Howell Heritage & Historical Society of New Jersey

11/03/2026

Hello Friends. Enclosed is our updated calendar for the remainder of 2026. Lots of exciting events being planned by Howell Heritage & Historical Society of New Jersey

11/03/2026

Hello Friends. A special collection by the Senior Center of your extra Halloween candy. See attached flyer circulating from the Township.

The Howell Township Senior Center is collecting leftover Halloween Candy and snacks to send to Troops serving overseas. “Always Supporting Our Military” will be sending it to the Troops serving overseas. Please drop off your goodies at the Senior Center or to Steven Fecher at Town Hall by Monday, November 23, 2026.

10/31/2026

🎃 HAPPY HALLOWEEN, HOWELL! 🎃

As the trick-or-treaters head out today, we’re taking a trip down memory lane to look at the history in our candy buckets.

Did you know? Tootsie Rolls hit the market in 1896, Milky Ways debuted in 1923, and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups have been a favorite since 1928!

Everyone has a nostalgic favorite they wish they could still find on shelves today.

👇 Let’s settle a Halloween debate in the comments:
• What is your all-time favorite classic candy that you still love getting today?
• What is a discontinued favorite from your childhood that you miss the most?
• And a fall favorite... Who likes candy corn? Is it one of your favorites?

Have a safe, fun, and beautifully spooky night, Howell!

Send a message to learn more

10/30/2026

🎃 HALLOWEEN IN HOWELL! 🎃

From homemade ghosts and goblins to the classic plastic masks of the 70s and 80s, Halloween costumes have changed a lot over the decades—but the excitement of trick-or-treating in Howell Township never changes!

Tomorrow we’ll see many children in today’s costume designs – trick or treating on a Saturday! For today, we want to spotlight how our community has celebrated over the years, and the best historical archives are tucked away in your family photo albums.

Do you have vintage photos of yourself or your family dressed up for Halloween in Howell?

Drop your favorite vintage Halloween costume pictures in the comments below, and let us know what year (or decade) it was. Let's bring back some spooky memories!

Send a message to learn more

10/29/2026

Howell Heritage & Historical Society of New Jersey is selling 50/50 tickets for $5/each. This is our largest fundraiser of the year. Due to NJ State Law, tickets cannot be purchased online. Please PM me if interested in purchasing tickets. Drawing will be held at MacKenzie Museum on December 19th. Thank you for your support.

10/28/2026

🗽 TODAY IN HISTORY: October 28, 1886 🗽

"Liberty Enlightening the World" is officially dedicated!

After years of planning and cross-Atlantic collaboration, Auguste Bartholdi’s great statue was formally dedicated today in New York Harbor.

Behind this iconic monument is a fascinating story of public fundraising. As the Granite Pedestal neared completion, the famous New York World Fund successfully raised $100,000 to secure its base. However, an additional $40,000 was still required to pay for the critical iron fastenings and the final er****on of the Statue.

To bridge this gap, the American Committee of the Statue of Liberty relied on public subscriptions by selling miniature statuettes. Thousands of citizens across the country answered the call, purchasing the "No. 1" size for one dollar or the "No. 2" size for five dollars to proudly display in their homes.

Do you have one of these miniature statuettes? Have you visited the Statue recently? Share your thoughts or family stories in the comments below!👇

10/27/2026

John T. Reid – Ardena Postmaster

A 1891 newspaper article documented a major milestone for the Ardena community – it described the official establishment of the neighborhood Ardena Post Office.

Via the official U.S. Appointment of Postmasters ledger (from ancestry dot com) on August 25, 1891, the federal government formally created the Ardena branch, commissioning local resident John T. Reid as its very first postmaster.

This new mail hub was located near the historic Our House Tavern on Adelphia Road (Route 524). In the late 19th century, placing a neighborhood post office near a prominent crossroads tavern was the ideal way to connect a rural community.

John T. Reid’s remained anchored to the Ardena branch for eleven years until its closing.

We have to assume that the rollout of Rural Free Delivery (RFD) lead to the post office’s closing in 1907. As mail carriers began delivering letters directly to individual farmhouses, small neighborhood branches across America became obsolete. When the branch closed, all future mail operations for the area were officially transferred to the larger hub in Freehold.

If you have any details on this post office or a relation to Mr. Reid, feel free to comment below.

Send a message to learn more

10/25/2026

Old Ardena School #2 Open House
TODAY Sunday, October 25th, Howell Heritage & Historical Society is hosting visitors to Old Ardena School #2 in Howell, NJ. Visit our historic school, take a photo with the Statue of Liberty and learn about Statue of Liberty Day (October 28th).

The school will be open from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Admission is FREE.

We will also be accepting drop off donations for our Holiday Drive supporting Joshua House.

10/24/2026

Hi Friends. We are extending our deadline to accept donations for our Holiday Drive, supporting Joshua House in Farmingdale NJ. Please PM me to make arrangements for pickup. Thank you for your support!

10/22/2026

👋 Hello Friends! Here’s another bit of local trivia!

You can find this historic building along Route 33, not far from Brickyard. Back in the mid-1800s, it served two important purposes for local residents.

🏛️ Can you guess which building this is and what two needs it served in our community?

Share your guesses in the comments! 👇