Erin Stamm - Spotlight Story
August 17, 2026
Erin Stamm, administrative secretary of the Bass River Historical Community Center, in front of the center's future home in Bass River, New Jersey.
Tell us about yourself and what brought you to Stockton.
My name is Erin Stamm, and I am from New Gretna, located within Bass River Township,
New Jersey. I graduated from Pinelands Regional High School and chose Stockton University
due to its close proximity to home.
My studies in Historical Studies and American Studies have directly aided me by providing the foundational tools needed for historical interpretation.
Tell us about the Bass River Historical Community Center (BRHCC) and your role in
the organization.
The Bass River Historical Community Center’s (BRHCC) mission is to promote the education,
preservation, and research of Bass River Township's history, connecting us to the
faces, families, and commerce that shaped our community. As the administrative secretary
of an organization still in its infancy, I am tasked with administrative operations,
historical research and exhibit interpretation, community programming and outreach,
and organizational development.
How have your studies in Historical Studies and American Studies helped you along
on your path in nonprofit work?
My studies in Historical Studies and American Studies have directly aided me by providing
the foundational tools needed for historical interpretation. These skills have strengthened
my ability to research, preserve, and interpret local history in ways that support
the educational and community-focused missions of nonprofit historical organizations.
What is most rewarding about the work you’ve done with BRHCC?
The most rewarding aspect of my involvement with the Bass River Historical Community
Center is having the opportunity to help establish a historical organization from
the ground up. I have also been given the opportunity to research and interpret an
exhibit on the ancient Lenape people of Bass River Township, a subject closely related
to the research I conducted for my thesis.
Why should students consider taking a Historical Studies or an American Studies course?
People with a love for history and a desire to make contributions to their community
should consider courses in Historical Studies or American Studies. These courses encourage
students to look beyond the events of the past and consider how history continues
to shape the people, places, and communities around us today.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with current and future Stockton students?
It is important for all incoming and current Stockton students to remember that connecting
with your local community can lead to lesser-known, yet equally valuable, experiences
and opportunities. Never be afraid to take a chance on an opportunity—you never know
where it may lead or what you may accomplish because of it.
