Dr. Samantha S. Nivison, 19th Century Healer and Sanitarium Founder - Deborah White Will Present at our next speaker series Session - March 2, 2023

Dr. Samantha S. Nivison, a 19th Century healer and founder of the Summit Grove Place Sanitarium will be the subject of a presentation given by Deborah K. White at 7 p.m. on March 2 at the Hammonton Canoe Club. The presentation is part of the Historical Society of Hammonton 2023 Speaker Series.

Dr. Samantha S. Nivison, a 19th Century Healer and Founder of Hammonton’s Summit Grove Place Sanitarium, was one of Hammonton’s most notable, and possibly maligned, residents of the late 1800’s. Dr. Nivison fought to save the most vulnerable, including foundlings from New York and Philadelphia, but was cast off by “proper” Victorian society. A pioneering female physician at the forefront of holistic care, Dr. Nivison’s story is largely unknown and misunderstood by many.

Our featured speaker is Deborah K. White, HSH’s Museum Curator and retired respiratory therapist and pulmonary function technologist. Deborah previously supervised the Pulmonary Function Lab at the St. Louis Children’s Hospital & Mercy Hospital in St, Louis. Deborah earned her BS in Forest Zoology from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (Syracuse University) and an AAS in Respiratory Therapy from SUNY Upstate Medical College (Syracuse, NY). She has contributed to and authored several chapters and peer-reviewed articles on pediatric pulmonary function testing, respiratory physiology, and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

The Historical Society of Hammonton Museum preserves the rich social, political economic and multi-cultural heritage of our town and its people. Our mission is to increase awareness of Hammonton’s history, and to establish public access to that history by collecting, conserving, interpreting and promoting it to the widest possible audience. Our historic 188s (former Town Hall/Library/Kindergarten) Museum, a treasure itself, is located behind Hammonton Veterans Memorial park in Leo Club Park at Veterans Memorial Park open to the public Tuesdays 10 a.m. to noon and every Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. New volunteers always welcome! Join the fun and learn about our great town!

If you can’t attend the presentation, come in and play back recordings of this and dozens of other past presentations. Monthly meetings and presentations will continue the first Thursday of each month through June, resuming again in the fall.

Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of Cultural Affairs within the Department of State, through funds administered by the Atlantic County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.