Back to the Fifties explores our community’s mid-century history during the era of rock and roll, the Cold War, and Civil Rights. The post-World War II period presaged the changes and growth that were to take place in Harrison over the next 60 years.

While farming continued to dominate the local economy, more residents – many new to the community, were working outside of the township. New arrivals stimulated a need for housing and several of the larger residences in Mullica Hill were converted into apartments. Farmers began selling off lots with road frontage for new homes, all of which stimulated the need for new schools. The decade was bracketed by new school construction in 1950 and 1960. New meeting halls built by Ewan Fire Company, the newly formed American Legion Post and Mullica Hill Grange provided new spaces for social gatherings, and the old schoolhouse in Richwood – today’s Richwood Academy Cultural Center – was repurposed as a community hall. All were indications of more dramatic changes that were to come.

The exhibition is free and available every Saturday and Sunday, 1:00pm – 4:00pm through December 9th.