County acquires Mount Holly Library as new museum
By Danielle Camilli Staff writer, Burlington County Times | Posted: Sunday, August 25, 2013 12:30 pm
MOUNT HOLLY — Just three months ago, the Mount Holly Library was preparing for its final chapter, but with some quick action and a new vision, the historic High Street building on Friday opened a new book on its future.
The Burlington County Board of Freeholders officially took ownership of the library, saving its historic home, the picturesque Langstaff Mansion, from closing. With the new ownership comes new purpose as the freeholders plan to open it as the Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences, its first general history museum and genealogical research center.
Actual settlement on the 183-year-old building and contents took place Friday morning, with Alicia McShulkis, president of the library’s board of trustees, executing the deed of transfer for a nominal fee of $10. The board will now organize itself as a friends group to continue its support.
“Today marks the beginning of a new era,” Freeholder Director Joseph Donnelly said. “The transition from library to museum begins. The goal is to build upon the facility’s current holdings of historic books and artifacts, expand programs, and offer more displays and lectures that focus on Burlington County’s rich history.”
The county announced its plan in May, following months of fundraising by the library after its board of trustees announced in November that fiscal woes could shutter the facility.
As a member of the Burlington County Library System, it receives less public funds than a branch. About $11,500 in county money was allocated in 2012 and 2013. The board of trustees since has raised about $20,000 in an effort to save the library.
Now, county historic preservation money will support the $135,000 operating budget and capital improvements for the newly created history learning center.
The center will maintain the library’s collection of historic relics, most of its programs and activities, and its staff, which includes director T. Michael Eck and two part-time employees. Genealogy resources and a staffer from the library headquarters in Westampton would be relocated to the site, officials have said.
More all-ages history programs would be another offering of the new center, officials said.
But sometimes that which is old is new again. For starters, the name of the facility — the Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences — will continue, since this was the name given in 1860 when it was officially created by an act of the state Legislature.
In addition, the current hours of operation will continue. Computers will remain available, and users will be able to borrow books from the library system via online access. A book drop will also remain on-site.
“As a museum, the facility will retain a partnership with the county library system, as it should,” said Freeholder Leah Arter, liaison to the library. “The county library will provide children’s programs of historical interest, archival expertise and genealogy research.”
McShulkis and other history enthusiasts from around the county attended Friday’s ceremony at the mansion. They said they are excited about the new opportunities and the preservation of the historic building.
“There seems to be no shortage of ideas as to how the mansion can serve as a clearinghouse for historical groups around the county, giving many entities an opportunity to display their artifacts to a larger audience,” McShulkis said.
Mount Holly Deputy Mayor Rich DiFolco, who initially contacted freeholders about assistance in saving the facility,
encouraged township residents to embrace and support the new mission.
“The county sees this as an opportunity to showcase local history and bring more attention to Mount Holly as the county seat,” DiFolco said.
He said the library and the other historic buildings in the downtown “play into the future of our town,” including the redevelopment of the business district.
Officials said one of the first transition items will be to evaluate the collection of books and other documents and determine which items, because of their historical value, should remain. Other materials determined to be of general interest may be turned over to the county library.
A transition committee will be assembled, to include representatives of the county library, Burlington County Historical Society, county historian Joseph Laufer, and other local historians and county staff.
This committee will formulate ideas for accommodating research, displays, lectures and programs, and offer recommendations on interior changes to the building to better serve the public.
“History begins here,” Laufer said.