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The Friends of Historic Vineland is a non-profit corporation founded in 1997 by a group of local volunteers seeking ways to

educate the community and celebrate their hometown in the shadow of Charles K. Landis’ vision of a model city.

In 1861 our nation embarked into the tragedy of Civil War. BUT, in a little wilderness swamp in the middle of

Southern New Jersey , a man, named Charles K. Landis, had a dream: to build a model town of peace, and

"....to found a place which, to the greatest possible extent, might be the abode of happy prosperous and beautiful homes.

To first lay it out upon a plan conductive to beauty and convenience, and in order to secure its success, establish therein the

best of schools. Different branches which experience has shown to be beneficial to mankind; also manufactories, and different

industries, and the churches of different denominations. In short, all things essential to the prosperity of mankind but, at the

same time, under such provision for public adornment and the moral protection of the people, that the home of every man of

reasonable industry might be made a sanctuary of happiness and an abode of beauty, no matter how poor he might be. In fact,

I desire to make Vineland so desirable a place to live in by reason of its various privileges and over all to throw such a halo of

beauty as would make people loath to leave it, and, if they did so, would draw them back again"

The Friends of Historic Vineland exist to foster public awareness and community pride in the rich and diverse history of

Vineland, New Jersey. This is accomplished through historical and cultural arts education programs and family friendly

celebration events, imparting a vision for the future, as inspired by the past, to the present youth of Vineland - the next