The Visitor Center at the Dr. James Still ( ) Historic Office Site, located at the adjacent properties of 210 Medford-Mt. Holly Road and Dr. James Still Office and Auxiliary center is located at 209-211 Church Road, Medford, NJ. the site consist of 22 acres and is owned by the State of New Jersey, as its first African-American heritage site purchase. The Dr. James Still Historic Office Site Association maintains and oversees the properties and their dedicated use as an educational center committed to preserving the legacy of Dr. James Still. Governance and oversight is provided through Dr. James Still Historic Office Site Association, Inc. with members that include descendants of the Still Family, educators, State of NJ Parks & Forests management,
DR. JAMES STILL PROJECT BACKGROUND
Dr. James Still (1812-1882), a renowned herbalist often called “The Black Doctor if the Pines, was born at Indian Mills and resided in Burlington County most of his life. He was one of 18 children born to former slaves Levin and Charity Still. His brothers included abolitionist William Still, one of the founders of the Underground Railroad, and Peter Still, who rescued himself from slavery. Born into poverty and mostly self-educated, James Still became one of the wealthiest men in Burlington County and owned land along Church Road in Medford from Cross Roads, the intersection of Church and Mt. He built a fine house with a small office next door and developed a hospital in an old tavern on Route 541. He married twice and had eight children. James Still’s story was one of hard work, thrift and saving. He prospered through his own industry and gave much of the credit to Providence. He and his family experienced poverty and prejudice, but persevered with faith, modesty and frugality. Dr. Still recorded the story of his life and philosophy in an autobiography published in 1877. New Jersey purchased the Still office and grounds in 2005. Dr. Still’s property is the first African-American historical property acquired for preservation and interpretation. The State also bought the Bunning Farm located immediately to the east of the Still property, envisioning it as a buffer and interpretive site. Continue to restore Dr. James Still Historic Office and the barns, improve our nature trails and herbal gardens and provide educational workshops fulfilling its single mission of preserving Dr. James Still's legacy. Email us at: [email protected]
Contributions can be mailed to:
Dr. James Still Historic Office Site Association, Inc. or (DJSHOSA, Inc)
54 Chapel Hill Road
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
or online at www.drjamesstillcenter.org
