November 19th

John Schneider presents

History: A Thing of the Past?

Historical Secrets of Monmouth County

John Schneider claims to have more video footage and historical photographs of Monmouth County than any living person. His most recent book, "A Historical Journey Across Raritan Bay," recounts what he's learned during his own nautical voyages to seek out the relics and stories left behind by our ancestors.  His weekly television program on Comcast documents the results of his exploration with almost 250,000 viewers and some 135,000 members from all his Facebook groups.  Learn more about his book at www.AHistoricalJourney.com

When asked about his upcoming presentation, John responded by saying he'd be "thinking out loud" and will be showing a lot of "really old photographs from the shoe box." Other organizations who have invited him to speak remark that he always surprises folks with his originality, humor and clever way of looking at history. Recently, he was selected as one of the top 50 historians of the last 50 years in the new book by the Monmouth County Clerk's Office, To Preserve and Protect. He said because he likes the work done by MCHA, he is waiving his standard $1,000 fee for speaking. And then, of course, he said he was kidding and would in fact work for tips.

Join on November 19 to see for yourself what may happen!  

December 17th

Rick Geffken presents 

To Preserve and Protect:

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Monmouth County Historians, Past and Present

For almost as long as Monmouth County has existed – over 350 years – people have recorded its history, important events, and personalities. From Henry Hudson, through George Washington, and Bruce Springsteen, there are thousands of books, articles, and dissertations written about the northernmost shore county in the Garden State. Some of these writers made history themselves, such as the elusive Franklin Ellis, the pen name of a compiler who wrote ubiquitous and comprehensive early histories of many locales.

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This talk explores the fascinating careers and contributions of past historians such as George C. Beekman, who wrote about the early Dutch settlers, and John Edwin Stillwell, whose exhaustive research and publication of genealogical records have stood the test of time. Contemporary historians such as Dr. Walter Greason and Karen Schnitzspahn are highlighted, too.

January 21st

Michael Adelberg presents 

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Rebellion Before Revolution:

Pre-War Tremors in Monmouth County 

Michael Adelberg is arguably the foremost authority on the American Revolution in Monmouth County, and the author of several books on the topic. His presentation will focus on the riots that shut down the Monmouth County courts two-and-a-half centuries ago over the course of 1770-1771, foreshadowing the events that made Monmouth County a hotbed of revolutionary activity. 

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Take the opportunity to ask Michael your Revolutionary War questions during the Q&A session!

February 18th

John Fabiano presents

A Servant Girl at Mrs. Watkins':

Molly Pitcher's Local Origin

Who is the real Molly? John Fabiano, Executive Director of the Monmouth County Historical Commission, is currently researching the possibility that the woman known as Molly Pitcher may have been an Allentown, NJ servant girl who aided George Washington during the Monmouth campaign. Genealogical research, good old-fashioned detective work and curious mind have led John to a new Molly who may well have been a Patriot spy. Learn about this fascinating thesis, and how it relates to MCHA's Allen House in Shrewsbury!