Free Talk On History Of Long Branch's Piers Thursday Night

LONG BRANCH, NJ — At 6 p.m. this Thursday, Aug. 29, local historian Greg Kelly will give a talk at the Long Branch Arts & Cultural Center on the history of the Long Branch piers.

Open to all and free. The Long Branch Arts & Cultural Center is located at 577 Broadway in Long Branch.

This event will explore the legacy of the five piers that once graced the shores of Long Branch, tracing their origins, significance and ultimately, their fate. The event is especially timely as construction of the sixth pier in Long Branch will soon start: The city plans to build an all-new fishing/pedestrian pier next to Laird Street beach. Construction is expected to start in 2025.

Long Branch Will Build All-New Fishing Pier Into Atlantic Ocean (Feb. 2024)

The story begins with the first pier, the Bath House Pier, built in 1828 as a docking point for steamboats traveling to and from New York City. The latest pier, which was tragically lost to a fire in 1987, marked the end of Long Branch's pier era.

“What a fitting event to close out our popular summer exhibit, 'Tides of Change: Lifesaving & Surf Culture in Long Branch," said Long Branch Mayor John Pallone. “As we look back at the piers that shaped Long Branch, and we look forward to the exciting developments ahead, this event serves as a meaningful way to come together and pay tribute to the end of another great summer in Long Branch."

For more information about this exhibit and future exhibits contact Maggie Fischer at 732-222-7000, ext. 2050 or mfischer@longbranch.org