Collingswood is a borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States, located east of Center City, Philadelphia. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 13,926, reflecting a decline of 400 (-2.8%) from the 14,326 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 963 (-6.3%) from the 15,289 counted in the 1990 Census.Owing in part to its Quaker history, Collingswood was founded as a dry town where alcohol cannot be sold, however restaurant patrons are permitted to bring their own wine and beer to consume. In July 2015, the town introduced an ordinance that will allow craft breweries to operate in the town but not serve food. The ordinance is expected to be passed in August 2015. Under the terms of a limited license, Devil's Creek Brewery opened a tasting room in May 2016 where beers made by the microbrewery are available for sale to the public. A state ordinance also allows select restaurants to serve wine produced by New Jersey vineyards.HistoryQuakers settled along Newton Creek and Cooper River in the late 17th Century, establishing what was known as the Newton Colony and eventually Newton Township. Much of what is now Collingswood was a farm owned by members of the Collings family during the 18th and 19th Centuries. Later a section of Haddon Township, Collingswood was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 22, 1888, based on the results of a referendum held that same day. That same year, town resident Edward Collings Knight, a wealthy philanthropist, donated the land that became Knight Park. Knight was a descendant of the Collings family for whom the borough is named.
