Historical Society of Waterford Township

10/28/2026

Join us tomorrow evening as we hear author Danielle Burrows discuss her new book Shocking South Jersey! It’s a great read and includes a chapter about Atco! A book signing will follow the discussion. See you there!

This Wednesday at 6:00pm!

Shocking South Jersey - Book Talk & Signing with Danielle Burrows

Join Danielle as she talks about the book writing process and the three categories of shocking represented in her collection’s ten chapters. She’ll explain how the book’s Atco-based story and several other nearby tales first caught her eye and ultimately took form. The book talk will be followed by a Q&A and book signing.

REGISTER HERE: https://waterfordtwplibrary.org/event/shocking-south-jersey-a-book-talk-and-signing-presented-by-the-waterford-township-historical-society/

AUTHOR BIO

Raised in Clementon, Danielle is continually drawn to regional, cultural, and untold history, with a particular interest in her home region. A writer and story producer by trade, she authored Clementon (Images of America), co-curates social media for the Clementon Historical Commission, develops strategy and copy for corporate clients, and has contributed to broadcast and print projects of many stripes. She holds a professional certificate in historic preservation and is pursuing a Masters of History from Rutgers University-Camden. Today, Danielle lives with her husband and rescue dog across the river from South Jersey in another storied south: South Philadelphia.

10/26/2026

We had an amazing time at our very first Waterford Township Trunk or Treat! Everyone did a great job and we did not expect to win first place!! Thank you Waterford Township Civic And Events Association for an amazing evening full of Halloween fun! 🎃🍿🎥👻

10/20/2026

🚂 Railroad History, Hollywood, and Good Company!

We’ve enjoyed some wonderful opportunities to explore history and spend time together this fall! Here’s a look back at our September 20th visit to the historic Tuckahoe Train Station. We enjoyed a guided tour of the station and several train cars, along with a behind-the-scenes presentation about the filming of Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day, including a look at how the movie’s wild train scene was filmed right there at the station!

A big thank-you to Bob Taylor for organizing the outing! And, of course, with Bob leading the way, the day wouldn’t have been complete without a stop at the pub! 🍻

10/15/2026

🚂 Atco’s railroad helped build our town. Now, help us bring its story home.

Imagine walking into a replica of the historic Atco Train Station and discovering the photographs, artifacts, and personal stories that connect us to our railroad past.

That’s the vision, and we need your help to make it happen!

The Waterford Township Historical Society has launched a GoFundMe to recreate the old station as a railroad history museum. Your support will help move this project forward and preserve the pieces of our past that make Atco and Waterford Township unique.

Be among our first supporters! Donate, share this post, or tag someone who loves Atco’s history. Each act of support helps us reach the next person who could make a difference.

Does your family have a connection to the station or railroad? We’d love to hear your story in the comments!

Help the Waterford Township Historical Society preserve our c… Waterford Township Historical Society needs your support for Help Rebuild Atco’s Historic Train Station

10/14/2026

🇺🇸 WATERFORD’S REVOLUTIONARY FOOTPRINTS - A Look Back! 🇺🇸

On October 7th, we presented “Waterford’s Revolutionary Footprints” at the Waterford Township Library to highlight our Revolutionary connections during Camden County History Month Camden County History Alliance and America’s 250th anniversary.

What began as a search for Waterford Township’s Revolutionary connections led us through colonial land records, historic maps, and family histories to the Matlack family’s strong Waterford ties.

Our research traced the family’s roots in colonial Waterford to Timothy Matlack Jr., widely recognized as the man who engrossed the Declaration of Independence onto parchment in 1776.

As we discovered, local history is rarely just local; our community’s past is part of a much larger American story.

Thank you to everyone who attended, including the Daughters of the American Revolution Daughters of the American Revolution National Headquarters , and to the Waterford Township Library Waterford Township Public Library for hosting. We also invite you to stop by the library and explore our historical display, which will remain on exhibit throughout October.

📜 Our research continues, and more stories are waiting to be uncovered!

09/15/2026

🇺🇸 Waterford’s Revolutionary Footprints – Join Us October 7th! 🇺🇸

We’re excited to partner with the Waterford Township Public Library for Camden County History Month! Camden County History Alliance

Join the Waterford Township Historical Society on Wednesday, October 7, from 6:00 -7:00 p.m. as we share our recent research into the Matlack family and their roots in early Waterford Township, including the remarkable family connection to Colonel Timothy Matlack, the master penman widely credited with engrossing the Declaration of Independence on parchment in 1776.

📜 Throughout October, be sure to visit the Library’s display case for a special Waterford’s Revolutionary Footprints exhibit featuring highlights from our Matlack research.

We hope you’ll join us as we uncover how Waterford’s local history connects to America’s founding story.

🇺🇸 October 7 | 6:00–7:00 p.m.
📍 Waterford Township Public Library

Please share and help us spread the word!

Join us on Wednesday, October 7th at 6:00pm for a presentation by Historical Society of Waterford Township

Waterford’s Revolutionary Footprints: The Matlack Family, a Colonial Waterford Farm & the Scribe of the Declaration of Independence

Register Here: https://waterfordtwplibrary.org/event/waterfords-revolutionary-footprints-the-matlack-family-a-colonial-waterford-farm-the-scribe-of-the-declaration-of-independence/

What began as research into Richard Matlack, an early Chosen Freeholder of Waterford Township, led the Waterford Township Historical Society to uncover a fascinating connection between colonial Waterford and one of the most recognizable documents in American history.

Join the Waterford Township Historical Society as we trace the Matlack family from William Matlack’s arrival in West Jersey aboard the Kent in 1677 to the family’s 200-acre tract within the original boundaries of Waterford Township. Learn about Richard Matlack’s life, land, and service in early local government—and the family connection to his nephew, Colonel Timothy Matlack, the master penman credited with engrossing the Declaration of Independence on parchment in 1776.

07/08/2026

🇺🇸 Waterford Township Historical Society's First-Ever July 4th Parade Float! 🇺🇸

The Waterford Township Historical Society was proud to participate in the New Berlin ICCA Parade.

This year's parade was especially meaningful for us, following our recent discovery connecting Timothy Matlack, the distinguished scribe who handwrote the official engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence, to ancestral roots in Waterford Township. That discovery made our theme, "Older than America," even more fitting.

Our float celebrated Waterford Township, established in 1694, and highlighted the people and places that helped shape our community. At its heart was a rendition of the proposed Old Atco Train Station Replica, a project that will preserve an important piece of our railroad heritage while serving as a center for local history, education, and community engagement.

Surrounding the station were landmarks that tell the story of our township's past, including Marple's (Richards) Mill, one of Waterford's earliest water-powered gristmills that supported local farmers and the region's agricultural economy, and Jackson Glass Works, established in 1827, whose skilled craftsmen produced glass used in New York City's Crystal Palace for the 1853 Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations.

Following the parade, we displayed the float at the future site of the Atco Train Station, giving the community a glimpse of the exciting project that lies ahead.

We had a great time and loved seeing everyone in attendance. A very special thank you to everyone who made our first parade float possible! Trustee Bob Taylor dedicated his skill to building the beautiful replica of the Old Atco Train Station, while President Joseph Kayati constructed the float itself. Vice President Tom Taylor helped diligently throughout the planning. A huge thank you to Danko and Mike from The Print Parlor, as they went above and beyond to ensure our banners were completed and printed in time for the parade. If you need banners printed, we couldn’t recommend them more! They’re amazing.

Your dedication, talent, and generosity helped make our Independence Day float a success! Thank you to everyone who cheered us on, visited our display after the parade, and to those who continue to support our mission of preserving Waterford Township's remarkable history.

Want to help? We are always looking for volunteers, supporters, and donations to help preserve and share our community's rich history for future generations.

To volunteer or donate, email us at [email protected] or visit www.waterfordhistoricalsocietynj.org.

07/04/2026

We are grateful to our members, volunteers, supporters, and community partners who help preserve Waterford Township's rich heritage for future generations. We look forward to sharing more exciting discoveries through our upcoming "Waterford's Revolutionary Footprints" initiative as we commemorate America's 250th anniversary.

If you're attending the Berlin Independence Day Parade, be sure to watch for the Waterford Township Historical Society's float! This year's theme, "Older Than America," celebrates our community's colonial heritage and the rich history that predates our nation's founding. We'd love to see you along the parade route and share in this special celebration.

From all of us at the Waterford Township Historical Society, we wish you and your family a safe, joyful, and memorable Independence Day.

Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸

"Preserving Our Past • Inspiring Our Future"

07/03/2026

Huge thanks to The Press of Atlantic City for featuring our latest discovery! We love sharing our journey with the community, and we appreciate them highlighting the valuable insights from our President, Joseph Kayati.

Check out the full story to learn more about what this means for our future! 👇

As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, the Waterford Township Historical Society spotlights Timothy Matlack, the penman behind the Declaration of Independence, and his local roots. ⤵️ Find a link to the story in the comments.

07/03/2026

🇺🇸 A Revolutionary Discovery with Waterford Township Roots! 🇺🇸

As our nation celebrates the 250th Anniversary of American Independence, the Waterford Township Historical Society is excited to share the results of an incredible research project that has uncovered a remarkable connection between early Waterford Township and one of America's most treasured historical documents.

Many people know that Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. But did you know that the beautiful handwritten parchment preserved today at the National Archives was penned by Colonel Timothy Matlack, one of the nation's finest penmen?

What makes this story even more extraordinary is that our research has traced Timothy Matlack's family directly back to early Waterford Township.

Our investigation began by researching Richard Matlack, an elected Chosen Freeholder of Waterford Township, whose family owned a 200-acre farm that once lay entirely within Waterford's original boundaries. As our research expanded, we discovered that Richard was the uncle of Colonel Timothy Matlack, the man entrusted by the Continental Congress to scribe the Declaration of Independence on parchment in 1776.

This research will become part of the Historical Society's upcoming initiative, "Waterford's Revolutionary Footprints." A dedicated Subcommittee will soon be formed to develop educational programs, presentations, exhibits, and community events celebrating Waterford Township's unique role in our nation's history.

We've also submitted a press release to several local newspapers, and we hope you'll see this exciting story published in the Hammonton Gazette and the Press of Atlantic City.

Stay tuned as we continue uncovering the people, places, and stories that make Waterford Township an important part of America's past.

If you have old photographs, family records, deeds, maps, or other historical materials related to Waterford Township, we'd love to hear from you!

Timothy Matlack Jr.
portrait by Charles Willson Peale
c. 1790