From 1891 to the end of World War II, Camden was a main industrial city in the United States. Notable businesses that worked in Camden were Campbell's Soup and the New York Shipbuilding Corporation.
From 2005 to 2012, the Camden school system and police department were operated by the state of New Jersey.[29][30][31][32] According to the 2014 American Community survey, 39.3% of Camden residents live in poverty.[1]
Camden's role as an industrial city gave rise to distinct neighborhoods and cultural groups that have effected the growth and decline of the city over the course of the 20th century. Camden is also home to historic landmarks detailing its rich history in literature, music, social work, and industry such as the Walt Whitman House,[183] the Walt Whitman Cultural Arts Center, the Rutgers–Camden Center For The Arts and the Camden Children's Garden.
Camden's cultural history has been greatly affected by both its economic and social position over the years. From 1950 to 1970 industry plummeted, losing close to 20,000 jobs for Camden residents.[2] This mass unemployment as well as social pressure from neighboring townships caused an exodus of citizens, mostly white. This gap was filled by new African American and Latino citizens and led to a restructuring of Camden's communities. The mass number of White citizen who left to neighboring towns such as CollingswoodorCherry Hill, leaving both new and old African American and Latino citizens to begin to rebuild their community. To help this rebuilding process, numerous non-for-profit organizations such as Hopeworks or the Neighborhood Center have been formed to facilitate Camden's movement into the 21st century.[3]
A community sign near Camden's Cooper Grant neighborhood showcasing the cities official tagline "A City Invincible"
Due to its location as county seat, as well as it's proximity to Philadelphia, Camden has had strong connections with its neighboring cities.
On July 17, 1951, they formed the Delaware River Port Authority, a bi-state agency created to develop ease of transportation between the two cities.[4]
In June 2014, the Philadelphia 76ers announced that they would move their practice facility and home offices to the Camden Waterfront, adding 250 permanent jobs in the city creating what CEO Scott O'Neil described as "biggest and best training facility in the country" using $82 million in tax savings offered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
The Battleship New Jersey, a museum ship located on the Delaware Waterfront, was a contested topic for the two cities. Philadelphia's DRPA funded millions of dollars into the museum ship project as well as the rest of the Waterfront, but the ship was originally donated to a Camden based agency called the Home Port Alliance. They argue that Battleship New Jersey is necessary for Camden's economic growth.[5][6] As of October 2001, the Home Port Alliance has maintained ownership of Battleship New Jersey.
In 1967, Charles 'Poppy' Sharp founded the Black Believers of Knowledge, an organization founded on the betterment of African America citizens in South Camden. He would soon rename his organization to the Black People's Unity Movement (BPUM). The BPUM was one of the first major cultural organizations to arise after the deindustrialization of Camden's industrial life. Going against the building turmoil in the city, Sharp founded BPUM on "the belief that all the people in our community should contribute to positive change".[3]
In 2001, Camden residents and entrepreneurs founded the South Jersey Caribbean Cultural and Development Organization (SJCCDO) as a non-profit organization aimed at promoting understanding and awareness of Caribbean Culture in South Jersey and Camden. The most prominent of the events that the SJCCDO organizes is the South Jersey Caribbean Festival, an event that is held for both cultural and economical reasons. The festival's primary focus is cultural awareness of all of Camden's residents. The festival also showcases free art and music as well as financial information and free promotion for Camden artists. [7]
In 1986, Tawanda 'Wawa' Jones began the Camden Sophisticated Sisters, a youth drill team. CSS serves as a self proclaimed 'positive outlet' for the Camden' students, offering both dance lessons as well as community service hours and social work opportunities. Since it's conception CSS has grown to include two other organizations, all ran through Jones: Camden Distinguished Brothers and The Almighty Percussion Sound drum line.[8] In 2013, CSS was featured on ABC's Dancing with the Stars. [9]
On December 31, 1987, the Latin American Economic Development Association (LAEDA). LAEDA is a non-profit economic development organization that helps with the creation of small business for minorities in Camden. LAEDA was founded under in an attempt to revitalize Camden's economy and provide job experience for its residents. LAEDA operates on a two major methods of rebuilding, The Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP) and the Neighborhood Commercial Expansion Initiative (NCEI). In 1990, LAEDA began a program called The Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP) which would offer residents employment and job opportunities through ownership of small businesses. The program over time created 506 businesses and 1,169 jobs. As of 2016, half of these businesses are still in operation. Neighborhood Commercial Expansion Initiative (NCEI) then finds locations for these business to operate in, purchasing and refurbishing abandoned real estate. As of 2016 four buildings have been refurbished including the First Camden National Bank & Trust Company Building. [10]
One of the longest standing traditions in Camden's Hispanic community is the San Juan Bautista Parade, a celebration of St. John the Baptist, conducted annually starting in 1957. The parade began in 1957 when a group of parishioners from Our Lady of Mount Carmel marched with the church founder Father Leonardo Carrieri. This march was originally a way for the parishioners to recognize and show their Puerto Rican Heritage, and eventually became the modern day San Juan Bautista Parade. Since its conception, the parade has grown into the Parada San Juan Bautista, Inc, a non-for-profit organization dedicated to maintaining the community presence of Camden's Hispanic and Latino members. Some of the work that the Parada San Juan Bautista, Inc has done include a month long event for the parade with a community commemorative mass and a coronation pageant. The organization also awards up to $360,000 in scholarships to high school students of Puerto Rican descent. [11]
On May 30th, 2000 Camden resident and grassroots organizer Lillian Santiago began a movement to rebuild abandoned lots in her North Camden neighborhood into playgrounds. The movement was met with resistance from the Camden government, citing monetary issues. As Santiago's movement gained more notability in her neighborhoods she was able to move other community members into action, including Reverend Heywood Wiggins. Wiggins was the president of the Camden Churches Organized for People, a coalition of 29 churches devoted to the improvement of Camden's communities, and with his support Santiago's movement succeeded. Santiago and Wiggins were also firm believers in Community Policing, which would result in their fight against Camden's corrupt police department and the eventual turnover to the State government. [12]
Camden has two generally recognized neighborhoods located on the Delaware River waterfront, Central and South. The Waterfront South was founded in 1851 by the Kaighns Point Land Company. During World War Two, Waterfront South housed many of the industrial workers for the New York Shipbuilding Company. Currently, the Waterfront is home to many historical buildings and cultural icons. The Waterfront South neighborhood is considered a federal and state historic area due to its history and culturally significant buildings, such as the Sacred Heart Church, and the South Camden Trust Company[13] The Central Waterfront is located adjacent to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and is home to the Nipper Building (also known as The Victor), the Adventure Aquarium, and Battleship New Jersey, a museum ship located at the Home Port Alliance.
Starting on February 16, 2012, Camden's Waterfront began an art crawl and volunteer initiative called Third Thursday in an effort to support local Camden business and restaurants. [14] Part of Camden's art crawl movement exists in Studio Eleven One, a fully-restored 1906 firehouse opened in 2011 that operated as an art gallery owned by William and Ronja Butlers. The Butlers moved to Camden in 2011 from Des Moines, Iowa and began the Third Thursday art movement. William Butler and Studio Eleven One are a part of his wife's company Thomas Lift LLC, self described as a "socially conscious company" that works to connect Camden's art scene with philanthropic organizations. Some of the work they have done includes work against Human Trafficking, and ecological donations. [15]
Starting in 2014, Camden began Connect The Lots, a community program designed to revitalize unused areas for community engagement,. Connect the Lots was founded through The Kresge Foundation, and the project "seeks to create temporary, high-quality, safe outdoor spaces that are consistently programed with local cultural and recreational activities" [16] Other partnerships with the Connect the Lots foundation include the Cooper's Ferry Partnership, a private non-profit corporation dedicated to urban renewal. Connect the Lots' main work are their 'Pop up Parks' that they create around Camden. In 2014, Connect the lots created a pop up skate park for Camden youth with assistance from Camden residents as well as students. [17] As of 2016, the Connect the Lots program free programs have expanded to include outdoor yoga and free concerts. [16]
In October 2014, Camden finished construction of the Kroc Center, a Salvation Army funded community center located in the Cramer Hill neighborhood. The Kroc center's mission is to provide both social services to the people of Camden as well as community engagement opportunities.[18] The center was funded by a $59 million donation from Joan Kroc, and from the Salvation Army. The project was launched in 2005 with a proposed completion date of one year. However, due to the location of the site as well as governmental concerns, the project was delayed. The Kroc center's location was the an 85-acre former landfill which closed in 1971. Salvation Army Major Paul Cain states the landfill's location to the waterfront and the necessity to handle storm water management as main reasons for the delay. The Center was eventually opened on October 4th, 2014, with almost city wide acclaim. Camden Mayor Dana Redd on the opening of the center called it "the crown jewel of the city".[19] The Kroc Center offers a 8-lane, 25-yard competition pool, a children's water park, various athletic and entertainment options, as well as an in center chapel.
Camden has a large religious presence, brought out by the necessity of citizens for both physical needs and societal support. Many of the churches in Camden operate as non-profit or as community centers.
Father Michael Doyle, the pastor of Sacred Heart Church located in North Camden, has played a large role in Camden's spiritual and social history. In 1971, Doyle was part of the Camden 28, a group of anti-Vietnam War activists who planned to raid a draft board office in the city. This is noted by many as the start of Doyle's activities as a radical 'catholic left'. Following these activities, Doyle went on to become a parishioner for Sacred Heart, as well as becoming a poet and an activist.[20] Father Doyle and the Sacred Heart Church's main mission is to form a connection between the primarily white suburban surrouding areas and the inner-city of Camden. [21]
In 1982, Father Mark Aita of Holy Name of Camden founded the St. Lukes Catholic Medcial Services. Aita, a medical doctor and a member of the Society of Jesus, created the first medical system in Camden that did not use rotating primary care physicians. Since it's conception, St. Lukes has grown to include Patient Education Classes as well as home medical services, aiding over seven thousand Camden residents. [22][23]
Father Mark Aita - founded St. Luke's Catholic Medical Services[25]
Dr. Jeffery Brenner - founded the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers, MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship winner, member of the Institute of Medicine, medical director of the Urban Health Institute at Cooper Health System. [26]
Shawn Brown - Community and political activist, ex Camden school board member. [27]
Father Michael Doyle - Pastor of Sacred Heart Church, political and social activist, member of the Camden 28, poet and author.[20]
Frank Fulbrook - Rutgers University-Camden Alumni, community activist and founder Cooper Grant Neighborhood Association. [28]
Caress Green- started Miss Camden Teen Queen Pageant, social activist. [29]
Bryan Morten - Founder of Camden little league, focus of documentary Pyne Poynt [30][31]
Angel Fuentes - President of the city council of New Jersey, member of the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute, member of the Camden County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Harvey Pollack (1922–2015), director of statistical information for the Philadelphia 76ers, who at the time of his death held the distinction of being the only individual still working for the NBA since its inaugural 1946–47 season.[76]
^ abGillette Jr., Howard (2005). Camden After the Fall: Decline and Renewal in a Post-Industrial City. Philadephia: University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 40. ISBN978-0-8122-3897-6.
^Ercolani, Steven Patrick; Dinsmoor, Gabe (2000-01-01), Pyne Poynt, retrieved 2016-12-12
^Staff. "hail, cabaret, Convention an Up-Close Celebration of Vocal Talent", Philadelphia Daily News, June 6, 2002. Accessed October 22, 2013. "Camden native Christine Andreas first earned her performing stripes as a Broadway musical star – appearing in hit revivals of My Fair Lady,Oklahoma and On Your Toes, and new ventures like Rags,Words and Music and The Scarlet Pimpernel."
^Staff. "Obituary", Chicago Tribune, October 28, 1953. Accessed October 22, 2013. "A native of Camden, NJ, Bailey began his art career with the Philadelphia Times in 1892."
^Arnold, Patrick via Associated Press. "Her Simple Night Club Act Is Enough For Lola Falana", Toledo Blade, March 21, 1980. Accessed July 2, 2012. "A NATIVE OF Camden, Miss Falana began attending dance school when she was three, and before she reached her teens she had landed a slot in the late Dinah Washington's night club act."
^"New Name, New Everything". Courier-Post. January 23, 1987.
^Benson, Josh. "A Spoiler Is Lurking South Of Trenton", The New York Times, November 28, 2004. Accessed October 22, 2013. "Just ask Representative Rob Andrews, the hyper-talented son of Camden who ran for governor in 1997 as the anointed champion of the South Jersey Democratic machine."
^Naedele, Walter F. "Mary DiSabato; headed N.J. State Parole Board", The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 23, 2016. Accessed October 27, 2016. "Born in Camden, Mrs. DiSabato graduated from Camden High School in 1946 and served as a Sixth District Assemblywoman, covering parts of Camden and Burlington Counties from 1974 to 1980, son Stephen Croce said."
^Six, Jim. "Garcia confirmed for reappointment to parole board", NJ.com, January 10, 2008. Accessed July 25, 2016. "The full Senate this week confirmed Governor Jon Corzine's nomination of Carmen M. Garcia for reappointment to a six-year term on the state parole board. Garcia, who grew up in Camden and Pennsauken, is one of two appointed parole board members exclusively assigned to decide parole matters related to juvenile offenders housed in juvenile institutional and residential facilities under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC), as well as juvenile offenders housed in State prisons."
^Avril, Tom. "Whitman Picks A Five-year Aide As Chief Counsel", The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 5, 1999. Accessed August 5, 2015. "Gov. Whitman yesterday named as her chief counsel Richard S. Mroz, an administration member since 1994 who recently has coordinated state involvement in economic-development projects such as redeveloping the waterfront in his native Camden."
^"Camden boxer Alexander earns draw in debut", Courier-Post, July 23, 2008. Accessed October 22, 2013. "Max Alexander didn't get the victory he so badly sought, but things could have turned out worse for the Camden boxer who was making his debut last weekend as a cruiserweight with a 200-pound weight limit."
^Staff. "Eagles sign Camden's Baker", The Times (Trenton), March 12, 2009. Accessed October 22, 2013. "The Eagles yesterday made another move in free agency to bolster their depth in the secondary, signing Camden native Rashad Baker to a one-year contract."
^George Hegamin, database Football. Accessed September 30, 2007.
^Halperin, Frank. "A world of sports under one roof", Courier-Post, March 9, 2008. Accessed July 2, 2012. "Among the local legends are Camden's Ray Narleski, an American League All-Star who played for the Cleveland Indians during the 1950s."
^Goldstein, Richard. "Harvey Pollack, a Statistician in N.B.A. From Day 1, Dies at 93", The New York Times, June 24, 2015. Accessed June 24, 2015. "Herbert Harvey Pollack was born on March 9, 1922, in Camden, N.J., a son of dressmakers, but grew up in Philadelphia near Shibe Park (later Connie Mack Stadium), home to baseball's Phillies and Athletics."
^Lynch, Ray; and Young, Michael E. "Buddy Rogers, 71, Former Champion Wrestler", Sun-Sentinel, June 28, 1992. Accessed November 17, 2014. "Mr. Rogers was raised in Camden, N.J., where he was known as 'Dutch' Rhode, went to high school and worked for a while as a Camden police officer. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and worked in a shipyard in Camden."
^Woods, David. "Hurdler Tosta makes most of a second chance", USA Today, August 18, 2008. Accessed February 2, 2011. "Tosta, 25, is a UCLA graduate who was born in Camden, N.J., and attended high school in Garfield, Va."
^via Associated Press. "Es-Secret Service Head Dead At 73", Ocala Star-Banner, November 7, 1978. Accessed October 22, 2013. "A native of Camden, Baughman started his Secret Service career as a clerk-stenographer in the Philadelphia office in 1927 and qualified as an agent by going out on investigations to gain experience."
^Sullivan, Joseph F. "The Last Drive-In in New Jersey Is Fading to Black", The New York Times, August 31, 1991. Accessed January 17, 2012. "The first drive-in was the brainchild of Richard Hollingshead Jr. of Camden, who experimented by mounting a movie projector on the roof of his car to show home movies on the side of a building."
^LaGorce, Tammy. "For Cooks Who Compete, the Challenges of Fame", The New York Times, January 28, 2011. Accessed July 2, 2012. "Aaron McCargo Jr., the bold-flavor-favoring winner of season 4 of Food Network's Next Food Network Star, did. Mr. McCargo has had his own show, Big Daddy's House, since 2008; the network guaranteed him six episodes as a result of his win. 'It's rocking along,' said Mr. McCargo, 38, a native of Camden who still lives in the area but will not disclose where."
^Clothier, Gary. "Ask Mr. Know It All", Youngstown Vindicator, February 12, 2012. Accessed July 2, 2012. "Jim Perry was born in 1933 in Camden, N.J. He was a talented athlete in high school. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, Perry became a singer, taking over for Eddie Fisher at Grossingers in the Catskill Mountains."