Monmouth County - Freehold - The Thistle: November, 2018

Volume 2, Issue 11 Davidson Building, Broad Street,  Red Bank, NJ. MCHA Archives Photo. The Association moved its headquarters to the second floor of this location in December 1910, along with the law offices of then President John S. Applegate. The first floor of the building, which still stands, was formerly Prowns and is presently occupied by a Chase Bank branch. 120th Anniversary Series 1908-1918 A look back at the second decade of MCHA, from 1908 - 1918, shows an increase in the size and scope of membership with an important transition in leadership, as well as an established routine for meetings and administration that reflects the gracious tempo of life for many residents of Monmouth County during this era. By 1909 there were 180 members of the Association with a few new members approved at most meetings. In 1911 a class of 52 members was elected including such prominent citizens as Herbert N. and Percy S. Straus of R.H. Macy & Co. as well as leading financiers Paul M. and Felix M. Warburg. During this period the Association began to concentrate on expanding its membership to represent a larger segment of the County. Vice Presidents were appointed to recruit MCHA participants from Shrewsbury, Middletown, Freehold, Neptune and Ocean and later a membership soliciting committee was created. Another large class of 28 was welcomed to MCHA in 1917, which included Mrs. J. Amory Haskell, who would become one of the most pivotal members of the Association until her death in 1942. This decade also saw a change in Association leadership. At a 1911 meeting in her Locust home, MCHA founder Mrs. Caroline Gallup Reed tendered her resignation as President after thirteen years of service, citing "advancing years and the necessity for her to be as free as possible from unnecessary responsibilities". The trustees accorded her the official title Founder - President Emeritus. The Honorable John S. Applegate became the second President until his death in 1916. He was succeeded by Edward Dean Adams of Rumson and then, in 1918, by William Allen Patterson of Middletown. During the earlier years of this period, MCHA meetings were held monthly from May through October, in deference to members who spent the winter months in New York City and elsewhere. After dealing with Association business, one or more speakers would present a paper on a topic of interest to the group, often but not always dealing with New Jersey history. Presenters included scholars from Princeton, Columbia and Oberlin Universities in addition to professional historians and literary minded Association members. The topic of the Revolutionary War was especially popular and on occasion the lectures were illustrated with stereopticon slides and a "magic lantern" an early type of image projector.  Continue Reading Join Today! Portrait of William I. Conover (1836 - 1902) by George Henry Durrie. Gift of Mrs. J. Amory Haskell, 1939. Conover Family Portraits Featured in New Exhibit Come visit a new exhibition at MCHA spotlighting 19th century portraits of the Conovers, an early influential family of Monmouth County.  "A Family Reunited: The Conover Portraits" features artwork that has not been exhibited together for over 100 years, when the collection was divided among family members.  The exhibit will remain on view through January 2019.       MCHA assembled the works on display from private collectors, descendants of the Conover family, and the Association's permanent collection.  At the heart of the exhibit are seven portraits of Tunis V. Conover of Marlboro, his wife Rebecca Crawford Conover, and their three children Hendrik S., Anne B., and William I. Conover. They range in date from 1819 to 1855.  Artists represented include New Jersey painters Micah Williams and Harvey Jenkins as well as Connecticut artist George Henry Durrie.  The exhibition also offers the unique opportunity to compare three depictions of a single individual at different stages of life portrayed by three different artists utilizing their individual vision and techniques.  Rebecca Conover sat for her first portrait in pastel by Micah Williams in 1819 at age seven, then for Durrie at age thirty and then Jenkins at forty-five years of age in 1855.           The display of portraits is augmented by a nineteenth century painting of the family residence in Marlboro, and a pictorial sampler worked by young Rebecca Crawford Conover in 1824.      A presence in Monmouth County for over 300 years, Conover ancestors were among the earliest Dutch settlers, arriving in what is now New York around 1630 and taking up residence in Monmouth County in the late 17th century.  By many accounts staunch Patriots during the Revolutionary War, the family seemed to be known for successful farming and both community and church leadership.      "A Family Reunited: The Conover Portraits" will be open from November 2 through January 2019 at the Monmouth County Historical Association Museum, 70 Court Street, Freehold.   Mistletoe Be of good cheer! The Taylor-Butler House is decking its halls and throwing open its doors for the 2nd Annual Mistletoe Please join friends old and new on Saturday, December 8, from 5:30 to 7:30 at this Victorian gem in the heart of historic Middletown for libations, revelry and a carol or two.  Come join in the merriment! For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Deanna Wilson at dwilson@monmouthhistory.org or (732) 462-1466 x19. Learn More 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 There Are Lots of Ways to Support MCHA Donate      AmazonSmile      GivingAssistant Membership      Volunteer Monmouth County Historical Association received an operating support grant from the  New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.

Monmouth County Historical Association, 70 Court Street, Freehold, NJ 07728