The Town Seal
Pitman’s Golden Jubilee Celebration was set for July 3rd-9th,1955. They launched it a day early with 6 AM aerial bombs to welcome movie star and Pitman native Preston Foster. Planned attractions included ballroom and square dancing, jitterbug contests, stockcar and speedboat races at Alcyon Lake, an old-fashioned costume and bearded men contest, and the crowning of Miss Pitman.
A Golden Jubilee insignia was designed by another Pitmanite, Saturday Evening Post Illustrator Robert W. Crowther (1902-1978). Featuring a man centered between his wife and son with arms cast upwards; it was seemingly asking you to both come and celebrate, and stay to worship.
30 Jun 1955 Courier Post Camden, NJ
In addition to the listed festivities, it is noted that the Pitman Baptist Church dedicated their new 9 room addition during Sunday services.
By March 1956, plans were put in place to create a town seal. In April 1956, Pitman Council voted to base it upon the Golden Jubilee’s insignia. A picturesque God-fearing family was everything desirable to 1950’s Pitman.
It has not been without controversy.
For years the seal has been criticized for not being inclusive to non-Christians, the secular community, LGBTQ, nontraditional households, and persons of color. In the last several years, talk of changing the town seal has grown louder. In some circles, it’s risen to a deafening pitch.
Pitman has long been amongst the least diverse towns in NJ. As of 2018, over 90% of residents report being White (Non-Hispanic), and just 2.25% African American. In a recent town survey about diversity; although not specifically asked, several town residents reported disappointment on a lack of representation in the town seal.
The seal is adorned on all public works vehicles and on the municipal building. As a resident, it is a visual representation of our town. Outside of Pitman, only one image taken of a float can be found on the Uptown Pitman website. On the Official Borough page you can find two low-res thumbnails.
With all the growth the town has experienced over the last 65 years, isn’t it time we created a town seal that every resident can be proud of and enjoy?
Author’s Note:
As a genealogist, I trace people’s history. I have no desire to erase the past. But as an evolving community, our seal is a product of a bygone era. The time has come to change it. Perhaps a contest the townsfolk can vote upon is just the right thing these trying times during Covid needs. I pledge, upon the seal’s change, to donate my Golden Jubilee flag to the Pitman Historical Museum on behalf of PARC. There it can remain for our town’s future generations.
