By Steffen Klenk
This year Galloway Township is celebrating its semiquincentennial.
On April 4, 1774, King George III of England granted a royal patent for the creation of the township. According to the township’s website, the royal patent gave permission for Galloway Township to be and remain a perpetual township and community.
At 114.5 square miles, Galloway is the largest municipality in the state. It was even bigger when its original boundaries included the island of Brigantine, parts of present-day Atlantic City, Port Republic, and Mullica Township, among other communities.
It is believed that the township’s name derives from a man named Joseph Galloway, a Pennsylvania delegate to the First Continental Congress. On Sept. 28, 1774, Galloway proposed his famous Plan of Union, which envisioned the creation of an American branch of the British Parliament. Ultimately the plan was defeated by a vote of 6 to 5.
Galloway, a loyalist who voted against the Declaration of Independence, fled to England in 1776 where he was welcomed as a royal subject. A brief history of Historic Galloway Township can be found by visiting www.gtnj.org.
Galloway Township has blossomed into a warm and welcoming community, filled with diverse businesses, shops, a major hospital and medical complex, quality schools, a full range of community services, restaurants, attractions, houses of worship and landmarks including Historic Smithville, Stockton University, and the Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
This summer, the township is planning several major events, including Movies and Music in the Park, and a massive 250th Anniversary Celebration scheduled for Aug. 17, with food trucks, live music, crafts, vendors, and surprise guests. Additional details will be announced soon.
In addition, students in grades K-12 are invited to participate in an art competition. Participants must submit their original artwork on paper or canvas in landscape format no more than 11 inches by 8.5 inches. The subject matter must feature something significant within the township.
Those interested in participating and in need of inspiration can visit the Galloway Historical Society, 300 E. Jimmie Leeds Road on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The entry deadline is June 30, and submissions can be mailed or dropped off at Galloway Township Community Services, 621 W. White Horse Pike, Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215.
Steffen Klenk is a photographer and multimedia journalist who enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life. You may contact Steffen at shorelocalsteffen@gmail.com.
