Keyport Historical Society

05/28/2026

🚂🇺🇸 Stop by the Keyport Historical Society table during the Bayshore Patriotic Bike Ride on Saturday, May 30!

As riders travel along the Henry Hudson Trail and visit Main Street Park in Keyport, we invite everyone to explore a special display of local railroad history and Bayshore memories.
Highlights will include:

-Historic photographs from the days when the railroad was fully operational
-Railroad artifacts from the Keyport area
-Model trains representing lines that once frequented Keyport
-Information about the history of the Henry Hudson Trail and Marie Cottrell Park
-An opportunity to share your own memories and stories

We are also pleased to welcome noted author and Keyport local historian Tom Gallo, who will be joining us during the event.

Whether you’re riding the trail or simply stopping by, come celebrate community, history, and America’s 250th with us!

05/26/2026

🇺🇸🚲 Celebrate America’s 250th on the Bayshore! 🚲🇺🇸

On Saturday, May 30, communities across the Bayshore will come together for the Bayshore Patriotic Bike Ride along the Henry Hudson Trail — and Keyport is proud to be one of the stops along the route!

Whether you ride a little or a lot, this family-friendly event is all about community, patriotism, fresh air, and fun. Decorate your bike, gather your friends and family, and enjoy the beautiful Bayshore at your own pace.

Be sure to stop by Main Street Park in Keyport between 10am–3pm to visit with local organizations including the Keyport Historical Society, Keyport Recreation, Monmouth County Parks, and more.
As we celebrate America’s Big 250, we invite everyone to experience the spirit, history, and hospitality of our Bayshore communities.

We hope to see you on the trail!

05/23/2026

🇺🇸🚲 We’re excited to help promote the Bayshore Patriotic Bike Ride on Saturday, May 30!

Be sure to stop by Main Street Park in Keyport along the Henry Hudson Trail between 10am–3pm and celebrate America’s 250th with communities across the Bayshore.

Decorate your bike, ride at your own pace, and enjoy a fun day of patriotism, fitness, and community spirit.

We hope to see many riders visiting Keyport throughout the day!

Looking ahead to next Saturday May 30th .... clean your bike up, pump those tires, head to the HHT

04/30/2026

We’re excited to be part of this weekend’s Revolutionary Weekend in Old Monmouth! 🇺🇸

Explore more than 50 historic sites across four self-guided tour routes—and don’t forget to start your journey on the Bayshore (purple) route with us at the Keyport Historical Society Museum, the very first stop!

Admission is free, history is waiting, and we’d love to welcome you.
Come discover Keyport’s story and experience a piece of our shared past.

We hope to see you this weekend!

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Monmouth County’s history comes alive!

🗓️ Revolutionary Weekend in Old Monmouth returns May 2-3!

Step back in time and explore 50+ historic sites and museums - all FREE - from Revolutionary War landmarks to hidden gems, presented by the Monmouth County Historical Commission and the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners.

Nearly half of this year’s stops date back to the Revolutionary era, with many locations offering special exhibits and programs to mark America’s 250th. It’s a chance to reflect on what happened right here in - and how those moments still shape our communities today.

🔗 Plan your weekend and view the full list of sites: https://www.visitmonmouth.com/Page.aspx?Id=3464



Monmouth County Government
Monmouth County Clerk's Office
Monmouth County Sheriff's Office
Monmouth County Tourism
Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area
Revolution NJ
America250

04/20/2026

We’re excited to see the return of the Arts Society of Keyport's beloved Art on the Bay—with a special theme this year celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary! 🇺🇸

The Keyport Historical Society is proud to support community efforts that honor our nation’s history through creativity, culture, and local pride. We encourage everyone to follow the Art Society of Keyport and take part in this wonderful annual tradition along the bay.

Hey Bayshore!! Calling all creators, dreamers, and neighbors! 🌊🎨

We are so excited to invite you to "Art on the Bay," a unique waterfront art contest as we look toward a very special milestone: America’s 250th year!

Our beautiful Keyport waterfront is the perfect backdrop to celebrate our history and our future. This contest is a fantastic opportunity to share your vision of community, culture, and connection. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just love to create, we want to see your interpretation of this historic anniversary through a local lens.

📍 Where: Keyport Waterfront
🎨 Theme: America’s 250th Celebration
✨ Goal: Building culture and making connections in the Bayshore Area

Let’s come together to honor our heritage and showcase the incredible talent right here in our own backyard. It’s more than just a contest: it’s a way to leave our mark on history together!

Ready to get involved? For entry details and more info, reach out to us at [email protected]. We can't wait to see your vision come to life!

04/17/2026

We are open for the season! The Keyport Historical Society Museum is pleased to be welcoming visitors once again, and we’re proud to feature our new 250th Commemorative Exhibit, honoring Keyport’s role in our nation’s founding era.

Explore local stories, discover connections to the American Revolution, and experience the rich history that shaped our community.

-Sundays 1–3 PM (through October 25)
-Free admission (donations appreciated)
-ADA accessible

Interested in a private tour? Call us to schedule with at least two days’ notice.

We look forward to seeing you!

Monmouthnj250

03/09/2026

The Keyport Historical Society is pleased to partner with the Matawan Historical Society on an upcoming lecture commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution.

On March 23, historian Rick Geffken will present New Jersey’s Revolutionary Rivalry: The Untold Story of Col. Tye & Capt. Huddy, exploring one of the most dramatic episodes of the Revolutionary War in New Jersey.

This free program will be held at 192 Main Street in Matawan at 7 PM. We hope you’ll join us.

New Jersey's Revolutionary Rivalry, the Untold Story of Col. Tye & Capt. Huddy brought to you by The Keyport and Matawan Aberdeen Historical Societies

Speaker: Author & Historian Rick Geffken
Monday, March 23, 2026 - 7pm
192 Main Street, Matawan

New Jersey's Revolutionary Rivalry, the Untold Story of Col. Tye & Capt. Huddy The intriguing and little-known story of the Revolutionary War conflicts between a runaway slave called Col. Tye fighting for the British and his Patriot foe. The extralegal hanging of militia Capt. Joshua Huddy in Highlands, New Jersey created an international incident when George Washington resolved to hang a British P.O.W. in retribution. These incidents threatened the success of the Paris Peace Treaty talks which were saved by the intervention of the Queen of France, Marie Antoinette.

This is a FREE event. All are welcome to attend. Regular meeting to follow presentation.

March Presentation: New Jersey's Revolutionary Rivalry, the Untold Story of Col. Tye & Capt. Huddy

03/06/2026

Keyport has so many remarkable stories—and we love seeing them highlighted!

Thank you to Monmouth County for featuring Schanck Mansion on Main Street in their Monmouth County Then and Now series.

Built between 1886 and 1888 by J.G. Schanck, this striking Victorian Shingle-style home remains a recognizable historic residence in Keyport and a reminder of the prosperous waterfront community that flourished here in the late 19th century.

Even more special—this history is still personal for many in our community. One Keyport resident shared that the home belonged to her great-grandparents, and that she was named after her great-grandmother Martha Washington Seabrook Schanck, who raised her family there.

Stories like these remind us that Keyport’s history lives through generations of families who have called this town home.

If you have memories, family stories, or photos connected to the Schanck Mansion, we’d love to hear them in the comments!

02/24/2026

MARK YOUR CALENDARS – On April 25, 2026 the Keyport Historical Society will host its 2026 Afternoon Tea and Fashion Show.

Tickets will go on sale on MARCH 1st! Hosted again this year at the Keyport Yacht Club with stunning views of the Raritan Bay, tickets for this event are highly sought after. We hope to see you there!

02/17/2026

POSTPONED. Due to the incoming snow storm, this event has been postponed. A rescheduled date will be posted at a later time........................

REMINDER TO JOIN US on Monday, Feb 23 at 7pm for a special revolution-era presentation.

The Deadly Divide: America’s First Civil War During the American Revolution in Monmouth County FREE Presentation

Hosted at the Matawan Masonic Lodge No. 192 and sponsored by the Matawan and Keyport Historical Societies, historian and author John Schneider will kick off our local Monmouthnj250 events with a riveting presentation that reexamines the Revolutionary War through a lens most people have never seen.

This is the Revolution as it was lived: fought by ordinary people with extraordinary consequences, and driven by trade, supply lines, loyalties, betrayals, and survival. And yes, there will be stories told that very few people know.

This is where Monmouth250 begins in Matawan and Keyport.