Location:  Ocean County Historical Society Time:  2:00 PM Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 This event takes place at our museum at 26 Hadley Avenue in Toms River. Our speaker series is free, but your donations in support of our programs are greatly appreciated. SEATING IS LIMITED so reserve your seat early by sending your name, zip code, email address, and the name and date of the program (May 5, 2024) to:  oceancountyhistory.programs@gmail.com The Battle of Monmouth Courthouse: The Last Great Revolutionary War Battle in the North – Victor Pidermann The Battle of Monmouth Courthouse (June 28, 1778) was the largest field artillery battle of the Revolutionary War, and was the last significant battle fought on northern soil during that conflict. More widely known for the legend of Molly Pitcher and the dispute between Generals George Washington and Charles Lee, the battle is, to this very day, often misunderstood and overlooked in its significance. This presentation will provide an overview of the Battle of Monmouth, placing it in context within the wider war, and will conclude with a discussion of the latest research being done by the current custodians of the battlefield's historic legacy. Victor Pidermann is one of the historic interpreters at Monmouth Battlefield [...]

“Leonard Lomell – Hero of D-Day” with TR Historian Mark Mutter and Author Steven Gillon Saturday, June 1, 2024, 11:30 AM The Ocean County Historical Society and Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission are sponsoring a talk and book signing with New York Times Best Selling Author Steven Gillon relating to his book, “Len Lomell D-Day Hero.” This event will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at the George P. Vanderveer American Legion Post 129, at 2025 Church Road, Toms River. The program, moderated by Toms River Historian, Mark Mutter, will begin at 11:30 AM and be followed by a book signing. The book will be on sale at the event at a cost of $12.99. There is no charge to attend this event. For additional information or questions, contact Jeff Schenker at 609-339-9134. Please let us know if you plan to attend this event by emailing: oceancountyhistory.programs@gmail.com.  Please include your email address, phone number, zip code, and the name and date of the event. Leonard “Bud” Lomell: Leonard Lomell was born in Brooklyn, New York and moved to Point Pleasant, New Jersey as a toddler. He was an Army Ranger best known for his heroic actions in the [...]

We welcome renowned author William Lewis as he discusses his newest book. This will be followed by a book signing. The book will be available for purchase that day. William is a lifelong resident of New Jersey Pine Barrens as were multiple generations of his family before him. He is the also the author of “New Jersey’s Lost Piney Culture” and “Adventures with Piney Joe: Exploring the New Jersey Pine Barrens.” 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 (September 8, 2024) to:  oceancountyhistory.programs@gmail.com

The Fourth Annual Ocean County History Day will take place on Saturday September 14th, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with a rain date scheduled for Sunday, September 15th. The Ocean County Historical Society will be co-sponsoring this fun day with the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission and the Joshua Huddy DAR Chapter. Numerous Ocean County Historical Societies and museums will be setting up displays to help tell the rich history of Ocean County. There will be historic reenactors, and free tours of our newly renovated Elizabeth Sculthorp Force Victorian Era house and museum. For additional information, please contact Jeff Schenker at 609-339-9134 or jeffschenker@myyahoo.com

Eleanor Roosevelt: The First Lady of Today’s First Ladies with Mark Mutter, Toms River Historian Learn about the remarkable life of Eleanor Roosevelt, who served as the “eyes and ears” for President Roosevelt. Eleanor was the first lady from 1933 until 1945. Through her travels throughout the country, as an early advocate for human rights, and her public engagement, she redefined the role of First Lady. This remarkable person even served as the United States Delegate to the United Nations. Presented by Mark Mutter, who spent summer months working as a docent at Campobello Island, where the Roosevelts had their summer cottage. During his time there Mark did extensive research on Eleanor Roosevelt. Mark has been historian and business administrator for Toms River Township, serves as the official Toms River historian, and is currently adjunct professor of law at Ocean County College. 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 (October 20, 2024) to:  oceancountyhistory.programs@gmail.com  

Eleanor Roosevelt: The First Lady of Today’s First Ladies with Mark Mutter, Toms River Historian Learn about the remarkable life of Eleanor Roosevelt, who served as the “eyes and ears” for President Roosevelt. Eleanor was the first lady from 1933 until 1945. Through her travels throughout the country, as an early advocate for human rights, and her public engagement, she redefined the role of First Lady. This remarkable person even served as the United States Delegate to the United Nations. Presented by Mark Mutter, who spent summer months working as a docent at Campobello Island, where the Roosevelts had their summer cottage. During his time there Mark did extensive research on Eleanor Roosevelt. Mark has been historian and business administrator for Toms River Township, serves as the official Toms River historian, and is currently adjunct professor of law at Ocean County College. 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 (October 20, 2024) to:  oceancountyhistory.programs@gmail.com  

“New Jersey and World War I” with Dr. Jeffrey Schenker, OCHS President This program will explain the events that led to the great War and go into detail about New Jersey's contributions to the war effort, both militarily and economically. Jeff taught history for many years at Toms River High School South and is currently an adjunct professor of history at Ocean County College. 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 (November 10, 2024) to:  oceancountyhistory.programs@gmail.com  

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 [...]

The Hindenburg Experience Presented by Bill Schmidt Ocean County Historical Society Time: 2:00 PM Date: Sunday, January 5, 2025 Come and experience the last flight of the Hindenburg from Frankfurt, Germany to Lakehurst, New Jersey in 1937! At 803 feet in length, and 135 feet in diameter, the German passenger airship, the Hindenburg, was the largest aircraft ever to fly. The commercial flights of the Hindenburg along with Graf Zeppelin pioneered the first transatlantic air service. She carried hundreds of passengers and travelled thousands of miles before burning in a tragic fire on May 6, 1937, at the Lakehurst Naval Station. Please join us using your imagination on a trip through the history of the Hindenburg. Bill Schmidt is a member of the Lakehurst Historical Society and the Navy Lakehurst Historical Society. He has done extensive research on the last flight of the Hindenburg. In addition, he has spoken to numerous organizations on the topic over a period of many years. This event takes 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, phone number, zip [...]

Presidential Gravesites Presented by TJ Fallon Ocean County Historical Society Time: 2:00 PM Sunday, February 9, 2025 Back in 2020, TJ started the hobby of driving all over the United States visiting the gravesites of every US President, Vice President, Declaration of Independence, and US Constitution signer. To accomplish this, he travelled to thirty-three states and drove over 50,000 miles. He now holds the Guiness Book of World Records for seeing these gravesites in the shortest amount of time, just under 12 months! TJ and his son, Henry, started a YouTube channel and now have over 20,000 subscribers. On Instagram, they have close to 55,000 followers. TJ is currently drafting a book about his endeavor with his son being a primary focal point. He has spoken at many historical societies, libraries, and universities. This event takes 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, phone number, zip code, email address, and the name and date of the program (February 9, 2025) to: oceancountyhistory.programs@gmail.com