The Colts Neck Historical Preservation Committee (CNHPC) is presenting its annual Country Christmas at the Montrose School. Sunday, Dec 4. From 1 to 4 p.m.
Seasonal refreshments, and holiday music performed by the Mike Wells Trio will fill the historic Montrose one-room schoolhouse along with this free traditional holiday fest at the old School located at the corner of Montrose Road and Cedar Drive.
Chairperson County Commissioner Lillian Burry will read “The Night Before Christmas” to the Children and adults, an annual tradition. Santa Claus will take time out from his busy schedule to pose for free photos. The Christmas tree inside the school will be festooned with decorations appropriate to the period. We will have a visit from “Norman the Christmas Dog,.” A new children’s book written and illustrated by local professionals, author Candace Faust and artist Morgan Spicer.
In addition, the committee is selling, the popular map depicting Colts Neck historic sites, (suitable for framing) at $20 each, and “A Tour of Historic Colts Neck” booklet written by County Commissioner Lillian G. Burry at10 each as well as the “Norman the Christmas Dog, an excellent gift for children of all ages.
“Our Christmas open house last year was so popular, many have asked us to repeat it,” said Chairperson Burry, the former Colts Neck Mayor. “Everyone on the Colts Neck Historical Preservation Committee enjoys preparing and opening the Montrose School for special events that highlight our township’s unique role in 19th Century America. Commissioner Burry continued “We invite everyone to share in the warmth and historic significance of the Montrose School during this community celebration.”
Mrs. Burry negotiated the purchase of the school, the only publicly owned one-room schoolhouse in Colts Neck. This was accomplished at the cost of $1 from the township’s former Historical Society over a decade ago. The committee raises funds to continue to upgrade and maintain the school.
