THEEDENWOOLLEYHOUSE

The house was located at the corner of Deal Road and Route 35. John Woolley, an English Quaker, purchased the property in 1697. The property remained in the Woolley family until 1926. In the 1700's, a one and a half story structure(the east end of the current house) was built by Thomas Woolley. In 1835 the property passed to Eden Woolley. He enlarged the house to its current size in the Greek Revival style to accommodate his family and to enhance his standing in the community. In 1849, with the creation of Ocean Township,he became the first elected Councilman.

Reflecting the rural nature of the area, the house was part of a working farm for about 150 years. In 1939 the house became the estate home of the William Henderson family with manicured landscaping and tennis courts. It was during the Henderson era that the kitchen on the east end of the house was added and the restoration of the house was accomplished.

It is one of the few 18th and 19th century houses remaining in Ocean Township.

It is one of the finest examples of an 18th and 19th century home.

It is historically important to the Township of Ocean:

the property deeds date back to 1697.

it was built by original settlers in the Township.

its Greek Revival architecture dates back to the 1830s.

it represents the evolution of Monmouth County farms of the 18th and 19th century into gentleman farm estates in the 20th century.

It is a symbol of the roots and stability of the community.

The Woolley House provides a new and much larger headquarters for the Museum

The Members of the Museum have had the responsibility of funding the repair, restoration,renovation and operations of the Woolley House. The Museum has raised over $900,000 in grants, gifts, donations and fundraising events.

Donations are still needed to fund the operation of the new facility. Gifts may be made anonymously or in memory of a loved one. All gifts are needed and welcomed. You, a member of your family, your business or community organization may want to consider giving to this project.

Send donations to:

Township of Ocean Historical Museum

P.O. Box 516

Oakhurst, NJ 07755

Checks should be written to: The Township of Ocean Historical Museum

The Museum has a new home! The Township Council has completed acquisition of the Eden Woolley House, an 18th century farmhouse rich in historical significance to the Community. As the commercial corridor along Route 35 expanded this historical house was in danger of demolition. Township officials, recognizing that this is one of the few 18th and 19th century homes remaining in Ocean Township, had it moved a short distance to Township parklands, at no expense to taxpayers. The Township Council invited The Township of Ocean Historical Museum to move its headquarters to the Woolley House. The Museum is now located adjacent to the new Township Library. The restoration of the house has been completed. The Museum provides a "cultural venue" within the Community for academic, artistic and historical events. The Museum opened to the public on July 5, 2009.

The House as it looked before it was moved to the new location

This page contains lots of information about the Eden Woolley House pictured above. Repairs, renovation and restoration have been completed. This house is the new home of the Museum.

Please note: The Museum's new mailing address is:

P.O. Box 516

Oakhurst, NJ 07755

The external features of the House have been entirely restored. Work on the interior is completed, A Grant of $99,000.00 was been received for handicapped accessibility from Monmouth County Community Development! The accessibility project is complete. The Museum has also received several grants from the Monmouth County Historical Commission! Restoration is now completed .