Monthly Speaker Series Presentation - Names, Nonsense & Misnomers: A Stroll Through Hammonton’s Streets and Homes
2026-01-08 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Canoe Club at Hammonton Lake Park, 100 Sports Drive, Hammonton, 08037
The Historical Society of Hammonton (HSH) presents another fun FREE-to-ALL Speaker Series event on Thursday, January 8 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Canoe Club Senior Center, Hammonton Lake Park. No pre-registration required.
Join us for an evening of local history and community!
Thursday, January 8, 2026 Canoe Club at Hammonton Lake Park Free and open to the public – no membership or RSVP required!

Schedule: 6 PM – Monthly Membership Meeting 6:45 PM – Refreshments 7 PM – Speaker Series Presentation

Take a trip through Hammonton’s past! Join us for a fun and fascinating evening exploring the stories behind our town’s streets, old homes, and historic sites. You’ll hear how roads were renamed, buildings were moved, legends were created – and how Hammonton once had three different “centers” before becoming an official town in 1866. Expect lots of great trivia, surprising discoveries, and plenty of “I never knew that!” moments.
The program will be presented by Greg White, HSH’s immediate past president and lead historian, and Deborah White, HSH museum curator and trustee. Since joining the Society in 2017, they’ve conducted extensive research efforts that keep uncovering new gems about Hammonton.

Come connect, learn, and celebrate Hammonton’s history with us!

An Organization for All Ages
The Historical Society of Hammonton is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich, multi-cultural social, economic, and political heritage of our town and its people. Our mission is to increase awareness of Hammonton’s rich history and to establish public access by collecting, conserving, interpreting, and promoting it to the widest possible audience.
Get Involved!
There’s a place for you at HSH. Help at events, join community outreach, support fundraising, or dive into museum collections and oral history. With many active committees, you can get involved as little or as much as you’d like. Send us an email and tell us what interests you!
Located in the historic former Town Hall (built in 1887) in Veterans Memorial Park, the Museum is open on Saturdays from 11 AM–2 PM. Other days by appointment or happenstance (if the OPEN flag is flying, come on in).
For more information, call (609) 270-7652 or email info@historicalsocietyofhammonton.org.
Visit us online at www.historicalsocietyofhammonton.org.
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.

Museum is Open
2026-01-10 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-01-17 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-01-24 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-01-31 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-07 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-14 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-21 11:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-28 11:00 - 14:00 UTC and 4 more dates | HSH Museum, 333 Vine Street, Hammonton, 333 Vine Street, Hammonton, NJ, 08037, United States
Stop by our historic Museum; built in 1887, it served as a former-Town Hall, library, and kindergarten. Browse the exhibits, talk to our volunteers, and share your stories. We’d love to see you!

Speaker Series Presentation - A Hammonton History: The Ricca Family and Vet's Sunrise Bakery
2026-01-21 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Ricca’s Brick Oven Bistro & Bar, 104 Fairview Ave., Hammonton, 104 Fairview Ave., Hammonton, NJ, 08037
The Historical Society of Hammonton (HSH) presents another fun FREE-to-ALL Speaker Series event.
Join us for an evening of local history and community!
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Ricca’s Brick Oven Bistro & Bar, 104 Fairview Ave., Hammonton, NJ Free and open to the public – no membership or RSVP required!

Schedule: 6 PM – Mingling and refreshments 7 PM – Speaker Series Presentation

We are pleased to announce a second Speaker Series program in January, taking place on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Ricca’s Brick Oven Bistro & Bar, located at 104 Fairview Avenue, Hammonton. Departing from the Society’s usual format, the evening will open at 6:00 PM with informal mingling and refreshments before the 7:00 PM presentation, creating more time for conversation and connection.
Presented by Michael and Thomas Ricca, the program will explore the rich history of the Ricca family, whose roots in Hammonton date back to the late 1800s, when Cosimo Ricca’s parents and grandparents immigrated from Messina, Sicily. Like many early Italian families, they worked as farmers and bakers, helping shape the agricultural and culinary traditions that remain central to Hammonton’s identity today.
Born in 1931, Cosimo Ricca grew up working alongside his family before enlisting in the United States Army and serving as an Airborne Infantry soldier during the Korean War. After completing his service with honor, he returned home and in 1957 founded Vet’s Sunrise Bakery, naming it in tribute to veterans. The bakery quickly became a well-known and respected local business, reflecting both family heritage and a deep commitment to service.
Over the decades, the Ricca family also played a significant role in Hammonton’s commercial and residential development, with properties acquired and developed from the late 1950s through the 1980s, many of which remain familiar landmarks today. In more recent years, the next generation expanded the family’s culinary legacy through ventures including Ricca’s Brick Oven Bistro & Bar and Cannoli Capeesh, blending tradition with new ideas while continuing to serve the community.
The program is free and open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend. Come connect, learn, and celebrate Hammonton’s history with us!

An Organization for All Ages
The Historical Society of Hammonton is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich, multi-cultural social, economic, and political heritage of our town and its people. Our mission is to increase awareness of Hammonton’s rich history and to establish public access by collecting, conserving, interpreting, and promoting it to the widest possible audience.
Get Involved!
There’s a place for you at HSH. Help at events, join community outreach, support fundraising, or dive into museum collections and oral history. With many active committees, you can get involved as little or as much as you’d like. Send us an email and tell us what interests you!
Located in the historic former Town Hall (built in 1887) in Veterans Memorial Park, the Museum is open on Saturdays from 11 AM–2 PM. Other days by appointment or happenstance (if the OPEN flag is flying, come on in).
For more information, call (609) 270-7652 or email info@historicalsocietyofhammonton.org.
Visit us online at www.historicalsocietyofhammonton.org.
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.

Monthly Speaker Series Presentation - Serving Atlantic County: An Inside Look at the County Clerk's Office
2026-02-05 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Canoe Club at Hammonton Lake Park, 100 Sports Drive, Hammonton, 08037
The Historical Society of Hammonton (HSH) presents another fun FREE-to-ALL Speaker Series event on Thursday, January 8 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Canoe Club Senior Center, Hammonton Lake Park. No pre-registration required.
Join us for an evening of local history and community!
Thursday, February 5, 2026 Canoe Club at Hammonton Lake Park Free and open to the public – no membership or RSVP required!

Schedule: 6 PM – Monthly Membership Meeting 6:45 PM – Refreshments 7 PM – Speaker Series Presentation

During this engaging presentation, Atlantic County Clerk Joseph Giralo will offer an inside look at the Atlantic County Clerk’s Office and the many ways it serves residents across the county. He’ll discuss the Clerk’s role as one of New Jersey’s three constitutional offices and explore the responsibilities and services that touch thousands of people each year.
The program will also provide historical context, including the creation of Atlantic County in 1837 and an overview of its 23 municipalities. Giralo will explain both sides of the Clerk’s Office operations from election administration, including vote-by-mail ballots, petitions, ballot draws, and certification under state statute, to recording and public services such as deeds, mortgages, business trade names, notaries, passports, and weddings. He will also highlight the Property Alert Program, designed to help residents guard against property fraud, and recognize the work of the office staff who carry out these essential functions.

A lifelong Hammonton resident, Joseph Giralo is a graduate of Hammonton High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in Historical Studies from Stockton University. His family’s roots in Hammonton date back to the early 20th century, reflecting a deep, multigenerational connection to the community he serves.

Come connect, learn, and celebrate Hammonton’s history with us!

An Organization for All Ages
The Historical Society of Hammonton is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich, multi-cultural social, economic, and political heritage of our town and its people. Our mission is to increase awareness of Hammonton’s rich history and to establish public access by collecting, conserving, interpreting, and promoting it to the widest possible audience.
Get Involved!
There’s a place for you at HSH. Help at events, join community outreach, support fundraising, or dive into museum collections and oral history. With many active committees, you can get involved as little or as much as you’d like. Send us an email and tell us what interests you!
Located in the historic former Town Hall (built in 1887) in Veterans Memorial Park, the Museum is open on Saturdays from 11 AM–2 PM. Other days by appointment or happenstance (if the OPEN flag is flying, come on in).
For more information, call (609) 270-7652 or email info@historicalsocietyofhammonton.org.
Visit us online at www.historicalsocietyofhammonton.org.
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.

Monthly Speaker Series Presentation - Hammonton's Founders and First Families: Where Are They Now?
2026-03-05 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Canoe Club at Hammonton Lake Park, 100 Sports Drive, Hammonton, 08037
The Historical Society of Hammonton (HSH) presents another fun FREE-to-ALL Speaker Series event on Thursday, March 5 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Canoe Club Senior Center, Hammonton Lake Park. No pre-registration required.
Join us for an evening of local history and community!
Thursday, March 5, 2026 Canoe Club at Hammonton Lake Park Free and open to the public – no membership or RSVP required!

Schedule: 6 PM – Monthly Membership Meeting 6:45 PM – Refreshments 7 PM – Speaker Series Presentation

They say dead men tell no tales, but our March speaker believes differently.
In celebration of the 160th anniversary of Hammonton’s incorporation, local writer, historian, and cemetery caretaker Joseph F. Berenato will present a fascinating look at Hammonton’s four (yes, four) cemeteries before digging into the lives of some of the town’s earliest movers and shakers: who they were, what they did, and where they now rest.
From community leaders to lesser-known figures, Berenato’s talk brings Hammonton’s past to life through the stories etched in stone and preserved in local history. Join us as we dig deep into Hammonton’s past and uncover the tales our cemeteries still have to tell.
Joseph F. Berenato holds a Master’s degree in Writing from Rowan University and wrote for the local newspaper, to varying degrees, from 1997 to 2023. He is a published author and editor specializing in pop culture analysis and local history, and is the co-host of the Jersey Oddcast. Berenato currently serves as Chair of the Hammonton Environmental Commission and is the caretaker of Oak Grove Cemetery, where he also serves as Board Secretary. He is a former trustee of the Historical Society of Hammonton.

An Organization for All Ages
The Historical Society of Hammonton is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich, multi-cultural social, economic, and political heritage of our town and its people. Our mission is to increase awareness of Hammonton’s rich history and to establish public access by collecting, conserving, interpreting, and promoting it to the widest possible audience.
Get Involved!
There’s a place for you at HSH. Help at events, join community outreach, support fundraising, or dive into museum collections and oral history. With many active committees, you can get involved as little or as much as you’d like. Send us an email and tell us what interests you!
Located in the historic former Town Hall (built in 1887) in Veterans Memorial Park, the Museum is open on Saturdays from 11 AM–2 PM. Other days by appointment or happenstance (if the OPEN flag is flying, come on in).
For more information, call (609) 270-7652 or email info@historicalsocietyofhammonton.org.
Visit us online at www.historicalsocietyofhammonton.org.
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.

Exploring Atlantic City’s WWII History - Private Tour & Presentation
2026-03-20 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University, 2200 Fairmount Ave., Atlantic City, NJ, 2200 Fairmount Ave., Atlantic City, NJ, United States
The Historical Society of Hammonton (HSH) is pleased to invite you to a special off-site program on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 11:00 AM, featuring a private tour and presentation of Camp Boardwalk: Atlantic City During World War II, hosted by historian Dr. Patricia Chappine at the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University in Atlantic City. An RSVP is appreciated.
Join us for local history and community!
Friday, March 20, 2026, at 11 AM Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University, 2200 Fairmount Ave., Atlantic City, NJ Free!

This experience offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of New Jersey’s most compelling and underexplored World War II stories, guided by the exhibit’s curator, historian Dr. Patricia Chappine, who is also currently working with the Historical Society of Hammonton as part of its community history project.
Camp Boardwalk explores Atlantic City’s dramatic transformation during World War II, when the city became a major hub for military training, medical care, and home-front service, earning it the nickname “Camp Boardwalk.” Major hotels were repurposed into training and redistribution centers, and the Thomas M. England General Hospital was established to care for wounded and recovering soldiers returning from overseas.
The exhibition also highlights the vital contributions of local residents, particularly women and African American men and women, whose service as nurses, Red Cross volunteers, USO hostesses, members of the Women’s Army Corps and Navy WAVES, and in both military and civilian defense roles brings forward voices often underrepresented in traditional wartime narratives.
After the program, attendees are encouraged to explore the Noyes Arts Garage, which houses working artist studios, shops, and the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey. Free parking will be provided for attendees, courtesy of the Noyes Museum, offering convenient access.

Click here to RSVP for this free event.

An Organization for All Ages
The Historical Society of Hammonton is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich, multi-cultural social, economic, and political heritage of our town and its people. Our mission is to increase awareness of Hammonton’s rich history and to establish public access by collecting, conserving, interpreting, and promoting it to the widest possible audience.
Get Involved!
There’s a place for you at HSH. Help at events, join community outreach, support fundraising, or dive into museum collections and oral history. With many active committees, you can get involved as little or as much as you’d like. Send us an email and tell us what interests you!
Located in the historic former Town Hall (built in 1887) in Veterans Memorial Park, the Museum is open on Saturdays from 11 AM–2 PM. Other days by appointment or happenstance (if the OPEN flag is flying, come on in).
For more information, call (609) 270-7652 or email info@historicalsocietyofhammonton.org.
Visit us online at www.historicalsocietyofhammonton.org.
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.

New - HSH Book Club
2026-03-24 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Women’s Civic Club, 418 Liberty St., Hammonton, 418 Liberty St., Hammonton, 08037, United States
The Historical Society of Hammonton (HSH) is pleased to announce the launch of a new HSH Book Club, beginning with a special Women’s History Month program on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 7:00 PM, hosted in partnership with the Hammonton Women’s Civic Club at its hall, located at 418 South Liberty Street, Hammonton.
Join us for local history and community!
Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 7 PM Woman’s Civic Club, 418 South Liberty St., Hammonton, NJ Free!

This inaugural event marks the start of a new Book Club initiative and is presented in partnership with the Hammonton Woman’s Civic Club, whose long-standing mission centers on community service, civic engagement, and fostering connections in Hammonton.
The first book selection is With Eager Hands: The Life of Elizabeth Coleman White, which explores the life and legacy of Elizabeth White, widely recognized as the “mother of the highbush blueberry.” White’s work helped transform blueberries into a commercially viable crop—an innovation with special significance in Hammonton, known as the Blueberry Capital of the World.
Copies of With Eager Hands: The Life of Elizabeth Coleman White will be available for purchase through the Historical Society of Hammonton, or attendees may obtain the book through Amazon or the Whitesbog Village website.
In addition to group discussion, the evening will feature a guest speaker from Whitesbog Village, who will share additional insight into Elizabeth White’s life, work, and lasting impact. The program will follow an informal, discussion-based format designed to encourage conversation and connection. Attendees are invited to bring their favorite blueberry dessert to share as part of the gathering.
The HSH Book Club is free and open to members and non-members alike, and participants are welcome whether they have read the entire book, part of it, or are simply interested in the topic.

An Organization for All Ages
The Historical Society of Hammonton is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich, multi-cultural social, economic, and political heritage of our town and its people. Our mission is to increase awareness of Hammonton’s rich history and to establish public access by collecting, conserving, interpreting, and promoting it to the widest possible audience.
Get Involved!
There’s a place for you at HSH. Help at events, join community outreach, support fundraising, or dive into museum collections and oral history. With many active committees, you can get involved as little or as much as you’d like. Send us an email and tell us what interests you!
Located in the historic former Town Hall (built in 1887) in Veterans Memorial Park, the Museum is open on Saturdays from 11 AM–2 PM. Other days by appointment or happenstance (if the OPEN flag is flying, come on in).
For more information, call (609) 270-7652 or email info@historicalsocietyofhammonton.org.
Visit us online at www.historicalsocietyofhammonton.org.
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.

Monthly Speaker Series Presentation - New Jersey Women During World War II: On the Home Front and Abroad, Dr. Patricial Chappine
2026-04-02 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Canoe Club at Hammonton Lake Park, 100 Sports Drive, Hammonton, 08037
The Historical Society of Hammonton (HSH) presents another fun FREE-to-ALL Speaker Series event on the first Thursday of the month at the Canoe Club Senior Center, Hammonton Lake Park. No pre-registration required.
Join us for an evening of local history and community!
First Thursday of the month Canoe Club at Hammonton Lake Park Free and open to the public – no membership or RSVP required!

Schedule: 6 PM – Monthly Membership Meeting 6:45 PM – Refreshments 7 PM – Speaker Series Presentation

Historian and author Dr. Patricia Chappine will explore the experiences of New Jersey women during World War II. Drawing from her recent book, New Jersey Women During World War II: On the Home Front and Abroad, published in 2024 by Lexington Books, Dr. Chappine will discuss the unique challenges women faced during the war years as they navigated life both at home and overseas.
During World War II, the urgent need for workers and volunteers opened doors that had long been closed to women. Across the country—and here in New Jersey—women stepped into new roles in unprecedented numbers. They worked in defense industries, volunteered with organizations such as the Red Cross, and served in the women’s branches of the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Marines. Others contributed as civilian pilots working with the Army Air Forces. Dr. Chappine’s presentation will highlight the stories of these women and the important roles they played during one of the most transformative periods in American history.
A lifelong Hammonton resident, Dr. Chappine is an adjunct professor at Stockton University, where she has taught since 2014. Her courses include undergraduate classes in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, historical studies, and general studies. She currently serves as the Rudnick Fellow for the Alliance Heritage Center at Stockton University. Dr. Chappine holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in History and Culture from Drew University and an M.A. in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from Stockton University.

An Organization for All Ages
The Historical Society of Hammonton is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich, multi-cultural social, economic, and political heritage of our town and its people. Our mission is to increase awareness of Hammonton’s rich history and to establish public access by collecting, conserving, interpreting, and promoting it to the widest possible audience.
Get Involved!
There’s a place for you at HSH. Help at events, join community outreach, support fundraising, or dive into museum collections and oral history. With many active committees, you can get involved as little or as much as you’d like. Send us an email and tell us what interests you!
Located in the historic former Town Hall (built in 1887) in Veterans Memorial Park, the Museum is open on Saturdays from 11 AM–2 PM. Other days by appointment or happenstance (if the OPEN flag is flying, come on in).
For more information, call (609) 270-7652 or email info@historicalsocietyofhammonton.org.
Visit us online at www.historicalsocietyofhammonton.org.
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.

Monthly Speaker Series Presentation - Topic to be Announced
2026-05-07 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-06-04 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-09-03 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-10-01 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-11-05 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Canoe Club at Hammonton Lake Park, 100 Sports Drive, Hammonton, 08037
The Historical Society of Hammonton (HSH) presents another fun FREE-to-ALL Speaker Series event on the first Thursday of the month at the Canoe Club Senior Center, Hammonton Lake Park. No pre-registration required.
Join us for an evening of local history and community!
First Thursday of the month Canoe Club at Hammonton Lake Park Free and open to the public – no membership or RSVP required!

Schedule: 6 PM – Monthly Membership Meeting 6:45 PM – Refreshments 7 PM – Speaker Series Presentation

Topic to be announced as we get closer to the date 🙂

An Organization for All Ages
The Historical Society of Hammonton is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich, multi-cultural social, economic, and political heritage of our town and its people. Our mission is to increase awareness of Hammonton’s rich history and to establish public access by collecting, conserving, interpreting, and promoting it to the widest possible audience.
Get Involved!
There’s a place for you at HSH. Help at events, join community outreach, support fundraising, or dive into museum collections and oral history. With many active committees, you can get involved as little or as much as you’d like. Send us an email and tell us what interests you!
Located in the historic former Town Hall (built in 1887) in Veterans Memorial Park, the Museum is open on Saturdays from 11 AM–2 PM. Other days by appointment or happenstance (if the OPEN flag is flying, come on in).
For more information, call (609) 270-7652 or email info@historicalsocietyofhammonton.org.
Visit us online at www.historicalsocietyofhammonton.org.
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.
