LAWNSIDE, N.J. (Feb. 15, 2010) — The 2010 Census Road Tour will stop at the Peter Mott House Underground Railroad Museum, 26 Kings Court, Lawnside, on Saturday, Feb. 27, from noon to 3 p.m. in observance of Black History Month.
The free program is sponsored by the South Jersey and New Jersey Garden City Alumnae chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in conjunction with the Lawnside Historical Society, owners of the Mott House, and the 2010 Census Road Tour.
The Constitution mandates federal censuses be conducted every 10 years with the first in 1790.
Veronica Tingle, a member of both the historical society and the sorority, will explain using historical censuses in genealogical research at noon, 1 and 2 p.m. She has conducted extensive research on her family. Representatives of the Census Bureau will bring displays and give-aways while discussing the importance of completing and returning the CENSUS 2010. Visitors are invited to tour the Mott House at no charge, although donations are appreciated.
The Lawnside Historical Society is a tax-exempt, membership organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the history of Lawnside , N.J. , the only incorporated African-American municipality in the northern U.S. It was settled by free Black people and freedom-seekers escaping slavery along the Underground Railroad in the 19th century. The Mott House, an 1845 farmhouse, was home and station to the Rev. Peter Mott and UGRR agent.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, accurate data reflecting changes in communities are crucial in apportioning seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and deciding how more than $400 billion per year is allocated for projects like new hospitals, roads, environmental safety and schools.
The theme is “Census 2010, It’s in Our Hands.”
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was founded in January 1913 at Howard University . On Feb. 27, chapters across the country will participate in “Delta Sigma Theta Census Awareness Day,” designed to educate the community about the importance of the Census.
To RSVP, email petermottcensusawarenessday@gmail.com. For more information, go to www.petermotthouse.org.
The Lawnside Historical Society's programming is funded by a grant from the Camden County Cultural and Heritage Commission through the local regrant program of the New Jersey Council for the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
