January Presentation and Meeting

Archaeological Treasures of Matawan and Aberdeen 

Speaker: Ralph Phillips

The Matawan Historical Society is delighted to welcome Ralph Phillips, a distinguished New Jersey archaeologist who spent his childhood in the Matawan/Aberdeen area during the 1940s and 50s. Growing up when much of Matawan was still undeveloped, Ralph explored the local farms and fields, where he discovered his remarkable talent for discovering Native American and colonial artifacts. Archaeology became his lifelong passion, and he was later joined in his endeavors by his wife, Lynn.

Ralph’s collection, accumulated over 70 years, contains many thousands of items, including projectile points, tools, and everyday objects used by the local Lenape people, as well as some by the Paleo-Indians.  He has also collected many colonial-era objects, including musket balls from local Revolutionary War sites.

In this talk, Ralph will share captivating stories of his quest to uncover local archaeological treasures at numerous Native American camp sites in the Matawan/Aberdeen area. (Matawan, situated at the crossroads of the Minisink and Chingarora trails, was a busy hub of Native American life.) Ralph will describe the settlements and daily practices of the local Native people, showcasing artifacts from his collection. He will also discuss his extensive work with the New Jersey archaeological community and recount his sometimes-harrowing encounters with local landowners.

More About Ralph Phillips

Ralph is the former president of the Monmouth County Chapter of the Archaeological Society of New Jersey where he served on its Executive Board.  He has done site and research work for the NJ Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Transportation, as well as the Monmouth County Park System.  He has worked with the top archaeologists in New Jersey, including Herbert Kraft, and done seminal work at the Monmouth Battlefield with Gary Wheeler Stone and Dan Sivilich.  As part of that effort, Ralph was a founding member of BRAVO, the Battlefield Restoration and Archaeological Volunteer Organization.  This group’s analysis of musket balls and other projectiles found at the Battlefield site yielded detailed information about specific troop encounters and battle patterns at the Battle of Monmouth.

Ralph has received numerous state and local awards for his work.  For his efforts at the Monmouth Battlefield, he was honored in a special New Jersey General Assembly Resolution signed by speaker Jack Collins.  He received the 1999 NJ Historic Preservation Award, as well as the Archaeological Society of New Jersey Achievement Award.  The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) presented him with a Certificate of Merit for his contributions to local history in the areas of communication and education.  Ralph was also particularly honored when the Town of Brielle proclaimed his birthday to be “Ralph Phillips Day.”

Ralph is currently working with the Matawan Historical Society on a project to preserve and display his unique collection of artifacts.

Free admission with refreshments following the meeting. MHS meeting afterwards.