Under a grant initiative of the NJ Council for the Humanities Community History program as provided to NJ Arts Guild, Acorn History was established. Its primary purpose is to research the folklife and successful relationships among and between the Native American Lenape, Old Settler (Dutch, Finns, and Swedes), and Quaker cultures and their determination to live with integrity prior to and during the 1600s.

We expect the resulting historical overview of 1600's West Jersey folklife to be a testament to the mutually beneficial relationships that existed between the original and immigrant peoples of Burlington City and surrounding area.

Mission:

The outcome of this community-based project is to create and make available accessible, easily digestible, and ethnographic materials and experiences that cover this broad and deep exploration of that time, place (landscape and environment), and peoples.

Vision:

In the long term, we hope to present a truer account of the mentioned cultures and their interactions (focusing on description rather than interpretation of historical record) and to highlight the altruistic examples found there to forge a future with happier, healthier, and kinder lives.

DEI Statement:

Acorn History values the roles, lives, and contributions of our members, supporters, and the community-at-large whom we seek to serve.

We strive to inspire and maintain a diverse and respectful community environment where everyone feels included and free from harassment and discrimination. Indeed, such understanding is at the heart of our mission and vision.

Our affiliates may be seen as representing our ideals and values, and we will investigate any reports of impropriety that undermine our core values and will take action to prevent further harm.

Land Acknowledgement:

“The land upon which we gather is part of the traditional territory of the Lenni-Lenape, called “Lenapehoking.” The Lenape People lived in harmony with one another upon this territory for thousands of years. During the colonial era and early federal period, many were removed west and north, but some also remain among the continuing historical tribal communities of the region: The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation; the Ramapough Lenape Nation; and the Powhatan Renape Nation, The Nanticoke of Millsboro Delaware, and the Lenape of Cheswold Delaware. We acknowledge the Lenni-Lenape as the original people of this land and their continuing relationship with their territory. In our acknowledgment of the continued presence of Lenape people in their homeland, we affirm the aspiration of the great Lenape Chief Tamanend, that there be harmony between the indigenous people of this land and the descendants of the immigrants to this land, “as long as the rivers and creeks flow, and the sun, moon, and stars shine.”

~ courtesy of Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation