Volunteers of all ages and abilities are invited to participate in the third annual Martin Luther King Day of Service at the Dr. James Still Historic Site and Education Center on Monday, Jan. 19. The event will feature yard cleanup, gardening, painting and other activities aimed at maintaining and improving the historic facility. The action begins at 9 a.m. and ends at noon with a pizza lunch. The property is located at 109 and 111 Church Road in Medford.
Dr. James Still, a renowned herbalist and homeopathic healer, was born at Indian Mills and resided in Burlington County most of his life. He was one of 18 children born to former slaves Levin and Charity Still and his brothers included famed abolitionist William Still and Peter Still, who rescued himself from slavery.
Born into poverty and mostly self-educated, Still became one of the wealthiest men in Burlington County and owned land along Church Road in Medford. He built a house with a small office next door and people of all races and backgrounds flocked to him to be cured. His home was torn down in 1939, but the office still exists. The property was purchased by New Jersey in 2006, the first African-American site to be bought for preservation by the state. It was leased to the Medford Historical Society in 2013.
Youth groups, garden clubs, families and individuals all will be welcomed for the day of service Participants should register at drstillcenter@gmail.com or by calling (609) 975–8754. For more information please see the Dr. Still page of www.medfordhistory.org.
