Keeping Delran history alive

By MICHELLE MANGIAMELE

The Sun

Did you know that Delran, incorporated in 1880, is named after its two neighboring waterways, the Delaware River and the Rancocas Creek?

In a town rich with history, you can learn such facts and more with the help of the Delran Historical Society, an organization that began in 2009 and was developed with the help of past president Mal Anderson.

“He is the brainchild behind all of this,” shared the society’s current president, Greg Boehmke. “He’s a longtime Delran resident (and) an encyclopedia of historical knowledge, so it was his vision to put together a collection of artifacts of Delran.”

Residents shared their historic pieces to build the society’s collection, and groups exchanged artifacts between Delran and Riverside to share their histories with the community. Those pieces are currently housed in the township municipal building at 900 South Chester Ave.

Because of his interest in history, Boehmke became involved with the the historial society as a trustee in 2022, and became president in 2025. His leadership has allowed the group to continue promoting the historic uniqueness of Delran by preserving township history for future generations, identifying valuable community contributions to that history and encouraging collaboration with other towns.

Prior to the society being housed in the municipal building, members hosted an annual history day at the community center. Residents are now able to see the society’s displays all year round. The latest honors the history behind the fire and police departments.

At its meetings, the society shares more insights into the displays, most recently inviting guest speakers Fred and George Pfeffer.

“One of the bigger events (on display are) two brothers that were members of the police department, and they were actually employee number three and number four,” Boehmke explained.

“Fred, who was employee number three, he is still the crossing guard at the middle school.”

Beyond collecting photos and artifacts and hosting meetings, the society actively supports bringing history to the community. The group works with the township to install historical markers at significant locations in town.

The first 10 locations were marked in 2016, including Trinity Episcopal Church, Methodist Episcopal Church, Bridgeboro Grammar School, Cambridge School, New Riverside Cemetery, Fairview Christian Cemetery, Methodist Cemetery, the Conrow House, Bridgeboro Bridge; and the World War II observation tower.

Last year, the society added the West Chester School, the Washington Hunter House, the Delran Centennial Time Capsule, Millside Farms, Delran Fire Company No. 1, Rainbow Meadow Farm, Ott’s Tavern, Rolling Hills Ridge (first Mayor’s House), Lake Lonnie and Barn Arts Center.

The society hosts an annual spring hoagie sale in partnership with Vid’s Deli that began in April and continues through June 30. Part of the proceeds support the group itself. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased by calling (609) 845-8389 or emailing the society at contactus@delranhistoricalsociety.org.

Ticket holders then go to the deli to claim their sandwiches.

The Delran Historical Society meets on the third Tuesday of January, March, May, September and November at 7 p.m. Guests can expect meetings to include presentations by local historians, open-floor discussions, displays of photographs and artifacts, opportunities to meet like-minded people and a forum on how to continue preservng the township’s story.

The society is also seeking new volunteers.

While the group tries to answer all of the community’s questions, it sometimes needs help to answer. Currently on display is an image from US-130 (formerly Route 25). The society is requesting the public’s help in identifying the original location of Hy-Way Auto Sales.

Anyone with information is asked to call (609) 845-8389.