MANALAPAN – Where can you find more than 325 years of history in one place?
 
On Oct. 11 beginning at 9 a.m., the Monmouth County Library Headquarters in Manalapan is the place. The library is the host of the county’s 13th annual Archives and History Day, where the county’s past will be celebrated with a special emphasis on how Monmouth County came into existence in 1683.
 
“As 2008 marks the 325th anniversary of the creation of Monmouth County, this year’s Archives and History Day will focus on that fact and showcase more than 70 displays by historical organizations in the county and from around the state,” Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry said. “This is an opportunity to discover local history and the history-related resources in the community.”
 
This year’s featured speaker will be Maxine Lurie, a professor of history at Seton Hall University, who will speak on the topic, “The 17th Century Origins of Monmouth County.” Lurie will focus on the reasons for the creation of the county in the context of the 17th century British Empire, and the complex proprietary history of New Jersey. Lurie’s lecture will briefly trace the early history of the colony, and then try to connect its division into West and East Jersey, and the actions of the 24 Eastern Proprietors in 1683, to the new county.
 
“Despite the fact that most of New Jersey’s proprietors were Quakers in the late 17th century, it was not a peaceful place,” Lurie said. “There were conflicts over land titles and who had the right to govern. The county was created in the midst of these disputes.”
 
“This is one of the best opportunities to learn about county history because a variety of archivists, historians, curators, genealogists and others in the field of history and preservation will be on hand to share their knowledge,” Monmouth County Clerk M. Claire French said. “It’s an opportunity to learn about the history of Monmouth County and hear rich stories from people who have studied it.”

 

The county’s archives reveal the histories of families through property, marriage, birth and naturalization records. It also contains information about the freeing of slaves in the pre-Civil War years, and records of such diverse matters as lawsuits, executions and tavern licenses.

 

The Archives Department will open its exhibit on the history of sports in Monmouth County at Archives and History Day. The exhibit will remain on view through Oct. 31 in the library’s lobby.
 
“Archives and History Day enables institutions to promote the value of archives, publicize collections and programs, support professional archival practices and provide an opportunity for networking among history-related organizations in the state,” said Gary D. Saretzky, county archivist. “It is also a great way for the public to learn about local history directly from a variety of experts.”
 
Since 1996, Archives and History Day has been celebrated annually in recognition of Archives Week. Its purpose is to bring together archivists, historians and other people and organizations who preserve New Jersey history and make it available to the public, particularly as it relates to Monmouth County.
 
A program is available on the Archives’ Web site, www.visitmonmouth.com and can be obtained by calling the Archives at (732) 308-3771. 
 

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