Historian and author Jack Grodeska will open the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society’s Speaker Series on April 19 at the Strauss Mansion with his history of the Mandalay, the steamship ferry that traveled between New York and the borough in the early 1900s.
Grodeska will address the guests at the Strauss Mansion Museum at 7:30 p.m. and tell the story of the fog filled night when tragedy struck in Raritan Bay and the Mandalay sunk. This is one of the several steamships as well as passenger trains that brought visitors from North Jersey and New York to spend summers or parts of summers in the resort town on Sandy Hook Bay.
Doors to the fabled Strauss museum open for another season on Sunday, April 16, when docents will be present to introduce guests to the former summer ‘cottage” of the 19th century. The museum will be open from noon to 4 p.m.
This event is free to the public, but donations are always accepted. Guests are requested to bring a non-perishable food product or baby item to donate to the Atlantic Highlands Food Pantry.
Steven Schwankert will be the second in the Speaker Series, presenting a discussion on Simon Lake on Wednesday, May 17, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
In addition to the Speaker Series, the Strauss Museum will be featured the weekend of May 6 and 7 in the annual Monmouth County Weekend in Old Monmouth, an annual event featuring self-led tours of numerous historic sites throughout Monmouth County. This event is presented by the Monmouth County Historical Commission.
On Friday, May 19, the annual Music at the Mansion program will feature singer and guitarist Nancy Scharff, who will present a variety of music ranging from Broadway and popular tunes to classical music in an outdoor performance on the museum grounds, weather permitting. That event is available with a $20 entry fee and begins at 7:30 p.m.
Built in 1893 by wealthy New York merchant Adolph Strauss, the Strauss Mansion is a 21-room Victorian era estate on the Atlantic Highlands hillside. It offers views of New York, the harbor and Sandy Hook for its third floor Tower Room.
Following opening day, the museum is open for self-guided tours every Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.. Exhibits include Victorian artifacts, a special room on the Lenni Lenape, the earliest settlers in the area, collections of local history items and a newspaper archives and library. Entry is at no charge, however, a suggested $5 donation is requested and appreciated.
