The 2010 Census Road Tour stopped at the Peter Mott House Underground Railroad Museum in Lawnside on Feb. 27 drawing more than 100 people to Census Awareness Day sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
The free program was sponsored by the South Jersey and New Jersey Garden City Alumnae chapters of the sorority in conjunction with the Lawnside Historical Society, owners of the Mott House, and the 2010 Census Road Tour. Look for blogs, video and pictures from the Mott House stop at the link.
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, explained throughout the day how to use historical censuses in genealogical research. She has conducted extensive research on her family with her mother Mattie Warren and sister Christine Lewis-Coker, corresponding secretary and treasurer of the Society, respectively. Lanette M. Swopes of the Philadelphia Regional office of the Census Bureau answered questions about CENSUS 2010. C. Joyce Fowler, vice-president and tour coordinator, fielded questions about Peter Mott and his house.
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.
Courier Post coverage can be viewed at this link: Family Shares Story to Promote the Census.
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.
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. The Society is a designated organization of the New Jersey Cultural Trust.
