The Middletown Historical Society is inviting new membership in the organization that has accomplished many actions and activities throughout the past year, encouraging all local residents interested in reserving local history to take a more active role in its preservation.
Society President Tom Valenti noted the Society welcomed 120 new members during the past year and held a Speaker Series that brought eight different presentations to residents. The Speaker Series included both historians and authors who educated and entertained close to 600 attendees at presentations offered by them in person and online.
During the past year, the Society secured a lease on the historic Middletown Train Station and has already announced its plans to convert the structure into a museum.
The Society also competed restoration of the original Lightfoot Map of Monmouth County, dating to 1851. The Map is now on display in the courtroom at Middletown Town Hall.
The Society continues to maintain its exhibit of Middletown postcards and a painting of Kings Highway in the main foyer at Town Hall and presented its inaugural award for Contributions to Middletown History.
The Society is inviting all who may have photos of the historic train station to share them with the Society. The station operated from 1876 through 1986, 100 years of providing passenger service for the service that runs from Bay Head to New York. Any photos will enable the Society to help tell the story of the building as well as record renovations that may be undertaken. Stories and unique memories of the station would also be welcomed.
The Society received funds from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation to place a sign, expected to be unveiled this summer, that recognizes the history of the station and the railroad lines it served. On Saturday, Feb. 15, there will be a series of Open House sessions in the Train Station for 2025 membership members only, because of space constraints. The sessions will be limited to ten persons for each tour because of the space limitations,, and members interested in participating will receive information closer to the events.
For more information on the Middletown Historical Society and to enroll in the Society or renew memberships, visit the Middletown Historical Society website.
