The Monmouth County Historical Association (MCHA) capped off its first meeting of the New Year with a visit from Mary Todd Lincoln.

The first lady, as portrayed by Judy Cox, and companion Elmer Elsworth Hager, as played by Paul Serge, performed “An Evening with Mrs. Lincoln” to a crowd of 50 at the Thompson Park Visitors Center in Lincroft on Tuesday, Jan. 24.

The pair’s return visit to a historical association event marked a celebration of a successful 2011, according to MCHA board member Bernadette M. Rogoff.

“We hosted a (Civil War) encampment weekend Sept. 17 and 18 organized by the 2^nd Rhode Island Volunteers. This reenactment group camped out in the museum’s backyard and for two days entertained and educated our visitors,” said Rogoff, noting that Cox and Serge presented a Victorian high tea featuring Mary Todd Lincoln as part of the weekend.

The encampment was part of the group’s commemoration of the 150^th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. In addition to the reenactment weekend, the Monmouth County Historical Association Museum & Library unveiled  “Marching Away: Monmouth County in the Civil War” in 2011. The exhibition, which features letters and artifacts from Monmouth County soldiers who serve in the war, will run through 2012.

The historical association will continue to expand the focus of Monmouth County history beyond the Revolutionary War era, according to MCHA President Claire Knopf.

“We’re coming up with some great idea for our Historical Speaking series with lectures on Asbury Park and Bruce Springsteen and the Vietnam War and how it relates to Monmouth County.  This is taking our organization into an area that definitely proves that we are more than Revolutionary, which is part of our new branding,” Knopf said.

Though the history of the Battle of Monmouth and the county’s place in the Revolutionary War will certainly be a part of the organization’s 2012 efforts, said MCHA board member C. Glenn May, who oversees its education department. The MCHA will have a new prop on hand for the presentations members give in classrooms and to community groups across the county.

“We continually try to refine and improve our presentations. This year we will be adding a new component to the Battle of Monmouth program: loading a cannon,” May said. “Next year, we will let you know how dragging out 40-pound cannon from school to school works out. We may feel a little like Gen. Henry Knox after transporting cannons down the Hudson River from Ft. Ticonderoga to Freehold to be used in the Battle of Monmouth. We’ll let you know.”

The coming year will be a transitional one for the 114-year-old organization. MCHA Director Lee Ellen Griffith will retire on March 31 after 25 years working for the group. MCHA board member Rich Kniesler credited Griffith with the organization’s growth.

“Her legacy includes the million dollar renovation of Marlpit Hall the acquisition of the Taylor-Butler House, the Holmes-Hendrickson easement that we just completed, in addition to enhancing our collections, increased state and county funding, new events and development, and maintaining our high level of public awareness and cooperation,” Kniesler said.