New Jersey is the Garden State, and with gardens come farms and, of course, animals. So as The Journal celebrates pets and animals this month, Historic Havens will take you to some historic places where animals are the center of attention. These special places are called “living history farms.” They are fully staffed and functioning …
It’s back-to-school time, so let’s have a class in some of New Jersey’s historic schools. While New Jersey has a lot of them, many of the original, one-room schoolhouses have been lost to time and demolition. Still, there are some exquisite reminders of time when students of all ages studied together in the ultimate small-class …
One of the area’s most well-known and truly fascinating folks is David Meenan. This former Broadway singer and dancer and current teacher of the next generation of stars is a world-traveled bon vivant in every sense of the word, and so it surprises few that his home is a remarkable reflection of an extraordinary life. …
The Township of Ocean recently celebrated the 170th anniversary of its founding. To mark this event on Feb. 21, Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon gave the mayor and council a digital reproduction of the first recorded hand-drawn map of the Township depicting Ocean Township’s original footprint which encompassed all lands from Sea Bright south …
The Victorian “Taylor Family complex” mansion complex, located at 127 Kings Highway in Middletown, includes one house from the 18th century and another from the mid-19th century. The older of the two structures is Marlpit Hall, which is a blend of English and Dutch architectural styles. The main portion of the floor plan is a …
This month, Historic Havens celebrates the Irish hearts that beat so strong in our area. The contributions made by brave Irish immigrants, and the heritage that their efforts continue to make in our daily lives, are immeasurable. Much Irish history in the United States was preserved in oral traditions and brought to life by great …
The Jersey Shore has had its share of noteworthy visitors and residents throughout history. Everyone from moguls to mobsters, scoundrels to celebrities, pirates to presidents have spent time by our sandy shores. This month, we will focus on the last group of guests: those U.S. presidents who have called New Jersey their own. While Virginia …
This month, we’ll stay in the Health and Fitness framework and give our brains a work-out by learning more about the glorious Garden State. As the New Year begins, why not make the resolution to learn more, see more, and experience more of what makes New Jersey great. New Jersey played a key role in …
This month, we will take a walk through some of the area’s oldest and most interesting cemeteries. Some may choose to visit to chase a thrill at this ghostly time of year, but please remember that cemeteries are places of respect and reverence. Cemeteries are also amazing links to history, as well as the final …
Anyone who has driven along Kings Highway in the Village section of Middletown has seen the Old First Church. The white steepled landmark is also well-known to book lovers, as it is the site of the annual AAUW book sale. This historic landmark is still an active parish that welcomes many worshippers each week, but …
