Cultural Investments Underway Offer Promising Future for South Camden's Historic District

CAMDEN - First it was the North Pole.  Now Matthew Henson, the African American discoverer of the world’s uppermost point who brought ballast stone to the region, will bring even more discoveries to Camden.

At 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, Rutgers–Camden faculty members will discuss how plans for a new maritime museum in Camden, which will feature the world’s only full-size replica of Henson, is serving as a catalyst for a burgeoning historic district in South Camden.

“The Camden Shipyard & Maritime Museum is one project among many led by the Heart of Camden, Inc.,” says Michael Lang, director of the museum and a Rutgers–Camden professor emeritus of urban studies. “Other projects include a new theater, gym and community center, rehabilitated housing, and greenhouse. There is a lot of community activity happening.”   The New Jersey Historic Trust recently awarded $750,000 to further renovate the museum site, the former Church of Our Savior at Broadway and Viola Street, where 10 volunteers from AmeriCorps and Vista reside.

Creator of the Henson statue John Giannotti, a professor emeritus of art at Rutgers–Camden, will also discuss the installation of the work on the centennial of the discovery of the North Pole on April 6.

The talk will take place in the third floor faculty lounge of Armitage Hall, located on Fifth Street, between Cooper Street and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge on the Rutgers–Camden Campus.

-30-