A new exhibit will open at the Monmouth County Historical Association Museum, 70 Court St., Freehold, on June 18.
“Spirituals to Soul: African-American Musical Heritage in Monmouth” explores the development of African-American music in Monmouth County from 1880 to 1980.
Through photos and memorabilia, the exhibit traces the development of spirituals, jazz, gospel, rhythm and blues, doo wop and soul music along with the venues in which the music was performed, according to a press release.
Along with artifacts, the exhibit also features listening stations for each of the six musical genres where visitors can hear rare recordings while looking at photos and reading about the musicians.
The presentation will feature photography, posters, sheet music, vinyl records and other memorabilia collected and preserved by music historians Charlie and Pamela Horner of Classic Urban Harmony LLC.
The exhibition grew from a collaboration between the Horners and the Asbury Park Historical Society that featured a small exhibition at Heaven Gallery in Asbury Park and was followed in February by a monthlong exhibition at the Monmouth University’s Pollak Gallery.
The exhibition in Freehold has been expanded by curators Charlie and Pamela Horner to encompass all of Monmouth County and was assembled under the eye of exhibition designer Stan Cain, according to the press release.
While the association exhibition encompasses music and music makers from throughout Monmouth County, the accent is still on the west side of Asbury Park, the community where music fans might hear Ella Fitzgerald in a late-night jam at the Orchid Lounge or Turf Club, where native talent such as David Sancious, Garry Tallent and Clarence Clemons could be seen and heard.
Those same performers could also be seen and heard pouring out their feelings and beliefs in the stirring sounds of gospel music heard in community churches, according to the press release.
A centerpiece of the exhibition is the neon sign from Leo Karp’s Turf Club in Asbury Park. The marquee was rescued from demolition by the Asbury Park Historical Society and has now been restored by Allied Environmental Signage in Farmingdale.
Company owner Kevin White donated his services to bring this artifact back to life, including restoring its ability to be lit.
A highlight of the June 18 opening reception will take place at 7 p.m. when the Turf Club sign will be lighted for the first time in more than four decades.
Cliff Johnson, a legendary nonagenarian saxophone player who played in the original Turf Club, will perform solo as the sign is lighted.
The museum will feature a Gallery Talk by Charlie and Pamela Horner, the curators of the exhibition, on July 22 from 6-8 p.m. The exhibition will remain open at the museum through Nov. 15.
The historical association’s museum and library is at 70 Court St., Freehold. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Library hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For membership or admission fees and further information, call 732-462-1466.