Two British invasions from America250

Despite a looming snowstorm, the township community turned out in large numbers at the high-school auditorium on Jan. 24, as the Historical Society of Moorestown and the Moorestown250 Committee officially launched their America250 celebrations with a Beatles tribute band.

Before the performance by the group, Britain’s Best NJ, there was some history. Historical society trustee Gary Ell took the stage portraying Samuel Smith, the Colonial resident and namesake of Moorestown’s Smith-Cadbury Mansion who famously authored the first history of New Jersey in 1766.

Next up were two British Redcoats, Sir Roger (Roger Wilson) and Captain Garwood (William Garwood), who stormed out of the wings demanding a restoration of British order and “proper English music.” Ell then took the audience on a historical journey through Moorestown’s rich heritage, highlighting David Bispham, a renowned Quaker baritone; Eldridge Johnson, founder of the Victor Talking Machine Company, later RCA Victor; and the township’s role in gaining women the right to vote.

Britain’s Best NJ then took the stage to play a catalog of Beatles favorites.

“We knew the weather was a concern, but the energy in that room proved that Moorestown’s spirit is unshakable,” noted Linda Vizi, president of the historical society. “Seeing the community engage with our history through Samuel Smith, then celebrate together with the music of the Beatles, was the perfect way to kick off our America250 festivities.

“It was a night of joy and connection.”

The event kicked off the Moorestown250 committee’s year of programming dedicated to America’s 250th anniversary.

“The band was absolutely thrilled by the reception,” said Jack Gardner, manager of Britain’s Best NJ. “Playing to a packed house is always great, but doing it in the middle of a blizzard warning for such a meaningful cause made this performance special.

“The audience was with us for every note, swaying in harmony from start to finish.”