Welcome to Our Site

FAQs: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. Aren't there two Smithvilles in southern New Jersey?

A. Yes. Smithville Park and Industrial Village is in Burlington County. The other Smithville is in Atlantic County. There is no relationship between the two.

Q. What is the difference betweeN the H.B. Smith Industrial Village Conservancy and the Friends of the Mansion at Smithville?

A. Both are non profit organizations dedicated to raising funds in support of Smithville, Burlington County.

The Friends of the Mansion (FOMAS) have been active since the Burlington County Freeholders purchased the property in 1975. They have dedicated most of their fund raising activities to restore the Mansion. These activities include Teas, Craft Sales, and Mansion Tours. One of their more popular events is the annual room decoration during the Christmas season.

The Smitville Conservancy was established in 1997 in order to concentrate their fund raising activity "outside the walls" of the mansion for the benefit of the other sections of the Village. Their fund raising activities have included the annual Mt. Holly Grand Prix bicycle race, the Smithville Mystery Dinner Theater, and the Commemorative Brick Fundraiser for the Smithville Visitor Center.

Q: How tall was Smith's Observation tower which was located on the east side of Smithville Road, across from the mansion?

A: The Observation Platform was 120 ft. from the ground.

Q: How long was the Bicycle Monorail?

A: From Smithville to Pine Street in Mt. Holly, the almost perfectly straight rail was 1.8 miles. The average riding time was 6 to 7 minutes. The best time recorded was 4.5 minutes.

Q. When was the Mechanics Hall, which included the Opera House, demolished?

A. The four story building was demolished in 1948. The west wing had been constructed in 1870 and the east wing, which housed the Opera House, was completed in 1875. During its later years it was known as the Smithville Inn. Its 73 year life span was relatively short for a brick building of its type of construction.