Offices, Authorities, Boards & Agencies
Board of Island Managers
“...for the better education of youth.”

OFFICE ADDRESS:
PO Box 114
Burlington NJ 08016
TEL: 609-386-5668
FAX: 609-386-8474
WEBSITE : http://www.burlingtonisland.com
E-MAIL:

PUBLIC MEETINGS:
Monthly Board Meetings
beginning 7pm
2nd Thursday of each month
Daniel Keegan Center
522 Wood Street
Burlington NJ 08016

MAP: Keegan Center Location

beginning 7pm
4th Thursday of each month
City Hall Council Chambers
525 Hight Street
Burlington NJ 08016

no Nov/Dec meeting in City Hall

Location, Keegan Ctr., Wood St.

America’s Oldest Educational Trust
Board in Continuous Operation
Since 1682
The Managers and Treasurer of the
School Fund for the Education of Youth
in the City of Burlington

Thomas Scattergood, President

OTHER OFFICES, AUTHORITIES,
BOARDS & AGENCIES
Burlington Housing Authority
Tax Assessor

ON THIS PAGE:
Public Board Elections
Board Directory
Brief History
Board Mission
Board Achievements
Contributions
Jurisdiction
The Island Today
Island Facts

Public Board Elections  |  top of page

Board of Island Managers Elections
1st Monday of April each year
Managers are elected for three-year terms
Vote in the Board Election 2–5pm
Daniel Keegan Rec. Center
522 Wood Street
Burlington NJ 08016
( See Map for location )

Board Officers and Members Directory  |  top of page

MATERIALS AVAILABLE: Brief History Brochure– call for a FREE copy

A Brief History  |  top of page

Walloons fled religious persecution in Belgium, and built the first recorded European settlement in New Jersey, ca. 1624, establishing a Burlington Island trading post to barter with the indigenous Lenape people. In turns occupied by Dutch, Swedes and Finns, it was seized by the English in 1664. The Quakers left oppression in England, and settled in Burlington over 335 years ago. In 1677, the Friends made a peaceful purchase agreement with axes, knives, pots, red paint and etc. for the Native American owners. As a legislative member, Quaker Robert Stacy originated a bill: an Act of the General Assembly adopted September 26, 1682 granting the Island to the City of Burlington, that its revenues might be employed,

“...for the encouragement of learning and the better education of youth.”

Thus was born the board of the oldest continual educational trust board in the United States, the Board of Island Managers, in continuous operation since 1682.

Past uses of the Island have included fortress, farms, pasture, amusement park (pictured), ferry landing and summer retreats.

The Board’s Modern Mission  |  top of page

The purpose of the Board of Island Managers is:
To manage assets held by the board to raise revenue for contributions to the public school system of the City of Burlington.

Board Achievements  |  top of page

1805 Built first public school building in Burlington, a two-story brick schoolhouse, Broad & St. Mary Streets.
1846 Built Robert Stacy Street School
1856 Built Capn. James Lawrence School and donated building grounds
1866 Donated to Building Fund for W. R. Allen School
1878 Built James Fenimore Cooper School
1888 Built Stephen Grellet School
1909 Donated grounds, Elias Boudinot School
1982 Began Scholarship Program for graduating students

Contribution$ to History  |  top of page

For over 300 years since 1682, Board contributions to the education of City of Burlington youth total almost $250,000. ($249,825 as of 4/28/03 per Board Secty.)

Island Jurisdiction  |  top of page

Burlington Island’s downstream, Western “half” is under City jurisdiction, while the upstream, Eastern portion is the responsibility of the Board of Island Managers. City Council and the Board of Island Mangers have mutually agreed to combine forces to develop the Island. A joint steering committee was formed to advance the goal of putting the Island to work for the people.

The Island Today  |  top of page

Today, nearly 400 acres of Island woods and fields rest in the embrace of the tranquil Delaware River, between Burlington, New Jersey and Bristol, Pennsylvania. Nearby, the Burlington-Bristol Bridge’s vertical-lift span carries 25,000 vehicles daily (9 million annually). A marina adjoins the Island, as do the Municipal Boat Ramp, City Dock, and Bristol’s Ferry Wharf. Present planning focuses on:

• Conservation – natural setting
• Open Space
• Recreation – water-related and not found on mainland
• Revenue-Producing – for contribution to the public school system

The colors of the seasons come and go, but the Island remains a vital link between Burlington’s colorful past and a prosperous future.

Island Facts  |  top of page

• Total Area: 396 Acres
• Lake: 97 Acres
• Land: 299 Acres
• 20 Miles by water from Trenton.
• 14 Miles by water from Philadelphia.
• Elevation: varies from an Average of 14 ft to about 35 ft.

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