The Benson History Museum

How We Began

"One picture here, another there....an article or two and a collection of antiques that continued to grow". That is how one might describe how the creation of The Benson Museum began at The Valley Bible Church. Since the inception of the museum, Reverend Benson has channeled his creativity, his energy and his own resources (with occasional donations) into providing an experience like no other to remind all who visit of the great contributions of our forefathers. Reverend Benson hopes to encourage all who visit the museum by allowing them to see where we have come from and what our ancestors were able to accomplish with so little. He reminds the visitors that "Everybody is somebody special and capable of great things when they use the gifts, skills and abilities that God has given them". He literally has opened his doors to our past. He has painstakingly covered and placed each picture and strategically located each antique to give the tour guide, which is usually Reverend Benson himself, an opportunity to explain their origin and how it played a role in our history.

Every inch of the museum is packed with memories. You are bound to have numerous "ah-ha" moments as your tour guide shares little known Black History facts with your group. Some pieces in the museum were made in an era when "artists"  produced collections that portrayed African Americans stereotypically. While offensive, it is still part of history and we do not ignore that.

History Lives

At The Benson History Museum

Who We Are

The Benson Multi-Cultural History Museum (“Museum”) a division of The Valley Bible Word of Faith Church School, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization,was created to be a learning center that links the History of Lawnside, Camden County and the State of New Jersey to the American experience.

The Museum is established for charitable and educational purposes.

Also housed at the Benson Museum is a library that boasts over 25,000 books. Although this is a non-lending library, visitors are welcome to pull up a chair and stay as long as they like to read the many classics and  rare books that  line the walls of the museum.