The annual Weekend in Old Monmouth event returns the first weekend in May with 46 historic sites throughout Monmouth County opening their doors to visitors at the same time.
“A Weekend in Old Monmouth showcases our county’s incredibly rich history and is a great way for residents or visitors to spend the weekend,” Freeholder Deputy Director Lillian G. Burry said.
The Monmouth County Historical Commission is the sponsor of the weekend event, according to a press release.
The historic sites can be viewed on a smart phone or computer via the downloadable tour book with map and links to the virtual tour, using a Geographic Information System (GIS) technology that precisely locate sites. Interested tour takers can view and learn about each site online and view the four suggested self-guided tours on the map to plan visits, according to the press release.
The sites on the tour are generally operated independently. In addition to the waived fees, the hours of operation are all the same for the two days. Hours for most sites are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 5 and from noon to 5 p.m. May 6. Tour visitors can see the places in any order and pick up the tour book and map at their first stop.
Highlights of the tour include Victorian homes, churches, lighthouses, museums, agriculture, industry, education and science. The sites represent several historic themes:
• Shore: The tour includes sites on the northern (Twin Lights and Seabrook Wilson House), central (Ocean Grove) and southern shores (National Guard Militia Museum);
• Faith: Architectural gems of each of the last three centuries include the 18th century Christ Church in Shrewsbury, the 19th century All Saints Memorial in Middletown and the 20th century St. Catharine’s in Spring Lake;
• The Revolutionary War: Major sites include the Monmouth Battlefield area and lesser known places such as the Burrowes Mansion in Matawan, and Marlpit Hall and the Joseph Murray Farmhouse, both in Middletown;
• Military: The tour includes the Craig House at the National Historic Landmark Monmouth Battlefield, a witness to the famous battle and one of the more fascinating, but lesser known museums, and the New Jersey National Guard Militia Museum in Sea Girt with museum exhibits including fighter aircraft and tanks.
The 2018 Weekend in Old Monmouth tour sites are: All Saints Memorial Church, Middletown; Allaire Historic Village, Wall Township; Allen House, Shrewsbury Borough; Ardena School Museum, Howell; Baird House, Millstone Township; Burrowes Mansion Museum, Matawan; Christ Church, Shrewsbury Borough.
And, Covenhoven House, Freehold Borough; Craig House, Freehold Township; Crawford House, Tinton Falls; Dr. Robert Cooke’s Medical Office, Holmdel; Eatontown Museum, Eatontown; First Presbyterian Church, Rumson; Friends Meeting House, Shrewsbury Borough; Great Auditorium, Ocean Grove, Neptune Township; Holmes-Hendrickson House, Holmdel; InfoAge Science Center (Camp Evans), Wall Township.
Also, Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township (open on Sunday only); Keyport Historical Society; Keyport Fire Museum, Keyport; Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel; Marlpit Hall, Middletown; Monmouth County Historical Association Museum, Freehold Borough; Montrose Schoolhouse, Colts Neck; Joseph Murray Farmhouse, Middletown.
And, National Guard Militia Museum, Sea Girt; Oakley Farm House, Freehold Township; Ocean Grove Historical Museum, Ocean Grove, Neptune Township; Ocean Township Historical Museum; Old First Church, Middletown; Old Tennent Church, Manalapan; Old Wall Historical Society, Wall Township; Parker Homestead, Little Silver.
Also, Red Bank Woman’s Club, Red Bank; Roosevelt Borough (Jersey Homesteads Historic District); St. Catharine Church, Spring Lake; Seabright Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club, Rumson; Seabrook-Wilson House, Middletown; Shrewsbury Historical Museum, Shrewsbury; Spring Lake Historical Society Museum, Spring Lake.
And, Stephen Crane House, Asbury Park; Strauss Mansion Museum, Atlantic Highlands; Taylor-Butler House, Middletown; Twin Lights, Highlands; Village Inn, Englishtown; Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold Township.
