Doris C. Carpenter Excelence Award

November 6, 2025 

for Guy Weston – Timbuctoo Historical Society 

Presentation Text:

It is my honor to present the Dr. Doris C. Carpenter Excellence Award to Guy Weston in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to preserving and promoting the history of New Jersey’s diverse communities. 

Mr. Weston has played a pivotal role in uncovering and sharing the remarkable story of Timbuctoo, a historic community founded in 1826 by formerly enslaved and free Black residents. Once largely overlooked, Timbuctoo’s history has been brought to life through Mr. Weston’s tireless research, advocacy, and preservation efforts. As chairperson of Westampton Township’s Timbuctoo Advisory Committee and later as founder of the Timbuctoo Historical Society, he has led initiatives to protect the Timbuctoo cemetery, secure funding for preservation, and promote public awareness of the community’s rich heritage. 

Through extensive research, Mr. Weston has documented land ownership, institutions, resistance to enslavement, and the vibrant civic life of Timbuctoo’s residents. He has translated this scholarship into interpretive signage, educational curricula, and scholarly publications, ensuring that both students and the public can engage meaningfully with this history. His work has also facilitated nominations to the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom and the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail, and he is currently working on a nomination to the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.  Highlights of his efforts include: 

• Interpretive Signage: Mr. Weston designed and authored multiple signs at the Timbuctoo cemetery, clarifying its history as a church cemetery, honoring US Colored     Troops, and celebrating early 20th-century pioneers of the Great Migration. 
• Curriculum Development: He coordinated with local teachers to develop educational materials about Timbuctoo and antebellum free Black communities, presented at statewide teacher workshops in 2022, 2023, and 2024. 
• Scholarly Research: He has authored over a dozen articles on Timbuctoo, making primary historical documents widely accessible and fostering broader understanding of New Jersey’s Black history. 
• Public Outreach: His website, publications, and media coverage—including 3 CBS Philadelphia features—have brought Timbuctoo’s story to a wide audience, increasing awareness and appreciation for the community’s historical significance. 

Through these efforts, Guy Weston has not only preserved a crucial piece of New Jersey’s history but has also enriched public understanding of the lives and achievements of Black residents in the antebellum and postbellum periods. His volunteer leadership, scholarship, and dedication make him a truly deserving recipient of the Dr. Doris C. Carpenter Excellence Award.