'Weekend in Old Monmouth’ is this Saturday, Sunday

Organizers say there are several ways to explore some of the 45 participating “Weekend in Old Monmouth” historic sites this weekend. 

You can choose to explore themes like the Shore, Faith, Revolutionary War, Military or Preservation or use a map to explore a new area from visitmonmouth.com.. 

The sites will open their doors  10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 4. The tour includes lighthouses, Victorian homes, farms, museums, churches and a working gristmill.

·         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 detailed tour book and site 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