Efforts to Preserve Historic Sites Recognized

Efforts to Preserve Historic Sites Recognized
Along with the recognition of the Old Tennent Church in Manalapan for conservation of their 18th Century Weathervane; Garden Club RFD (GCRFD) was recognized for its preservation of the historic one-room schoolhouse on Middletown Lincroft Road in Middletown. Preservation Awards were presented on June 1, 2015, by the Monmouth County Historical Commission noting that the honored projects reflect the preservation movement and restoration of historic sites in Monmouth County.
Guest speaker, the Honorable Lillian G. Burry, Freeholder, said, “We speak regularly of Monmouth County as an historic county. Monmouth County is historic not only for what happened here, but for the efforts of those who preserve its buildings to ensure they will be here for future generations. It has taken the personal dedication, hard work and financial commitment by these current guardians of our shared heritage.”
The Little Red Schoolhouse, as it is now known, was built in 1842 when land purchased for the goodly sum of $7.00 was used for the establishment of a learning center called the Union Schoolhouse. The school population included 49 children of all ages (first grade to high school) and 1 teacher who received $30 to $40 per quarter to teach them. It operated as a school until 1909 and for many years after, existed as a farm outbuilding.
Garden Club RFD came into the picture in 1954. Restoration and improvements immediately became evident as painting and carpentry made the Schoolhouse ready for their first fall meeting. GCRFD continued its care and In 1976, the Schoolhouse was officially designated as a National Historic Site.
In the coming year, the Garden Club will happily celebrate its 75th anniversary at the Little Red Schoolhouse and will continue to take seriously, their work as caretakers of this historic one-room building.

Ruth Korn
Garden Club RFD