AFHM is an all-volunteer non-profit organization whose mission is to “Preserve, Honor, and Educate the public on the history of the military in New Jersey and the neighboring regions.”
In support of their mission AFHM recently opened its headquarters location at the Captain James Lawrence House, 459 High Street, on the campus of the Burlington County Historical Society in Burlington.
The house is owned by the State of New Jersey and is the family home of Lawrence, who was a Naval officer in the War of 1812 who was made famous by his battle cry, “Don’t Give Up the Ship!”
(He is also the individual for whom Lawrence Township is named, changed from Maidenhead in 1816 in honor of the war hero.)
The museum features historical exhibits dating from the Revolutionary War through World War II. Future exhibits will be forthcoming as their programs and war era focus expands to meet public interest.
AFHM was formed in May 2010 with an initial vision to build a fixed brick-and-mortar museum at the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst that would have unrestricted public access. The plan was later halted when site plan reviews at the Pentagon level reached an impasse.
In a subsequent decision to “bring the museum to the people” AFHM transitioned to a 32-foot mobile unit that travels around the Burlington County region.
As a fortuitous happenstance, now-AFHM president Brigadier General Robert Dutko (USAF retired) learned that his home township of Ewing had a mobile stage they were replacing. Its donation to AFHM followed.
The mobile unit chronicles our nation’s military history over the past 100 years, from the building of Camp Dix during World War I to present-day operations at the Joint Base. Another display panel features examples of modern day military technology. Compelling visual oral history snippets from their Living History veteran interview library are also included.
The Lawrence House Transition evolved from the desire to establish a fixed headquarters and museum experience in the Burlington County region. The opportunity to do so came about through a partnership with the Burlington County Historical Society in Burlington City, where AFHM had conducted several of their Living History veteran presentations. This working relationship led to the availability of the Lawrence House, where the Society has been the caretaker for the State-owned property.
The Lawrence House has been transformed into a venue that features permanent and rotating exhibits on military history and New Jersey’s contributions to its success. In addition, AFHM plans include a unique military history “Immersive Experience Room” that will allow visitors to have an interactive, audio/visual journey into an aspect of our nation’s rich military history. It is also hoped to develop an Interview Room to record military members’/veterans’ personal experiences and military accomplishments.
The joint partnership between the AFHM and Burlington County Historic Society offers the use of the house to the AFHM with the goal of enhancing and expanding both organizations’ missions and programs. This relationship is designed to bring a brand new experience to the campus in downtown Burlington that includes: The James Fenimore Cooper House (renowned author), the Bard-How House (Colonial “please touch” children’s playhouse) , The Delia Biddle Pugh Research Library, and the Corson-Poley Center, home to the Society’s newest venture, the Children’s History Center. (For more details, visit www.burlingtoncountyhistoricalsociety.org.)
Why is the Lawrence House a good site for the museum? Captain Lawrence spent his youth in Burlington City and later became a naval war hero who served during the War of 1812. He commanded the frigate Chesapeake, and during a heated battle in which he was mortally wounded, rallied his crew by saying, “Don’t give up the ship!” This is now the motto of the U.S. Navy and the City of Burlington. Flags honoring Lawrence’s words can be found throughout Burlington city and on the scenic city waterfront.
The AFHM’s immediate and near-term focus will be on promoting the Lawrence House museum venue to the public, both locally and regionally, while striving to develop engaging and interactive exhibits and programs for the public’s enjoyment and education. This objective will be augmented by the continued use of the mobile unit throughout Burlington County and neighboring regions.
Currently the Lawrence House is open on weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is staffed by volunteer docents. No fee is being charged at this time but donations to our all-volunteer nonprofit organization are greatly appreciated.
Armed Forces Heritage Museum at The James Lawrence House is located at 459 High Street, Burlington, New Jersey. For more information, go to www.afhmus.org or contact Plummer at roy.plummer@afhmus.org.
Plummer is the executive director of the Armed Forces Heritage Museum.
