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.
Facebook News
🎟️ PRESALE IS LIVE NOW — MHS Members get first dibs until 6/28!
Get your tickets TODAY before they sell out 👇
🔗 Link: buytickets.at/matawanaberdeenhistoricalsociety/2281784
🔑 MHS Members: check your email for your presale access code
The story that inspired “Jaws” really happened here. On July 12, 2026 — the 110th anniversary — join us to walk the actual sites of the 1916 Matawan Shark Attacks.
This tour has sold out every year since 2016. People fly in from around the world for this. Don’t be the one who waited too long. 👀
🎫 TICKETS
→ $30 MHS Members (presale 6/26–6/27)
→ $40 General Public (opens Sunday 6/28)
→ No day-of sales — advance purchase only
🚌 THE TOUR
→ Combined bus + walking tour, ~1.5 hrs
→ 4 departures: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm
→ Air-conditioned buses, 40 guests/group — LIMITED SEATS
→ Walking portion under 1/2 mile
→ Free drinks & snacks
→ Rain or shine
→ Kids welcome (each child needs their own ticket — limited capacity)
🌉 ALSO THAT DAY
4PM Bridge Dedication Ceremony at Aberdeen Rd & Matawan Ave — naming the Fisher Stillwell Memorial Bridge in honor of Stanley Fisher & Lester Stillwell.
💛 Every ticket supports MHS & the Burrowes Mansion Museum.
General public tickets open Sunday 6/28.
🔔 Follow event updates on Facebook and IG (@matawan_history)
#Matawan1916 #SharkAttack110 #MatawanNJ #MatawanHistoricalSociety #FisherStillwellBridge #RememberThem #NJHistory
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
⚠️ Weather Update: Founders, Freedom & Fireworks — Saturday, June 27
We know rain is in the forecast for Saturday, and we want to make sure everyone has the latest information as plans are finalized.
Here’s where things stand right now:
🏛️ Burrowes Mansion Tours — ON, rain or shine!
Come visit us at 94 Main St. regardless of weather. 10 AM–3 PM.
🚶 Self-Guided Walking Tours — Still on for now
These remain scheduled, but are subject to cancellation depending on the actual weather early Saturday morning. We’ll update you as soon as we know more.
🏕️ Colonial Encampment — Postponed
Due to the forecast, the Colonial Encampment at Hourihan Field has been postponed and will be rescheduled for this fall. A new date will be announced soon — stay tuned!
🎆 Fireworks Spectacular — Pending
A final decision on the fireworks will be made by Matawan Borough tomorrow. If the fireworks need to be postponed, the raindate will be Sunday, June 28.
We’ll keep you posted with updates as we have them. Thank you for your patience — and we still can’t wait to celebrate Matawan’s history and America’s 250th with you! 🇺🇸
#MatawanNJ #Matawan250 #FoundersFreedomFireworks #WeatherUpdate #BurrowesMansion
0 CommentsComment on Facebook