COLTS NECK – The Colts Neck Historical Preservation Committee will present a Country Christmas at the Montrose School. Seasonal refreshments and holiday music performed by the Mike Wells Trio will fill the historic one-room schoolhouse from 1-4 p.m. Dec. 9.
The Colts Neck Historical Preservation Committee is sponsoring this free traditional holiday fest at the school at the corner of Montrose Road and Cedar Drive, according to a press release.
The committee’s chairwoman, Monmouth County Freeholder Lillian Burry, will read “The Night Before Christmas” to children and adults. Santa Claus will take time out from his busy schedule to pose for free photos. A Christmas tree inside the school will be festooned with decorations appropriate to the period, according to the press release.
In addition to its popular maps depicting Colts Neck historic sites (suitable for framing, $20 each), the committee will be selling its line of commemorative glassware featuring Montrose School and Bucks Mill, created exclusively for the historical preservation committee by Folio Art Glass of Colts Neck, according to the press release.
“Our Christmas open house last year was so popular, many have asked us to repeat it,” said Burry, who is a former mayor of Colts Neck. “Everyone on the historical preservation committee enjoys preparing and opening the Montrose School for special events that highlight our township’s unique role in 19th century America. We invite everyone to share in the warmth and historic significance of the Montrose School during this community celebration.”
Burry negotiated the purchase of the school, the only publicly owned one-room schoolhouse in Colts Neck. This was accomplished at a cost of $1 from the township’s former historical society more than a decade ago. The historical preservation committee raises funds to continue to upgrade and maintain the school, according to the press release.