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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🇺🇸TONIGHT - An Evening with Michael Adelberg at Freneau Woods Park!
Long before uniforms and battle lines, Monmouth County had its own secret war that was fought from whaleboats in Raritan Bay, launched right out of Matawan Creek.
Historian Michael Adelberg brings this hidden history to life TONIGHT, Monday, August 3rd at 6:30 PM, featuring original privateer reports straight from the archives.
Stick around for a book signing of his new release, The American Revolution on the Jersey Shore, plus a bonus talk on Matawan’s own Major John Burrowes, Jr. — Continental Army officer turned Monmouth County Sheriff.
📍 Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center, 360 Monastery Lane, Aberdeen, NJ
🕕 6:30 PM | FREE admission
And mark your calendars — this history comes alive again on Saturday, August 29 for The Great Whaleboat Races, a community event honoring the same whaleboat warriors of Raritan Bay!
🚣♂️ Stay tuned for details.
Tonight event is co-sponsored by the Matawan Historical Society, Keyport Historical Society & Monmouth County Park System.
Whaleboat Warriors - The Privateers of Matawan Creek and Raritan Bay - Presented by Michael Adelberg
#MatawanHistory #RevolutionaryWar #NJHistory #Monmouth250 #JerseyShoreHistory #GreatWhaleboatRaces
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