January Meeting – John Schneider on ‘The Deadly Divide: America’s First Civil War During the American Revolution’
We are happy to welcome well-known local historian John Schneider as our first speaker of 2026! Please join us for this free event, open to the public. A brief business meeting will follow John’s talk. This event is co-sponsored by the Keyport Historical Society.
Topic – “The Deadly Divide: America’s First Civil War During the American Revolution”
History Is About to Get Uncomfortable, but in the Best Possible Way
The American Revolution didn’t unfold the way most of us were taught. And this year, Monmouth250 isn’t beginning with a parade or a polite lecture. Instead, it’s beginning with a challenge.
On January 26th, at the Matawan Masonic Lodge No. 192, sponsored by the Matawan and Keyport Historical Societies, historian and author John Schneider will kick off our local Monmouth250 events with a riveting presentation that reexamines the Revolutionary War through a lens most people have never seen.
Named one of Monmouth County’s Top 50 Historians of the last 50 years, Schneider doesn’t retell familiar myths, he dismantles them. Drawing on deep local research, original sources, and decades of scholarship, his presentation reveals how the Revolution was fought here—along the bays, rivers, back roads, farms, and taverns of New Jersey—often in ways far messier, riskier, and more human than traditional history books admit.
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.
Before and after the presentation, attendees will be invited to take part in a unique interactive experience: Selfie opportunities in Revolutionary-era clothing, holding period relics, and posing in front of a historically inspired backdrop, It’s an unforgettable way to step into the 18th century and take a piece of history home with you.
In addition, John will have many of his books available for purchase and signing, including Fighting for Freedom on Raritan Bay, The Deadly Divide, and Origins of Liberty, along with other acclaimed works exploring the Revolutionary era in New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic. These are books that go far beyond textbook history into the real forces that shaped American independence.
If you think you already know the Revolutionary War, this event may surprise you. If you love history, this will deepen it. If you think history is boring, this may change your mind.
This is where Monmouth250 begins in Matawan and Keyport.
About John Schneider
John Schneider, an ever-popular speaker at MHS, is an award-winning local historian, author, teacher, and television host. He brings history to life through storytelling, humor, and deep respect for the human experience. More information about his work can be found at https://createavisionmedia.com/.
Free admission. All are welcome to attend.