Brick's Havens Homestead Museum Opens for the Season

On Saturday, the Brick Township Historical Society kicked off a new season at the Havens Homestead Museum on Herbertsville Road.

An exhibit of old and new games was the prime attraction. Throughout the season, the museum will continue to hold events to entertain and educate the public on what life was like in the mid-1800s.

Among the games on display were Chess, Parcheesi, Backgammon and Monopoly, among others. Brick Township Historical Society’s past president Joanna Zezula said that many people are unaware of how old some of these games actually are, including some which have history that goes back to ancient times, as early as 2,600 BC.

“These games that we think are so common such as Tic Tac Toe go back to ancient Rome,” she said.

Zezula explained how Monopoly was used during World War II. She said that a special edition of the game was made and given out to prisoners of war. Real money, maps and compasses were put into it to help the prisoners escape.

In the mid 1800s, there were children’s games that focused mostly on luck while the adults' games focused more on logic, according to Brick Township Historical Society’s current president Jane Fabach. She also said that they did not require much space.

This exhibit will run through May 20 and is free to attend.

Additional events for the season include:

• April 28 - Spring Bus Trip to the Amish Country. It will include a visit to a large dairy farm, smorgasbord lunch and shopping. The cost is $70.

• June 2 (Rain Date - June 3) - Spring Yard Sale. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., items donated by members of the Historical Society will be for sale. Fabach said attendees can expect rugs, linens, lamps and more.

• July 10 - Garden Tour. This event is in conjunction with the town’s Garden Club. Fabach said attendees will be able to visit eight gardens throughout Brick and then relax at Havens Homestead where there will be tea and sweets for sale. It’s being held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be $15 to attend.

“People like to see other people’s gardens,” Fabach said. “They can learn something about what comes up when.”

• Aug. 11 and 12 - Civil War Regiment. Throughout this weekend, the 61st NY Volunteer Regiment will spend their time dressed in mid 1800s attire to show what camp life was like back then. They will fire their guns and cook.

• Sept. 8 - Jewelry Bazaar. This is an event where various kids of jewelry will be on sale. There will also be someone who will purchase gold for money, so attendees should bring their old gold that they would like to sell. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Sept. 22 - Fall Bus Trip. Attendees will take a trip to upstate New York where they will visit and tour the FDR’s home and museum and the Vanderbilt Mansion. There will also be lunch. The cost is $77.

• Sept. 29 - Afternoon Tea. From 1 to 3 p.m., attendees will enjoy an afternoon of a relaxing tea party with sandwiches and sweets. The cost is $20.

• Dec. 7 and 9 - Christmas at the Museum. Fabach said this is the biggest event of year. They decorate the museum with ornaments and Christmas decorations and serve cookies. There will also be live entertainment where attendees will be encouraged to get up and sing. The cost is $5.

For more information on these evens and the museum, contact the Historical Society at 732-785-2500.