LOVERS OF HISTORY are invited to tour 45 different local sites during “Weekend in Old Monmouth,” held throughout Monmouth County, on May 2 and 3.During the annual event, all entrance fees are waived. Many of the sites are staffed by members of local historical societies, who are happy to answer questions about the rich history and architecture around us.
People can visit All Saint’s Memorial Church in Navesink to see the beautiful stained glass windows, climb the narrow steps of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, or visit Dr. Cooke’s Medical Office in Holmdel and see the curious tools from the doctor’s black bag.
“Weekend in Old Monmouth is a wonderful event for any- one interested in history and architecture,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the county’s Historical Commission, the 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.”
John Fabiano, executive director of the Historical Com- mission, said the tours are grouped 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.”
The tours also represent several historic themes:
• 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.
The following sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 2 and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 3:
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
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
After April 15, a detailed tour book and tour map will be available on the Monmouth County website at visitMonmouth.com.
On the tour dates, each tour stop will also have maps and booklets available.
