Buy A Raffle Ticket, Help Save Historic Howell Schoolhouse

HOWELL, NJ — Tickets for a 50-50 raffle are still available for the Howell Heritage & Historical Society's fundraiser to preserve the historic Ardena Schoolhouse.

The raffle drawing will be at 2 p.m. this Sunday, Aug. 28, during an open house for the schoolhouse from noon to 4 p.m., said society President Bob Novak. The Old Ardena Schoolhouse is on the corner of Old Tavern Road and Preventorium roads, across from the ballfields, he said.

The cost is $5 per ticket and books of five are $25.

The society also has monthly meetings and the meeting this Friday, Aug. 26, is at the Ardena Baptist Church Gym, Adelphia-Farmingdale Road (Route 524) at 7 p.m. A member will give a talk on baskets used in farming and other household functions, Novak said.

Novak said he welcomes donations through the website and says he can still arrange the sale of the raffle tickets. He said people interested in the tickets can leave a message at the MacKenzie House museum at 732-938-2212 and members will get tickets to those interested.

Email HowellHeritageandHistoricalSoc@gmail.com for more donation information.

On February 24, 2020, the society received the deed for the MacKenzie Museum and Library property from Howell Township. On September 14, 2021 Howell Township Council passed an ordinance leasing the land under the Ardena Schoolhouse to the Howell Heritage & Historical Society. They are now in full possession of two major historic properties in Howell, the society says on its website.

The society has raised funds to paint the historic schoolhouse, and now wants to replace the roof.

Ardena is "the last one-room schoolhouse in Howell Township that remains as it was originally intended," the society says in its flyer about the raffle ticket sales.

The mission of Howell Heritage & Historical Society is to collect and preserve materials related to Howell Township’s cultural and historical heritage; to provide the Howell Township residents and the public at large, accessibility to materials, displays and buildings that highlight the historical significance of Howell Township, and to promote the study of local and regional history through educational programs and events, its website says.

The Howell Heritage & Historical Society meets the fourth Friday of each month (except November and December) at 7 p.m. at Ardena Baptist Church Gym. The meetings feature various talks and presentations, and are open to anyone with an interest in the history of the Howell area, according to the website.