Mauricetown Historical Society

The Mauricetown Historical Society is a US nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the unique lifestyle and colorful history of Mauricetown and surrounding areas in Commercial Township, New Jersey. It was formally organized in June 1983 by a group of local citizens who recognized the need to protect the region's heritage[1][3][4].

Mission

The mission of the Mauricetown Historical Society is to collect, preserve, and exhibit artifacts and documentation significant to Mauricetown and its surrounding communities[2][5]. The society focuses on preserving the historical integrity of the region, including its architectural structures.

History

Prior to its formal establishment, the group worked as a local committee to add thirty-six architecturally significant homes and structures in the area to the Cumberland County Register of Historic Structures and Sites over a three-year period leading up to 1983[1][3]. In 1999, the Mauricetown Historical Society was appointed as the official Commercial Township Historian by the Commercial Township Committee and mayor[1][3].

Mauricetown Background

Mauricetown itself has a rich history, originally settled by the Swedes in 1730. The village was known as Mattox Landing until it was renamed Mauricetown, after the river that ran alongside it, which was referred to by the Dutch as the "Maurits River"[2]. The town played an important role in coastal trade and shipbuilding during the 19th century, with many of its residents working as sea captains or in related industries[2].

Collections and Exhibits

The society's collections include extensive seafaring items, military artifacts, such as items from the Civil War and World War I, and historical artifacts detailing the town's history from the Lenape Indians to the era of shipbuilding[5]. The society is housed in a restored 1864 Italianate Victorian home that once belonged to Captain Edward Compton, a local sea captain, which the society purchased in 1984 and has since restored[5].

Governance

The Mauricetown Historical Society operates under the leadership of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and a board of trustees. Over the years, the leadership and trustees have included various community members dedicated to preserving local history[1][3].