Menu
Historical Society of Haddonfield
Dedicated to the Study and Preservation of Haddonfield History
  • About
    • About Us
    • Board Members
    • Our History
    • Haddonfield History
    • Publications
      • Newsletters
      • Books
    • FAQs
    • Contact Us
  • Upcoming Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Haunted Haddonfield
  • History @ Home
  • Greenfield Hall
    • History
    • Virtual Tour
    • Collections
      • Decorative Arts
      • Dolls
      • Textiles
      • Tools
    • Photo Gallery
      • Virtual Tour
      • The Entry and Parlor
      • The Gardens
      • The Old Kitchen
      • The Victorian Parlor
    • Hours
  • Archives Center
    • About the Center
    • Our Collections
      • Archival Collections Catalog
    • More Research Tools
    • Planned New Building
    • Hours
  • Support
    • Ways to Support HSH
    • Our Sponsors
    • Become a Member
    • Volunteer
    • Corporate Members
    • Donations / Bequests
  • Rentals
    • Rent Greenfield Hall
    • Garden Rental
    • Rental Rates
Close Menu
SamuelNRhoadsbookcover-lores2

New Children’s Book Will Launch at April 17 Book Release Party

Events

SamuelNRhoadsbookcoverThe Historical Society of Haddonfield is proud to announce the publication of a new children’s book: Samuel N. Rhoads of Haddonfield, NJ: Birds, Books and Big Adventures. The book is the culmination of a three-year project by the Haddonfield Middle School Nature Club to investigate the life of Rhoads, a local naturalist and historian.

The Historical Society will celebrate the book and its authors at a book release party on Sunday April 17 from 2-4 pm at the auditorium of Haddonfield Friends Meeting, 45 Friends Avenue, Haddonfield, NJ. All are welcome to come celebrate! Books will be available for $10 per copy. After the party, the books will be $12 each.

The Nature Club began its study of Samuel Rhoads (1862-1952) at the suggestion of Kim Custer, a volunteer at the Historical Society who had herself been researching Rhoads’ life and how his childhood in Haddonfield influenced his love of nature. Among his many interests, Rhoads was a founder of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Society and collected thousands of specimens in the U.S. and in South America for the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.

“I thought Samuel would be a wonderful role model for the students,” said Custer, a classroom aide for the Haddonfield Public Schools. “They were thrilled to hear that he was only 12 when he donated his first specimen, a bird from Haddonfield, to the Academy. And we were all fascinated to be able to read his own field notes and personal papers held at the Historical Society’s Archives Center.”

Custer eventually suggested that the club write a biography of Rhoads that could be used in Haddonfield schools’ social studies curriculum. Under the direction of Custer and Nature Club advisor Robin Walters, sixteen students wrote text, created illustrations, and selected historical images and documents to include in the biography. The book’s authors include Custer, Walters, and Nature Club members Patrick Ainsworth, Julia Chin, Helen Chung, Claire Custer, Philip Edmonston, Rachel D’Emelia, Chloe Lin, Zoe Murray, Natalie Naticchia, Sarah Naticchia, Banks Sapnar, Miles Schroeder, Evelyn Sky, Nina Tan, Mark Vaughn and Claudia Watson.

April 23rd – Gardens clean-up 9 AM to Noon Historical Society Awarded New Grant for Collections Care

Related Posts

Images of African American veterans and historic markers

Events, [email protected], Lectures

Virtual Lecture about Lawnside History Planned for February 10

Portrait photos of Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope

Events, [email protected], Lectures

“Bone Wars” Virtual Lecture Planned for January 20

Start screen of 2021 program survey

Events, [email protected], News

We Need Your Input for 2021 Program Planning

NEW from HSH:

  • Virtual Lecture about Lawnside History Planned for February 10
  • “Bone Wars” Virtual Lecture Planned for January 20
  • We Need Your Input for 2021 Program Planning
  • Support the Historical Society on #GivingTuesday
  • Book Club Plans Virtual Discussion for January 25
Back To Top

Historical Society of Haddonfield
343 Kings Hwy. E
Haddonfield, NJ 08033
856.429.7375

Board Log-in

General questions:
[email protected]
Research questions:
[email protected]

Our buildings remain closed to visitors until further notice. We hope you’ll join us for an upcoming virtual program!

Follow Us:

Join Our Mailing List

© Historical Society of Haddonfield 2021
Website by J2 Technology SOLUTIONS LLC