Pride in Our Past & Present
Settled by a group of Scottish Presbyterians beginning in the 1680’s, Matawan was first called New Aberdeen, and then Mount Pleasant. Today, Matawan’s historic town core retains its appeal as a place to live, work, and shop.
America’s 250th Birthday celeBRATION
The Borough of Matawan has adopted the 250-Resolution formally announcing Matawan’s participation in the upcoming 250th birthday celebration of the United States of America.
Special Announcement: The Matawan Historical Society is pleased to announce that it is collaborating with the Keyport Historical Society on a series of special events celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution. This includes co-sponsoring related lectures in our regular monthly meeting series, as well as partnering on special events commemorating the local fight for independence in the Bayshore area. Both Matawan and Keyport are proud partners in the RevolutionNJ and MonmouthNJ 250 programs.
Matawan and Keyport’s first collaborative event will be John Schneider’s lecture “The Deadly Divide: America’s First Civil War During the American Revolution” on January 26, 2026. A complete list of our upcoming events will be published soon.
Burrowes Mansion History
The new edition of The Burrowes Mansion of Matawan New Jersey: and Notations on the History of Monmouth County, Second Edition (2023) by Mary Lou Diecker and Barry C. Orr is now available! The Burrowes Mansion, constructed in 1723, celebrated its 300th Birthday in 2023, and this newly expanded edition of the book commemorates that anniversary. Please visit our “Shop” page to order your copy.
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Before the fireworks… there are the ghost stories 👻
The Burrowes Mansion — Matawan’s 303-year-old landmark at 94 Main Street — has stood through centuries of American history. British musket balls struck its walls during the Revolution. Patriots and Loyalists lost their lives within its walls. And it was compelling enough to draw the attention of the Travel Channel’s Ghost Nation, who came to investigate what else might still linger within its rooms.
Whether you’re a history buff, a paranormal enthusiast, or just curious what it feels like to walk through a 300-year-old mansion — the Burrowes Mansion has something for you.
Free guided tours on June 27, 10 AM–3 PM. 📍 94 Main St.
Event page:
facebook.com/events/s/founders-freedom-fireworks-mat/1577383243749912/
Borough of Matawan, NJ
#GhostNation #BurrowesMansion #MatawanHistory #Matawan250 #FoundersFreedomFireworks #MatawanNJ #HistoryAlive #Paranormal #TravelChannel
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MHS Member Spotlight: Reverend Jeffrey Gray
Reverend Jeffrey Gray has had a long connection to Matawan and a corresponding commitment to faith, education, and community service which has made him a respected figure in the borough.
Born in Long Branch, New Jersey, Rev. Gray moved with his family to Aberdeen at the age of seven. A graduate of Matawan Regional High School's Class of 1984, he felt called to ministry while still a teenager. As he recalled in a 2007 Asbury Park Press profile, “I felt God leading me to preach the gospel.”
Following high school, Rev. Gray attended Northeastern Bible College, earning a bachelor's degree in Bible Studies in 1989. He later pursued graduate studies in Christian Education, Theology, and Pastoral Ministry, continuing his preparation for a life of religious service. He was licensed into the Gospel ministry in 1991 and was ordained in 2005.
For more than four decades, Rev. Gray has been associated with Second Baptist Church of Matawan, where he serves as Assistant to the Pastor. Over the years, he has taught adult Bible classes, conducted midweek studies, preached, and ministered to generations of congregants. In interviews, he has emphasized that ministry is ultimately about helping people and serving the community.
In addition to his religious work, Rev. Gray has devoted many years to local education. He has served as a teaching assistant at Matawan High School and previously worked as a substitute teacher within the Matawan-Aberdeen school system (my daughter Amy’s favorite!) His commitment to both education and faith reflect a deep investment in the well-being of local residents.
A student of history and an active member of the community, Rev. Gray represents the enduring connections that bind Matawan's past and present. In a recent historical reenactment, he portrayed the 1st minister of the St. James AME Zion Church, James Simmons (c. 1792-1873). Rev. Gray’s life story is one of dedication—to his faith, his church, his students, and the community he has called home for most of his life.
MHS President - Mark Chidichimo
(Photo credit - Matawan American Legion)
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