Warden’s House now hosts Hugh Campbell art exhibit

By: centraljersey.com
MOUNT HOLLY – Burlington County Freeholders on March 2 officially marked the reopening of the fully restored Warden’s House, attached to the county’s historic 200-year-old Prison Museum, during a special ceremony and reception.
"Call it an extreme makeover of the highest order," said Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio. "We’ve not only given the building a facelift, we’ve given it a new mission. It will be home to the Hugh Campbell art collection, since Hugh Campbell was a well-known, recognized resident of Mount Holly."
The Warden’s House, at 128 High St., originally added to the prison in 1888, already has been decked out with some of the restored paintings of Hugh Campbell, a self-taught, if not eccentric artist, whose work captured the landscape of the Rancocas, where he lived, and streetscapes of Mount Holly.
Mr. Campbell died in 1997, but more than 400 of his paintings were donated to the county. Fifty-four of those paintings and assorted photographs have been placed on display in the Warden’s House, as well as some of Mr. Campbell’s personal effects.
In recent years, the Warden’s House has been home to the Prison Museum Association, a nonprofit organization which has supported the museum, and which has acquired and displayed artifacts reflective of its long and colorful history before it was closed in 1965.
The March 2 ceremony was marked by a ribbon-cutting, attended by invited guests, celebrating the building restoration, which was funded with voter-approved dedicated funds.
Warden’s House will be open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1 to 5 p.m. ; Fridays from 3 to 5 p.m. Admission will be free.
"Between the prison museum, and the warden’s house, visitors certainly get an interesting historical perspective on Burlington County," said Mr. Garganio. "And Campbell’s artwork brings it forward for many folks who, incredibly enough, still remember the man himself."
The restoration project took place nine months to complete, and involved structural repairs inside and out, building stabilization, replacement of the slate roof, HVAC replacement, exterior restoration and interior improvements.
Those familiar with the building will immediately noticed a much improved front porch, with decking and shutters reconstructed of mahogany to prevent rot damage. Brick work was also re-pointed.
Inside, workers uncovered behind a wall an unexpected find – an original fireplace, with slate mantle and ornate surround and keystone still in place.
This year, 2011, marks the 200th anniversary of the construction of the prison itself. The building was designed by renowned architect Robert Mills, whose name is associated with many famous structures, including the Washington Monument.
The jail keeper originally lived with his family in the prison. But as the prison’s population grew, freeholders found it necessary to provide the warden a separate house, which was completed in 1888.
Coming back to present day, the restoration work was designed by Regan Young England Butera of Mount Holly with assistance from John Bowie Associates of Wallingford, Pa. The contractor was Bob Frizzell, Inc. of Forked River. CAPTION FOR PHOTO: Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio, Freeholder Mary Ann O’Brien and Resource Conservation Director Mary Pat Robbie (front row – l to r) and Freeholder Joseph Donnelly, County Historian Joseph Laufer, and Freeholder Mary Anne Reinhart (second row – l to r) join in cutting the ribbon to reopen the Warden’s House to the public. The newly restored 1888 building will serve as an art exhibit for Hugh Campbell artwork.