The Army’s House of Magic: A History of Fort Monmouth

Ocean County Historical Society
Time:  2:00 PM
Date: Sunday, December 15, 2024

The Army’s House of Magic: A History of Fort Monmouth, NJ with author Melissa Ziobro

The history of Fort Monmouth, NJ begins in May 1917 when, as part of its wartime mobilization, the Army authorized four training camps for signal troops. One camp would be in central NJ – that which would eventually be known as “Fort Monmouth,” in honor of the soldiers of the American Revolution who fought and died at the nearby Battle of Monmouth. The Army Signal Corps trained thousands of men for war there and built laboratories that worked on pioneering technologies like air to ground radio. Though the base was supposed to be temporary, it wound up outliving the war. It was for decades known as the “Home of the Signal Corps,” and, until its closure in 2011, the base was still innovating some of the most significant communications and electronics advances in military history – many of which would save lives on the battlefield and be adapted for civilian use.

Presented by Monmouth University Professor Melissa Ziobro, the last Command Historian of Fort Monmouth prior to the base’s closure in 2011, and author of Fort Monmouth: the Army’s House of Magic (2024).

These events take place at our museum at 26 Hadley Avenue in Toms River. Our speaker series is always free; but donations are appreciated. SEATING IS LIMITED so reserve your seat early by sending your name, zip code, email address,  telephone number, and the name and date of the program (December 15, 2024) to:  oceancountyhistory.programs@gmail.com