Books published by South Jersey Culture & History Center

A biography of William Still, known as the father of the Philadelphia Underground Railroad.

James Still was perhaps the most gifted physician in South Jersey during the nineteenth century. He was also African American, the son of former slaves, who received no more than six months of traditional schooling, and was self taught in both medical knowledge and practice. Born in Washington Township, Burlington County, New Jersey - now Shamong - Dr. Still overcame poverty and racial animus to become one of the wealthiest men in South Jersey during his lifetime. This republication of his autobiography, self-published in 1877, is a stirring reminder of the power of self determination and faith.

Travel to the planet Mars! Explore its geography; confront its terrifying monsters; and meet the ancient Marsian society, from whose culture and philosophy Earthlings may learn much. Written by Charles K. Landis, founder of Vineland, New Jersey, c. 1876, and here published for the first time, this sci-fi account alternates between thrilling storytelling and thinly veiled commentary upon the social ills of the Earth.

SoJourn is journal of Southern New Jersey history, culture and geography.

The life story of Peter and Lavinia "Vina" Still, born into slavery in the antebellum South. Peter, Vina, and family freed themselves from bondage in Alabama and settled into their free life in Burlington County, New Jersey, surrounded by friends and Peter's long-lost family. Originally published in 1856.

Dallas Lore Sharp was born in 1870 in Haleyville, Cumberland County, New Jersey. After a childhood spent exploring the fields, forests, and swamps of South Jersey, he attended Brown University and eventually became Professor of English at Boston University. Writing in the first quarter of the twentieth century, Sharp was among the most popular nature writers of his time. He mused on aspects of nature that could be found in one's backyard - native birds, small mammals, creeks, trees and loose fall leaves - successfully translating the wild world into his readers' living rooms. The present volume is a selection of essays from The Whole Year Round, originally published as four shorter texts, each based on a season. In these essays Sharp concentrates upon the small scale of the natural world, a focus that highlights the grandness of nature as a whole.