SOUTH JERSEY DAY TRIP 2 HADDONFIELD Most people know Haddonfield because of its quaint village ambience and historic homes. Settled by Europeans more than 300 years ago, Haddonfield is one of New Jersey''s oldest towns. We like driving here, parking the car and walking through Haddonfield''s historic neighborhoods. Its almost three square miles of streets are shaded by large trees and opulent mansions. It is close to Philadelphia, PA, Camden and Cherry Hill. This small town has been called a Rockwellesque community by many of its 12,000 residents. On a warm summer evening it is possible to catch a brass band marching down main street-actually called Kings Highway. (Kings Highway was originally a wagon trail named in honor of the British monarchs that once ruled the area.
) We suggest spending the morning walking through the downtown area and then heading to the site where the world''s first nearly complete dinosaur skeleton was unearthed. WHERE TO GO Hadrosaurus Foulkii Historic Site. Contact the Haddonfield Historic Society at (856)429-7375. Admission is free. At the end of the suburban street that dead ends against deep woods is a bronze and stone marker commemorating the site where the skeleton of Hadrosaurus foulkii was unearthed in 1858. (Ask anyone in this small town and they will point you in the right direction.) Just beyond the marker is a steep ravine where the bones of Hadrosaurus foulkii were found. Hadrosaurus foulkii was the first nearly complete skeleton of a dinosaur to be discovered.
In Europe and North America, dinosaur bones had been discovered much earlier than the ones found in Haddonfield. However, this was the most complete finding of bones of one animal. Actually there were enough bones of the same animal to scientifically prove that dinosaurs really existed. The bones were discovered by William Parker Foulke, a fossil hobbyist who vacationed in Haddonfield in 1858. Indian King Tavern, 233 Kings Highway East; (609)429-6792. Open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.
m. and on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Guided tours are offered and admission is free. On March 10, 1777, the New Jersey Assembly met at the Indian King Tavern and approved the adoption of the Great Seal of New Jersey. Designed by Pierre Eugene du Simitiere, the three plows in the shield honor the state''s agricultural tradition while the horse head stands for speed and strength. The female figures are Liberty and Ceres, the Roman Goddess of grain. Liberty carries the liberty cap on her staff.
Ceres holds a cornucopia filled with harvested produce. The banner below, "Liberty and Prosperity," is the official state motto. The Assembly met again in September 1777 at the Tavern and enacted a law substituting the word "State" for "Colony" in all commissions, writs and indictments. Built in 1750 by Mathias Aspden, the Indian King Tavern contains a collection of early American furnishings. Markeim Art Center, Lincoln Avenue and Walnut Street; (856)429-8585. This arts center offers classes, but if you are here for the day you can stop in and view one of its many changing exhibitions. Most art shows feature the works of local artists. Haddonfield Players, South Atlantic Avenue.
Call (856)429-8139, for a schedule. If you are planning on staying the night, we suggest taking in a play presented by this community theater. They produce a wide range of plays, including dramas, comedies, musicals and children''s theater. WHERE TO EAT Remi''s Café. 141 Kings Highway East (between Haddon Avenue and Mechanic Street), (856)795-7232. Haddonfield has so many quaint restaurants. This is in the heart of the downtown area and the owners who are on the premises and their staff seems to care about their patrons. The pastas are quite good and the prices range from inexpensive to moderate.
WHERE TO STAY Haddonfield Inn. 44 West End Avenue in Haddondfield, (856)428-2195. Staying in this Victorian inn is a real treat. All of the rooms and suites come with fireplaces and some have whirlpools. Each of the eight guestrooms include private baths. A hearty breakfast is served in the fire lit dining room or on the wrap-around porch-weather permitting. The Inn is wheelchair accessible and children and dogs are welcome. Prices are moderate.
On Sunday afternoons, there is a tea and house tour.