Exhibitions
Over the past ten years, the Historical Association has presented over thirty changing exhibitions exploring Monmouth County life. Some of our recent exhibitions have included "Angels In The Household: Childhood Life in Monmouth County" (1999), "The Karagheusian Rug Mill" (2000), "Steamboat!" (2002), "Revolution in Monmouth" (2003), and "Home Front: Monmouth County in World War II" (2005). The Association offers at least one changing exhibition each year exploring a facet of Monmouth County life.
The Main Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is an admission fee of $5 per person, $2.50 for seniors and children. Children under 6 are free. Members are also free. The first floor of the Museum and Library are wheelchair accessible.
Current Exhibitions
"Craftsmen and Clients"
The “Craftsmen and Clients” exhibition features craftsmen of the 18th and 19th centuries in Monmouth County and surrounding areas. Through their products, clients and documentation, craftsmen from three different trades; cabinetmakers, silversmiths and potters, are highlighted. The crafts produced by these three groups offer an interesting comparison in terms of client demand and the types of clients served. Several themes follow through the exhibition that relate to the study of decorative arts and their value in understanding the people who made and used them.
Hanging Cupboard made in New York or Middletown, NJ dated 1722 of white oak adn yellow pine. The image on the door signifies teh Dutch saying "A true heart is a crown of gold." The cupboard descended in the Luyster family who settled in Monmouth County in 1717. It was a gift to the Monmouth CountyHistorical Association from John R. and Alfred G. Luyster.
The exhibition features the craftsmanship of Monmouth County cabinetmakers and joiners such as Robert Rhea (d. 1720), William Applegate (1726-1768), Fenwick Lyell (1767–1822) and Matthew Egerton, Jr. (c. 1765 -1837) of nearby New Brunswick.
Some of the Silversmiths represented are Anthony Holmes (1760–1849), John Schanck (1774-1869), Teunis Denise DuBois (1773-1843) and Garret Schanck (1768-1795). 
Silver Tea Pot by John Schanck made in New York City or Matawan (circa 1795-1820) and Silver Coverd Sugar Bowl also b John Schanck made New York or Monmouth County (circa 1774-1820). Engraved on the base of the sugar bowl "E*F to C*A*L" for Eleanor Forman to Corlies and Anne Lloyd.
Ledger and account books, receipts, family records and other documents highlight the relationship between the craftsmen and the clients offering an interesting glimpse into the influence they had on each other. The intended use of an item, the occasion for which it was crafted, the predominant style of the time as well as up and coming styles also played a role in the creation of the final piece.
The furniture, silverware and stoneware reflect the various developing trades in the Monmouth County area during the 18th and 19th centuries. These three crafts are reflective of all the crafts and trades of this period that were making their mark on the economic, cultural and social life of the county.
"Craftsmen and Clients" has been made possible in part thanks to funding from the New Jersey Historical Commission.
"Early New Jersey Stoneware"
Selections from the Monmouth County Historical Association's New Jersey stoneware collection are now on view at the Main Museum, 70 Court Street, Freehold.
Pictured above from left to right: Stoneware crock, attributed to the Kemple potters, Ringoes, NJ circa 1750. Marshall P. Blankarn Purchasing Fund, 1956. Stoneware crock, unknown maker, possibly Old Bridge area, dated 1802, made for Monmouth County resident Chrineyonce Schenck. Museum Collection. Stoneware crock, Kemple potters, Ringoes, NJ, circao 1750. Marshall P. Blankarn Purchasing Fund, 1956
This exhibit features 27 crocks, jugs, and jars made between 1750 and 1820. Stoneware makers such as the Kemple pottersof Rongoes, the Morgan family of Cheesequake and the firm of Van Wickle and Morgan in Old Bridge are represented in the exhibition. New Jersey resident Robert J. Sim (1881 - 1955) investigated early New Jersey stoneware potters. His research, conducted from the late 1930's up until his death in 1955, included archaeological digs at the sites of many of the original potteries. Fragments of the stoneware vessels uncovered by Sim durig his digs are also on view in the exhibition. The exhibit also ncludes six significant stoneware pieces on loan from a private collector.
Monmouth County Historical Association has one of the leading early New Jersey stoneware collections in the country. This exhibit represents only a portion of the Association's collection.
Permanent exhibitions
"The Battle of Monmouth"
Freehold GalleryA mini-version of our 225th anniversary Battle of Monmouth exhibition is installed in the Freehold Gallery. Included are images of Molly Pitcher, a Brown Bess and other guns from the Revolutionary War, and a piece of a tree from the battlefield with a canonball lodged in its bark. In the first floor foyer is our beautiful Leutze rendition of the battle, as well as our Carter painting of Molly Pitcher being presented to General Washington.
The Discovery Room
Our hands-on, interactive gallery designed for children has been recently updated and now offers a peek into the life of a soldier during the time of the Battle of Monmouth. We've kept some old favorite activities, such as carding wool, trying on period-style clothing, and playing with toys and gadgets of the past. Come and explore!
Future Exhibition
"Micah Williams: Journey of an Artist"
Between 1819 and 1828, traveling artist Micah Williams (1782-1837) made repeated visits to Monmouth County to produce dozens of pastel portraits of local farmers, doctors, businessmen, and their families. Williams is recognized as one of America’s early portrait artists, yet little research has been completed on this profoundly talented man. The Monmouth County Historical Association collection contains twenty-two pastel portraits by this artist.
New Brunswick, Middlesex County, resident Williams produced hundreds of vibrant portraits during his over twenty-year career, many of which are in numerous American museums and in private collections across the country. The Association is planing an exhibition and publication on the life and work of this fascinating artist. For further information, please contact Museum Curator Bernadette M. Rogoff at 732-462-1466, ext. 13.
This page updated 12 November 2009
