Stoutsburg Sourland
African American Museum

On a gorgeous Saturday in August supporters and friends gathered at Skillman Park just outside Hopewell to enjoy good music, beautiful weather and friendship. The second annual “Camp Meeting” was organized by the Sourland Conservancy and Trustees of the Stoutsburg Cemetery Association to raise funds for the Stoutsburg Sourland African Museum (SSAAM), now in the planning stages. 

 

The event featured musical performances by the renowned singer Bertha Morgan and the popular Capital City Gospel Singers. For those in attendance who were hungry, tasty meals were available and for those looking for that special gift for themselves or friends the ever popular “Church Lady Aprons” were again available for purchase. The event organizers even had a special place for our younger guests to play while mom and dad enjoyed the day’s activities.

 

The Reverend Doctor Angela M. Battle from Pennington’s Bethel AME Church read an invocation to start the program and also to help establish the spiritual nature the music to follow. 

 

The first performer, Bertha Morgan from Christ Baptist Church in Burlington was a favorite of many in attendance. For the uninitiated her powerful voice quickly got their attention as her soft passages gave way to amazing periods of great energy.

 

The second performance came from the Capital City Gospel Singers who are widely known in and around Trenton. Their renditions of old favorites and more modern arrangements of gospel music enthralled everyone who came. 

 

All and all it was a wonderful day. The setting on soft grass beneath a small grove of tall shade trees could not have been better situated. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and most look forward to next year’s event. Many thanks go to the members of the Sourland Conservancy and everyone else who helped make the day a great success.