This issue is dedicated to the memory of our long time friend and Trustee Norm Hungerford |
120th Anniversary Kick-Off Sometimes the stars just align. On October 12, 2018, exactly 120 years since the founding of the Monmouth County Historical Association, the Annual Tavernfest will kick off a year-long celebration of the organization's milestone anniversary. The 18th century Allen House Tavern Museum will welcome guests for a 21st century evening of music, food and merriment. The Thistle will commemorate this MCHA landmark with a special feature exploring the history and development of MCHA in each edition over the span of 12 months. To launch this series, let's go back to the beginning.  | | | Caroline Gallup Reed |
MCHA was founded on October 12, 1898 at Reedmont, the Locust home of Caroline Gallup Reed. A longtime summer resident who had recently retired to the area, Mrs. Reed invited fellow esteemed residents to this initial meeting because, she felt, "it seems to me high time the people of Monmouth County began to collect and preserve for posterity history of deeds of valor performed at home...No county is richer in noble sons and daughters, significant events and acts of heroes than Monmouth. They must not be forgotten." A descendant of founding families of the Colonies and a renowned educator and founder of one of the most prestigious schools for women in New York City, Mrs. Reed was elected as the first president of MCHA.
During the early years the organization functioned more as an exclusive society, counting many of the county's leading citizens as members. In 1903 one of the members, Edward Dean Adams, suggested MCHA adopt an official insignia for its members. Adams, who also served as the President of the New York Numismatic Society, engaged celebrated medalist Victor D. Brenner to design the dies for the Association Medal. Brenner immigrated to the US from Russia in the late 1800's, already experienced in the art of seal making. After attending Cooper Union and working with a respected jeweler in New York, he went to Paris to study under Louis Oscar Roty, then acknowledged as one of the world's greatest medalist. The recipient of many awards and prestigious commissions on his return to the US, Brenner met President Theodore Roosevelt...... |
| | | Embroidered Mourning Picture by Catherine L. Schanck of Matawan, Gift of Mrs. William M. Kissam,1974. |
Polite and Useful Education: Pictorial Needlework Embroidery
An exhibit of pictorial embroidery will open at the Association's museum on October 12. Eight works ranging in date from 1706 to 1985 represent the highest achievement in female needlework art, being the culmination of a young girl's training with the needle. They include such subjects as religious scenes, mourning memorials, depictions of buildings, and simply decorative designs. Six of the pictures were worked by young and adult women from Monmouth County. Monmouth County's proximity to the city centers of Philadelphia and New York meant easy access to high quality teachers, a number of whom opened schools in and near Monmouth. The necessary materials such as imported silk threads, needles, and popular design sources such as prints and engravings could also be readily obtained. Large and complex needlework pieces, such as Catherine Schanck's Balshazzar's Feast, relied on the assistance of professional artists, who would sketch out the preliminary design on the ground fabric. Catherine's linen panel clearly shows the original layout on its reverse.
| | | Belshazzar's Feast by Catherine L. Schanck of Matawan, gift of Mr. and Mrs. William M. Kissam, 1991. | |
Large needlework panels also represented a serious financial investment on the part of parents. In Elizabeth Bowne's Render Unto Caesar, her parents paid for the extensive amount of wool yarn, the instructor's time, and an expensive frame once finished. Upon completion, Elizabeth's parents had an imposing work of art to display proudly in their parlor for admiring guests.Public and Useful Education will remain on view until the end of January 2019. While some of these exceptional examples entered the Association's collection seventy years or more ago, it is believed that none of them have ever before been placed on exhibit. |
Tavernfest! Join us on October 12, 2018 to celebrate Tavernfest and exactly 120 years since the founding of Monmouth County Historical Association! Our annual Tavernfest will kick off a year-long celebration of MCHA's milestone anniversary. The 18th century Allen House Tavern Museum will welcome guests for a 21st century evening of music, food and merriment. |
Looking forward to seeing you there! |
| | Tavernfest chairs Jesse Spector (L) and Sandy Mulheren (R) |
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In Memory of Norm Hungerford MCHA is sad to report that trustee and 2016 Garden party honoree Dr. Norman Hunderford passed away on August 31st at the age of 79. Norm was one of our greatest champions and spent countless hours enhancing the grounds around all six of our historic properties. While he was technically the Chair of our Grounds Committee, he was so much more than that, casting a vision for each locale and then personally overseeing every project with the grander vision in mind. Norm gave his time and expertise to many other charities, and all county residents will miss his generosity of spirit. Our condolences go out to his three daughters and his friend Kay, and we so appreciate that they noted donations could be made in Norm's memory to MCHA in lieu of flowers. Godspeed Norm. |
Real Estate Sign Finds a New Home Social media feeds were flooded with images of a Diane Turton Realtor sign that washed ashore in France earlier this year. The sign, a casualty of Superstorm Sandy is returning to the states and will find a new home with MCHA as a part of our Tracking Sandy: Monmouth County Remembers exhibition. As we near the sixth anniversary of Superstorm Sandy a small reception will be held at the museum on Wednesday, October 24th at 5:30 pm to welcome the addition. The exhibition will be on view at MCHA until November 24. |
Sewing Group Meeting Interested in sewing or 18th-century clothing? Stop by our next meeting of our monthly sewing group on Saturday, October 20 from 12-4 pm at the Museum in Freehold.
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If you would like to learn more about your company's matching gift program or leaving MCHA a gift in your will please contact us directly at 732-462-1466 or email giving@monmouthhistory.org |
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There Are Lots of Ways to Support MCHA
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Monmouth County Historical Association received an operating support grant from the
New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State. |
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