Clayton Historic Preservation, Inc. 2026 Upcoming Events Help us celebrate our nation's 250th birthday!!
Participate in "Best Memory of Clayton" Essay contest.
Scholarship for graduating 2026 CHS senior.
FREE lectures.
Follow us on Facebook/ClaytonHistoric
2026 Upcoming Events
CLAYTON HISTORIC PRESERVATION, INC. Essay Contest Deadline April 15, 2026
What is your favorite memory of Clayton? Person, place or thing in 200 words or less. Was it playing hockey or football? Was it Nick's chesesteak or pizza? Maybe it was Twin Kiss or the Diner at 5:00 AM? Or the prom with you-know-who? Got a story to share? CHP is looking for your original and unpublished essay. One entry per person. All entries become the property of Clayton Historic Preservation, Inc. which reserves all rights to the material. The deadline for entries is April 15, 2026.
E-mail submissions can be made at CHP@ClaytonHistoric.org with the designation "2026 Essay Contest" or by USPS mail to CHP, P. O. Box 29, Clayton, NJ 08312. Please include your name, address and e-mail address. Send in your entry and you can win a CASH PRIZE of $150.00 for 1st, $100.00 for 2nd and $50.00 for 3rd. Winners will be made public at a meeting of Mayor and Council, date to be announced.
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CLAYTON HISTORIC PRESERVATION SCHOLARSHIP for Clayton, NJ High School Class of 2026 Deadline May 08, 2026
Applications are now open for the $5,000.00 CLAYTON HISTORIC PRESERVATION Scholarship Award Program. Applications are available at the Clayton High School Guidance Office or email to CHP@ClaytonHistoric.org for a PDF application. Entry deadline is May 08, 2026.
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FREE LECTURE by Richard W. Serfass, Ed. D. April 8, 2026, 06:30 PM at Clayton Municipal Building, Council Room, 125 No. Delsea Drive, Clayton, NJ 08312
Richard W. Serfass, Ed.D., Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.); S. Jersey SAR Chapter Past Pres. & Board of Trustees, NJSSAR Color Guard Cmdr. & Vice Pres; American Legion Post 79; Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree, Chapter 6520; Retired HS Math Teacher, HS Assistant Principal, Elementary and High School Principal, Assistant Superintendent Cherry Hill Public Schools; Assistant Professor Holy Family University
Why 2026 Matters: The American Revolution, Its Veterans, and the Legacy around us. The presentation will be with PowerPoint, and Mr. Serfass will be in 18th Century Military clothing with some 18th century props. The outline of the presentations generally will be (subject to change):• What's so important about 2026• The Revolutionary War from beginning to end, and here in Gloucester County• Sons of the American Revolution• The War in our area... reenactments and historical significance • Rev War ancestry
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FREE LECTURE by Patricia Chappine May 18, 2026, 06:30 PM at Clayton Municipal Building, Council Room, 125 No. Delsea Drive, Clayton, NJ 08312
Patricia Chappine: Adjunct professor of Arts and Humanities and General Studies at Stockton University, recently recognized with the 2025 New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance (NJSAA) Author Award for her book, "New Jersey Women during World War II: On the Home Front and Abroad." Dr. Chappine states “I think it's important to recognize the contributions these women made to the war effort and the many ways they broke gender-based barriers in civilian employment and the military. In looking at the home front during WWII, especially, each state experienced the war effort differently. For instance, New Jersey's shoreline meant that communities along the coast were under dim-out restrictions to prevent German U-boats from targeting U.S. ships in the Atlantic Ocean. Among other areas, Atlantic City was under dim-out restrictions during the War and many local women vividly remembered this. It's also important to consider the details of women's wartime experiences.”
“While Rosie the Riveter is usually the image representative of women war workers, the reality of their experience was much more complex. Women inspected munitions, flew airplanes for the Army Air Forces, worked as engineers and codebreakers, trained pilots on early flight simulators, served as nurses on the home front and abroad and much more. The women of New Jersey were instrumental in the war effort, and I hope this book helps to bring their stories into public discussion." ********************************************** FREE LECTURE BY Erik Mollenhauer September 16, 2026, 06:30PM at Clayton Municipal Building, Council Room, 125 No. Delsea Drive, NJ 08312 Erik Mollenhauer: Red Bank Battlefield: An Unknown Story, An Opportunity The truth of what happened at Red Bank Battlefield in October 1777 is bigger, more surprising, more inspiring than almost anyone knows. If you think you know what happened there, you don’t. The Rhode Island Regiments who fought at Red Bank were among only a few units that served through nearly the entire War. What happened at Red Bank was no small thing. Based on extensive personal research, Erik Mollenhauer spills the beans on a story that would make a blockbuster movie… a story of arrogance and ambition, loyalty and sacrifice, sex and politics, heroism and tragedy… a story about the promise of America and of we, the people… a story that still to this day, very much matters. ****************************************** FREE LECTURE by Adam E. Zielinski October 28, 2026, 06:30PM at Clayton Municipal Building, Council Room, 125 No. Delsea Drive, NJ 08312 Adam E. Zielinski, Historian Museum Specialist, Educator, Cartographer, Designer, President Rev. War Alliance of Burlington County Adam E. Zielinski will discuss the battles in Burlington County leading up to Trenton/Princeton. Specifically, the actions at Petticoat Bridge and Iron Works Hill which involved 600 South Jersey militia from Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties. It is the subject of his new book - which should be in print for purchase by then. Copies will be available that evening, along with original maps for purchase, and original artifacts on display. The slideshow will be about an hour in length followed by Q/A afterwards. *****************************************
“While Rosie the Riveter is usually the image representative of women war workers, the reality of their experience was much more complex. Women inspected munitions, flew airplanes for the Army Air Forces, worked as engineers and codebreakers, trained pilots on early flight simulators, served as nurses on the home front and abroad and much more. The women of New Jersey were instrumental in the war effort, and I hope this book helps to bring their stories into public discussion." ********************************************** FREE LECTURE BY Erik Mollenhauer September 16, 2026, 06:30PM at Clayton Municipal Building, Council Room, 125 No. Delsea Drive, NJ 08312 Erik Mollenhauer: Red Bank Battlefield: An Unknown Story, An Opportunity The truth of what happened at Red Bank Battlefield in October 1777 is bigger, more surprising, more inspiring than almost anyone knows. If you think you know what happened there, you don’t. The Rhode Island Regiments who fought at Red Bank were among only a few units that served through nearly the entire War. What happened at Red Bank was no small thing. Based on extensive personal research, Erik Mollenhauer spills the beans on a story that would make a blockbuster movie… a story of arrogance and ambition, loyalty and sacrifice, sex and politics, heroism and tragedy… a story about the promise of America and of we, the people… a story that still to this day, very much matters. ****************************************** FREE LECTURE by Adam E. Zielinski October 28, 2026, 06:30PM at Clayton Municipal Building, Council Room, 125 No. Delsea Drive, NJ 08312 Adam E. Zielinski, Historian Museum Specialist, Educator, Cartographer, Designer, President Rev. War Alliance of Burlington County Adam E. Zielinski will discuss the battles in Burlington County leading up to Trenton/Princeton. Specifically, the actions at Petticoat Bridge and Iron Works Hill which involved 600 South Jersey militia from Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties. It is the subject of his new book - which should be in print for purchase by then. Copies will be available that evening, along with original maps for purchase, and original artifacts on display. The slideshow will be about an hour in length followed by Q/A afterwards. *****************************************