Historical Society of Highlands

11/20/2025

TODAY IN HISTORY - NOVEMBER 19, 1863

The Gettysburg Address is a 272-word speech delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. In the speech, Lincoln honored the Union soldiers who died in the Civil War, redefined the war as a struggle for equality and freedom, and called for the nation to dedicate itself to the cause of preserving a government "of the people, by the people, for the people".

10/22/2025

Our October meeting -Tomorrow, Thursday, October 23rd - 7pm - Highlands Recreation Center

" The Lasting Impact of Slavery in New Jersey"
This is the story that seeks to fill a gap in NJ history by sharing the little known legacy of slavery across the state. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the USA, much of this story is being told for the 1st time. After the film, we will make plans to visit Marlpit Hall. Built in 1756 and home to the prominent loyalist Taylor family during the Revolution, the house includes slave quarters. Marlpit Hall is owned by the Monmouth County Historical Association. Please join us, all are welcome.

09/26/2024

Tonight, Thursday, Sept 26, at the Highlands Community Center, join local author Muriel Smith for a presentation on Rumrunners and Prohibition. Socializing begins at 7, followed by the lecture at 7:30. All are welcome!

08/07/2024

98 years ago today

04/16/2024

An Afternoon Tea at the Strauss Mansion just in time for Mother's Day

11/15/2023

Thurs. 11/16, 7pm at the Rec Center: NJ AND WORLD WAR I - FOCUS ON MONMOUTH COUNTY. Also on ZOOM - Email [email protected] for ZOOM link

10/22/2023

Asbury Park History

The Boardwalk at Asbury Park on the Jersey Shore about 1905.

Founded in 1871 by manufacturer James Bradley, Asbury Park began as a seaside residential resort in a prime waterfront location. Shortly after the city’s inception, a beach boardwalk was constructed, featuring an orchestra pavilion, public changing rooms and a pier extending into the Atlantic Ocean, capitalizing on the opportunity to attract visitors beyond the local region. News of the boardwalk traveled fast and attracted tourists from the surrounding areas. As well as entrepreneurs and entertainers looking to bring their business to town and brand their entertainment to the boardwalk’s growing crowds. As Asbury Park’s popularity increased, the size and offerings of the boardwalk expanded to accommodate higher demand. In the 1920s, the Paramount Theatre and Convention Hall ushered in a new era of music and performing arts that still exists to this day.

11/16/2022

LETS CELEBRATE TRUDY!

This Thursday night, November 17 at 7:30 at the community center, Highlands - KICKOFF PLANNING MEETING - 100TH ANNIVERSARY of Trudy Ederle's English Channel swim. We're getting ready for the huge celebration in 2026; please join us to learn how you can be involved in the commemoration of our hometown hero's amazing accomplishment - 7:30 at the Rec center, Thurs. 11/17. BRING FRIENDS! Can't drive over? Join us on ZOOM! Leave a comment here and the link will be sent to you.

06/22/2022

JOIN US AT TOMORROW'S HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF HIGHLANDS MEETING

See the HES 6th grade history projects on display tomorrow, 6/23 at our June historical society meeting - Rec Center, Highlands - 7pm. Pictured are a few of the projects from 2021.

04/16/2022

Terrific article about Long Branch boardwalk BEFORE the fire.

Long Branch Pier & Boardwalk: Seashore Fun by Greg Kelly · Published April 4, 2022 · Updated April 12, 2022 The first-ever “Long Branch Pier” out over the Atlantic Ocean was built in 1828. Called the “Bath House Pier,” it was used mainly as a dock for steamboats to and from New York City. ...

12/25/2021

″[A]nd it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us!"

10/29/2021

"A Virtual Walk Down Memory Lane" via ZOOM. Join the members of the Society to reminisce about all things Highlands at our Fall meeting on Thursdsy. November 18 at 7 pm.

Writer and historian Muriel Smith, whose book "The ABC's of Highlands" was recently published will join us to lead the evening's discussion. Also, Dolores Monahan Howard, former Borough Council member and long time resident Eileen Skiff will share memories of growing up during Bay Avenue's heyday. More guests will be announced on our page.

Members are invited to REGISTER IN ADVANCE by email to: [email protected].

We look forward to sharing our stories, photos and memorabilia with friends, family and Borough newcomers on the 18th. Join us!

09/16/2021

Historian and Society member Walter Guenther will direct a tour of the Highlands Historical Collection museum at a meeting of the Highlands Historical Society at the Twin Lights Museum, South Tower, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021 at 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

09/15/2021

Historical society meets at Twin Lights on Thursday. 9/23

HIGHLANDS - Historian and Society member Walter Guenther will direct a tour of the Highlands Historical Collection museum at a meeting of the Highlands Historical Society at the Twin Lights Museum Thursday, Sept. 23, at 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
The Society is altering its routine schedule of evening meetings to enable Guenther to explain items in the Highlands collection at the Twin Lights, some of the history behind them, and the importance of preserving them and learning more about the persons who are part of local history.
The meeting will be held at the South Tower of the Museum and will also include a greeting and information from Nicholas Wood, state historian at the Twin Lights.
Attendees at the meeting will have the opportunity to walk through the Museum Galleries at the north end of the state museum, as well as the displays and exhibits both in the Twin Lights museum, the powerhouse where the Fresnel lens is on display, and the grounds at no fee. Those who want to climb one or both towers at the museum can pay the small admission fee to access those two historic sites.
Members are encouraged to bring friends and family members to this meeting to learn more about the role of Highlands in history and the importance of the borough society’s collections.
President Sheila Weinstock will conduct the business meeting, and membership will be available to potential new members. - Muriel Smith

09/11/2021

"Light up the Shore" in Honor of Heroes of 9/11

Monmouth County's Commissioners, in conjunction with the 53 municipalities in Monmouth County, invite all elected officials and residents to ”Light Up the Shore” the evening of September 11, 2021 in honor of the lives lost and the fearless display of heroism on and after 9/11.

All are invited to arrive along the shoreline and to use their cellphones at 8:46 p.m. on September 11, 2021 to light up the skyline. For more information, please contact your local municipality or the municipality you plan to attend the event in.

Upcoming Events Saturday, September 11th at 8 a.m.: Monmouth County's September 11, 2001 Remembrance Ceremony at Mount Mitchill in Atlantic Highlands

Saturday, September 11th at 8:45 p.m.: Monmouth County's "Light up the Shore" in Remembrance of September 11, 2001 across the County's shoreline

Saturday, September 11th through November 11th: Monmouth County Historical Association's Exhibit Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of September 11, 2001 at the Taylor-Butler House, 127 Kings Highway, Middletown

Saturday, October 2nd from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: County Clerk's Annual Archives and History Day at the Robert J. Collins Arena, Brookdale Community College in Lincroft

08/07/2021

95 YEARS AGO Gertrude Caroline Ederle (Trudy), who learned to swim in Highlands, was the 1st woman to swim the English Channel. She was an American competition swimmer, Olympic champion, and world record-holder in five events. On August 6, 1926, she became the first woman to swim across the English Channel. Among other nicknames, the press sometimes called her "Queen of the Waves." Trudy died in 2003 at the age of 97 in Wyckoff, NJ. That's Trudy on the left, photo below, pictured with silent screen star Bebe Daniels from the movie "Swim Girl Swim." (Faceboard Stacey Pritchard)

08/07/2021

Antique postcard from Mrs. Harold Johnson to Mrs. Bud Hartsgrove (Mable) - Jan. 31, 1928 --- This card and other Highlands memorabilia for sale to benefit the Historical Society AT THE CLAMFEST. Come visit our booth and say hello.

06/14/2021

A beautiful day to celebrate our past vice president and civic liaison.

03/15/2021

Optimistic about our Twin Lights museum space adjacent to the South Tower reopening for the summer. Think positive!

02/28/2021

A Studebaker dealership in Highlands! An ad from the 1950 Atlantic Highlands - Highlands high school yearbook.

02/26/2021

Many familiar faces here. If you recognize any of these Highlands 8th grade graduates let us know. They will be part of the incoming Freshman high school class of September, 1950. This photo was taken from the 1950 Atlantic Highlands High School yearbook, the "Atrecall. This group would have been born from 1936 to 1938.

12/24/2020

A good thing to remember: ALWAYS write on the back of the photo, who, when, where. MEMORIES fade and inherited photos are meaningless because nobody knows who the people are. This advice came from Muriel Smith, noted Monmouth County historian.

10/21/2020

Subject: Sandy Hook's Lost Highland Beach Resort - 10/22

Join the members and friends of The Historical Society of Highlands on Thursday, October 22 at 7 pm to hear Susan Sandlass Gardiner author of "Sandy Hook's LOST Highland Beach Resort" chart the rise and fall of the iconic landmark her grandfather William Sandlass built during the Golden Age of the Jersey Shore. From 1888 until 1962 the "excursion" resort had a major impact on the economic fortunes of Highlands and Sea Bright. With bathing pavilions, restaurants, outdoor movies, a carousel, a hotel and a photo studio, Highland Beach was a mecca for thousands of tourists coming by train, ferries, steamship and car to enjoy the sun, the sand, the bay and the ocean. Meet the characters who had the vision to build this historic resort paradise, now wiped away by time, changing tastes and politics.

To join the ZOOM presentation use the link below.. The author and Rick Geffken, well known New Jersey historian, who wrote the book's preface, will host a virtual Q&A to conclude the evening's talk.

[email protected] for the link.

Topic: Hist. Society of Highlands - "Sandy Hook's Lost Highland Beach Resort"
Time: Oct 22, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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