Since its founding 174 years ago, Brick Township has been home to colorful characters and fascinating folklore. Township Historian Gene Donatiello will share “Stories from Brick Township” in the Ocean County Library Brick Branch, 6:30 PM Thursday, May 2.
Gene will relate tales of Joseph W. Brick, the township’s namesake; a visit by President Ulysses S. Grant; and significant early settlers including John Chamberlain, cranberry farmer Mutah Patterson and carpenter Percy Gant.
You’ll examine the work of the Godfrey Brothers, relive the moving of Trinity Chapel to the township, explore “The Legend of Slipper Pointe,” touch on public safety, be introduced to the Brick youngster who started a career at age eight, and become familiar with a thriving business that originated in the township in the 1930s.
A co-founder and the first President of the Brick Township Historical Society, Gene is the curator of the group’s Havens Homestead Museum and serves on the Brick Township Heritage Commission. He taught history to generations of students at Brick Memorial and Brick Township High Schools and penned the historical summary on the Brick Township municipal website.
Gene’s works are available at the Ocean County Library, including his contributions to the Images of America and Postcard History series, A Family of Soldiers: Letters Home to Herbertsville from the Civil War, and Greetings from Brick Township: 20th Century Summer Camps and Resorts.
Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclBrickStories for this free program. For more information, stop by the OCL Brick Branch, 301 Chambers Bridge Road, call (732) 477-4513, or visit the Ocean County Library Online Events Calendar.
