Tomorrow, after stopping by at the Allen House in Shrewsbury at 9 a.m. and feel the inspiration hearing the words of the Declaration of Independence read aloud. Think back to when Thomas Jefferson holed himself up in his room in Philadelphia to concentrate on the words for the document that formed a nation.
Think of how the young and the old, from Jefferson to Delaware’s Caesar Rodney and Philadelphia’s own Benjamin Franklin, were inspired by John Adams’ fiery New England twang urging his fellow Congressional members to take action and shore up George Washington’s troops leading their own battle for freedom.
Think of New Jersey’s own five signers of the Declaration of Independence and realize how each of these men truly did put his life, his land and his personal honor on the line for this belief.
Then walk across the street, better yet, if your car is parked in the Shrewsbury Borough Hall parking lot, take advantage of the Shrewsbury Historical Society’s magnificent collection. Tomorrow, July 4, will be the last chance to see an exhibit of 45 chairs, perfect seating arrangements for infants, toddlers, busy housewives, hardworking farmers, and professionals, all captured in a display that shows not only American ingenuity but also the best of designs from other nations and centuries.
Each story has a history of its own, and the Shrewsbury Historical Society is filled with members who know those histories and are so willing to share them with everyone.
This particular exhibit was also on display, in part at the Monmouth County Library’s Eastern Branch, but even if you’ve seen it there, there are more chairs to see at the museum tomorrow before it closes.
Ask about becoming a member of the Society; ask about their next exhibit scheduled to open in the fall. Check out some of the other new items on display to celebrate the Fourth. Enjoy the delicacy of the miniature houses and ask for the history behind them.
The Museum will be open July 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. enough time to let you see how thriving and ambitious this Historical Society is and the contributions it makes on a regular basis to preserving the history of Shrewsbury and the surrounding area.
