West Deptford Free Public Library
420 Crown Point Road, West Deptford, NJ 08086  (856) 845-5593

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Past Virtual Events Sponsored by GCCHC

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Beginner Free Drawing For All Ages Friday Afternoons at 3:30 p.m. in the Library art gallery

Many thanks to Patti, retired WDFPL p/t Information, Publicity and Circulation Library Assistant, for sharing her artistic talents and teaching ability with our community for the betterment of all over her 25 years at WDFPL! We plan to continue drawing together as Patti has retired from the library. Call to register at 856-845-5593. Btw you may have had a chance to view Patti's unique friends of the Library commissioned murals in the Library's Children's Area.

The Critical Emergence of the Colored Troops in the Civil War presented by Dr. James E. Johnson, Historian*
Thursday, April 24, 2025 6:00 p.m.

Join us for a Library presentation by Dr. James E. Johnson, educator and historian, about the critical emergence of U.S. colored troops in the Civil War. His recent book is entitled, "Biographies of the Lower Delaware Valley: Antebellum to Great Migration." Call to register at 856-845-5593.

*”This program is made possible in part by funding from The Gloucester County Cultural and Heritage Commission at Rowan College Gloucester County, a partner of The New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of the State.”

Fourth Friday Film screening of Wicked
Friday, April 25, 2025 1:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Wicked will be premiering at WDFPL as our Fourth Friday Film for April. Extensive CGI environments along with huge practical sets were built for the film's main settings. Director Jon M. Chu wanted the world of Oz to feel like a real place for the actors and actresses, rather than just a computer-generated background. This included planting 9 million tulips to serve as part of the landscape for Munchkinland, although for wider shots VFX was still used. Call to register at 856-845-5593.

Dr. Paul Lam's Tai Chi with Instructor Kathy Brown
Mondays, Kathy returns on Monday, April 28, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.

This class is appropriate for beginners, as well as for those with tai chi experience who want to learn. The course will be taught following the methods of Dr. Paul Lam's Tai Chi for Health program.  Join Kathy and the rest of us in person at the Library.

To learn more or register, call the library at 856-845-5593

Keith Henley portrays Frederick Douglass*
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 6:00 p.m.

Join us for a library presentation by historic interpreter Keith Henley, with the American Historical Theatre, who will portray Frederick Douglass. Frederick Douglass was an American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. After escaping slavery in Maryland, he became a leading voice in the fight against slavery and for civil rights. During the Civil War, Douglass became a key advisor to President Abraham Lincoln, urging him to make the war a fight against slavery and to enlist formerly enslaved people in the Union army. Call to register at 856-845-5593.

*”This program is made possible in part by funding from The Gloucester County Cultural and Heritage Commission at Rowan College Gloucester County, a partner of The New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of the State.”

General Grant: Friendship with President Lincoln - The One Two Punch that Won the Civil War*
Thursday, May 8, 2025 6:00 p.m.

Join Ulysses S. Grant (portrayed by Kenneth J. Serfass) for an informative conversation on his relationship with President, Abraham Lincoln.

In a May 26, 1863 letter to Isaac Arnold, Abraham Lincoln referred to Grant’s possible capture of Vicksburg, saying, “his campaign from the beginning of this month up to the twenty second day of it, is one of the most brilliant in the world.” And this began an unusual friendship. Lincoln and Grant developed a working relationship in which each was comfortable with his and the other’s role.

It is with a profound honor that he tells the story of one of America’s greatest military leaders and Ken takes it very seriously to reaffirm Grant’s place of honor among the most respected people of our nation’s history.  His passion for the subject is evident in his presentation, and it is hard not to be affected by his enthusiasm for his subject and believe that you’ve met US Grant in living history.

Please call to register at 856-845-5593.

*”This program is made possible in part by funding from The Gloucester County Cultural and Heritage Commission at Rowan College Gloucester County, a partner of The New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of the State.”

Pat Jordan portrays Mary Todd Lincoln*
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 6:30 p.m.

Join us for a library presentation by historic interpreter Pat Jordan, with the American Historical Theatre, who will portray Mary Todd Lincoln. Pat Jordan’s sensitive interpretation of Mary Todd Lincoln invites new understanding of this complicated and frequently-misunderstood woman. Pat's Mrs. Lincoln is an intelligent, quick-witted woman in an almost impossible situation. Having married the man of her dreams, a man she knew was destined to become President, Mary Todd Lincoln was deemed a spy by the North and a traitor by the South. With relatives on both sides of the conflict, having lost a dear son, and being married to a man frequently depressed by death and destruction, Mary was under great emotional stress yet she never lost sight of her responsibility as the first lady. With her enduring love and support of her husband, she battled to create a White House that reflected her the President’s stature while she endeavored to nurture her family during the devastating time of a Great Civil War. Call to register at 856-845-5593.

*”This program is made possible in part by funding from The Gloucester County Cultural and Heritage Commission at Rowan College Gloucester County, a partner of The New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of the State.”

Bob Gleason portrays Abraham Lincoln*
Monday, May 19, 2025 6:00 p.m.

Join us for a library presentation by historic interpreter Bob Gleason, with the American Historical Theatre, who will portray Abraham Lincoln. Call to register at 856-845-5593.

*”This program is made possible in part by funding from The Gloucester County Cultural and Heritage Commission at Rowan College Gloucester County, a partner of The New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of the State.”

The History of Turtles in Salt Marshes with Jessica DeGraff-Amber PhD.*
Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 1 p.m.

Join us for a virtual lecture. Learn about the history of terrapin conservation and the value of both the diamond back terrapin and the salt marshes in New Jersey.

To learn more, call the Library at 856-845-5593

Clam-Diggers Trade: NJ Pine Barrens Employments In Support Of Sea-Coast Activities*
September 30, 2021, Thursday 1 p.m.

Join us virtually for a lecture given by Adjunct Professor Mark Demitroff, Stockton University, on The Clamdiggers Trade: NJ Pine Barrens Employments in Support of Sea-Coast Activities. Learn about how the N.J. Coastal Zone economy had Pine Barren "sweetwater" roots. Video will be posted here on scheduled date.

Professor Demitroff is a professor at Stockton University.

The Drowning of Money Island: A Forgotten Community's Fight Against The Rising Seas Threatening Coastal America*
Thursday, October 14, 2021, 1 p.m.

Join us for a virtual lecture by journalist, Andrew Lewis, MFA, Columbia University, as he gives us a fascinating talk on how rising seas are threatening coastal towns. Video will be posted here on scheduled date.

To learn more, call the Library at 856-845-5593

The Variety of Wetlands in Southern New Jersey*
Thursday, November 18, 2021, 1:00 p.m.

Join us for a virtual lecture: hosted by Claude Epstein, Ph.D. Dr. Epstein is a Professor Emeritus from Stockton University. He is the founder of its Environmental Studies Program as well as being one of its founding faculty.

To learn more, call the Library at 856-845-5593

*"This program is made possible in part by funding from The Gloucester County Cultural and Heritage Commission at Rowan College at Gloucester County, a partner of the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of the State."

Online Events For You

Have You Tried E-books on Overdrive?
Reading on the Go @ WDFPL

Do you like reading from a tablet? Check out our Overdrive E-books page for more information.