Burlington County Museums, Galleries Reopen Amid Pandemic

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — Burlington County’s museums and art galleries are reopening this week amid the coronavirus pandemic, officials announced on Wednesday. The Burlington County Parks Service is also launching a new program focused on county history, according to officials.

Among the sites reopening to history buffs, art enthusiasts and those interested in learning more about the natural sciences will be the museums and galleries at Smithville Park in Eastampton and at the Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences and the Historic Prison Museum in Mount Holly.

They will all reopen with new protocols and safety measures to guard against the spread of coronavirus.

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“Burlington County is home to so much history and culture that we’ve proudly highlighted and displayed at our top-rate facilities. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic required us to temporarily close these sites to protect people’s health and guard against the virus’ spread,” Burlington County Board member Linda Hynes said. “We’ve put safeguards in place and are thrilled to announce we can safely welcome people back to visit and enjoy these special places.”

The Historic Prison Museum, the Warden’s House Gallery and the County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences reopened Tuesday. They will be open on Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Family groups of six or fewer visitors can also schedule tours on days the Prison Museum is not open.

The Smithville Mansion’s Annex Art Gallery, the Worker’s House Museum and Gallery reopened on Wednesday. They will be open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. The Burlington County Underground Railroad Association Museum will reopen Sept. 30 and will operate during the same hours. It will also open at other times for private tours for groups of up to six people.

The Smithville Mansion will be open for groups of up to six who preregister with the Friends of the Mansion at Smithville.

All sites will be limited to 25 percent capacity in line with the governor’s executive orders. They will have separate entrances, exits and routes to limit crowding. Hand sanitizer stations have been set up at the entrances and exits and gift shop and reception areas, and plexiglass shields have been installed at most reception desks.

Staff and visitors must wear face coverings and will undergo temperature checks when they arrive. Anyone who doesn’t wear a mask will not be allowed to enter. There will be no eating or drinking in public areas, and staff will aggressively disinfect all high touch surfaces, including doorknobs and handles and rails.Additional site-specific guidelines and restrictions will be posted online at www.co.burlington.nj.us/parks.

“After months of being cooped up, we want residents and families to come out and enjoy these treasures, but we want them to do so safely,” Hynes, the county board’s liaison to the Burlington County Department of Resource Conversation and Parks, said. “Our County Parks staff put a lot of hard work and thought into getting these sites ready to reopen and our Board appreciates their efforts and those of all our county employees who have carried on despite the hardships of the pandemic.”

Burlington County’s new history program, known as “Burlington County 101,” is a series of seven online Zoom sessions that begins with the formation of what would become Burlington County and the first human inhabitants and European settlements through the American Revolution and residents’ role in the Civil War.

Other topics that will be discussed include the Articles of the Confederation and the U.S. Constitution, the formation of the Timbuctoo settlement and how the county’s Quaker population helped make the county a safe-haven for African Americans.

Classes began on Sept. 9 and will continue bi-weekly through December. They are being led by Burlington County Parks Historian Eric Orange. Registration is encouraged but not required. Information is available online at https://secure.rec1.com/catalog.

“Many of our residents are not aware of all this history in their backyards, so we’re incredibly excited about this new online initiative, and we hope people will take advantage of it,” Hynes said. “It’s another example of our county staff finding creative ways to keep delivering incredible service during the pandemic and overcoming the unprecedented challenges it has posed.”

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