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35 THE CHRIST CHURCH OF MIDDLETOWN corner of King's Highway and Church Street, Middletown, (732) 671-2524 This church has served a Church of England con- gregation since the 1680s. In 1795, the Church was deeded land of the Middletown Village blockhouse and county court by a former justice of the court. In 1744, a church building was erected on the blockhouse foundation. The pres- ent Christ Church building was built in 1836, still using the blockhouse foundation dating to 1670. CHURCH OF PRESIDENTS 1260 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch In the late 1800s, Long Branch prospered and grew from the nation's first seashore resort to the "summer capital of the nation." Seven U.S. Presidents (Grant, Hayes, Wilson, Garfield, Arthur, Harrison, and McKinley) all chose to summer here and worship. In 1881, the St. James Episcopal Chapel was built and consecrated. Constructed in the traditional shape of a cross, its architecture resembles a cottage of the pseudo-Tudor design which was popular in the 1880s. Now the home of the Long Branch Historical Museum, it con- tains artifacts and memorabilia relating to Long Branch's national historical role, the original altar, transepts, and part of the nave are preserved. While there, visit Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park on the corner of Ocean and Joline Avenues (732-842-4000). This thirty-eight-acre park was named to honor the seven presidents who vaca- tioned in the immediate area. THE COTTAGE MUSEUM 105 Simpson Avenue, Island Heights (732) 929-1486 www.islandhts.org The Island Heights Cultural and Heritage Association has recently purchased a circa 1880 Carpenter Gothic cottage, which will be restored and furnished in the simple "summer at the shore" style, making it a living museum. Open April – December, every third Saturday, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. COVENHOVEN HOUSE 150 West Main Street, Freehold (732) 462-1466 www.monmouthhistory.org Built 1752-1753, Covenhoven House served as headquarters for British General Sir Henry Clinton before the Battle of Monmouth in 1778. Open May – September, Fri., Sat., Sun. 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. BAY HEAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM Corner of Bay and Bridge Avenues at the border of Bay Head and Point Pleasant, (732) 892-0223 www.bayheadhistoricalsociety.com The Bay Head Historical Society Museum is open to the public seasonally from May to October. This 1867 farm home with outstanding interior woodwork has been restored to its former glory. The museum is home to memorabilia and history of life in this part of the Jersey Shore. An exhibit of turn-of-the-century photographs of the area plus artifacts and heirlooms donated by local residents are on permanent display during the season. The front salon is a gallery for changing displays of local art and special area exhibits. The Victorian garden, the sea grass garden, and the lilac memorial garden are outstanding. Completing the complex is the Dale Cottage, which celebrates the maritime heritage of the area. Open Friday - Monday 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Groups by appointment. BLANSINGBURG SCHOOLHOUSE MUSEUM 1701 New Bedford Road, Wall (732) 974-1430 The Old Wall Historical Society has restored and furnished this 1855 one-room schoolhouse. Classes are welcome to participate in a day of liv- ing history here. Open to the public on Sundays, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. CHRIST CHURCH 380 Sycamore Avenue at Broad Street, Shrewsbury (732) 741-2220 Serving an Episcopal congregation since in 1702, the 1769 Christ Church building was designed by colonial architect Robert Smith. A clock tower with bell was added in 1874. The church was used as a barracks during the Revolutionary War, resulting in a bullet hole in the steeple gilt ball and a musket ball embedded in the original pulpit. Many settlers of Monmouth County are buried in the graveyard surrounding the church whose earliest grave marker is dated 1719. Inside are a number of objects of historical interest. These include a 1716 "Vinegar" bible (famed for the misprints it contains), a Bishop's chair carved by the parish clerk from a churchyard oak tree, the communion service given to the church by Queen Anne in 1708, and the Parish's royal char- ter granted in 1738. Continued on page 36