There are many buildings and landmarks in the Freehold area that I am sure you may be familiar with. In particular, the Oakley Farm on Wemrock Road is incredibly near and dear to my heart. I completed the Eagle Scout Project at the museum’s smokehouse, now agriculture museum, in January of this year (Smith). But one building that people may not recognize is Cincinnati Hall. This location, also known as the Henderson building, was the former home of Dr. Thomas Henderson. His house was the first raided and burned by British redcoats, on approximately June 27, 1778. This was only one day before the Battle of Monmouth, the longest one-day battle of the Revolutionary War. It is important to note that the present-day building is not Henderson’s home as it existed in the 18th century, but rather a reconstruction of it (Cincinnati Hall). It is on the outskirts of the Freehold Marketplace on West Main Street, not quite far from State Route (SR)-33. As one exits the marketplace, they may notice a small white building atop a hill.
The site was recognized in January of 2003 by the Freehold Heritage Society, leading to an archaeological dig in 2004 to uncover the foundation’s remains. The study had dated the remains to be from as early as 1768 to 1788. This led to another initiative being made in 2005 to discover artifacts within 50 feet of the foundation (Cincinnati Hall). Despite its obscure location, the Heritage Society is working diligently with developers of the Freehold Marketplace to ensure its accessibility to others. In the organization’s January 15, 2024 meeting minutes, plans have been discussed to turn a section of the building’s Out parcel 5 location into a park. “We propose to use the foundation of the original home onsite as part of the park,” the minutes discuss. “Therefore, we need to make sure that there is no detriment to the foundation. It is very close to the property line at this time” (Minutes).
I am pleased to see developers willing to make local history readily available, and not let commerce overshadow it. This location is important to all FTHS students, and I am very happy to spread the word about it! It is especially great to see the Heritage Society shed light on a significant part of our history that many are unaware of. This may take some time, but Cincinnati Hall is yet to emerge as another notable piece of local history!
Works Cited
“Cincinnati Hall/Henderson Park: Freehold Township Heritage Society.” Oakley Farm Museum, www.oakleyfarmmuseum.org/cincinnati-hall. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
“Minutes – January 15, 2024.” Freehold Township Heritage Society, 15 Jan. 2024, twp.freehold.nj.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01152024-646 . Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
Smith, Muriel J. “Soaring as Eagles.” Veni Vidi Scripto, 4 Nov. 2024, www.venividiscripto.com/soaring-as-eagles/. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
