Hammonton, NJ (May 22nd, 2016). The Historical Society of Hammonton invites the public to a free community program to be held Thursday, June 2nd, 8:00 PM at the Canoe Club, Lake Park, Hammonton. Programs are free, provided as a service to the community. There is no requirement to be a member of HSH to attend. The program is videoed and a copy is placed in our archives so that now or future generations will be provided with a snapshot of Hammonton’s past.
The program for the evening will focus on the history of the Mill in Pleasant Mills, New Jersey. Presenters, William Parkhurst and Emily Bittenbender will trace the history of the mill from the role it played in our nations young and ever evolving history, through the dreams of many early entrepreneurs to its eventual ruin.
Ms. Bittenbender who operates the only female owned construction company serving the city of Philadelphia resides on the Mullica adjacent to the Mill and has completed extensive and original history of Pleasant Mills. Her talk will take us back to the summer villages of the Lenni Lenape Indians to the Mill Playhouse, an abandoned paper mill, renovated into a local theater which brought many productions to life in the early 1950’s. Located in the sleepy hamlet of Pleasant Mills along the banks of the Mullica River, this abandoned structure was once the heart of a thriving business community.
It was originally developed by Elijah Clark, a colonial business man and power broker of the pines, who built a mansion, saw mill and grist mill on the property in the 1760’s. Serving his country in the revolutionary war he profited in the trade of privateering along with many other local entrepreneurs of that era.
Bill and Emily will bring back to life the stories of the Mill, in its many alterations and inform our local residents and guest alike who may have driven by, captured by its charm and wondered, “what was this special place?”.
Please join us on Thursday night June 2nd. Enjoy the evening with friends and HSH members.
Refreshments will be served before the program.
About The Historical Society of Hammonton
The Historical Society of Hammonton was established to provide for generations to come a living collection relating to the rich and unique social, political, economic and cultural heritage of the Town of Hammonton, New Jersey. The mission of the society is to increase awareness of history relating to Hammonton, New Jersey environs and to establish public access to that history by collecting, conserving, studying, interpreting and promoting the history to the widest audience.