BY DICK METZGAR
Staff Writer
A county’s historic legacy is only as good as the community support it can generate. With one of the nation’s richest histories, Monmouth County is no different.
With that in mind, the Monmouth County Historical Association has created a new 30-member community advisory board which will help the organization develop new ways to promote the county’s history and create new audiences to explore it.
According to MCHA Director Lee Ellen Griffith, the association received an $8,076 state grant to launch a membership development and public outreach program and diversify the organization’s base of community support. Griffith said a large number of prominent county residents responded to the association’s request for candidates to make up the new advisory board.
“More than 50 people responded and we narrowed down the membership to this group of 30 dedicated individuals,” Griffith said. “Thankfully, with their help, we will now be able to meet our objective to communicate the rich diversity of our collection to the broader Monmouth County community.”
The impressive list of county notables on the new board includes the following: Vicky Seretis-Allen, Matawan; Joel L. Bohm, Manalapan; Richard Brawer, Ocean; Janice Campbell, Lincroft; Dennis Canada, Freehold; Monmouth County Freeholder Robert Clifton, Matawan; Barbara Davis, Red Bank; Rebecca Ginsberg, Manalapan; Nancy Grbelja, Millstone; Brian Greenberg, Shrewsbury; Maureen Honecker, Brielle; U.S. Congressman Rush Holt, West Windsor; Barry Johnson, Neptune; Cynthia Joy, Freehold; state Sen. Ellen Karcher, Marlboro; state Assemblyman Sean Kean, Wall; Eugenia Lawson, Freehold; John E. Laird, Little Silver; Jess A. LeVine, Avon; Toby Mack, Manalapan, Sue McClure, Farmingdale; Robert Munoz, Freehold; Jeanne Ostrowski, Neptune; Cecelia Reynolds, Freehold; David Saltzman, Asbury Park; Somdatta Sengupta, Eatontown; Roberta Sheridan, Red Bank; Michael Ticktin, Roosevelt; Monmouth County Park System Secretary-Director James J. Truncer, Allentown; and Nancy Wallace, Manalapan.
The MCHA collects, preserves and interprets its extensive museum, library and archival collections that relate to Monmouth County’s history and culture while making these resources available to the widest possible audience.
The association’s mission statement says it “enriches the quality of life in Monmouth County by preserving and passing on knowledge of its diverse heritage for future generations.” The MCHA Board President is Judith Stanley Cole-man, of Middletown. The community board staff consists of Lee Ellen Griffith, director, Freehold; Sue Kozel, consultant, Cream Ridge; Cassandra Patterson, membership manager; Neptune; and Kevin Coyne, MCHA board liaison, Freehold.
Members of the new advisory board will meet between five and six times a year.
“These volunteers are committed to preserving the historical integrity of Monmouth County,” Griffith said. “We seek to create a distinguished advisory board to help us increase public awareness and participation at all levels of MCHA programming. History belongs to all of Monmouth County and we want to better showcase and share the diverse and rich collections that we hold.”
The MCHA maintains six historic sites: the museum and library (1931) and the Covenhoven House (1752), both in Freehold Borough: the Holmes-Hendrick-son House (1756), Holmdel; the Allen House (before 1740), Shrewsbury; Marl-pit Hall (circa 1756) and the Taylor-Butler House (1853), both in Middletown.
The MCHA’s museum and library is at 70 Court St., Freehold Borough. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The library is open Wednes-day through Saturday. For membership or admission fees and further information call (732) 462-1466, or visit the Web site www.monmouthhistory.org.