1830s
The First Bones
Workers digging marl on the Hopkins property encountered large fossil bones decades before the celebrated excavation.
Historical source ↗RESEARCHED STORIES / HISTORY
Our story,
through time.
From an unexpected fossil discovery to a bronze dinosaur loved by generations.
1858
Foulke's Excavation
William Parker Foulke organized a new excavation in Haddonfield; Joseph Leidy studied the remarkable remains and named Hadrosaurus foulkii.
Historical source ↗1868
A Dinosaur on Display
Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins created a mounted dinosaur reconstruction for the Academy of Natural Sciences, bringing the Haddonfield discovery to a broad audience.
Historical source ↗1991
New Jersey's State Dinosaur
Schoolchildren and their teacher campaigned for years to have Hadrosaurus foulkii recognized as the official state dinosaur.
Historical source ↗1994
A National Historic Landmark
The Hadrosaurus foulkii discovery site was designated a National Historic Landmark, recognizing its importance to science and history.
Historical source ↗2003
Haddy Arrives Downtown
Sculptor John Giannotti's bronze Haddy was installed at Kings Highway and Lantern Lane, becoming a beloved town landmark.
Historical source ↗Explore the historic trail
The Historical Society of Haddonfield highlights a self-guided Hadrosaurus foulkii historic trail, created by Eagle Scout Jacob Peacock in 2010 and updated in 2018. The trail includes the discovery site at the end of Maple Avenue.
Historical Society bulletin with trail information ↗More Haddonfield history
The Indian King Tavern played a role in New Jersey's transition from colony to state in 1777. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection currently advises that the historic site is closed for restoration; check its official page before visiting.
Indian King Tavern official visitor information ↗To explore local records, photographs, archives, and walking tours, visit the Historical Society of Haddonfield.
Historical Society of Haddonfield ↗Editorial note: Dates and summaries are drawn from the linked institutional sources. Historical interpretations and exhibit reconstructions have changed over time. This is an independent community project, not an official municipal or museum website.
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