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.
Burrowes Mansion Book Now Available
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
Burrowes Mansion 300th Anniversary
On June 3rd and June 4th 2023, the Matawan Historical Society held a historic event honoring the Burrowes Mansion and its 300 years of history. The festivities included a reenactment of the 1778 Mansion raid by the British (see video here), a self-guided walking tour of the Matawan historic district, tours of the Mansion, and many other activities. The anniversary was featured in the Asbury Park Press on June 3rd.
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“Glenwood Institute, Matawan, NJ”
-1908
10 Church Street
The 3-story Italianate structure, built in 1857 and enlarged in 1874, was the home of a nationally prominent prep school for 58 years. Established as Middletown Point Academy in 1834, it was originally located in a smaller building across the street. In 1874 it became known as the Glenwood Institute and finally as the Matawan Military Academy until closing in 1915. The former school has been successfully adapted to a new use as townhouses and stands beautifully restored today.
Prominent former students include:
-Garret Hobart (24th Vice-President of the United States)
-Henry Stafford Little (one of the most powerful political influencers of the early 20th century)
-Joseph Bedle (23rd Governor of New Jersey, born and raised in Matawan)
-Elmer Geran (US Congressman)
-Judge Henry Terhune
-Robert Laird Borden(Prime Minister of Canada from 1911-1920, also served as a professor at the school)
“Between 1873 and 1874, Robert Laird Borden served as a professor of classics and mathematics at the academy. In his memoirs, he noted that most of his students were from the village of Matawan, and described the people of the village as “highly educated and cultured.”
Are you interested in learning more about Matawan and our 300+ years of rich history?
The Matawan Historical Society is a group of local volunteers who help preserve our town’s unique history through events, education, tours, and the operation of Burrowes Mansion Museum on Main Street.
matawanhistoricalsociety.org/join-or-donate/
Please consider joining today!
Credit: Matawan Historical Society, Atlas-Obscura
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Wouldn't mind seeing a full student list at some point