Founded in 1898, the Monmouth County Historical Association has been collecting and interpreting this region's rich history for over a century.  Our programs are designed to make the past come alive for your students.  Experienced educators present interactive programs designed to meet many of New Jersey's Core Curriculum Standards, particularly in Social Studies and Language & Arts Literacy.  A variety of programs is available:  at the historic houses, at the museum, or in your classroom.  They are especially appropriate for grades 3 through 5, but can be adapted to accommodate any age group. Museum Programs MCHA MUSEUM & LIBRARY 70 Court Street, Freehold available year round, Tuesday through Friday The Discovery Room  offers children a rich experience in a hands-on interactive gallery designed just for them.  Reproduction items allow children to learn first-hand about life in the past by trying on Colonial and Victorian costumes and discovering toys of the past.  The children can also experience the excitement of a fully equipped camp tent like those used by Revolutionary War soldiers.

Historic House Programs

MARLPIT HALL, Middletown
"Choosing Sides"
-available May through October

In 1776, not everyone supported American Independence, including the Taylor family of Marlpit Hall.  Discover their story and that of the enslaved Africans living with them.  Students decide for themselves which side to support in the struggle for independence and equality.
Program Length:  60 minutes.

COVENHOVEN HOUSE, Freehold
"Hearth & Home"
-available October through May, Wednesday & Friday only, 10am & 11am
A tour of the 1750's house illustrates the changes that took place in the lives of William and Elizabeth Covenhoven as they moved away from their Dutch traditions and embraced a more English lifestyle. Students see costumed interpreters cook cornbread, gingerbread, sizzled eggs, and other colonial foods over the open hearth, then sample the results.
Program Length: 60 minutes.

HOLMES-HENDRICKSON HOUSE, Holmdel
"Farm & Family"
-available May through October
Costumed interpreters introduce students to 18^th-century Dutch and English customs and architecture as they go through a Dutch farm house. Upstairs, students join in carding, spinning, and weaving as well as flax breaking, to experience the labor involved in textile production.
Program Length: 90 minutes.

ALLEN HOUSE, Shrewsbury
"Tavern Life, Public Life"
-available May through November
The tavern in 18^th century New Jersey was much more than a place to eat, drink, and sleep. Halstead's tavern at Shrewsbury's "Historic Four Corners" also functioned as a court, town hall, post office, and news center for the surrounding countryside. Students take a close look at the role taverns played in civic life.
Program Length: 60 minutes.
 

Traveling Trunk Programs

Experienced educators bring these interactive programs to your classroom:
(* - indicates programs also suitable for groups ages 18 & up)

BATTLE OF MONMOUTH *
Costumed interpreters bring clothing, canteens, maps, prints and other artifacts to give students a sense of what life was like for soldiers and camp followers at the Battle of Monmouth in June of 1778.
Program Length: 90 minutes.

FROM FIBER TO FABRIC *
See the tools of textile production in action!  Costumed interpreters demonstrate carding, spinning and weaving wool. Students will learn who in the family had to help in this process, and why fabric was so valuable in the 18^th century.
Program Length: 60 minutes.

READING AN ARTIFACT *
By using inquiry-based learning techniques to examine various artifacts, students will find clues in everyday objects from the past to help learn both about the people who used them as well as the world in which they lived.
Program Length: 60 minutes.

LENAPE LIFE
The life of the Lenape are presented using maps, artifacts, and reproductions. Interpreters help students understand early culture of our local Native Americans.
Program Length: 60 minutes.

SCHOOL DAYS
Interpreters bring 19^th century school house to life in your classroom using photographs, reproductions and information on subjects taught and rules of decorum. Students compare their school day with the 19^th century student's experience.
Program Length: 60 minutes.

THE BLUE or THE GRAY
Discover how the Civil War forced an entire country to divide and an entire population to choose sides.  By handling reproduction uniforms and artifacts that a soldier might have used in daily activities, students will get a sense of what life was like in the Confederate and Union armies of the 1860s.  Songs of the period will be taught that tell of the struggle of division.
Program Length: 60 minutes. Recommended for grades 5-8.
 

Video Program

From paintings, prints and scenes of the battlefield itself, viewers get a sense of what life was like for a Revolutionary War soldier and how this one battle came to take place in Monmouth County.  This video is most effective when shown in conjunction with the Battle of Monmouth Trunk Program.
Program Length: 20 minutes.
 

Slide Programs

THE BATTLE OF MONMOUTH
This narrated slide show chronicles the Battle of Monmouth.  It also illustrates a young soldier's life and experiences during this crucial time.
Program Length: 20 minutes.
 

Cost & Information

• Call 732-462-1466, Monday - Friday, 9am thru 4pm
• Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance.
• Maximum group size is 30 students, with one adult chaperone for every 10 students.
• The Covenhoven House and the Museum can each accomodate two groups at the same time.
• Confirmations will be sent  with directions to each site and instructions for the bus driver, upon receipt of deposit.
• Tell us about your interests and special needs when you call.

• $2.50 per person for each program at the Museum, Holmes-Hendrickson, Marlpit Hall, or the Allen House.
• $3.00 per person for the Covenhoven House cooking program; $2.50 per person without cooking program.  A second program at the Main Museum can be scheduled for the same day for an additional $2.00 per person.
• Trunk Programs & Slide Programs:  $100.00 for the first program; $90.00 for each additional program scheduled on the same day.  A non-refundable deposit of $30.00 is required in advance.
• Video Programs:  $15 rental, $50 refundable deposit required.
• For programs presented out of Monmouth and Ocean counties, there will be an extra charge of $30/day for travel costs.
• There is a minimum fee of $30.00 for all programs, except the Covenhoven House cooking program, which has a minimum fee of $50.00.  A non-refundable deposit for the program minimum is due in advance.  Programs will be confirmed upon receipt of deposit.
• For programs presented out of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, there will be an extra charge of $30 per day for travel costs.

• Neither photography nor video are permitted inside the museum or the historic houses.
• There are no indoor lunch facilities at the Main Museum or at the historic houses.
• Souvenirs will be available for purchase only on an advance order basis.  We will send you a catalog with your program confirmation.
• Some historic houses have limited access for persons with disabilities.  Please call us at 732-462-1466 to discuss your needs

Special Events
 - call the museum at 732-462-1466 for details & cost.

Covenhoven Open House
First Sunday in April
Visit this wonderfully preserved historic home and see our professionally trained interpreters as they prepare traditional colonial fare over a blazing open hearth.

Lantern Tours
First Friday in December
Conducted in cooperation with Christ Church, this even provides an opportunity to tour the historic sites at Shrewsbury's legendary "Four Corners".

Wool Days
Usually the last weekend in April
Presented in conjunction with the County Park System's living history program at Longstreet Farm.  This wonderful program shows visitors the process from sheep shearing to fininshed woven wool.