For Immediate Release:
October 1, 2014
Archives and History Day is Oct. 11 at Library HQ
Exhibit on Civil War to take center stage
MANALAPAN, NJ – Monmouth County Archives and History Day will take place on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Dr.
As the County’s caretaker of historic documents for the past 26 years, the staff has prepared a month-long exhibit, opening Oct.1, entitled, “The Civil War: New Jersey in Focus.”
“As a strategically located Northern state, New Jersey played a significant role during the Civil War,” Monmouth County Archivist Gary Saretzky said. “More than 88,000 Jerseyans served in the Union Army and Navy, and about 6,300 died. Even those who didn’t go to the front were impacted by the conflict through family members, work, charitable organizations and social activities.”
The exhibit includes a gallery of 42 frames with digital reproductions of documents and photographs from more than a dozen collaborating institutions and individual collectors. There are also items that relate to nurses, women on the home front, Civil War music, the peace movement and uniforms on display.
“Archives and History Day is an opportunity for residents to really take a look at the history of our County and our state,” said Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry. “Bring the family, enjoy the exhibits and presentations and learn something new about New Jersey’s history.”
Archives and History Day will also feature a Monmouth County History Forum on the Civil War, a history game with prizes, and more than 60 exhibitors from across New Jersey showcasing and promoting the history of the area. A complete schedule of the day’s events can be found at www.visitmonmouth.com.
During the plenary session from 11 a.m. to noon, the Jane Clayton Award will be presented to Angel and Jack Jeandron of Keyport for their efforts to preserve and promote knowledge of the history of Keyport.
The Archives and History Day will also pay homage to the Monmouth County Library, with a special screening of the video “Four Score and 12: A Historical Retrospective of the Monmouth County Library” during the plenary session.
In 1922, the residents of Monmouth County approved a public referendum establishing a “county free library’’ – thereby creating the Monmouth County Library, which began operations in January of 1923.
Come take a journey through the history of the Monmouth County Library -- from the time of traveling bookmobiles and lending stations to the current Library boasting 13 branches, 14 member libraries and more than a quarter million cardholders. “Four Score and 12: A Historical Retrospective of the Monmouth County Library” is narrated by Renee B. Swartz, Monmouth County Library Commission Chair.
“Traditionally there is only one winner of the Clayton Award and although Angel and Jack were nominated separately, they are both deserving of this recognition of their achievements,” said French. “I look forward to presenting the award to both of them on Archives and History Day.”
As the County Clerk, Mrs. French is responsible for the keeping of the County’s records. And it was French’s predecessor County Clerk Jane G. Clayton who established the Monmouth County Archives in 1987 and for whom the annual award is named.
At 12:10 p.m., Monmouth County Historian Randall Gabrielan and featured speaker, Joseph W. Becton, will host a discussion on Civil War History. At 1 p.m., Joseph W. Becton will present “Music of the Civil War Era.”
A tour of the Monmouth County Archives will be available by advance registration. If you are interested in the 3 p.m. tour, contact Shelagh Reilly at sreilly@co.monmouth.nj.us.
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Archives and History Day registered organizations:
3rd New Jersey Volunteers
Asbury Park Historical Society
Battleground Historical Society
Becton Historical Services
Belmar Historical Society
Brick Township Historical Society
Colts Neck Township Historical Preservation Committee
Crossroads of the American Revolution
Elizabeth Public Library
Essex County Parks Archives
Farmingdale Historical Society
Friends of White Hill Mansion
Friends of Monmouth Battlefield
Genealogical Society of New Jersey
Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore
Grabas Institute for Continuing Education
Historic Cold Springs
Historical Society of Highlands
Historical Society of Ocean Grove
Holmdel Historical Society
InfoAge Science-History Center
Keansburg Historical Society
Keyport Historical Society
Living History NJ
Long Branch Public Library
Longstreet House
Madison Township Historical Society – Thomas Warne Museum of Old Bridge
MARAC – New Jersey Caucus
Matawan Historical Society
Millstone Township Historical Preservation Commission
Monmouth County Archives
Monmouth County Genealogy Society
Monmouth County Historical Association
Monmouth County Historical Commission
Monmouth County Park System, Historic Services Division
Monmouth University Dept. of History and Anthropology
National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey
Navesink Maritime Heritage Association
New Brunswick Library
New Jersey Afro American Historical & Genealogical Society
New Jersey Civil War Heritage Association
New Jersey Hispanic Research & Information Center at Newark Public Library
New Jersey Historic Preservation Office
New Jersey Historic Trust
New Jersey Historical Commission
New Jersey Living History Advisory Council
New Jersey State Archives
Ocean County Historical Society
Old Barracks Museum
Old Wall Historical Society
Princeton Preservation Group
Rutgers University Libraries
Rutgers University Press
Shrewsbury Historical Society
Squan Village
T. Thomas Fortune House Project
Township of Ocean Historical Museum
Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen’s Museum
Union County Clerk
Union Landing Historical Society
Wainright House Museum & Craft Center
William Trent House Museum
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