Exploring Cherry Hill’s Underground Railroad stop | Inquirer Cherry Hill
Plus, the township is getting eight new pickleball courts.
Hello, Cherry Hill! 👋
Archaeologists are digging at Croft Farm to learn more about the site’s stop on the Underground Railroad. Also this week, new public pickleball courts are in the works, plus several high school sports teams are making post-season runs.
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Over the weekend, archaeologists unearthed pieces of the past as they excavated around the historic Croft Farm property. The dig, which was open to the public to view and part of a project to stop groundwater from entering the home’s basement, revealed artifacts dating back hundreds and thousands of years.
They provide clues to the site’s past, including as a stop on the Underground Railroad, and before that, as a place where the Lenni-Lenape Indigenous people lived.
Animal bones and pieces of pottery will help archaeologists better understand eating habits and traditions of those who lived there, The Inquirer’s Brett Sholtis reports.
Read more about what the archaeologists unearthed.
💡 Community News
This week’s storm brought a lot of snow to the region, with totals varying widely thanks to heavy banding. While the National Weather Service didn’t report an official total for Cherry Hill, surrounding towns reported 14 to 16.5 inches. The bad news (for those who don’t like snow): There’s the potential for a little bit more today. The good news is that it’s unlikely the snow will stick around as long as it did with last month’s storm thanks to the warmer temperatures and the extra daylight that late February brings.
Cherry Hill residents had a median household income of $121,500 between 2020 and 2024, according to the latest U.S. Census American Community Survey, which compiles self-reported income data over a five-year period. That’s up just about $2,000 from the last survey, looking at data from 2010 to 2014, and makes Cherry Hill the third-wealthiest town in Camden County.
Good news for pickleball players: Eight new public courts are in the works at two sites around town. The township is planning to build four courts with lights at Beechwood Avenue and Route 38. The goal is to start construction this summer and have the courts ready by early fall. Meanwhile, Camden County is building four courts at the nearly 18-acre John Adler Memorial Park at Challenge Grove at the corner of Bortons Mill and Caldwell Roads. Construction on those courts is also expected to begin this summer and will add to the park’s existing sports facilities, including a softball field, and basketball and bocce courts.
The planning board is meeting Monday evening to hear public comment about an amendment to the township’s Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, which would amend its overall master plan if adopted. One change would allow for the site of the six-story office building at 3 Executive Campus to be redeveloped into residential or mixed-used buildings with between 39 and 64 affordable units. It would also allow for part of the 28.2-acre site’s land to be developed. See a draft of the amendment here.
A Cherry Hill man who pleaded guilty to child molestation after having a sexual encounter with a 13-year-old girl in Indiana in 2021 was sentenced last week to three years in prison. Jonathan A. Trauger, 28, must also register as a sex offender for a decade after his release. (Courier Post)
📸 Cherry Hill residents dig out after the storm
🏫 Schools Briefing
There are several school board committee meetings on Monday evening, which are open to the public. See the district’s full calendar here.
East girls’ swimming will take on Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School in the NJSIAA Team Swimming Championships this morning, after the event was postponed due to the weather. The meet will kickoff at 8:30 a.m. East defeated Passaic County Technical Institute 88-82 in group semifinals to claim its spot. As for the East boys’ swimming team, after making it to the semifinals, the Cougars fell to Hillsborough High 91.5-78.5. (NJ.com)
The NJSIAA girls’ basketball playoffs kick off this week, with both East and West competing. The West girls’ team will look to defend its state championship title in the first round of the Group 3 tournament on Friday at 3:45 p.m., hosting Cumberland Regional High School. Follow the results here and see the Lions’ full group bracket here. And East will take on Atlantic City High School tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. as part of the Group 4 tournament. See East’s full group bracket here.
East boys’ basketball also kicks off its NJSIAA playoff run this week, hosting Toms River High School North tomorrow at 4 p.m. The Group 4 top-seeded East went into the playoffs with a 21-3 regular season record. See the Cougars’ full Group 4 bracket here.
Camden Catholic High School’s boys’ wrestling team captured its 20th state title on Sunday, defeating Pope John XXIII Regional High School 53-19. It now has the third-highest number of state titles among public and non-public teams. (Courier Post)
🍽️ On our Plate
Two Cherry Hill spots serve some of the best bagels in the state, according to a new ranking from NJ.com. Bagel Spot on Kings Highway landed at No. 18 on the list for its 24 types of bagels and 30 varieties of spreads, while K & A Bagel Cafe came in at No. 43. The Route 70 spot has 21 kinds of bagels and 18 spreads, including a honey cinnamon butter.
🎳 Things to Do
🎷 A Journey Through Jazz: Hear the Bradford Hayes Jazz Quartet perform. ⏰ Friday, Feb. 27, 7-8:30 p.m. 💵 $15 in advance, $20 at the door 📍Croft Farm Arts Center
☕ Bridgerton Handbuilding Workshop: Fans won’t want to miss this workshop, where you can make a teacup and saucer inspired by the popular Netflix show. ⏰ Saturday, Feb. 28, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 💵 $150 📍Hugs Ceramics
🍎 Holistic Health and Healing Expo: Learn about holistic wellness through lectures and workshops. You can also meet practitioners and shop for related goods. ⏰ Sunday, March 1, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 💵 Free or $7.18 for VIP admission 📍DoubleTree by Hilton Cherry Hill Philadelphia
✡️ Purim Carnival: Kids are encouraged to dress in costume for this event celebrating the Jewish holiday. There will be face painting, games, crafts, food, and drinks. ⏰ Sunday, March 1, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 💵 $20 per child 3 and older, free for adults and children under 3 📍Congregation Kol Ami
🏡 On the Market
Located in the Short Hills neighborhood, this brick-fronted home is full of classic elements, including a covered portico and dormers. Inside, there’s a two-story foyer, a formal living room with a gas fireplace, a formal dining room, a first-floor office, and a family room with a brick fireplace. The kitchen has a double oven, a separate bar area, and a dining area with vaulted ceilings and access to the deck. There are four bedrooms upstairs, including a primary suite with a separate sitting area, a large walk-in closet, a jacuzzi tub, and two vanities. Other features include a finished basement with a full bathroom, a three-car garage, and a patio.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $1.05M | Size: 5,007 SF | Acreage: 0.46
🗞️ What other Cherry Hill residents are reading this week:
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