In this issue, we hear from Committeeman Jeff Jacques about our 175th anniversary recognition plans.
This is a reminder to get you all psyched up for our 175th anniversary celebration this year. In recognition of this momentous occasion, there will be multiple events taking place throughout 2019. The main event being Harrison Township Day, which will take place in Downtown Mullica Hill this year with a venue similar to Lights on Main. Dates, times and descriptions of all events to be delivered at a later date.
Let’s set the stage with the events that took place to create Harrison Township as provided by our Historical Society.
“By the 1840s, the population in our area had sufficiently increased to a level that citizens petitioned for the creation of a new municipality, carved out of Woolwich and Greenwich townships. The Whig Party championed the movement and proposed it be called Harrison to honor the first Whig president, William Henry Harrison, who died shortly after taking office in 1841. The Democratic majority in Trenton, however, rejected this plan, and so an alternate name was proposed resulting in the establishment of Spicer Township in 1844. The designation honored Jacob Spicer, a prominent 18th-century Quaker settler and philanthropist. In 1845, however, the Whigs won the legislative majority and promptly renamed the township to Harrison. The new municipality encompassed land all the way to the Salem County line. These boundaries remained unchanged until 1883. When the residents of the southern precinct successfully petitioned to create South Harrison Township. Eight years later a small area along South Harrison’s eastern boundary around Ferrell seceded to become part of the new Township of Elk.”
Based on our shared history listed above, South Harrison and Elk townships have agreed to participate with us in the 175th anniversary festivities. These festivities on Harrison Township Day include a parade, a family-friendly venue throughout the town with something for everyone and a climax featuring fireworks in the evening.
As part of this communication, the township committee and our many volunteers on our commissions and councils ask that you all help us make 2019 a year to remember. Please take the time this year to not only attend the 175th anniversary celebrations, but to get to know our town again.
Invite your family and friends for a weekend in the area. Take a wine tour, we have a few wineries to visit in the area and a brewery or two. Take the time to experience the cuisine we have to offer. Take part in supporting Jersey Fresh by visiting, and purchasing, fresh local produce from the many farm stands that we have in our area. Then there is Main Street.
Grab family and friends and make it a day browsing the numerous shops we have up and down Main Street. Take some time to smell the Harrison Township roses this year.
I would like to finish by wishing you all a “healthy, happy and safe” 2019, whatever your plans are, and “happy anniversary” to Harrison Township.
