The Community House of Moorestown will turn 100 in 2026, but thrives with its events for residents.
The Community House of Moorestown will host its 19th annual Wine Tasting Springtime Sips from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 27.
“I think the tradition of this event is really special, and it’s also become a really great place to meet people as well as catch up with old friends, so it’s just a lot of fun,” said Kathryn Distler, member of the nonprofit’s board of trustees.
Through the generosity of Wegmans and Wegmans Wine, Liquor & Beer, guests will learn from experts about an array of wines suitable for every day and special occasions.
“It’s such a fun way for us to kick off the spring season, catch up with friends and neighbors, meet new people – all of course while raising money to support a place that’s really just so special to our town,” Distler said.
The community house does not receive any township, county, state or federal funding, according to its website. It relies exclusively on donations from the community and room- rental fees.
“The fundraising money that we bring in goes to a number of things, but a lot of it is that preservation piece,” Distler explained. “ … We have to support the community house 100% with fundraising activities like this, so it’s really special to see people come out and support and also be able to provide a really good time as part of that fundraising.”
The event is also expected to include music, a beer garden and a jewelry pop-up shop.
“In addition to the food and wine pairings and the live music, we will also have a raffle, and we’ve started collecting prizes for that,” Distler said. “We’re really looking forward to raising money through that.”
Aside from its events, the community house turns 100 in 2026, and there’s been a lot of buzz over how to honor that.
“We’ve been having a really great time brainstorming ways to bring the community in, celebrate the space and start thinking about celebrating that 100-year anniversary with some fundraising events, community events and educational opportunities,” Distler pointed out.
In October 1923, an “unknown donor” offered what eventually became $250,000 to build a community center in Moorestown. That unknown donor was Eldridge Reeves Johnson, founder and head of the Victor Talking Machine Company in Camden.
The current township center of 25,000 square feet sits on 2.2 acres and has three floors, 40 rooms and seven bathrooms. Through the support of the community, the nonprofit has been able to operate for nearly 100 years and hopefully 100 more.
“There’s of course a lot of challenges that go into preserving a 100-year-old historic structure, but I think we’re all really excited to be able to celebrate this milestone occasion and get the community out and engaged and involved and taking advantage of the space,” Distler related.
“This is something that my friends and my parents all grew up making a special event to have, and now we all go (to) together, so I think the tradition of this event is really special.”
“Our annual wine tasting fundraiser has become a can’t-miss event of the spring social calendar here in Moorestown,” noted Haynes Hendrickson, vice president of the Community House board of trustees.
“It is a critically important way for the Community House to fund our mission to support local nonprofits and also continue to play the role of a gathering place for our friends and neighbors to continue to make hometown memories.”
For more information, visit www.thecommunityhouse.com/wine-tasting/.
