The Mantua Township Historical Society set to host several events throughout the year to celebrate the township’s history
Dale Ledden is a lifelong Mantua resident. For 77 years, Ledden has watched his hometown grow from a rural, train track-town to what it is today. Through the work of Ledden, the Mantua Township Historical Commission and others, a series of talks will take place throughout the year at the historical commission’s Mantua Boulevard location.
The first session, “A Night at the Museum,” offered 50 people the chance to listen to Ledden talk about some memories of his life, including tales about an unruly plough horse, a cheese knife-weilding grandmother, growing sweet potatoes and yams in greenhouse bunkers where the Sewell post office stands and even discovering a cannon from the Revolutionary War.
Dubbed “the living legend of Mantua Township” by an audience member at the completion of the event, it is safe to say Ledden was well received.
In a conversation after the event, Ledden said, “Well, society has changed. We are sort of a little thumb sketch of how it has changed. I used to know everyone in town, pretty near.”
Ledden touched on the population increase and how in the 1940s Mantua consisted of “probably about 75 families,” and during Halloween kids could hit every house.
He also mentioned that with the transition from rail travel to car, Mantua’s population increased and with that came a quieter, less connected town.
‘There is no talking [with neighbors] over the wash line anymore,” he said. However, Ledden mentioned that the loss of the older days is not all bad and is encouraged that his part of South Jersey has attracted an influx of people, calling it “progress.”
A testament to his pride in his hometown is his continued residence in Mantua, the place where he raised a family. Jokingly, he said the reason he hasn’t left is because “the tax office knows who I am.”
Reflecting on the railroads he said at one point 60 trains came through Mantua per day, 40 stopping to load freight and welcome passengers. Following this thought came a comment on the Historical Commission, “It’s a diamond in the rough.”
Encouraged by the number of people present — after saying, “there were probably a lot of reruns on tonight”— Ledden touched on the importance of the historical commission and its mission and success of keeping a small, South Jersey town’s history alive.
The Mantua Township Historical Commission plans to hold several similar events throughout the year. Check https://www.facebook.com/MantuaTownshipHistoricCommittee/ for updates.
