number of years the schoolhouse was used as a teaching tool for the fourth graders who studied New Jersey history and the Native American culture. Today, historic tours are given annually to the third graders who visit the town hall, Pepper House, Friendship School, Tabernacle Cemetery and Indian Ann burial site as well as the Carranza Monument.
Another Tabernacle landmark that the society maintains is the Tabernacle Cemetery’s two outbuildings and arch. One of the two buildings has the original two-hole outhouse located inside.
The historical society is working diligently to preserve, protect and promote the town’s history. They need the public’s help to complete many projects that are planned for maintenance and education. All are welcome to the “Strawberry Social” and to their monthly meetings on the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. within town hall.
