Historic House Volunteer Program

The Monmouth County Historical Association was founded in 1898 and, in 1936, acquired the first of its five historic house museums. The organization owns the Allen House (1710), Covenhoven House (1752-53), Holmes-Hendrickson House (1756), Marlpit Hall (1756), and the Taylor-Butler House (1853).

With a small staff and budget, the Association relies heavily on its volunteers to perform many needed functions. Volunteers serve as docents at the Association’s historic houses, assist in staffing the Association’s museum and library, and represent the Association at community events.

The volunteers are completely responsible for the historic houses where they are stationed, providing interpretation to visitors, and interior and exterior maintenance. Landscaping includes care for two herb gardens for growing historically appropriate herbs and plants. Volunteers grow and maintain the herbs along with educating the public on the garden and the uses of each herb in the 18th century. Each house has special public programming, carried out principally by volunteers. For example, at the Covenhoven House, volunteers demonstrate open-hearth cooking.

Volunteers receive training by historians so that they will be well equipped to understand the historic properties they are interpreting and help bring them to life for the visiting public. Docents are also encouraged to learn more about their specific fields of interest, which allows them to further enhance the experience of visitors.

Designated a Preserve America Steward in July 2015.