Residents are invited to attend a variety of educational events at the Monmouth County Library as the library celebrates New Jersey’s 350th anniversary.
Chat with Gen. George Washington and heroine Molly Pitcher, see a cannon named Thundering Barbara, and listen to period music and great authors at a special New Jersey 350th anniversary weekend of programming June 7-8 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan.
“We invite residents from all over the state to help us celebrate New Jersey’s unique heritage at the library’s New Jersey 350th Weekend,” said Renee B. Swartz, chair of the Monmouth County Library Commission. “New Jersey was truly at the crossroads of the American Revolution, and our weekend programs will inform, entertain and amaze you about New Jersey’s exceptional place in history.”
At 1 p.m. June 7, meet children’s author Trinka Hakes Noble, who wrote “The Scarlet Stockings Spy,” a story about young heroes in the early days of the American Revolution.
Noble will also read from her newest picture book, “The Legend of the Jersey Devil.”
There will be a gallery of Jersey Devil drawings by young library patrons and a birthday cake for New Jersey. Mini-horses Buster and Star will be on hand to represent the state animal.
On June 8, join the library for the Revolutionary Monmouth event, an afternoon of history and music as Monmouth County’s pivotal role during the Revolutionary War is celebrated.
This free and family-friendly program will run 1-4 p.m. at library headquarters in Manalapan.
Keynote speaker Michael Adelberg, author of the award-winning history, “The American Revolution in Monmouth County: The Theatre of Spoil and Destruction,” will discuss how, in Monmouth County, the American Revolution deeply divided residents in a regional civil war that continued long after it was over. Adelberg’s book was named one of the 101 Great Books of New Jersey by New Jersey 350.
Other highlights of Revolutionary Monmouth include the following:
The West Jersey Artillery. The actual West Jersey Artillery fought in the Battle of Monmouth, just a few miles away from library headquarters. The artillery consists of 15 living historians in period costume and their authentic replica cannon, Thundering Barbara.
The Early Music Players. Musicians in period dress will perform songs dating from the Revolutionary War period.
Meet Gen. George Washington; Molly Pitcher; and Ned Hector, an African-American hero and artilleryman. Listen to their stories and take a photo with a Revolutionary star.
Browse through exhibits offered by Shrewsbury Towne-Monmouth County DAR, Monmouth County Historical Society, Navesink Maritime Heritage Association, Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Archeological Society of New Jersey and Monmouth County Archives.