Built some 25 years before H.B. Smith's arrival in Burlington County , the Greek Revival mansion symbolizes in its buildings and gardens the complexity of its most famous owner.
Lecturer: Joseph M. Laufer, Burlington County Historian
One of the benefits of living at Smithville, Burlington County, in the mid to late 1870s was the opportunity to attend events at the Smithville Lyceum. The Lyceum was introduced at Smithville by Benjamin Franklin Southgate, a friend of H.B. Smith and Agnes, his wife. Southgate was brought to Smithville from Vermont as a worker by H.B. Smith. The Lyceum consisted of evening programs for the people of the village (and invited neighbors from the surrounding community). The Smiths regularly attended the programs which were first held in the newly constructed schoolhouse and then moved to the Opera House when it was completed in 1875. The general purpose of the Lyceum was entertainment and education. The main event was a debate on some topic of concern or sometimes dialogues, declamations and recitations. Other activities included musical performances of vocal solos, duets, and quartets and instrumental music by the Smithville brass band.
In 2008, a Lyceum program was re-introduced at Smithville to commemorate this aspect of the history of this classic industrial village. Burlington County Historian Joseph Laufer uses the forum to introduce some of his newly formulated historical topics.
THE 2010 LYCEUM SERIES HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED. PROGRAMS ARE HELD ON THE SECOND WEDNESDAY OF SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER AT 7:00 pm IN THE BILLIARD ROOM OF THE SMITHVILLE MANSION COMPLEX.
In 2010, the following programs will be presented:
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2010: BURLINGTON COUNTY AND THE CIVIL WAR (A CIVIL WAR SESQUICENTENNIAL PROGRAM).
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2010: QUAKER MEETING HOUSES OF BURLINGTON COUNTY.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2010: BURLINGTON COUNTY TRIVIA: UNUSUAL PERSONS, PLACES AND EVENTS.
