Little Silver, Shrewsbury

Nov 14, 2022

Shrewsbury Historical Society Celebrates at Autumn Harvest Party

By Lori Draz

Shrewsbury Historical Society President Don Burden with his wife, MaryLea, and event hosts Philip and Rachel Carnes

After a two-year hiatus, on Oct. 23, friends old and new came out for the Shrewsbury Historical Society’s Autumn Harvest Party.

The party was graciously hosted by Philip and Rachel Carnes who opened their beautiful historic home at 18 Meadow Drive in Shrewsbury to the crowd of history fans who learned about the home’s legacy and renovations as they sipped cocktails and enjoyed a delicious banquet, masterfully prepared by Philip himself. 

The Shrewsbury Garden Club also created a large and gorgeous centerpiece for the party. 

The home, built in 1910, is one of the original outbuildings of the renowned Shadowbrook Estate. At one time, it was a hay barn but was then converted to a residence. The home exudes character, from the thick cedar plank siding to original barn beams. The Carnes gave tours of the home, which has three bedrooms downstairs and a huge loft area upstairs exposing the original apparatus to lift the hay to the second story. There is also a huge fireplace and several Dutch doors, and the gorgeous setting has a beautiful backyard garden and patio area.  

Shrewsbury Garden Club members

While the couple has updated the kitchen, transforming it into a “professional restaurant-type kitchen” to reflect Philip’s profession as a chef, the Carnes have taken care to preserve all the historic elements of this classic home.

This year’s Autumn Harvest Party marked the return of this important fundraiser for the Shrewsbury Historical Society after a two-year absence due to the pandemic.

The society’s headquarters is located in the Shrewsbury Municipal Complex. To attend one of their many programs and to learn more, visit from 10 am to 2 pm each Sunday in November or you can make a private appointment by emailing Shrewsburyhistoricalsociety@gmail.com or by calling 732-530-7974.