By Paige Drummond
On Saturday, July 11, the town of Evesham took to The Promenade at Sagemore for a celebration of the historic 250th anniversary of the United States, with the Evesham Historical Society alongside them for the festivities. The event featured local businesses from around the Promenade, as well as booths from township organizations and food trucks with both sweet and savory delicacies.
Among the booths that were set up around the Promenade was the Evesham Historical Society, with historic objects and photos, as well as a patriotically painted bell, refurbished by member Fred Harrison, Jr. Many members and volunteers for the Historical Society showed up to help with the event, including Evesham Historical Society Corresponding and Communication Secretary, Joan Valk, who was enthusiastic to be a part of the celebration. “I am a true patriot and grew up very patriotic, so to be a part of a 250th celebration is great,” Valk remarked.
Another very notable attendee was the mayor of Evesham Township, Jaclyn Veasy, who wanted to make America’s 250th anniversary as special as she could for Evesham Township. “When we were looking at America 250 and celebrating it, we didn’t want to just do one thing. We want to make sure that it was a celebration all year long, so we did our large Fourth of July celebration, and Evesham Township and the Promenade wanted to host an additional celebration,” Veasy explained the inspiration for the event. “It’s a little bit more like a family carnival atmosphere for America 250.”
“We’re very appreciative of the Historical Society,” Mayor Veasy continued. “I think the more they’re able to expose our history here in Evesham and just do what they’re able to do is just beneficial for everyone because there’s so much more to our story in Evesham than just being what we see now today… to have them here spreading the word about what we’ve been, where we’ve been for 250 plus years because we’re older than 1776, it’s fun to be with them and I just appreciate their partnership.”
The celebration at the Promenade is not the Historical Society’s only event this month. Not only will they be hosting the History Makers Museum Camp at the John Inskeep House from July 13, 2026 to July 17, 2026, they will also be doing a fundraiser at Rita’s in Marlton on July 14. They will finish off July by participating in the Burlington County Farm Fair at the Burlington County Fair Grounds in Columbus, New Jersey, running from July 21, 2026 until July 25, 2026. The Evesham Historical Society also hosts monthly meetings at the John Inskeep House, with July’s meeting right around the corner on July 18, 2026.
When asked how it feels to be a part of the Evesham Historical Society during such an important moment in American history, the excitement was apparent. “It’s really cool,” Valk stated. “I just think that I have a love of history. So to be a part of anything that celebrates United States history, for me, is very satisfying.”