Historical Society sends out call for new members

BRICK TOWNSHIP — Up until a few years ago, a fall "Harvest Festival" was always penciled in on the Brick Township Historical Society's calendar.

There were scarecrow and pumpkin decorating contests, hot dogs, soda, fall desserts, crafters and music.

"We tied up traffic all the way to Route 70," longtime member Jane Fabach recalled.

But this year, society members had to squeeze in the traditional tours of the Havens Homestead Museum for all the fourth grades in the township in October. There wasn't enough room or members to do both the tours and the festival.

Many of the roughly 120 members have been there since the beginning, when the society was formed shortly after the 1976 Bicentennial.

"It grew out of the Bicentennial Committee," said Jane Fabach, a society stalwart who joined in 1986. "Different people that worked on it enjoyed working together and talked about forming a historical society." But the society needs some new blood.

"We are losing people," Fabach said. "Some have passed away, some are retired and enjoying their lives in other states."

"I want 40s," longtime member Gene Donatiello said, after he had finished cutting the grass on the museum grounds off Herbertsville Road last week. "I want people that can climb a ladder and cut the grass."

Most of the current membership is over 50, Fabach said.

"We have members that are close to 90," she said. "We've gotten some younger one, sometimes high school and college kids have joined. But as they move on in their lives, they don't have the time."

The dearth of members is not just a Brick problem, Fabach said.

"Every historical society in the area has the same problem," she said. "The nuts and bolts of the society, there's like maybe 25 or 30 of us doing most of the work. We have peripheral people. We always tell them, just help out when you can. If you want to join, you don't have to be at every event."

Society members are gearing up for their annual two-day, old-fashioned Christmas event at the farm, which is slated for Dec. 12 and Dec. 14.

But they hold a number of other events during the year, including a "Spring Fling," a yard sale, Civil War encampment in August, and an 1800s breakfast at the Havens house every September.

The society also meets on the second Tuesday in September, November, January, March and June.

"We're starting to plan everything for next year," Fabach said. "We haven't set any dates yet except for the meetings."

All that is needed to be a society member is an interest in history and preservation in history. People of all ages are welcome, she said.

"You don't have to be from Brick," Fabach said.

Anyone interested in joining the society may call 732-458-7507, 732-785- 2500 or visit the Web site at www.bricktwphistoricalsociety.com.