WJC member and director Pierre Lacombe has been instrumental in securing a 2023 Heritage Grant from the NRHS for $5,000. The NRHS Heritage Grant will pay costs associated with construction of replica stone sleeper displays and some of the early railroad information signage. Congratulations, Pierre! More information on this project follows.
In 2031, Bordentown, N.J. will celebrate the 200th Anniversary of construction of the Camden & Amboy Railroad (C&A RR) through the village. During 1831, the John Bull steam locomotive was assembled, tested, and operated for the first time on the newly built railroad in Bordentown. This village is the first site on earth where Stevens’ style iron rails were used. Such rails are the precursor to standard steel rails used for nearly every railroad worldwide. West Jersey Chapter, NRHS, in cooperation with the City of Bordentown, Bordentown Historical Society, and Bordentown Downtown Association is actively preparing for this historic celebration. These organizations collectively have completed or plan to complete the following: 1) Wrote and submitted the document needed by the National Park Service (NPS) to create a National Historic Site of the Bordentown District of the Camden & Amboy Railroad; 2) Developed plans to install three replica railbeds used by the Camden & Amboy Railroad; and 3) Developed plans to install multiple information signs at various locations within Bordentown City to explain and highlight the early railroad features of the community.