Events

Eleanor Roosevelt: The First Lady of Today's First Ladies

Join us for a presentation by Mark Mutter 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.

Mark spends summer months working as a docent at Campobello Island, where the Roosevelts had their summer cottage. During his time there, Mark has done extensive research on Eleanor Roosevelt. Mark has served as mayor and business administrator for Toms River. He is also the official Toms River Historian. Formally a practicing attorney, Mark is now an adjunct professor of law at Ocean County College.

This event takes place at our museum at 26 Hadley Avenue in Toms River.  Our speaker series is free to members and non-members, but donations are greatly appreciated.

SEATING IS LIMITED! To reserve your seat, send your name, zip code, email address, and the date of the program to oceancountyhistory.programs@gmail.com.

Holiday Gifts, Crafts and Collectibles Faire

The Ocean County Historical Society will be hosting their 36th Annual Holiday Gifts, Crafts and Collectibles Faire on Sunday, November 3 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. It will again be in the Toms River High School South cafetorium. Admission is free!

In addition to over 80 vendor tables, there will be historical and cultural displays, baked goods for sale, our popular 50-50, a Boy Scout Troop 20 Snack Stand, and much more. This event, sponsored in part by the Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission, will feature an Ocean County History and Cultural Pavilion.

The Toms River High School South cafetorium is located in the Downtown Toms River area at the intersection of Hooper Avenue and Grant Avenue. Use 212 Hooper Avenue as a GPS setting.

ATTENTION VENDORS: Click the link below for vendor information and a contract that can be printed out and mailed in.

Vendor information and contract

New Jersey and World War I

The Ocean County Historical Society Commemorates Veteran’s Day with a presentation by Dr. Jeffrey Schenker entitled New Jersey and World War I. This program will explain the events that led to the Great War and will 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. He is also the president of the Ocean County Historical Society.

This event takes place at our museum at 26 Hadley Avenue in Toms River.  Our speaker series is free, but donations are greatly appreciated.

SEATING IS LIMITED! To reserve your seat, send your name, zip code, email address, and the date of the program to oceancountyhistory.programs@gmail.com.

Victorian Open House

The Ocean County Historical Society is pleased to announce our fourth annual Victorian Style Open House to be held on Saturday, November 30 from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM. Bring your children and grandchildren to meet Santa Claus. Bring your camera to take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Tour our Victorian style house and museum complete with holiday music and decorations, and enjoy holiday refreshments and gifts for the children. Best of all the event is free! Enjoy a fun filled event with the whole family. For additional information, please call Jeff at 609.3349.9134 or email jeffschenker@myyahoo.com

The Army's House of Magic: A History of Fort Monmouth, NJ

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 located 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 also be adapted for civilian use.

Please join us for this informative talk by Monmouth University Professor Melissa Ziobro, the last Command Historian at Fort Monmouth prior to the base’s closure in 2011, and author of Fort Monmouth: The Army’s House of Magic (2024).

This event takes place at our museum at 26 Hadley Avenue in Toms River.  Our speaker series is free, but donations are greatly appreciated.

SEATING IS LIMITED! To reserve your seat, send your name, zip code, email address, and the date of the program to oceancountyhistory.programs@gmail.com.

The Hindenburg Experience

Come and experience the last flight of the Hindenburg from Frankfurt, Germany to Lakehurst, NJ in 1937! At 803 feet in length and 135 feet in diameter, the German passenger airship Hindenburg was the largest aircraft ever to fly. The commercial flights of the Hindenburg along with the Graf Zeppelin pioneered the first transatlantic air service. She carried hundreds of passengers and traveled thousands of miles before burning in a tragic fire on May 6, 1937 at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station. Let your imagination soar as you take a trip through the history of the Hindenburg.

Bill Schmidt, a member of the Lakehurst Historical Society and the Navy Lakehurst Historical Society, has done extensive research on the last flight of the Hindenburg . 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 free to members and non-members, but donations are greatly appreciated.

SEATING IS LIMITED! To reserve your seat, send your name, zip code, email address, and the date of the program to oceancountyhistory.programs@gmail.com.