Getting to Know the History of Manalapan, New Jersey
By: Nazli Mohideen
Manalapan Township is located in Monmouth County, New Jersey, and is home to approximately 40,000 people as of last year, according to the United States Census Bureau.
In a blog post published by Rob Dekanski on behalf of the Robert Dekanski Team of New Jersey Real Estate Network, he mentioned the area offers public transportation, shares close proximity to Princeton University and Brookdale Community College and prides itself in being commuter friendly.
“Life in Manalapan provides everything residents love about living in a small town,” he said. “From its rich history to its beautiful suburban homes, there are many reasons to fall in love with Manalapan…Manalapan is a vibrant small town that puts its residents first. With its strong local economy, excellent schools, and fantastic amenities, Manalapan is a wonderful place to call home.”
Though the cost of living is higher when compared against other areas in the state, the opportunity for exploration of different eateries, events and historic sites are abundant, Dekanski said.
In fact, he mentioned a well-known historic site is the Monmouth Battlefield State Park. At this plot of land, a battle of the Revolutionary War was fought in June of 1778, according to an article published by the American Battlefield Trust.
During this battle, George Washington and his troops forced the British to retreat after an encounter that lasted numerous hours, the article said.
Now, the park is used for biking, hiking, limited hunting and picnicking by the general public. Park officials caution visitors to leave minimal human impact on the land, so the historic site can be preserved in the best possible condition, as mentioned in the Rules and Regulations section of the Official Site of the State of New Jersey.
Working alongside New Jersey in these preservation efforts is Friends of Monmouth Battlefield. This organization was created in 1990 and hosts a variety of events in awareness of the park and the history behind it including operating tours and a gift shop, releasing articles about the site and educating audiences in nearby schools, among other initiatives, according to their website.
The organization’s mission statement reads in part, “The Friends of Monmouth Battlefield are dedicated to protecting, preserving and interpreting the military and social history of the Monmouth Campaign of 1778 and the cultural landscapes of both the battlefield and associated sites within a broader geographic area beyond the Park.”
Susan Cohen, cofounder of the Manalapan Domestic Violence Team and mayor of Manalapan, said in a campaign statement that she hopes to continue to collaborate with local volunteers and address residents’ concerns.
Cohen promised “to continue to work hard (and) to focus on the issues that are important to Manalapan’s families” in addition to “continue to work together with our volunteers that help make our town ‘a great place to live.’”