Ocean County Historical Society
26 Hadley Avenue
Toms River, NJ 08753
732-341-1880
Local museum and history organization preserving Ocean County records, artifacts, research materials, and historic stories.
Featured Historic Sites
Ocean County history includes aviation milestones, Revolutionary War activity, local museums, maritime traditions, and historic communities tied to the Jersey Shore and Pinelands.
Ocean County Historical SocietyMuseum and research center in Toms River preserving Ocean County local history, artifacts, records, and community heritage.
Hindenburg Disaster SiteLakehurst-area aviation landmark connected to the famous 1937 airship disaster at NAS Lakehurst.
Manahawkin SkirmishRevolutionary War engagement in Stafford Township involving Capt. Reuben Randolph's Manahawkin militia and loyalist forces.
Affair at Cedar BridgeBarnegat-area Revolutionary War site associated with one of New Jersey's last Revolutionary War battles.
Historic Overview
Ocean County's history includes Native American heritage, colonial settlement, maritime industries, Revolutionary War events, commercial fishing, boating traditions, aviation history, and the growth of famous Jersey Shore communities. The county is also internationally known as the site of the Hindenburg disaster at Lakehurst.
Aviation History
The Hindenburg disaster remains one of Ocean County's best-known historic events and connects the county to global aviation history.
Revolutionary War Heritage
Sites such as the Manahawkin Skirmish and the Affair at Cedar Bridge preserve stories of militia action, loyalist activity, and wartime conflict in southern New Jersey.
Local History Resources
The Ocean County Historical Society provides a central resource for residents, visitors, researchers, and families exploring the county's past.
Shore & Maritime Identity
Historic Ocean County is closely tied to bay communities, shore towns, maritime routes, fishing, boating, and coastal settlement patterns.
Ocean County Historic Places Directory
The original Ocean County historic listings are preserved below in a cleaner directory format.
Airship Hindenburg Disaster Site
Saniuk Road
Lakewood, NJ 08733
At 803.8 feet in length and 135.1 feet in diameter, the German passenger airship Hindenburg was the largest aircraft ever to fly. The commercial flights of Hindenburg and Graf Zeppelin pioneered the first transatlantic air service. The Hindenburg was destroyed in a tragic fire on May 6, 1937 at NAS Lakehurst, claiming 35 lives.
Manahawkin Skirmish
North Main Street and North Lakeshore Drive
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
On this ground, Capt. Reuben Randolph led the Manahawkin militia against a larger force of British loyalists commanded by Capt. John Bacon. During the action, Lines Pangborn was killed, and fellow patriot Sylvester Tilton was seriously wounded.
Affair at Cedar Bridge
Route 72 and Old Halfway Road S
Barnegat, NJ 08005
After searching for Capt. John Bacon, Capt. Richard Shreve and Capt. Edward Thomas stopped near Cedar Bridge Tavern. Bacon and loyalist forces surprised the militia, and the action became one of the notable Revolutionary War stories preserved in Ocean County.
Revolutionary War Sites & Local History
Ocean County's Revolutionary War stories are especially connected to Stafford Township, Barnegat, militia activity, local loyalist conflict, and routes through southern New Jersey.
Historic trip idea: Combine the Ocean County Historical Society in Toms River with Revolutionary War markers in Manahawkin and Barnegat, then continue to the Long Beach Island and Barnegat Lighthouse area for coastal and maritime history.
Related Ocean County Guides
Continue exploring Ocean County through related NJTGO county and town pages.
Ocean County Main PageReturn to the county hub for towns, parks, visitor resources, government, recreation, and countywide information.
Arts & EntertainmentFind Ocean County theaters, music halls, arts organizations, and cultural venues.
TransportationFind Ocean County travel access, highways, public transportation, and regional connections.
Long Beach IslandExplore shore towns, lighthouse history, beach communities, and bayfront destinations.
Toms RiverCounty seat with local history, government, parks, and visitor resources.
Barnegat LightHistoric lighthouse, maritime heritage, fishing, nature, and Long Beach Island visitor resources.
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