By Allison Perrine
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS – Under hot, sunny skies Wednesday, Aug. 11 three local historians drew dozens aboard the MI-JO II vessel for a look at what life in the Two River area may have been like decades and even centuries ago.
Over the course of three hours, historians and authors John Schneider, Muriel Smith and Rick Geffken brought 84 passengers back in time as part of Schneider’s annual History Cruise event. Departing out of the Atlantic Highlands harbor, the 75-foot walk-around vessel traveled through Atlantic Highlands, Highlands and Sandy Hook along the Sandy Hook Bay and Navesink River, eventually reaching the Atlantic Ocean. With temperatures in the high 90s, a light breeze and calm waters, it was the perfect evening for a cruise.
“We’re trying to create a sense of what life might have been like based on a few facts that we have about this area,” Schneider said shortly before the boat departed from the dock.
As passengers climbed aboard the boat, they were given an envelope from Schneider containing a description of the evening ahead. His goal was to help guests envision what life could have been like 50-200 years ago in the historic area. He urged everyone not to worry about trying to be accurate in their own interpretation but to instead “imagine you’re in a movie and allow yourselves to be fully engaged in recreating the past in your mind.” That’s what makes his cruises unique, he said.
“Try to feel the wind, smell the water and experience the movement of the boat as you experience what many of our ancestors may have seen for the very first time,” Schneider’s note to the guests read.
The three historians seemingly told more stories than there were fish in the sea that evening. But Schneider says a topic that most may find surprising is that Raritan Bay was once a river valley and that the ocean shoreline was two miles further out than it is today. Additionally, passengers learned more about – and actually saw – the tip of Sandy Hook.
“Generally, not many people have seen the tip of Sandy Hook and it’s thrilling for them,” said Schneider. “I try to plan the trips so that everything is a surprise and I always succeed in doing so.”
Schneider, a Keyport resident who studied journalism and geophysics at George Washington University and at the University of Maryland, began offering these tours after he published his book, “A Historical Journey Across Raritan,” last summer. He was amazed by the interest and response to the history that took place on or near the water in the area, he said. He went on to produce a television series based on the book, some 20 episodes of which included his narration. He read the entire book over seven hours in his studio and prepared a four-DVD set which he said became “very popular.” And it didn’t stop there.
“I thought it would be great to actually take people out in a boat to show them and to help them visualize our history and be inspired by it,” he said. “So much of our history may still be visualized in a boat. And it was always amazing to me how many people have never seen their waterfront or how many people never knew what happened in and near the bays, rivers, marshes and creeks.”
Previously a teacher, Schneider said he always enjoys when students or passengers on his cruises tell him how much they have learned. He feels that same excitement when readers of his published books – “A Historical Journey Across Raritan Bay,” “Historic Highlands – A Sentimental Journey,” and most recently, “Sandy Hook: Past & Present” – do the same. All passengers aboard the ship Wednesday evening received a free, signed copy of his latest work. Smith and Geffken have also published their own works, but recently jointly wrote the “Hidden History of Monmouth County.” It was also available for passengers to purchase that evening and remains available at many locations locally and online.
“It’s always a thrill when folks learn something,” Schneider said.
To date, Schneider has done about six history tours, three each over the past two years. His next tour will be Sept. 5 from Atlantic Highlands to New York Harbor. Adults can attend for $50 per ticket and children $35 per ticket. It will cover topics including clammers in Sandy Hook Bay; Officer’s Row and the historic lighthouse on Sandy Hook; the Ambrose Channel; the tip of Sandy Hook; Todt Hill on Staten Island; the Staten Island ferry; Governor’s Island; and much more.
When Schneider is not leading a history tour or hosting his weekly television series, “Jersey Bayshore County” on Comcast, he can be found composing music, volunteering in a number of communities and boating. For more information and more insight into Schneider’s historical ventures, visit ahistoricaljourney.com.
The article originally appeared in the August 19 – 25, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
