Historical Society Receives Matching Grant to Recognize Contributions of Past President Pat Lennon

The Historical Society of Haddonfield has received a new challenge grant in support of its planned new Archives Center building: starting in May, all donations made in honor of past president Pat Lennon will be matched dollar-for-dollar by a donor who worked with Pat at the Historical Society and admires her greatly. The goal of the community challenge is to raise enough funds to reserve one of the new building’s naming opportunities in Pat’s honor.

Now 96 years old, Pat was a long-time resident of Haddonfield before moving to New Hampshire to live with family. She is an active supporter of the Historical Society, and served as president for three separate terms in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Pat was named Haddonfield Citizen of the Year in 1978, and has also been deeply involved with Symphony in C, Christ the King Catholic Church, and the Durand Academy, among others.

“Pat says she doesn’t deserve any recognition because she was just doing what needed to be done, but we’re delighted that this challenge grant was made in her honor,” said Doug Rauschenberger, president of the Historical Society of Haddonfield. “And we are so grateful that this challenge has been crafted in a way that encourages others to deepen their support.”

Donations can be mailed to the Historical Society, and gifts can also be made online. Donors who wish to have their gifts matched must designate that they are giving in Pat’s honor.

To date, the Historical Society has raised more than $712,000 for a new archival center to be built on its property on Kings Highway East in Haddonfield. The Society is now more than three-quarters of the way toward its fundraising goal of $900,000, and expects to break ground later this year. A separate restricted endowment already in place allows the Society to employ a professional archivist and covers other expenses of the archives center as well.