The annual
“Weekend in Old Monmouth” event returns with 45 historic sites
throughout Monmouth County opening their doors to visitors interested
in local history. Hours for most sites are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on
Saturday, May 3 and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday,
May 4.
“Weekend in Old Monmouth
is a wonderful event for anyone interested in history and
architecture,” said Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry, liaison
to the County’s Historical Commission, coordinator of the weekend
event. “The sites on the tour are generally operated independently
of one another, but this special tour project coordinates the hours
of operation at several locations so history buffs can travel by
foot, bicycle or car to enjoy and take in many of the county’s rich
historic places all in one weekend.”
“The tour includes 45
sites and each illustrates a piece of local history,” said John
Fabiano, executive director of the Historical Commission. “The
outlined tours help put the pieces together by theme or geography.
Tour visitors can see the places in any order of their own selection.
The proposed starting points are just suggestions for those who may
be seeking guidance.”
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You can start planning your
route by previewing the tour sites on the County’s website at
www.visitmonmouth.com.
After April 15, a detailed tour book and tour map will be available
on the Monmouth County website at www.visitmonmouth.com.
On the tour dates, each tour stop will also have maps and booklets
available.
The tours
also represent several historic themes:
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Shore: While the tour
includes sites on the north, (Sandy Hook), central (Ocean Grove) and
southern shores, (National Guard Militia Museum) the drive along the
shore is one of the best ways to feel and appreciate Monmouth
County’s relationship to the Ocean.
Faith: Architectural gems
of each of the last three centuries, 18th century Christ Church in
Shrewsbury, 19th century All Saints Memorial in Middletown and 20th
century St. Catharine’s in Spring Lake. In addition, Old Tennent
Church in Manalapan is closely tied to the Battle of Monmouth and
the Friends Meeting House in Shrewsbury represents one of the oldest
worship traditions in Monmouth County.
The Revolutionary War: The
Revolution is visited here, not only the major sites in the Monmouth
Battlefield area, but in lesser known places such as the Burrowes
Mansion in Matawan, Marlpit Hall and the Murray Farm, both in
Middletown.
Military: There is Fort
Hancock at Sandy Hook, the most heavily fortified installation on
the East Coast for much of the 20th century, the National Historic
Landmark Monmouth Battlefield in Manalapan and one of the more
fascinating, but lesser known museums, the New Jersey National Guard
Militia Museum in Sea Girt with museum exhibits and fighter aircraft
and tanks.
Preservation:
Marlpit Hall in Middletown was the first restored house museum in
the region, dating from its 1930s opening.
Other elements on the tour also
include lighthouses, Victorian homes, agriculture, industry,
education and science. All of the sites contributed to the importance
of preservation and history throughout Monmouth County. The county
supports the preservation movement annually by awarding preservation
grants to historic sites. Many of the tour locations have received
grants in the past.
A site list and map are
available on the County’s website at www.visitmonmouth.com.
Tour Site,
Municipality
All Saints Memorial Church,
Middletown
Allaire Historic Village, Wall
Allen House,
Shrewsbury
Ardena School Museum, Howell
Burrowes Mansion
Museum, Matawan
Centennial Cottage, Ocean Grove, Neptune
Christ
Church, Shrewsbury
Covenhoven House, Freehold
Dr Cooke’s
Medical Office, Holmdel
Eatontown Museum, Eatontown
Eden
Woolley House, Ocean
Old First Church, Middletown
First
Presbyterian Church, Rumson
Friends Meeting House, Shrewsbury
Great Auditorium, Ocean Grove
Holmes-Hendrickson House,
Holmdel
InfoAge Science Center (Camp Evans), Wall
Jewish
Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township
Keyport
Fire Museum, Keyport
Longstreet Farm, Historic, Holmdel
MacKenzie House, Howell
Marlpit Hall & Taylor-Butler
House, Middletown
Monmouth Battlefield Monument at the Monmouth
County Courthouse, Freehold
Monmouth Battlefield State Park,
Manalapan
Monmouth County Historical Association Museum, Freehold
Joseph Murray Farmhouse, Middletown
National Guard Militia
Museum, Sea Girt
Oakley Farm House, Freehold Township
Ocean
Grove Historical Museum, Ocean Grove
Old Yellow Meeting House,
Upper Freehold
Red Bank Woman’s Club, Red Bank
Roosevelt
Borough
St. Catharine’s Church, Spring Lake
Sandy Hook
Lighthouse, Middletown
Seabright Lawn Tennis & Cricket Club,
Rumson
Seabrook-Wilson House, Middletown
Shrewsbury
Historical Museum, Shrewsbury
Strauss Mansion Museum, Atlantic
Highlands
Old Tennent Church, Manalapan
Twin Lights
Lighthouse, Highlands
Village Inn, Englishtown
Old Wall
Historical Society, Wall
Walnford, Historic, Upper Freehold
Wilson Hall at Monmouth University, West Long Branch
West
Freehold School Museum, Freehold Township
