Howell Heritage & Historical Society of New Jersey

06/17/2026

🇺🇸 June 17, 1885: The Statue of Liberty Arrives in America! 🗽
On this day 141 years ago, excitement swept through New York Harbor as the French ship Isère arrived carrying the disassembled Statue of Liberty.

After a stormy voyage across the Atlantic, the ship entered the harbor to an enthusiastic welcome. Cannon salutes thundered from ships and forts, crowds gathered along the waterfront, and the French tricolor flew proudly as New Yorkers celebrated the arrival of France's extraordinary gift.

Packed in more than 200 crates, the statue had been carefully taken apart in Paris and shipped across the ocean piece by piece. Despite rough seas and challenging weather, the precious cargo arrived safely.

The arrival sparked days of celebrations, receptions, and preparations for the monument's assembly on Bedloe's Island (today's Liberty Island). The statue would be erected over the next year and officially dedicated on October 28, 1886.

As one newspaper reported, New York greeted the statue "with every mark of respect and honor"—a fitting welcome for what would become one of the world's most enduring symbols of freedom and hope.



Ref: New-York Tribune, Thursday, Jun 18, 1885 ·Page 1

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06/15/2026

Join us for our monthly Open House on Saturday, June 20th at the MacKenzie Museum & Library in Howell, NJ from 1pm to 4pm. Admission is free.

Step back in time as you explore this beautifully preserved Civil War–era home, proudly maintained by the Howell Heritage & Historical Society. During your visit, learn more about one of the most significant documents in American history as this month's library exhibit highlights Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.

Be sure to follow our page to stay informed about upcoming programs, events, and exhibits. We look forward to seeing you there!

📍 MacKenzie Museum & Library, 427 Lakewood Farmingdale Road, Howell, NJ

06/14/2026

The Schoolhouse Collection – Old Ardena School #2
Featured Educator: Harry C. Mauch

Today's highlight is for Harry C. Mauch, whose teaching career began at Oak Glen School during the 1919–1920 school year. From this small rural schoolhouse, Mr. Mauch went on to a distinguished career in education, spending the next 26 years in Neptune Township schools.

By the time of his retirement in 1947, he was serving as principal of the Summerfield School, Neptune. His career was celebrated with a testimonial dinner at the Berkeley-Carteret Hotel in Asbury Park attended by more than 300 friends, fellow educators, and former pupils—a remarkable tribute to a man who had devoted nearly three decades to the education of local children.

Learn more about Howell's original schools and our dedicated educators by visiting Old Ardena School #2 on the last Sunday of each month from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Old Ardena School also holds the original Oak Glen School class register from Mr. Mauch's 1919–1920 school year.

Know the Mauch family? Summerfield School? Comment below.

06/11/2026

✈️ This Day in Monmouth County History – June 11, 1929
A routine flight from Sea Girt to Red Bank took a dramatic turn when a small airplane crashed directly into New Jersey Governor Morgan F. Larson's summer residence in Sea Girt.

William Taft, president of the Red Bank Aero Club, was piloting his Waco biplane with two passengers when the aircraft struck a flagpole during takeoff. The plane plunged into the governor's mansion, tearing through the roof and coming to rest just feet from Governor Larson's bed.

Remarkably, all three occupants escaped with only minor injuries. Governor Larson was away at the time, but his mother was in the house when the crash occurred. Newspaper reports described the mansion as heavily damaged, with plaster and timber scattered throughout the governor's bedroom.

When Governor Larson returned and surveyed the damage, he reportedly remarked, "I know one thing—I won't be sleeping there tonight."

The incident quickly became one of Monmouth County's most unusual aviation stories and a reminder of the adventurous—and sometimes unpredictable—early days of flight.

📸 Source: The Morning Post (Camden, NJ), June 12, 1929, front page, "3 Hurt as Plane Catapults Into Larson Mansion."

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06/09/2026

The Schoolhouse Collection – Old Ardena School #2
Featured Educator: Mrs. Ethel M. Bridgewater

Mrs. Ethel M. Bridgewater taught throughout the Howell Township School District for more than forty years, including long tenures at Adelphia and Ardena Schools.

This 1958 newspaper article features Mrs. Bridgewater, Anna B. Cipriano, and Louise H. Morris attending an art workshop conducted by Binney & Smith Art Supply Co. in New York. All three educators were teachers at Ardena School.

Professional development and continuing education have long been important parts of teaching. This article offers a glimpse into how local educators worked to bring new ideas and techniques back to their classrooms nearly 70 years ago.

Learn more about Howell's original schools and the dedicated educators by visiting Old Ardena School #2 on the last Sunday of each month from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

06/07/2026

This Day in Howell History – June 7, 1976

This newspaper photograph captures firefighters battling a devastating early morning blaze at Allendale Farms, an egg processing plant on Lane’s Mill Road in the Ramtown section of Howell Township. According to the article, the fire caused an estimated $1 million in damage and required the response of five fire companies. Several firefighters reportedly needed oxygen at the scene, though fortunately no serious injuries were reported.

The plant was owned by John Puglisi of Jackson Township, and the cause of the fire was under investigation at the time. The incident followed another fire that had destroyed an egg carton storage shed at the facility just weeks earlier.

Of course most of us know Puglisi Farms on Easy Street in Howell, but do you remember Allendale Farms? Did you work there, know someone who did, or recall this fire? Please leave your comments below.

Ref: Asbury Park Press 6/7/1976

06/06/2026

In January 1945, area schools were already dealing with wartime coal shortages that forced temporary school closings. Then, on January 30, disaster struck when a fire heavily damaged the Clifton Avenue School in Lakewood.

At the center of the story was Principal Mrs. Ella Clarke. Newspaper accounts reported that all students were evacuated safely, and Mrs. Clarke immediately began working with other school officials to arrange temporary classroom space so learning could continue despite the loss of the building. She also helped coordinate the response as the community rallied around students and teachers on a bitterly cold day. Mrs. Clarke’s would be in educator from 1923-1946.

Mrs. Clarke was recognized for her tremendous efforts as an educator by naming a local school after her, which opened its doors on March 1, 1949. The Ella G. Clarke school would close in 2025 due to Board of Education Consolidation efforts responding to declining enrollment.

Did a teacher or principal make a lasting impact on your family? We'd love to hear their story.

06/03/2026

Can anyone help us identify this intriguing item?

One of our society members inherited it from her grandmother, who was originally from Indiana. The piece is marked “Made in Germany” on the bottom, but beyond that, its history remains a bit of a mystery.

Our member believes it may have been used as a hot chocolate server, and it may once have had a small lid at the time.

We'd love to learn more about its purpose, age, and how it might have been used. Have you seen something similar before? Do you recognize the style, manufacturer, or function?

Please share your thoughts, memories, or expertise in the comments. Every clue helps us uncover another piece of history!

05/31/2026

Lynda Matthews Glenn Hi Lynda, I was unable to message you via Facebook, so just wanted to provide an update here. I couldn't find Ira in the school registers that I have, but I was able to find some siblings: James, Florence, Ruth, Mary & George. They appear to have attended Jerseyville School except Mary who attended West Farms. Please let me know if you would like to see the 6 registers I have - I can bring them to our June open house if that would be helpful. Great meeting you today. -Margaret

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05/31/2026

Open House Today! Sunday, May 31st

Stop by the Old Ardena School #2 today from 1:00–4:00 PM and experience what school was like in Howell nearly 170 years ago.

Explore the one-room schoolhouse, sit at historic desks, ring the original school bell, and visit our Kids' Corner.

📍 Old Ardena School #2 (Old Tavern & Preventorium Roads, Howell)
🕐 Drop in anytime between 1:00–4:00 PM

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