Monroe Township Historic Preservation Commission

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, a diverse collection of historic artifacts including ancient Native American 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 Historic Preservation Commission was created to foster and enhance civic beauty and neighborhood pride, discourage the unnecessary demolition of historic resources, prepare a survey of historic sites in the municipality, make 
recommendations to the planning board on the historic preservation plan element of the master plan, and advise the planning board on the inclusion of historic sites in the recommended capital improvement program, promote and protect the cultural, social, economic and architectural heritage of the Township, maintain and develop an appropriate and harmonious setting for historic buildings, sites, objects or districts in the Township, and implement other advisory, educational, and informational functions as will foster historic preservation in the municipality.