A century ago, a new bridge across the Delaware River connected Philadelphia to South Jersey and set the stage for Cherry Hill's transformation from farmland into one of the region's largest suburbs. On Wednesday, Oct. 14, residents can hear that story told by two people who've spent years researching it.
The Cherry Hill Historical Commission will host "Bridging History: 100 Years of the Ben Franklin Bridge" at 7 p.m. at the Cherry Hill Public Library, 1100 Kings Highway North. The program is free.
Local historian Mike Mathis, chair of the Historical Commission and co-author of "Cherry Hill: A Brief History," will present alongside Michael Howard, co-author of "The Benjamin Franklin Bridge." The pair will trace how the bridge changed travel patterns between South Jersey and Philadelphia and fueled Cherry Hill's growth.
The bridge opened in July 1926 as the Delaware River Bridge. At the time, it was the world's longest suspension bridge. Cars crossed for 25 cents; horses for 15 cents. It was renamed for Benjamin Franklin in 1955.
The centennial was marked with a free public celebration on July 11, when the bridge closed to car traffic and the Delaware River Port Authority hosted a party on the Camden side with live music, food trucks and a pop-up museum of bridge artifacts.
The Oct. 14 lecture is part of RevolutionNJ, the statewide initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. The initiative runs through 2033. Cherry Hill Township announced its partnership with RevolutionNJ in February to host programs exploring local and national history.
Mathis, a former newspaper reporter and editor, grew up in Cherry Hill and has spent years documenting the township's past through the Historical Commission. The commission's archives of documents, images and artifacts are housed in the library's Local History Room on the lower level, and "Cherry Hill: A Brief History" was the first written account of the community's history.
Upcoming fall events at Croft Farm
- Thursday, Sept. 3 — Al Fresco Affair Food Truck Series, 5:30–8 p.m. Free admission; food and drinks for purchase.
- Saturday, Sept. 26 — Philadelphia Ballet free outdoor performance (rain date Sunday, Sept. 27).
- Sunday, Oct. 18 — Harvest Festival, noon–4 p.m.
All events are at Croft Farm, 100 Bortons Mill Road.
