Four museums open for season

The Monmouth County Historical Association’s four 18th-century historic house museums have opened for the season and will remain open through September. Open hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 1-4 p.m. Admission is free, although a donation is appreciated. The public is invited to tour these sites that reflect life as it was 250 years ago.

The MCHA’s historic houses are located throughout the county.

+ Covenhoven House (1752), at 150 W. Main St., Freehold, served as British Gen. Henry Clinton’s headquarters before the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778.

+ Holmes-Hendrickson House (circa 1754) is on Longstreet Road in Holmdel, near the Monmouth County Park System’s Longstreet Farm.

+ Allen House (built before 1740), which was a tavern in the 18th century, is at Shrewsbury’s “historic four corners,” at Route 35 and Sycamore Avenue.

+ In Middletown on Kings Highway, is Marlpit Hall (circa 1756), home to the Taylors, a loyalist family during the Revolution.

MCHA’s main museum and library is at 70 Court Street, Freehold. The museum’s hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, 1-4 p.m. The library is open Wednesday through Saturday. For membership or admission fees and further information, call (732) 462-1466 or visit www.monmouthhistory.org.

The Monmouth County Historical Association received a general operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State.