Construction Begins On 19th Amendment Tribute Garden In Freehold

FREEHOLD, NJ – A commemorative garden to mark the 100th anniversary of the formal adoption of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution began construction Wednesday, according to Monmouth County officials.

The initiative – which was put in motion to honor the constitutional amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote – began its first stages of construction on Aug. 26 at 11 a.m., following remarks from Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon, Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone and Freeholder Lillian G. Burry.

“The fight for women’s suffrage spanned over seven decades and it involved tens of thousands of courageous women who risked their lives, their freedom, and the alienation of their friends and family,” said Clerk Hanlon in a statement. “Monmouth County was home to a number of prominent women activists and to events supporting the movement, including Asbury Park, Shrewsbury and Ocean Grove.”

Watch Monmouth County Clerk Christine Hanlon provide an overview of the women's suffrage movement and its ties to the county here.

Located at the County Election Offices at 300 Halls Mill Road, the commemorative garden will provide a sitting area and plaque dedicated to "the courageous men and women who fought tirelessly to demand equal voting rights, and to the significant role that New Jersey and Monmouth County played in the women’s suffrage movement," according to a release.

The ground breaking ceremony was a part of the Monmouth County Clerk’s year-long 19th Amendment Centennial Recognition Program to educate residents about the historic milestone.

The construction will also mark the start of an exterior update to the County Election Offices and County Special Services complex with updated flag poles and signage.

“Without question, this sanction guaranteeing women the right to vote altered history for the betterment of the United States and safeguarded democracy, symbolizing a monumental step taken towards forming a ‘more perfect Union’ envisioned by our Founding Fathers,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry.

“By marking the start of construction on the anniversary of the day the 19th Amendment was certified, Monmouth County commits to ensuring the United States Constitution and its Amendments are upheld so all American citizens are able to pursue liberty and equality.”

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