The Haddonfield DAR will present the program “Totally Tea: An 18th Century Tea Experience”, March 11, 2009, at 12:30 P.M. at in The Conservatory at Springdale Farms, Cherry Hill, NJ. The public is invited to this admission-free event. Refreshments and social time will begin at noon.

In keeping the educational mission of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Stacy Roth from History on the Hoof will present an educational first-person historical interpretation entitled, “Totally Tea: An 18th Century Tea Experience”. In this performance Ms. Roth will explain why tea was so important in the lives of 18th century people that fashion-conscious families posed for portraits with their tea sets and did Great Britain lose her American Colonies over "the cup that cheers?" Find out in this unusual costumed presentation of tea lore, history, songs, poetry, living history display and demonstration. This program is appropriate for both adults and children.

This program is offered through the Horizons Speakers Bureau of the New Jersey Council on the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

On February 10, 2009 Haddonfield Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter Regent, Pamela Campbell, presented a portrait of President George Washington to Haddonfield Middle School in Haddonfield NJ. The Haddonfield DAR Chapter sponsored the portrait as part of the Portraits of Patriots program.

The portrait of President Washington presented is reproduced from the signed artist proof engraving by William E. Marshall done in 1862 and is printed on acid free archival stock with a 3" debossed border like the original. The overall print size is 22" x 28". The Portraits of Patriots project was started in 1998 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the death of George Washington. For additional information please see the Portraits of Patriots website: http://www.portraits-patriots.qpg.com.

The portrait was received by the Haddonfield Middle School student council and school Principal, Dr. Noah Tennant. As part of the presentation Haddonfield DAR Chapter Regent, Pamela Campbell, explained the DAR and discussed the story of Molly Pitcher with the Children. Before leaving she also asked the children to think what it would have been like to load a cannon in a long dress or spend this past winter at Valley Forge without the benefit of shoes or warm homes.

Picture by Shelly Castorino

The Haddonfield DAR will present the program “Greasy Luck: Stories of a New England Whalerman”, November 12, 2008, at 7:30 P.M. at in The Conservatory at Springdale Farms, Cherry Hill, NJ. The public is invited to this admission-free event. Refreshments and social time will begin at 6:30 P.M.

In keeping the educational mission of the Daughters of the American Revolution, David Emerson from History on the Hoof will present an educational first-person historical interpretation entitled, “Greasy Luck: Stories of a New England Whalerman”. In this performance Mr. Emerson will bring to life, Captain Leland Emerson, master of the brigantine Sarah Ann in the year 1843. He will recount the trials and toils of the hunt for Leviathan. Hear about life on board a whaling ship and of perilous adventures at sea - including encounters with the infamous great white whale, "Mocha Dick." This program is appropriate for both adults and children.

This program is offered through the Horizons Speakers Bureau of the New Jersey Council on the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

On May 21, 2008, Haddonfield DAR Chapter Regent, Pamela Campbell, presented the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Wall of Honor Certificate for Elizabeth Haddon to her namesake Elementary School in Haddonfield NJ. The Haddonfield DAR Chapter sponsored Elizabeth Haddon’s inscription on the Immigrant Wall of Honor and received the certificate as a thank you.

As part of the presentation to the school, Regent Pamela Campbell told the stories of Jonas Cattell and Elizabeth Haddon to all the students. Jonas Cattell was a local patriot who on Oct 22, 1777 helped save Fort Mercer. Jonas Cattell was born on a farm known as Lavender Hills outside what is today Woodbury NJ. In 1777, at the age of 18 he was an apprentice to a blacksmith in the town of Haddonfield, NJ. In October 1777, the British and their Hessian allies occupied the town of Haddonfield. Jonas was arrested for being out after curfew. The tales vary but were ever Jonas spent the night he was able to overhear the British plans to attack Fort Mercer the next morning. At sunrise Jonas was released from his captivity and ran the 10 miles to warn Fort Mercer of the coming enemy troops. Due in part to Jonas’s warning the Americans were able to win the battle of Fort Mercer.

The second story Regent Campbell told to the schoolchildren was of the founding of Haddonfield. 20-year-old Elizabeth Haddon founded Haddonfield in the colony of West Jersey in 1701. In 1698 a friend of William Penn’s, John Haddon, who was a wealthy businessman from London, England, purchased land in West Jersey. Upon acquiring additional land in the area, he was required to take physical possession of the land within six months. Being unable to make the trip due to illness, Mr. Haddon sent his 20-year-old daughter, Elizabeth Haddon, to claim the property. She arrived in June 1701. She named the new property “Haddonfield,” in her father’s honor.

At the conclusion of the two tales, Regent Campbell presented the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Wall of Honor Certificate for Elizabeth Haddon to the Principal and Student Body President of Elizabeth Haddon Elementary school and reminded the students that one person no matter how young or how old can make a difference.

Picture by Shelly Castorino

Constitution Week

Constitution Day

"The Constitution of the United States was created by the people of the United States composing the respective states, who alone had the right.”
James Madison

Constitution Day is observed each year on September 17 to commemorate the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787. Originally entitled Citizenship Day, recent legislation has renamed the day as Constitution and Citizenship Day and mandates that federally funded schools and federal agencies provide instruction and information about the Constitution.

The tradition of celebrating Constitution Week was started many years ago by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). In 1955, the DAR petitioned Congress to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was later adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into Public Law #915, on August 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Constitution Week is commemorated September 17 – 23. This year marks the 220th anniversary of the Constitution of the United States of America.

“Study the Constitution because it is both the foundation and the guardian of our liberties. Study it also with the knowledge that as strong and enduring as our Constitution has been, it is nevertheless a fragile, almost intangible thing that cannot survive without the dedication and constant support of citizens”
U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd

In 2004 a provision in the federal-spending bill, Public Law 108-447, mandates that all schools receiving federal funding must instruct students on the Constitution on September 17th. This applies to colleges as well as secondary, and elementary schools that receive federal dollars.

If September 17 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, then schools and colleges must schedule an educational program in the preceding or following week, the guidelines say. A written statement by Senator Byrd, said he was pleased that the guidelines "did not impose a particular view of the Constitution," and he hoped, "that schools will develop many different creative ways to enable students to learn about one of our country's most important historic documents."

Bells Across America

"It is the genius of our Constitution that under its shelter of enduring institutions and rooted principles there is ample room for the rich fertility of American political invention."
Lyndon B. Johnson

Churches, schools, courthouses, city governments, and individuals are encouraged to join “Bells Across America” by ringing their bells on September 17 at 4:00 p.m. EST. Haddonfield Chapter of the DAR would like all buildings with bells in southern NJ to join “Bells Across America” in recognition of the 220th anniversary of the Constitution of the United States of America.

During the month of September the display case at the Haddonfield library will be decorated by the Haddonfield DAR to celebrate the Constitution. The display includes proclamations from Congressman Andrews, State Assemblyman Greenwald and Mayors throughout Camden County.

“The United States Constitution has proven itself the most marvelously elastic compilation of rules of government ever written.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt