Two Historic Manalapan Sites to be Featured in Old Monmouth Tour

Historic sites across Monmouth County will open their doors on Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, May 1 from noon to 5 p.m. The 2011 Weekend in Old Monmouth Tour will highlight the Colonial, military and religious history of Monmouth County.

“Independent and local historic sites are generally operated independently of one another, but this special tour project synchronizes the hours of operation so history buffs can walk or drive to many of the county’s richest historic places and enjoy them in the spring,” Freehold Lillian G. Burry said.

Two sites in Howell are included in the celebration of Monmouth history, the old Ardena School Museum and the MacKenzie House. 

The Monmouth County Historical Commission created a tour booklet with detailed histories of the 40 locations on the tour, contact information for each site, and possible routes organized by location. The commission also designed a two-sided map to help guide travelers.

If you plan on staying local this weekend, here is what you need to know about the historic Manalapan sites included on the tour:

• 16 Business Rt. 33, 732-462-9616

One of the largest and longest battles of the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Monmouth, took place at this location on June 28, 17778.  A British army of 19,000 men marching from Philadelphia to New York were attacked by a Continental Army light infantry department. While the British were aggressive, General Washington stayed on a hill and beat the British back with artillery causing the British to withdraw. The Battle of Monmouth was a huge victory for the Continental army, and the last time the two armies battled. The battlefield is surrounded by a 1,818 acre State Park with 25 miles of hiking trails. 

The annual Battle of Monmouth reenactment will take place on June 18 and June 19.

• 450 Tennent Rd., 732-446-6299

The original Old Tennent Presbyterian Church was a log-church built in 1692 by Scottish Presbyterians in present-day Marlboro. In 1731, the church was moved to its current location. The land on which it sits was deeded to the church by King George II. Soon after, William Tennent Jr. became pastor of the church and in 1751 the log church was torn down and replaced by the current church you see today. Tennent was pastor of the church for 44 years. Other famous preachers who have visited and spoken at the church include George Whitfield, Jonahtan Edwards, David Brainerd and Jacobus Frelinghuysen. 

The church became a field hospital during the Battle of Monmouth, and the graves surrounding the church contain the remains of soldiers from both the Continental army and the British army.