FREEDOM LECTURE
The 2026 Freedom Lecture: 1776: The Revolution of Conscience
Monday, June 29, 2026, 7pm at the Moorestown Library
While the Continental Congress was signing the Declaration of Independence, a silent, radical, and often heartbreaking revolution of conscience was fracturing Moorestown.
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Join us for a revolutionary journey. We’ll explore:
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* The 1776 Loophole: How women and Black residents voted in NJ over a century before the rest of the nation.
* The Smith Brothers: The Quaker delegate who walked away from the Continental Congress.
* Fractured Families: Local names like the Hollinsheads and Cowperthwaites torn between faith and the call to arms.
* The Exiles: The untold story of Moorestown families forced into exile in Canada.
History isn’t just in books; it’s in our soil. Come discover the Moorestown you never knew.
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Monday, June 29, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm Moorestown Library Register at: https://events.moorestownlibrary.org/event/16728596
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* The 2026 Freedom Lecture is sponsored by the Moorestown 4th of July Committee
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About the Speaker
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Gary Ell: A Master Storyteller Shaping History Through Lens and Word
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“Those who tell the stories rule the world.” — Hopi Proverb
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Gary Ell is an internationally published photojournalist, investigative journalist, and communications executive whose career spans over 25 years of leadership across the government, defense, and civic sectors. An aircrew-certified military photojournalist, he has been on the front lines of modern history—from chronicling the B-2 Stealth Bomber program to capturing critical aerial reconnaissance of Ground Zero for FEMA during the 9/11 response. His multimedia storytelling encompasses global military operations, aerospace communications, and major political turning points, including serving as a university professor and private industry consultant.
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Today, Gary channels his investigative and storytelling expertise into historical preservation and civic engagement. He serves on the Board of Trustees for the Historical Society of Moorestown, acts as a leader for the town's 250th initiative, and has served on the board of First Amendment Voice.
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As a direct descendant of the founding families who established the West Jersey Colony and settled Moorestown, Gary’s passion for local history is deeply personal. By unearthing the complex, overlooked narratives of the region's past, he works to curate exhibitions and trails that keep our collective heritage alive.
While the Continental Congress was signing the Declaration of Independence, a silent, radical, and often heartbreaking revolution of conscience was fracturing Moorestown.
Join us for a revolutionary journey. We’ll explore:
* The 1776 Loophole: How women and Black residents voted in NJ over a century before the rest of the nation.
* The Smith Brothers: The Quaker delegate who walked away from the Continental Congress.
* Fractured Families: Local names like the Hollinsheads and Cowperthwaites torn between faith and the call to arms.
* The Exiles: The untold story of Moorestown families forced into exile in Canada.
History isn’t just in books; it’s in our soil. Come discover the Moorestown you never knew.
Monday, June 29, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm Moorestown Library Register at: https://events.moorestownlibrary.org/event/16728596
* The 2026 Freedom Lecture is sponsored by the Moorestown 4th of July Committee
About the Speaker
Gary Ell: A Master Storyteller Shaping History Through Lens and Word
“Those who tell the stories rule the world.” — Hopi Proverb
Gary Ell is an internationally published photojournalist, investigative journalist, and communications executive whose career spans over 25 years of leadership across the government, defense, and civic sectors. An aircrew-certified military photojournalist, he has been on the front lines of modern history—from chronicling the B-2 Stealth Bomber program to capturing critical aerial reconnaissance of Ground Zero for FEMA during the 9/11 response. His multimedia storytelling encompasses global military operations, aerospace communications, and major political turning points, including serving as a university professor and private industry consultant.
Today, Gary channels his investigative and storytelling expertise into historical preservation and civic engagement. He serves on the Board of Trustees for the Historical Society of Moorestown, acts as a leader for the town's 250th initiative, and has served on the board of First Amendment Voice.
As a direct descendant of the founding families who established the West Jersey Colony and settled Moorestown, Gary’s passion for local history is deeply personal. By unearthing the complex, overlooked narratives of the region's past, he works to curate exhibitions and trails that keep our collective heritage alive.