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About the Gloucester County Historical Society

Since 1903, Gloucester County Historical Society’s (GCHS) mission has been to collect, preserve, and share the history of Gloucester County, NJ and its environs.

The Gloucester County Historical Society Museum

Address:

58 N. Broad St., Woodbury, NJ 08096 | Directions

Regular Museum Hours:

  • Tuesday, 6 pm to 9 pm
  • Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 12-4 pm
  • 3rd weekend of every month (Saturday and Sunday) 12-4 pm

Admission fee:

  • Free to all
museum

The GCHS Museum is housed in the 1765 Hunter-Lawrence-Jessup House. HLJ House was added to the New Jersey and National Register of Historic Places in 1972 for its significance in military history, education, and politics. In 1925, the property became the home of Gloucester County Historical Society. Today, the Museum houses more than 30,000 artifacts and historical objects are on view to the public via permanent and rotating exhibits.

Discover Our Artifacts and Exhibits

  • Furniture, Glassware, and Everyday Tools

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    • Furniture stretching from the William and Mary period to the present.
    • Chairs that George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette sat in after viewing Fort Billings.
    • General Senator Franklin Davenport’s rocking chair.
    • Glassworks from around Southern New Jersey.
    • Farming tools, kitchen utensils, and medical supplies.
  • Historical Clothing, Samplers, and Fiber Arts

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    • Hundreds of textiles and clothing, including dozens of hats and wedding dresses, as early as 1818.
    • Over six dozen samplers, as early as the late 1700s.
    • Over 200 rare quilts
    • A collection of hair wreaths, including one with three generations of hair.
  • Military Equipment and Supplies

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    • Military relics stretching from the American Revolution to WWII.
  • Toys and Dolls

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    • An extensive doll and doll clothing collection.
    • Scores of Tyco trains, including some not commonly available to the public.
  • Unique Artifacts and Art

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    • A 1683 oak chest that Henry and John Wood (namesake of Woodbury) brought from England.
    • Several prominent musical instruments, including a Stradivarius copy 1724 violin.
    • A weathervane depicting a raccoon biting its thumb refers to William Henry Harrison winning the 1841 election.
    • A mallet that was used to strike the liberty bell for the opening of the transcontinental telephone line in 1915.
    • A fireplace from Hugg’s Tavern, where Betsy Ross is said to have been married.
    • Numerous paintings and drawings, including by John Squillace and Fred Taylor.
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The Gloucester County Historical Society Library

Address:

17 Hunter St., Woodbury, NJ 08096 | Directions

Regular Library Hours:

  • Tuesday, 6 pm to 9 pm
  • Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 12-4 pm
  • 3rd weekend of every month (Saturday and Sunday) 12-4 pm

Admission fee:

  • $5.00 for Non-Members
card catalog and library entrance

 

 

The Library at the GCHS hosts one of the largest genealogical collections in Southern New Jersey.  Researchers looking for information on their family, town or an event can delve into our unique holdings of local newspapers, unrecorded deeds and surveys, cemetery and church records and the original documents generated by the Gloucester County government back to the 17th Century.

 

In-person visitors have access to the subscription databases of Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and Genealogybank.com.  We are a designated Family History Affiliate Library with access to the digital records of FamilySearch.

Our Library Holdings and Collections

  • Account Books Collection

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    We have an extensive collection of accounting books from many businesses and organizations. This collection includes merchant’s account books, hotel registers, physician records, various fraternal organization minutes such as Masonic Lodges, Women’s Clubs, Grange, Civil War GAR records, fire companies, and children’s clubs.

  • Genealogical Collections

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    Our Library has one of the largest genealogical collections in southern New Jersey and is invaluable to visitors conducting family history research. Our holdings include vital statistics, published and unpublished genealogies, family files, city directories, telephone books, church and cemetery records, probate records, funeral home records, and military records.

  • Gloucester County Documents Collection

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    We are the official repository for the oldest original Gloucester County documents dating from 1686 into the 20th century. Our collection includes deeds, court records, tavern petitions, slavery documents, naturalization records, and much more. While Gloucester County might be more compact today, its boundaries once encompassed all of the land from the Delaware River to the Atlantic Ocean that is now Atlantic and Camden Counties, so our records include much of Southern New Jersey.

  • Map Collection

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    We have published maps with the Southern New Jersey areas. Our collection includes original photographs, negatives, aerial photos and family albums of local people, places and events.

  • Newspaper Collection

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    Take a glimpse into the past with local media. Our collection holds many daily and weekly newspapers that were published across much of Southern New Jersey, including Woodbury, Glassboro, Pitman, Jericho, Clayton, Paulsboro, Swedesboro, Westville, Franklin Township, Williamstown, Newfield, Camden, Berlin, Blackwood, Gloucester City, Haddonfield, Trenton, Salem, Penns Grove, Elmer, Woodstown, Millville, North Vineland, and Bridgeton. Many of these newspapers are unavailable anywhere else and have not been digitized.

  • Photograph Collection

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    We host many photos, photo albums, aerial negatives, places and events, and slides of South Jersey families.

  • Private Survey Collection

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    This unique collection consists of privately commissioned original surveys for properties showing adjacent properties, waterways, schools, churches, and other landmarks with a footprint of the building often included. There is also an Every-Name and Place Index, making this collection especially valuable to researchers.

  • Special Collections

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    We have a variety of unique documents, including Civil War letters, diaries, postcards, yearbooks, and many local family collections.

books on shelves

The Moravian Church

Built 1786-1789, the Moravian Church at Oldman’s Creek served as a house of worship for Moravians, Methodists, and Episcopalians for over 150 years. Since 1948, it has been under GCHS stewardship and seasonal events were held through the early 1990s.

While not currently open to the public, the site is undergoing preservation work to bring it back as a community and heritage tourism location. Thanks to grants and donations from the New Jersey Historic Trust, the 1772 Foundation, Kennedy Investment Group, and many individuals, to date we have shored up the North wall and elevation, and restored the windows, doors, and shutters. We continue to fundraise to conserve the cemetery and to provide barrier-free access and facilities for visitors.  

Support the Preservation Project

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Our Board of Trustees (2023 – 2024)

Thank you to the Gloucester County Historical Society Board of Trustees volunteers.

  • Jim Scythes, President
  • Hank Schroeder, Vice President
  • Kay Marie Platt, Recording Secretary
  • Donald Kwasnicki, Treasurer
  • Janet Bishop
  • Janet Burr
  • Jessica Ferguson
  • Dana M. Gayeski
  • Lee Hansell
  • Sandy Levins
  • Harry Schaeffer
  • Mark Suloff
  • Nora Taylor
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FAQ

  • How much is admission?

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    The museum is FREE for all visitors! Library admission for non-members is $5.00.

  • How can I become a Member, and what is the cost?

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    Memberships may be purchased online or in person. We have different levels of membership.

    • A single annual membership is $35
    • Family membership is $45
    • Student (under 18 with ID) is $20
    • Business $500
    • Life membership is $500
    • Non-members may purchase a three-month database subscription for $25

    We also offer free memberships to honorably discharged US veterans with Form DD214.

  • What are the benefits of membership?

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    Members get free access to our database and other benefits that you can unlock.

  • Can I still purchase a database subscription if I am not a member?

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    Yes. Short-term subscriptions for a three-month period are available for $25.

  • What is included in the subscription database?

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    We have included a variety of records in different categories and locations. While the databases are not all-inclusive, you will find death notices and marriages up to 1939 from the daily and weekly newspapers in Gloucester County, Salem County, Cumberland County, and Camden County. More marriage records are available up to 1999 from the same sources. Tombstone inscriptions from Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland Counties are included. Burlington County vital statistics and church records, primarily 20th century, from the collection of genealogist Elma Eckert are available. Birth announcements from the Woodbury Daily Times are currently being added.

  • How can I become a volunteer?

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    Those interested in volunteering can fill out the form below. For more information or to speak to us directly about volunteering or setting up a visit and interview, contact us.

  • Does GCHS accept donations of artifacts or documents?

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    Yes. Most of the items in our collections have been received through donations. We accept donations that fall within the parameters of our mission statement and are not duplicated within our collections. To donate to our Museum or Library, please contact us.

  • What resources are available in your Library?

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    Our Library has a vast collection. To learn more before visiting, please review our Library Catalog and Database Search.

  • I am looking for specific historical documents about Gloucester County; how can I access them?

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    We are the official repository for the Gloucester County Documents collection and host original records, transcriptions, and microfilm versions of records. The best way to view them is to visit our Library. If you have questions about a specific research query before arriving, contact us.

  • I am looking for an out-of-print publication. Do you have any available?

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    We might. Some of our out-of-print publications can be purchased and downloaded.

  • Can a private tour be arranged at the Museum for a group?

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    Yes. We are delighted to accommodate larger groups by appointment. Please contact our Museum coordinator to set up a tour.

  • Can I arrange a historical or genealogical presentation for my tour group?

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    Yes. GCHS has several presentations on a variety of topics. Visit our Events page or contact our Library to select a presentation and time.

  • Do you have events and programs year-round?

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    Yes. We host events, programs, and tours all year round. Please see our events for more information.

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How to Volunteer

We are always looking for individuals to help us preserve the past. The Library and Museum run on volunteer time and welcome volunteers and unpaid interns. Volunteers are also needed for general Society duties such as grounds work, fundraising, and can also assist online.

Join us!

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