MOUNT HOLLY – The Burlington County Commissioners continue to support organizations that are actively involved in preserving and promoting the county’s history and historic sites. On Friday, the Commissioners approved the distribution of a record high $78,861 in local history grants to 12 nonprofit organizations and towns to assist with their operations and advance their historic preservation projects. “Burlington County is one of the oldest counties in New Jersey and its historic sites and artifacts are among our county’s most important assets,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “These grants will aid those organizations that are actively working to preserve our county’s history and educate current and future generations about its significance.” The grants are awarded as part of the New Jersey Historical Commission’s County History Partnership Program to assist existing and emerging local history organizations and other nonprofits. Grants can be used for a number of purposes, including general operations, development of museum exhibits and support for specific history projects or promotions. All 12 organizations that applied for funding were awarded grants. The amounts were recommended by a peer panel. The grants are for the 2025 calendar year but one of the recipients plans to use its funding for a project that will coincide with America’s 250th anniversary celebration in 2026. The Armed Forces Heritage Museum based in Burlington City intends to use its grant to update the museum’s mobile exhibit with new displays that pay tribute to the America 250th anniversary celebration initiative. Burlington County also plans to participate in the year-long celebration and will partner with RevolutionNJ, New Jersey’s official organization for planning and promoting the state’s 250th anniversary commemoration. Other programs and initiatives supported with the funding include design and publication of a pictorial booklet about Evesham Township history, restoration and preservation of an 1849 map of Burlington County by the Tabernacle Historical Society, funding for a re-enactment of the Battle of Petticoat Bridge, a critical Revolutionary War skirmish that occurred in Springfield and Mansfield, and the creation of an etiquette curriculum based on George Washington’s Rules of Civility. “Burlington County has some of the most significant historic sites and artifacts in New Jersey, and these grants provide critical funding for local organizations to continue to research, preserve and share our county’s history,” said Burlington County Commissioner Allison Eckel, liaison to the County Department of Resource Conservation and Parks. “Participating in America’s 250th anniversary celebration will also create exciting opportunities to spotlight Burlington County and many of the people, places and events that were pivotal both to our history and the nation’s history.” All 12 of the approved grant recipients and project are: Armed Forces Heritage Museum, Burlington City: $10,000 to update the museum’s mobile unit with displays that pay tribute the America’s 250th Anniversary celebration. The unit will be used in community and school-related events. Delanco Township/Delanco History Board, Delanco: $5,200 to preserve and digitize an 1856 map of “Delranco Lots in Burlington County” and produce a copy for public display. Funding will also be used to create a free, self-guided tour of the town’s historic waterfront. Evesham Historical Society, Evesham: $8,160 to support the design and publication of a pictorial booklet of Evesham history utilizing digital photographs, maps and information from historical artifacts. Mannerly Traditions, Moorestown: $6,000 to support the nonprofit’s creation of manners/etiquette curriculum based on George Washington’s Rules for Civility. The nonprofit also plans to create presentations for children about suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton and abolitionist Caleb Clothier. National Society of Colonial Dames of America in the State of New Jersey, Westampton: $2,750 to develop curriculum for training docents to give tours of the Old Schoolhouse in Mount Holly. Revolutionary War Alliance of Burlington County, Eastampton: $3,075 to support the annual reenactment of the Battle of Petticoat Bridge, an important Revolutionary War skirmish that occurred in December 1776 in Springfield and Mansfield. Riverside Historical Society, Riverside: $9,000 to support digitizing the society’s collection of documents, newspapers, photos and microfilm so it can be made available via a searchable database. St. Andrew’s Graveyard Committee, Mount Holly: $9,500 to support programs to preserve and document hundreds of headstones in the 1742 Historic Graveyard, including many that have been damaged by age, vandalism or natural elements. Springfield Township/Springfield Historical Society, Springfield: $1,250 for printing and advertising in support of a Revolutionary War battle reenactment. Tabernacle Historical Society, Tabernacle: $9,000 to restore and preserve an 1849 roll-down school map of Burlington County for display and for research by local historians. Timbuctoo Historical Society, Westampton: $7,500 to support operations such as printing educational materials, website management and curriculum creation. Funding will also support outdoor educational events. Underground Railroad Museum of Burlington County, Eastampton: $7,426 to support the museum events and exhibits, including tours, field trips, annual Diaspora Festival and community wellness programs.The Burlington County Commissioners approved local history grant awards to 12 organizations for historic preservation and education programs. Among the grant recipients is the Revolutionary War Alliance of Burlington County, which received funding to support the annual reenactment of the Battle of Petticoat Bridge, an important Revolutionary War skirmish fought in Springfield and Mansfield. — Courtesy of Burlington County