Dey Farm Historic Site

The Dey Farm Historic Site located at 401 Federal Road is part of a developing historic hamlet sponsored by the MTHPC in an initiative to honor and preserve Monroe’s heritage for the education and enjoyment of the community’s future generations.

The first steps towards this initiative were taken in 1994 with the dismantling and preservation of the H. H. Dey Barn.  Since then, contributions including multiple charitable gifts as well as the support of the township, have enabled the MTHPC to acquire 40+ acres to dedicate to the historic site. MTHPC has succeeded in the renovation of the Prospect Plains One-Room Schoolhouse and the Dey Farm Barn.

Several museum exhibits are on display in the various buildings, of historic artifacts including ancient NativeAmerican Indian tools and arrowheads, 18th and 19th and early 20th century farming equipment, and common household goods demonstrating the lifestyles of Monroe’s ancestors. A particularly treasured item on display is a block of wood, cut from a grand old oak tree beneath which General Washington held council on June 27, 1778 preceding the Battle of Monmouth.

This collection, as well as the town’s historic archives, including maps, genealogical data, and photo archives are housed within the Dey Farmhouse. The Dey Farm Historic Site hosted its first event on June 27, 2003, in celebration of the 225th anniversary of the Eve of the Battle of Monmouth Encampment. The event paid tribute to the General George Washington’s Continental Army (plus MollyPitcher), who spent the evening prior to the battle, encamped on a nearby farm while General Washington and Alexander Hamilton, as well as the Marquis de Lafayette and General Charles Lee stayed at adjoining homesteads. A fellow by the name of James Monroe was a Captain andadviser to General Washington at the time. James Monroe was later to become the fifth President of the United States, and the Township was named in his honor.