Community Corner

Historic Freehold Sites Featured in Weekend in Old Monmouth Tour

Covenhoven House, West Freehold School Museum among 40 featured locations.

Historic sites across Monmouth County will open their doors on Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, May 1 from noon to 5 p.m. The 2011 Weekend in Old Monmouth Tour will highlight the Colonial, military and religious history of Monmouth County.

“Independent and local historic sites are generally operated independently of one another, but this special tour project synchronizes the hours of operation so history buffs can walk or drive to many of the county’s richest historic places and enjoy them in the spring,” Freehold Lillian G. Burry said.

Five sites in Freehold Borough and Freehold Township are included in the celebration of Monmouth history: the Covenhoven House, the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, the Monmouth County Historical Association Museum, the Oakley Farm House, and the West Freehold School Museum. (The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County will only be open on Sunday during the Weekend in Old Monmouth Tour.)

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The Monmouth County Historical Commission created a tour booklet with detailed histories of the 40 locations on the tour, contact information for each site, and possible routes organized by location. The commission also designed a two-sided map to help guide travelers.

If you plan on staying local this weekend, here is what you need to know about the historic Freehold sites included on the tour:

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Covenhoven House
  • 150 West Main Street, 732-462-1466

The Covenhoven House, built in 1752, served as headquarters for British General Sir Henry Clinton before the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778. Elizabeth Covenhoven claimed the British who occupied her house stole her belongings and made her sleep in the milk kitchen.

Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County
  • 310 Mounts Corner Drive (in the Mounts Corner Shopping Center), 732-252-6990

The museum promotes public awareness of the county’s Jewish heritage through exhibits, cultural programs, and lectures.

The museum is located on the second story of a 19th century barn that was once a part of Levi Solomon’s farm.

Monmouth County Historical Association Museum
  • 70 Court Street, 732-462-1466

The MCHA Museum and Library is a colonial revival and its original design was loosely base on President George Washington’s home at Mt. Vernon. The building opened in 1931 and has welcomed thousands of visitors over the years with its genealogical materials, historical documents, and exhibitions.

Oakley Farm House
  • 189B Oakley Drive, 732-577-9766

According to the Freehold Township Heritage Society (FTHS) the original house on the Oakley farmstead dates back to 1686. After additional construction, the house as it stands today is much like it looked in 1924 when construction was completed. The house is one of few left standing after the Battle of Monmouth because its owners were loyalists, according to the FTHS. The house is also rumored to have been a stopping point for the Underground Railroad.

West Freehold School Museum
  • 209 Wemrock Road, 732-577-9766

The one-room schoolhouse is located on what was once the 143-acre Waker-Combs-Hartshore farm. The school was built in 1848 and operated until 1937. Viewings of the schoolhouse are usually only available by appointment, so take advantage of the Weekend in Old Monmouth to see inside a historic building you’ve often driven past but never took the time to enjoy.


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