![](https://sjmagazine.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joanne-the-Town-Crier.jpeg)
![](https://sjmagazine.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Joanne-the-Town-Crier.jpeg)
Joanne Gebhardt
Joanne Gebhardt of Bellmawr has become the first female town crier for the Friends of the Indian King Tavern Museum. South Jersey residents may have met or heard Joanne as she performs in the community at local events. While the town crier experience is serious, it’s seriously fun, too, says Gebhardt.
“I love being a town crier, because it gives me the opportunity to meet and greet many people who live or work in Haddonfield and the surrounding area,” she says. “It also gives me the chance to participate in many other community events where the town criers are requested.”
Joanne’s seven-year-old grandson Lucas Buttery is now the tavern’s youngest town crier. Lucas also dresses in 18th-century attire and has become a favorite among the older criers.
The tavern is actively looking for new volunteers of all ages to help promote the Indian King Tavern Museum events in South Jersey, and it recently received a grant to underwrite the cost of period attire for the volunteers. If you’re interested in auditioning, call 856-866-0038.
You can learn more about the Indian King Tavern Museum in this clip from “This Is South Jersey with Marianne Aleardi.”