The fictional story of New Monmouth in the 19th century will be the subject of the Sept. 15 Historically Speaking Lecture Series on Thursday, Sept. 15.
Dr. Stanley Blair will present “Hello from Bushy Hollow” on Zoom Sept. 15 at 7 p.m., cosponsored by the Monmouth County Historical Association and the Monmouth County Library.
Dr. Blair will speak on the 19th century work of former Middletown resident Henry Morford, who died in 1881.
Morford published a compilation of stories, “Spree and Splashes: or Droll Recollections of Town and Country.”
Reportedly, the writings are true accounts of events that happened to the author or people he knew and describe life and special locations in Middletown at the time. The stories are humorous and entertaining.
Born in New Monmouth, Morford established the New Jersey Standard publication in 1852, and was a shopkeeper and postmaster in Middletown before writing numerous sketches of life in other parts of the United States and Europe.
Blair is an associate professor in the English Department at Monmouth University. Several years ago, he presented a program for the Monmouth County Library on the similarities between Wanamassa and the community depicted in Margot Widdemer’s book, “Why Not.”
Registration for the program is free and available by contacting MonmouthCountyLib.org, or visiting their website.
