Burlington in Burlington County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Center of Arts and Culture

The Historic City of Burlington

Photographed By Don Morfe, November 29, 2014

1. Center of Arts and Culture Marker

Inscription. Early industrial, municipal, and educational leaders of Burlington valued public education and broader exposure to the arts. These citizens began one of the oldest libraries in the nation, the Library Company of Burlington, which was charted in 1757 by King George II and has one of the few original copies of his seal remaining in the world. James Fenimore Cooper wrote many uniquely American novels for the wider world. International manufacturer James Birch enriched his neighbors’ cultural lives by building an opera house on his property. When films arrived in the early 20th century, the City of Burlington’s downtown drew residents from far and wide to its modern move houses.

(Inscription under the photo in the upper center)
James Fenimore Cooper, author of the Leatherstocking Tales.

(Inscription under the photos at the bottom)
In 1757 The Library Company of Burlington was chartered by British monarch King George II. The library still operates under that charter.—The original Herman T. Costello Lyceum Hall.---Birch’s Opera House occupied the site of the present Post Office.

Erected by Burlington County Historical Society and the Lyceum Hall Center for the Arts.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work

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• Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1757.

Location. 40° 4.597′ N, 74° 51.467′ W. Marker is in Burlington, New Jersey, in Burlington County. Marker is on High Street (SR 413). The marker is located on the Lyceum Hall property. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Burlington NJ 08016, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Birthplaces (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bishop Francis Asbury (about 500 feet away); Founding Lay Persons (about 500 feet away); Pre-Revolutionary History of Burlington City (about 500 feet away); Ockanickon (about 700 feet away); Office of the Council of Proprietors and the Surveyor General (about 700 feet away); Grant House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old St. Mary's - 1702 (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burlington.

Center of Arts and Culture Marker-On the left is the Lyceum Hall Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, November 29, 2014

2. Center of Arts and Culture Marker-On the left is the Lyceum Hall Building

Photographed By Don Morfe, November 29, 2014

3. Lyceum Hall

Note inscription above the door way. Don't Give Up the Ship-Capt. James Lawrence.

James Fenimore Cooper,<br>author of Leatherstocking Tales. image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

4. James Fenimore Cooper,
author of Leatherstocking Tales.

From American Authors, A Handbook by Mildred Lewis Rutherford, 1894.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 292 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 9, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 4. submitted on May 30, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.