The Museum is pleased to announce the Research Library is open to the public. The research library is open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. during Museum hours. A librarian can assist you with your questions or research. It is required that you make an appointment on Tuesday and Wednesday. A Museum volunteer Librarian will be on duty to assist those making appointments. Phone 732-531-2136 to schedule an appointment. Leave a message on the machine if the Museum is not open when you call.
This exhibit, in the Museum's West Gallery, tells the fascinating tale of the treacherous nature of early sea travel and the many shipwrecks along the Jersey shore, New Jersey's role in the nation's response to shipwrecks and the heroism of Lifesaving station #5. Visitors to the exhibit will rediscover fond memories of the Takanassee Beach Club.
Attendees will learn about the three distinctive buildings that still stand at Takanassee which were part of the U.S. Lifesaving Service, created in 1848, in response to the alarming loss and property from ships wrecked off our nation's shores; most notably along New Jersey's coast.
On display are relics retrieved from legendary local wrecks, the New Era (1854), the Adonis (1859), the Rusland (1877) and the Pliny (1882).
Our friend and founding member of the Township of Ocean Historical Museum, Norma Eberhardt Dauphin recently passed away. Ms. Eberhardt was known for her roles in films such as The Return of Dracula and Live Fast, Die Young. Eberhardt was married to French actor Claude Dauphin, and spent her time between France, England and New Jersey. The "Our Town Gallery" has a tribute to her and her film career is taking place at the Museum.
This Exhibit will be showing until May 31, 2012. More
Museum Gold (and Silver) Event
Thursday, February 9, 2012 (Snow Date Thursday, February 23, 2012)
In centuries past, New Jersey was the mariner’s nightmare—arguably the deadliest coast in the world. It is said that if all the ships wrecked along its expanse were laid end to end, the string of sunken hulls would stretch from Sandy Hook to Cape May. A deadly combination of shallow and shifting shoals, strong in-shore currents, heavy ship traffic, North Atlantic storms, and primitive navigational and weather forecasting tools together made the Jersey coast the “graveyard of the Atlantic.”
An appeal for help came from a NJ Congressman William Newell (later governor). At his urging, the federal government appropriated funds to establish life-saving stations along the coast. The first federally-equipped station was built at Sandy Hook. Not long after, another was set up at Takanassee beach in Long Branch. More
Four times larger than the Goodyear blimp, the German airship Hindenburg was described by its designer, Hugo Eckener as “. . . a fabulous silvery fish, floating quietly in the ocean of air . . .”
The grandest of all airships carried its wealthy travelers in splendor. (Famous passengers on previous trips included a young Nelson Rockefeller, actor Douglas Fairbanks and German world-heavyweight boxing champion Max Schmeling.)
A one-way ticket cost $400, about the price of a small car in those days. Passenger staterooms included sinks, with a shower available. An observation deck provided a spectacular view. The kitchen was stocked with the finest foods, which were enjoyed in an elegant dining room. There was a dance floor with a band stage, and a baby grand piano adorned the lounge. There was even a smoking room! More
Copyright 2012 (C) Township of Ocean Historical Museum
8th ANNUAL SPRING TEA
April 28, 2012 - 1:00 pm
West Park Avenue Recreation Center
Every spring the ladies of the Museum offer homemade baked goods, sandwiches and a selection of many kinds of teas. Be sure to make your reservations early as this event has sold out every year since 2005. Tickets will go sale March 8th.
Weekend In Old Monmouth
May 5, 2012, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm - May 6, 2012, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Eden Woolley House
FREEHOLD, NJ ––““Weekend in Old Monmouth”” returns again with 40 historic sites throughout Monmouth County opening their doors to visitors interested in local history. Hours for most sites are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 1.
Forty historic sites will participate in the fourth "Weekend in Old Monmouth event,”” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the county’s Historical Commission, coordinator of the weekend event. ““Independent and local historic sites are generally operated independently of one another, but this special tour project synchronizes the hours of operation so history buffs can walk or drive to many of the county’s richest historic places and enjoy them in the spring.”” More
GET INVOLVED
The Museum is an all Volunteer Organization. We are always looking for help with projects, our many events, or just staffing the Museum. Check out our needs and Get Involved
