New video gives an inside look at the Indian King Tavern
The Indian King Tavern, a well-known local landmark, is located on Kings Highway in downtown Haddonfield. But have you ever visited it? Do you know the history of the building?
Now you have the opportunity to take a sneak peek right from your personal digital device.
Recently a video production was made providing a personal tour of the building. The Indian King Tavern docents and volunteers served with historic interpreter Linda Hess as the cast. This film was shot and edited by 2014’s Haddonfield Citizen of the Year, Bob Parsons and produced and directed by Bill Brown, also a Haddonfield Citizen of the Year in 1997.
“We’re anxious to get people in. The Indian King Tavern is unique because it was the first building that became a state historic site and it is all original. We’re hoping this video will bring teachers in with some of their classes. We’d like to get students into the building to absorb the history of the museum that’s right here in Haddonfield,” Brown said.
Indian King Tavern Museum’s more than 270-year-old historic building is New Jersey’s first state-owned historic site, established in 1903. It is where New Jersey completed the transition from colony to state. It also was where the official New Jersey seal was made, that we still use today. At the Indian King, the assembly passed measures imposing martial law, strengthening the militia, regulating a war economy and providing emergency support to the Continental Army after its defeat at Brandywine.
This is just a taste of the history of the Indian King Tavern Museum. Brown hopes that this video helps to additionally whet people’s appetites for learning more about the museum and coming to visit.
“Many citizens are not aware of the historic site right here in Haddonfield and haven’t gone through it,” Brown said.
The video was proposed to the board for the museum and eventually approved. The script was made and then the video was all shot in one day by Parsons. It is a Haddonfield-produced piece that involved talents all from the museum or Haddonfield itself. Brown commended those involved, but he too played a big part.
“Bob was very good with the videography and the volunteers were the real stars of the show,” Brown said.
In the video, a time traveller from the past, played by historic reenactor Christian Johnson, comes to the Indian King Tavern, remembering it from his time era. In the video, he is greeted by the innkeeper, played by Hess, and goes through each of the rooms of the museum, where a brief description and history of the room is given. At the end of the video, Hess invites people to visit and the museum’s phone number is given. The full video can be seen on YouTube by searching “Indian King Tavern.”
“Be sure to check it out,” Brown said.
From the video, Brown hopes that people will have their interest piqued and say how amazing it is to have in the town of Haddonfield, realizing it can be visited at any time during its open hours. He also hopes that teachers come with their students.
“We encourage people to participate by coming to the museum and hope teachers will be encouraged to look at real history right in our own town, this historic treasure right here in Haddonfield,” Brown said.
An Educators Open House will be hosted at the Indian King Tavern on Thursday, March 26 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Local educators are invited to this free event that will detail the educational aspects of the Indian King.
Participants will learn about the tavern’s history, its role in New Jersey becoming a state and class visit opportunities. The event will also include guided tours and a visit with the tavern’s innkeeper, Hugh Creighton. Light refreshments will be served. For information, call Hess at (856) 429–6792.
Stop by the Indian King Tavern to see where history was made right here in your neighborhood. For now, the hours for the museum are Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., though with enough interest the hours could expand. It is open to the public free of charge, except for special events. For more information, visit www.indiankingfriends.org or go to their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FriendsOfTheIndianKingTavernMuseum.
“I’m looking forward to the day when people come into the museum and see the volunteers and say, ‘Oh! I saw you in that video,’” Brown said.
