FRIENDS OF MONMOUTH BATTLEFIELD
NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2015
ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTIONS
TO BE HELD DECEMBER 2
Our annual meeting and elections, as required by our by-laws, will be held on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, located at 125 Symmes Drive in Manalapan (phone 732-431-7220).
The business portion of the meeting will begin at 7:00 PM, followed at about 7:30 by a short overview and celebration of our organization’s 25th Anniversary.
Ballots and election information are being mailed separately to paid up members.
The nominating committee presented its slate of officers at the October 7 general meeting. The annual plan for 2016 and annual budget for 2016 were discussed and approved at the Board of Trustees meeting held on October 14.
David Martin is nominated to serve another term as President and George Dawson is nominated to continue as Vice President. Kathy Doherty is nominated to continue as Treasurer and Fran Raleigh to continue as Secretary.
The following Trustees are nominated to continue for another three year term:
Andy Beagle, Mike Cervini, David Martin, Marilyn Miller, and Peter Wagner.
We regret that John Fabiano has found it necessary to resign after just one year as Trustee due to potential conflict as head of the Monmouth County Historical Commission, from which we regularly apply for grants. We want to thank John for his hard work the past year and we appreciate his offer to remain involved in our activities.
A list of current officers and trustees is listed later in this newsletter.
CRAIG HOUSE TO CLOSE FOR THE SEASON NOVEMBER 29;NEW WINDOW REPLACEMENT PROJECT UNDER WAY
The historic Craig House, which is interpreted by members of the Friends, has been open Sundays from 1-4 PM since last April. Due to cold weather and lowered visitation over the winter, we close every year after Thanksgiving. This year the Craig House will close for the season on November 29. It will reopen again in April 2016.
Thanks are owed to Kathy and Eric Doherty for being docents at the Craig House.
Thanks are also owed to Kathy and Eric for preparing a new grant application to the Monmouth County Historical Commission to replace two additional windows at the Craig House. Earlier this year we completed a project to replace three windows at Craig House, a project funded with a matching grant from the Historical Commission.
Kathy and Eric have just completed and submitted an application for a new matching grant to replace the two windows in the milk room. Their frames are totally rotted outand the windows are not functional.
This is just another of our ongoing efforts to maintain and preserve the historic Craig House. We are pleased that the Park is working to secure funds for necessary work on the Craig House barn, which was built around 1840. Much additional work remains to be done on the Craig House in order to stabilize and preserve it.
CIVIL WAR BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG
TO BE COMMEMORATED ON DECEMBER 12 and 13;
DR. MARTIN TO GIVE TALK ON 28th REGIMENT
Uniformed Civil War troops will be on hand at the Visitor Center to commemorate the 153rd anniversary of the battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, which was fought on December 13, 1862. The battle has a direct connection to Monmouth Battlefield State Park because one of the units that fought there, the 28th New Jersey Infantry, was organized and trained at Camp Vredenburg, the Civil War training camp located within the current boundaries of the Park in 1862-1865.
The 28th Regiment was recruited from counties in central and southern New Jersey. It was mustered in at Camp Vredenburg on September 22, 1862 and left for Virginia on October 5. Its first and biggest battle was at Fredericksburg, where the regiment lost almost 200 men out of 665 engaged. Among its casualties was the regimental commander, Colonel Moses Wisewell, who received a painful bullet wound in the neck and mouth.
Dr. David Martin, President of the Friends, will give a brief history of the 28th Regiment and its role in the battle at 2 PM each day at the Park Auditorium. He will focus on the service of Private J. Gilmore West of Company I of the 28th.the “Kearny Guards.” West was a native of Perth Amboy and trained at Camp Vredenburg, like the rest of the regiment. He kept an interesting diary of his experiences, until he was mortally wounded at Fredericksburg by an artillery shell that tore into his leg.
The Civil War reenactors and living historians who will be present on December 12 and13 will exhibit arms and equipment of the soldiers of the 28th New Jersey. As long as the weather is agreeable they will also be giving musket firing demonstrations.
For more information, contact the Park office at 732-462-9616.
WORK ON RALEIGH LIBRARY STILL CURTAILED
Work on the main section of the new James T. Raleigh Memorial Library and Research Center remains at a standstill while plans are developed to install proper climate controls in the library area of the old Visitor Center. As noted in the previous newsletter, humidity and temperature issues led to the rise of problems with moisture and mold. As a result all the books stored there were put in plastic bags and the project was put on hold.
Meanwhile about 500 books from the collection that were housed in the new Visitor Center are being enjoyed and used regularly by Park staff and FOMB officers.
In addition, new accessions to the library are being temporarily housed in the gift shop.
Thanks to Park seasonal ranger Victor Pidermann for cataloguing the collection. We hope to have a list of books in this part of the collection posted on our website before too long. We will also have a usage guideline for members who want to use the collection for their own research.
2016 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE OPENS (forms enclosed)
We cannot do all that we do without the support of our membership. Thanks for your support by continuing your membership and especially for additional donations.
FOMB HAS INFORMATION TABLE
AT MONMOUTH COUNTY ARCHIVES DAY
The Friends were well represented at Monmouth County Archives Day,which was held on Saturday, October 13, at the main branch of the Monmouth County Library on Symmes Drives in Manalapan. Every year 60 or more history groups from Monmouth county and around the state have displays and information tables at the all-day event. This year the theme was the Civil War and Civil War music.
Thanks go to Trustees Andy Beagle and Walt Kowalski for setting up and manning our information table.
DR.MARTIN GIVES TWO PROGRAMS
ON ASPECTS OF THE BATTLE;
TALKS FOR NEXT YEAR LISTED
Dr. David Martin, President of the Friends, recently gave two programs on different aspects of the battle.
On September 13 he spoke in the Park auditorium on the role of Maxwell’s New Jersey Brigade in the battle. The New Jersey Brigade consisted of four regiments (also called battalions), numbered 1-4, and was led by Brigadier General “Scots Willie” Maxwell. It was present with Lee’s force in the fighting east of Monmouth Court House during the morning part of the battle, but was not engaged. The brigade’s most critical contribution was during the fighting at noon on the hedgerow line, where the 1st New Jersey held the north end of the position as long as it could. Meanwhile, the 2nd New Jersey helped start and stabilize the main battle position formed on Perrine Hill.
On October 7 Dr.Martin spoke on the role of the Marquis de Lafayette and other French officers in the battle. The talk took place at the main branch of the Monmouth County Library, which co-sponsored the program. He presented updated research showing 20 French officers at the battle and summarized their service (seelist later in this newsletter). He then gave a review of Lafayette’s life before analyzing his role in the battle. Lafayette’s main role was as commander of the right wing of Lee’s attack east of Monmouth Court House in the morning. It is very possible that Lafayette’s over aggressiveness was a major contributing factor in the collapse of his wing and the subsequent retreat of Lee’s entire command. The talk was well received by the forty or so people in attendance and additional presentations are in the planning.
Our annual plan for next year includes the following programs by Dr. Martin at the Monmouth County Library (dates are tentative): “Molly Pitcher and the American Artillery at Monmouth,” Wednesday, March 16; “General Charles Lee at Monmouth: His Own Story,” Wednesday, June 8; and “General Mad Anthony Wayne at Monmouth,” Wednesday, October 5. In addition, he will give the following talks at the Park Visitor Center: “George Washington’s Humor, Saturday, Feb 22; and “The Role of the New Jersey Militia at Monmouth,” Saturday,September 11.
SCHEDULE OF WINTER ACTIVITIES (2015-2016)
Nov. 29, 2015 (Sun)Craig House closes for the season (will reopen in April 2016)
Dec. 2, 2015 (Wed)Annual business meeting. Meeting held at
7 PM at the main branch of the Monmouth County Library, Symmes Drive, Manalapan
Dec. 6, 2015 (Sun)Walking tour of the battlefield. Meet at Visitor Center at 1:30 PM
Dec.12 and 13, 2015Encampment by Civil War living historians.10 AM – 4 PM,
(Sat and Sun)commemorating the 15rd anniversary of the battle of Fredericksburg .Lecture by Dr. David Martin both days on the 28th New JerseyRegiment at the battle of Fredericksburg. The regiment trained at Camp Vredenburg, located in the Park.
Jan.1, 2016 (Fri)“First day Hike.” Visit the ground on which
Molly Pitcher fought. Meet at Visitor Center
at 11 AM.
Jan. 3, 2016 (Sun)Driving tour of battlefield. Meet at Visitor Center at 1:30 PM
Feb. 7, 2016 (Sun)Walking tour of the battlefield. Meet at Visitor
Center at 1:30 PM.
Feb. 14, 2016 (Sun)Program by Dr David Martin on “George Washington’s Humor.” Held at 2 PM at Visitor CenterAuditorium
March 6, 2016 (Sun)Walking tour of the battlefield, Meet at Visitor center at 1:30 PM.
Gift Shop is open Sundays from 1—4 PM at the Visitor Center.
FOMB OFFICERS FOR 2015
(terms expire December 2, 2015)
PresidentDr. David Martin
TreasurerGeorge Dawson
SecretaryFran Raleigh
TreasurerKathy Doherty
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(end of term in parentheses)
Andrew Beagle(2015)South Plainfield, NJ
Richard Bellamy(2017)Spotswood, NJ
Michael Cervini(2015)Toms River, NJ
George Dawson(2016)New Brunswick, NJ
Eric Doherty(2016)Old Bridge, NJ
Kathy Doherty(2016)Old Bridge, NJ
Walter Kowalsky(2017)Freehold, NJ
Dr. David Martin(2015)East Windsor, NJ
Marilyn Miller(2015) Toms River, NJ
Fran Raleigh(2016)Colts Neck, NJ
Peter Wagner(2015)Englishtown, NJ
2016 Membership Application
The Revolution in New Jersey had profound meaning. To help keep the past alive, we ask for your commitment in Protecting, Preserving and Historically Interpreting Monmouth Battlefield State Park, a Registered National Historic landmark, and the sites associated with the Monmouth Campaign of 1778.
Name______
Address______
City______
State______Zip Code______
CHECK ONE
New membershipRenewal
CIRCLE LEVEL OF MEMBERSHIP
Individual $20Family $30
Senior Individual $5Senior Family $10
Patron $100Lifetime $250
Membership benefits include a 10% discount at the Gift Shop.
The Friends rely on membership and donations for much of our general operating budget. If you would like to make a donation above the membership dues, we would deeply appreciate your thoughtfulness. The Friends is a 501(c)(3) not-for profit organization and your donation is fully tax-deductible. Thank you.
Donation included in the amount of ______
FRIENDS OF MONMOUTH BATTLEFIELD, INC. PO Box 122, Tennent NJ 07763
November 2015
Dear Friend of Monmouth Battlefield,
I am writing to ask for your support for the Friends and our objectives. I sincerely hope that you will be able to attend our meetings and programs this year as we continue our programs to help preserve and develop MonmouthBattlefieldState Park and to interpret the battle and events associated with it. Please consider renewing your membership or joining the Friends by returning the enclosed membership application to us at the address given above.
We have just completed our 25th Year and the number of projects and programs we sponsor is steadily increasing. We are giving additional walks and talks on the battlefield, and we will be helping the Park erect additional wayside historical markers on the battlefield. We continue to develop the James T. Raleigh Memorial Library and Research Center, and sponsor additional lectures and talks at both the Park and Monmouth County Library. Our new and expanded gift shop has been operational for well over two years and offers the best selection of books and pamphlets on the battle that are available anywhere (visit our website if you want to order items by mail).
We are continuing our popular free guided tours on the first Sunday of every month. We are also available to give group tours at other times by arrangement. In addition, we are helping to man and interpret the historic Craig House at the battlefield, every Sunday from 1-4 PM from the beginning of April to the beginning of December.
We continue to sponsor “Over Here Molly Picher!” programming with living history historian Stacy Roth. We also are seeking another matching grant from the Monmouth County Historical Commission to undertake much needed window replacements at the historic Craig House.
If you have questions or want information, please contact President David Martin at 609-448-6355 (). Our new website can be viewed at and we also have an active face book site.
Sincerely,
Dr. David Martin, President
Additional accomplishments for the past year include:
Sponsorship of programs and tours on the actual anniversary of the battle in June 2015
Sponsorship of programs on “The Revolutionary War in Monmouth
County” in June and July
Maintenance of a new and expanded gift shop at the Visitor Center
Regular membership meetings on historical topics related to the
Battle and Park
Outreach to schools, community groups and state agencies
Regular free monthly tours of the battlefield held the first Sunday of
every month
Development of additional walking and driving tours of the Battle of Monmouth
Staffing of the Craig House every Sunday from1-4 PM most of the year
Working closely with Park staff to help plan the new Visitor Center and its
exhibits
Maintenance of a large and current website (friendsofmonmouth.org)
Maintenance of a new Facebook page
POPULAR WALKING TOUR PROGRAM CONTINUES;
SCHEDULE OF EXTRA TOURS IN 2016 LISTED
Our program of walking tours continues to be successful. Tours are regularly held on the first Sunday of each month, and occasionally on other Sundays.
On October 6 small but enthusiastic group visited the Hedgerow line, dodging the apple pickers along Wemrock Road. On November 8 a larger group toured the Hedgerow line and Parsonage area, enjoying near ideal weather.
The next regularly schedule walking tours will be conducted on December 6 and January 3. They meet at 1:30 PM at the Visitor Center and no reservations are required. Dogs are welcome, if well behaved and leashed! In case of bad weather, a driving tour of the park or historical lecture in the new Visitor Center auditorium will be substituted.
Besides the regular tours given the first Sunday every month at 1:30, occasional extra tours, either walking or driving) are scheduled each year. The schedule of “extra” tours for next year includes: “Sites associated with Molly Pitcher,” driving tour, Sunday, March 20; “East Morass and Briar Hill,” driving tour, Sunday, April10; “The Defense of the Hedgerow,” walking tour, Sunday, May 8; and “The American Prebattle Encampment at Ponolopon Bridge,” driving tour, Sunday, June 12;
SPECIAL WALKING TOUR TO NEW MOLLY PITCHER
SITE TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 1
This year the Friends will once again be participating in the “America’s State Parks First Day Hikes" program sponsored by the state’s Division of Parks & Forestry. On Friday, January 1, a special tour will be offered by David Martin to Perrine Hill to view the main American position there and visit sites associated with Molly Pitcher. Those interested in the tour should meet at the Visitor Center at 11 AM. This tour, which has average forty participants the past three years, will cover about a mile over rolling terrain and will last about two hours total. Hot drinks and light refreshments will be offered afterwards at the Visitor Center. Call 732-462-9616 for more information.
FOMB HAS NEW FACEBOOK PAGE
We are delighted to have a new Facebook page, which has been set up and maintained by FOMB member Pete Michael, who is also a seasonal interpreter at the Park. The site is updated regularly and has the most current information on Friends activities as well as programs at the Park, particularly Revolutionary War and Civil War encampments and demonstrations. The site is currently getting 40 to 100 hits a week. The address is “Friends of Monmouth Battlefield.”
We also have a very fine website, which features historical information on the battle as well as a schedule of events and copies of current and past newsletters. The website address is: