Historic Smithville is a world of it’s own
On a sunny autumn afternoon, the village green in Smithville is a colorful place. The old-fashioned carousel is circling round and round, and the red mini-train is starting its brief journey, to the delight of youngsters on board. On Lake Meone, paddleboats float on the water and ducks glide by.
On the other side of the lake, across the wooden footbridge, visitors stroll along the cobblestone walkways, admiring the lush greenery and bright-colored fall flowers. Or they browse in the attractive specialty shops housed in colonial style buildings. Others relax in the gazebo with a view of the lake, or walk near the shoreline
Historic Smithville is a world of its own, a beautifully restored village with colonial flavor where visitors are transported to the past. This village, located on Route 9 in South Jersey, is just 12 miles from Atlantic City with its boardwalk, casinos and non-stop action.
Here, in contrast, it’s as if a time machine transports visitors to a place that
IF YOU GO Historic Smithville is located 12 miles from Atlantic City on Route 9 and Moss Mill Road in Smithville, NJ. It’s open every day except Dec. 25. For information call 609-652-7777 or website www.historicsmithvillenj.com
seems to define the words quaint and charming. And it’s especially colorful in autumn, when the fall flowers are in full bloom and special events take place each weekend.
For instance, today (Oct. 22), Corvette lovers have their day for the annual Corvette Show, with about 100 vehicles on display throughout the village and in the parking lot.
Then there are the Halloween festivities- the Zombie Walk on Oct. 28 and Witches Day on the 29th.
Smithville looks especially enchanting once the holiday season gets underway. The specialty shops are beautifully decorated with lights and greenery. Every weekend, there’s a “Magical Talking Tree,” plus a Christmas train ride that travels throughout the village. And there’s Story Time when Mrs Klaus reads stories in her Christmas Cottage.
A highlight is the orchestrated sound and light show on the lake that starts on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 23) and continues until Jan. 2. More than 100 Christmas trees seem to float magically on the lake and they light up to music all across the lake.
But even without holidays and special events, Smithville offers its special pleasures. The specialty shops - 60 in all - offer a wide range of wares, including candles, pewter, collectibles, Irish imports and much more. Often these shops have whimsical names, such as Two Country Ducks, Leaky Cup Pottery, Shell We, and more.
Smithville is actually divided into two sections, bisected by the lake. The shops are on the side known as the Towne of Historic Smithville, Among other features on this side are the stately Smithville Inn, an award-winning restaurant and a popular site for weddings and other celebrations plus the more casual Fred & Ethel’s Lantern Light Tavern. The other side of the lake, known as the Village Green, includes the carousel, mini train, and paddle boat rides. And no one goes hungry: the varied eateries include an ice cream shop, pizzeria, and bakery.
Smithville is of special interest because it was restored to new life by two couples originally from Havertown. On January 3l, 1997, Laura and Charles Bushar and their close friends Fran and Tony Coppola became owners of the Towne of Historic Smithville.
It had started as a simple stage coach stop. But then in the 1950s it was created as a restored colonial village with shops and a restaurant, the Smithville Inn. But it later fell into considerable decline until the Bushars and Coppolas acquired it and energetically set to work bringing Historic Smithville to new life.
It’s been a success story ever since, open year-round except for Christmas Day and attracting first-time visitors plus devoted fans who return often. Those who want to enjoy an extended visit can even stay overnight in the Colonial Inn, a restored bed and breakfast facility with 27 rooms.
The Colonial Inn is located on the Village Green side of the lake. This area is owned by a local couple who cooperate with the Bushars and Coppolas. And for visitors, it’s all part of one attraction.
Now it’s almost time for Halloween with its special events. Then, soon after, Historic Smithville will pull out all the stops for the full holiday season. That’s when this family-friendly site will attract even more visitors, especially on weekends.
“We see different generations enjoying Smithville together, with the grandparents reminiscing about when they were children and came here,” said Laura Bushar, a grandmother herself. “It’s wonderful to watch families having such an enjoyable time. This town deserved a second chance. We’ve always believed it’s a magical place.”