Moorestown250

09/26/2026

He left Moorestown a hero… but returned in pieces.

In 1861, Clayton S. Hollingshead marched proudly from Old Town Hall to fight for the Union. He survived the bloody fields of war, defying the odds. But the war didn’t claim him. Something darker did.

On a dark autumn night, his life ended—not in battle, but on the cold steel tracks of the Midnight Train. The iron wheels took his head clean off.

Some say he never left those rails. A headless figure wandering the tracks, lantern in hand. The hollow echo of phantom boots pacing down Main Street. A sudden, heavy silence… broken only by the piercing whistle of a train that isn’t there.

They call him Headless Hollingshead.

Dare to walk the paths he haunts? Join the Historical Society of Moorestown this October to uncover our town’s darkest secrets.

Tickets are fading faster than the midnight train: Register now at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-kings-haunted-highway-tickets-2000643679100

08/02/2026

Get the ghost gear!!

08/01/2026

🎃👻 Spooky Season has Officially Arrived in Moorestown! 👻🎃

We are officially kicking off the season on September 26 with a completely SOLD OUT paranormal investigation at the Smith-Cadbury Mansion! Conducted by the acclaimed New Jersey Paranormal, this thrilling event will dive into nearly 400 years of haunted history.

Didn’t score a ticket? Don’t worry—the chills are just getting started.

🏮 Moorestown History & Ghosts Walking Tours
Consistently rated as one of the Top 3 Destinations for Ghost Tours in New Jersey by NJ Monthly Magazine, our annual autumn tradition is back! Hosted by the Historical Society of Moorestown, these lantern-lit October excursions turn our historic streetscapes into an immersive theater of the past.
When: Friday and Saturday evenings throughout October.
Where: Tours begin at the eerie Smith-Cadbury Mansion before winding through Old Salem Road and the famed Kings Highway.

💀 What to Expect
Experience a blend of deeply researched history and spine-tingling lore.

Expert Storytelling: Led by local historians, including a tenth-generation descendant of the 1682 settlers.
Chilling Local Legends: Hear accounts of Revolutionary War-era Hessians, the specter of a 19th-century railroad brakeman, and the whispers of suffragists still fighting for human rights from beyond the grave.

Living History: Acclaimed historian Dr. Daisy Century brings the past to life through powerful portrayals of Underground Railroad legends.

👕 Gear Up for the Ghosts!
Ready to represent the most spirited town in New Jersey? Our new collection of retro-inspired t-shirts is now available! These designs are the perfect way to stay stylish while you hunt for ghosts.

👇 Visit our NovaCaesareaPress Etsy shop on profile and at the link in the comments below! 👇

SouthJerseyEvents SmithCadburyMansion HistoricalSocietyOfMoorestown NewJerseyParanormal HauntedHistory KingsHighwayNJ LivingHistory NovaCaesareaPress

05/15/2026

🚨 BREAKING: General George Washington is riding into Moorestown TODAY! 🚨

Grab your tricorn hats! History is coming alive right here in our own backyard. General Washington is arriving on horseback this afternoon, and YOU are invited to join the ranks!

Come out to see Washington (incrediblely portrayed by John Koopman III from Ken Burns’ The American Revolution), snap an epic picture with him, and march alongside the General right down historic Kings Highway!

Best part? This is a 100% FREE and super fun event for the whole family! Bring the kids, tell your neighbors, and let's give the General a massive Moorestown welcome!

Here is everything you need to know:

⚔️ THE GENERAL IS COMING: Moorestown at the Crossroads ⚔️

📍 Where: Percheron Park ➡️ Van Meter Hall

🗓 When: TODAY, May 15th!

🕒 THE SCHEDULE:
• 4:00 PM: General Washington arrives at Percheron Park! Come hang out, welcome him, and take plenty of photos. 📸
• 5:30 PM: The march begins! Walk with Washington down Kings Highway for an exclusive reception at Van Meter Hall.

📜 The Background: A Town Divided
Step back into May 1776! Our "quiet" village of Moorestown is the eye of the storm on the vital King’s Highway between Philly and NY. The local Quaker population faces a harrowing crisis of conscience: hold to their "Peace Testimony" or support a rebellion? Washington knows that Moorestown’s support is essential to the survival of the Continental Army!

🇺🇸 Why Today?
This is the perfect "Eve of the Encampment" celebration to get you pumped up for Saturday’s First Oval Office Project in partnership with the Museum of the American Revolution ().

Tag your marching buddies in the comments below, and we will see you at 4:00 PM! 👇

04/10/2026

ON THIS DAY: April 10, 1778: A Skirmish in Cinnaminson?

According to a letter sent to George Washington by Colonel Israel Shreve, the banks of the Delaware River near Cinnaminson became the site of a swift and successful Continental strike against British forces.

Writing from his headquarters in Haddonfield, Shreve detailed how a detachment of the 2nd New Jersey Regiment took up a concealed position at a local fishery to intercept British foraging parties crossing over from occupied Philadelphia. The ambush was a complete success, resulting in the capture of a British barge along with seven sailors and a midshipman. This victory provided Washington with more than just prisoners; the captured men offered critical intelligence regarding British naval strength and their growing concerns over the arrival of a French fleet, proving that the "Jersey Line" was effectively strangling the enemy’s supply routes.

The man behind this tactical success had deep roots in the very soil he was defending. Colonel Israel Shreve was a true son of old West Jersey, born into a lineage that helped shape the region. His mother, Elizabeth French, was born around 1695 at the Thomas French House in Moorestown, a site that still stands as a testament to the early Quaker settlers.

This ancestral connection to the community gave Shreve’s command a personal weight, as he spent the spring of 1778 protecting the homesteads and farms of his own kin and neighbors from British plunder. His report to Washington on this day serves as a powerful reminder of the local vigilance that turned the tide of the Philadelphia Campaign.

A detailed account of his life and service record can be found at: Israel Shreve (1739-1799) https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Shreve-278


Revolution NJ

https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-14-02-0437

Colonel Israel Shreve to George Washington, 10 April 1778

04/07/2026

The American Revolution is traditionally told as a heroic tale of liberty versus tyranny, but for the British, it felt less like a glorious birth and more like a traumatic, high-stakes divorce.

In a compelling new documentary, one of Britain’s most renowned historians, Simon Schama, reframes the conflict, stripping away the mythology to reveal the messy, bitter reality of a family falling apart. From the British perspective, the colonies weren't just distant territories; they were a central part of the national identity, and their departure was a seismic shock that forced the Empire to reinvent itself.
Explore how this "great separation" redefined both sides of the Atlantic in this fascinating deep dive from Smithsonian Magazine.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/in-a-new-documentary-one-of-britains-most-famous-historians-reframes-the-american-revolution-as-a-messy-divorce-180988457/

Lucy Worsley's PBS series highlights the emotional fallout of the conflict, with a focus on the British perspective

03/19/2026

The General Returns to Kings Highway

There is a specific kind of silence that falls over a historic town when a white horse rounds the corner. It’s a sound that hasn’t been “right” in Moorestown for 250 years—until now.

As we gear up for the Moorestown 250th, we’re bringing the Commander-in-Chief back to the very ground he trod in 1778. But this isn’t a stiff history lecture; it’s a Revolutionary-era happy hour. We’re talking George Washington, his magnificent mount Nelson, and a toast to the heritage that built this town.

We’ll be pouring a special small b**r brewed by Double Nickel (from Washington’s own recipe) and sampling the Madeira that fueled the founders. It’s “Cocktails and Carrots”—because while you’re sipping a drink, Nelson deserves a treat for the journey.

The Details:
📍 Van Meter Hall, Kings Highway
🍸 Revolutionary Libations & Heavy Hors d’oeuvres
🐴 Meet the General and Nelson
🎟️ Link in Comments

03/19/2026

The General Returns to Kings Highway

There is a specific kind of silence that falls over a historic town when a white horse rounds the corner. It’s a sound that hasn't been "right" in Moorestown for 250 years—until now.

As we gear up for the Moorestown 250th, we’re bringing the Commander-in-Chief back to the very ground he trod in 1778. But this isn't a stiff history lecture; it's a Revolutionary-era happy hour. We’re talking George Washington, his magnificent mount Nelson, and a toast to the heritage that built this town.

We’ll be pouring a special small b**r brewed by Double Nickel (from Washington’s own recipe) and sampling the Madeira that fueled the founders. It’s "Cocktails and Carrots"—because while you’re sipping a drink, Nelson deserves a treat for the journey.

The Details:
📍 Van Meter Hall, Kings Highway
🍸 Revolutionary Libations & Heavy Hors d'oeuvres
🐴 Meet the General and Nelson
🎟️

Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States with George Washington and his horse, Nelson, at a cocktail reception!

03/11/2026

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: 🇺🇸 May 16: The First Oval Office Project is Coming!

Step into Washington's Command Center in Historic Moorestown ! 🇺🇸

For the first time in nearly 250 years, General George Washington’s legendary War Tent will travel the Historic Kings Highway and make its grand appearance in Moorestown!

Join the Historical Society of Moorestown, in partnership with the Museum of the American Revolution, as we host The First Oval Office Project—a powerful, traveling exhibition commemorating the Nation’s 250th Semiquincentennial.

Experience History Like Never Before:

• Walk in His Footsteps: Encounter a full-scale, hand-stitched replica of Washington’s Revolutionary War Tent—the very space often called America’s “First Oval Office.” This tent was his wartime headquarters, a command center where critical decisions were made and the Continental Army was led.

• Immersive Encounters: Step into the past with costumed interpreters, interactive displays, associated replica camp equipage, and furnishings that bring the era to vivid life. You may even meet George & Martha, Ben Franklin, and others!

• A Day of Revolutionary Fun: Enjoy live 18th-century music, food, hands-on colonial crafts, and engaging games for all ages.

📍 Locust Park, Moorestown, NJ
📅 Saturday, May 16, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the heart of the American Revolution right here in Burlington County! Follow us for updates.

https://www.amrevmuseum.org/learn-and-explore/first-oval-office-project

The cornerstone of the Museum’s collection is General George Washington’s Revolutionary War tent, the marquee or office and sleeping quarters that he used as the command center of the Continental Army. Created as a mobile field headquarters, the tent was likely made in Reading, Pennsylvania,...

02/10/2026

⚓ On This Day: February 9, 1799 – A Legend is Born in the Caribbean

Today marks the anniversary of one of the most pivotal ship-to-ship battles in American history. On February 9, 1799, the USS Constellation, commanded by the indomitable Commodore Thomas Truxtun, engaged the French frigate L'Insurgente off the coast of Nevis.

The battle was a masterclass in naval tactics. Despite a fierce gale that saw the French ship lose its main topmast, Truxtun closed the distance to just 50 yards. After over an hour of relentless broadsides, the L'Insurgente struck her colors. It was the first major victory for the newly formed U.S. Navy and established the United States as a legitimate maritime power.

🏡 Bringing the History Home to Moorestown

While Truxtun’s victories were won on the high seas, his heart—and his retirement—belonged to Moorestown.

Between 1812 and 1816, Truxtun lived at his 40-acre plantation known as Woodlawn (located on Marne Highway, across from what is now Lockheed Martin). This home isn't just a local landmark; it is a physical link to a man who was:

• A "Founding Father" of the Navy: One of the original six captains appointed by George Washington.

• The Man Who Saved Franklin: Truxtun commanded the ship that safely returned Benjamin Franklin to Philadelphia from France in 1785.

• A Friend to the Infamous: In 1804, Truxtun sheltered Aaron Burr just 11 days after Burr killed Alexander Hamilton in their famous duel and defended him during his murder trial.

🏛️ BIG NEWS: Moorestown Township Acquires the Truxtun House!

We are thrilled to share that, as of February 2026, Moorestown Township has officially finalized the acquisition of the Commodore Truxtun House at 730 Marne Highway.

Through a cooperative agreement with Virtua Health (the previous owners), the township has secured this 18th-century treasure to ensure its permanent preservation. This acquisition comes just in time for the nation’s Semiquincentennial (250th Anniversary) in 2026.

Revolution NJ

The ship USS Constellation scored the first American victory over a foreign ship thanks to a sucker punch and a disciplined crew.