Historically Speaking with Dr. David Martin

Award-winning Author Dr. David Martin to Present

“New Jersey Generals in the Civil War”

Freehold - As part of its “Historically Speaking” lecture series, Monmouth County Historical Association is pleased to welcome Dr. David Martin to speak on Sunday, September 23rd at 2:00pm.  The lecture will be held at the Court Street School  at 140 Court Street at the corner of Rhea (parking lot entrance on Avenue A) and will be part of the Association’s activities during the Civil War Encampment weekend held at the Museum & Library grounds at 70 Court Street in Freehold.  

Dr. Martin is the author of over 25 books on the Civil War and American Revolution, including the award-winning “Gettysburg July 1,” “A Molly Pitcher Sourcebook,” and most recently “New Jersey at Gettysburg Guidebook.”  He is Vice President of the New Jersey Civil War Heritage Association, sponsors of the state’s Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, and was a member of the state’s Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.  Dr. Martin is currently working on a book of biographies of New Jersey’s generals and admirals in the Civil War, which is the basis for his talk for the Monmouth County Historical Association.   He is a professor and administrator at the Peddie School in Hightstown, New Jersey.

The Court Street School is one of the principal structures associated with the segregated history of early 20th century education in Freehold. The original school was organized in 1915 in a one-room wooden building, exclusively for the education of African American children. The existing brick building was constructed in two phases in 1920 and 1926. All African-American children in Freehold were educated here from kindergarten through 8th grade until WWII when it was used as an air raid shelter and ration station. It was reopened as an integrated school for kindergarten through 3rd grade in 1949, until it closed in 1974. It became a community education and historical center in 1990 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites in 1995.

The Civil War Encampment weekend will occur on both September 22nd and 23rd on the grounds of the Museum & Library.  The public will be welcome to tour the encampment between 10am - 5pm on Saturday, and 10am – 4pm on Sunday.   Tours of the current exhibition “Marching Away:  Monmouth in the Civil War” will also be offered inside the Museum.

Dr. Martin’s lecture is open to the public and admission is free.  Refreshments will be served.  Please call 732-462-1466 for further information or to let us know you will attend.

The Court Street School is accessible to persons with disabilities.  If there are any special needs that require accommodation, please contact the Association at 732-462-1466 x16 within 24 hours of the presentation.

Monmouth County Historical Association is a private non-profit organization that has been working to preserve history and provide educational opportunities since its founding in 1898.  The Association’s Museum and Library is located at 70 Court Street, Freehold, New Jersey.  Museum hours are: Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The Library is open Wednesday through Saturday.  For membership or admission fees and further information, please call (732) 462-1466 or visit our web site at www.monmouthhistory.org. 

 Monmouth County Historical Association received an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.