Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders invite everyone to spend an afternoon in Historic Smithville Park playing croquet and other fun games from the past on Sunday, May 19 from noon to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Parking and admission are free.
Hosted by the Burlington County Division of Parks in collaboration with the non-profit Friends of the Mansion at Smithville, the Victorian Games celebration will kick off the mansion’s annual tour season.
Throughout the afternoon, play a variety of games that Hezekiah B. Smith and his wife Agnes may have enjoyed while residing at Smithville in the late 1800s, including croquet, hopscotch, kick the can, hoops and sticks, jump rope and leap frog.
“This is a great opportunity for families to mix a little bit of history with lots of fun in our county parks,” said Freeholder Director Joe Donnelly. “I encourage everyone to participate in this great event.”
Other attractions will include live entertainment featuring: baritone Charlie Zahm performing songs of the Civil War, the Pine Barons Chorus barbershop harmony, Victorian music performed by Les Finesse and performers from the NJ Renaissance Faire.
Join in for lessons in tea etiquette, then venture to the Smithville Mansion for the real deal to put into practice what you just learned, then hop aboard for free carriage rides.
Croquet, a popular childhood backyard game, has evolved with some serious players in the area. Come see how much fun the new croquet can be. A croquet demonstration with live commentary for all to view will take place at 2 p.m.
Children will enjoy Punch and Judy puppet shows and Tea Party Tales. You won’t want to miss the Aerial Acrobat and Circus Skill Show at 1:30 p.m.
Guests are also encouraged to tour the Historic Smithville Mansion, built in 1840 and furnished to reflect Smithville’s heyday, at a cost of $4 per person. Tea in the Dining Room of the Mansion will be offered for $5 per person.
Visitors will also be invited to visit The Worker’s House and Gallery to see the current exhibit, From the Parlor to the Battlefield — Women of the Civil War Era. It is a collection of Civil War artifacts related to women and the war in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Battle at Gettysburg. Please join Jane Peters Estes, a Civil War expert, at 1 p.m. for her presentation: The Battle of Gettysburg: Where Were the Women? The exhibit runs through May 26th.
Visitors will also have an opportunity to visit the Historic Smithville Mansion Annex Gallery to view the Burlington County Art Guild’s most prestigious show of the year, “ The Annual Robert Ransley Open Juried Art Exhibition” on display through May 31.
Historic Smithville Park is located on Smithville Road, three quarters of a mile off Route 38 in Eastampton. For more information about the event, call the Division of Parks at (609) 265–5858.
