Monmouth County Historical Association To Host 50th Annual Garden Party

RUMSON, NJ — This summer, the Monmouth County Historical Association (MCHA) will celebrate its 50th Anniversary Garden Party at the home of Claire and Woody Knopf (“Old Oaks”) in Rumson.

The association is honoring two long-time past and current board members (Cynthia Wilby and Larry Metz) who have dedicated themselves to helping preserve and protect Monmouth County history for over 20 years.

Wilby is an accomplished professional with a unique background in modeling and nonprofit leadership with a passion for historic preservation and community service, officials said.

She modeled for FORD Models and the Shirley Hamilton Agency before going on to spearhead multiple MCHA fundraising events, most notably the MCHA Festival of Holiday Trees.

Alongside Wilby, Metz is a longtime Colts Neck resident and Freehold native. He is deeply involved in the community, officials said, holding leadership roles on numerous local boards, including Downtown Freehold, Freehold Bank, Columbia Bank and CentraState Hospital Foundation.

As the owner of Capital Realty & Investment Company, LLC, Metz has also built a successful career in commercial real estate.

The 50th Annual Garden Party will support the association’s mission to collect, preserve, and interpret its extensive museum, research library, and archival collections that relate to Monmouth County’s history and culture and make these resources available to the widest possible audience.

For this year’s “50th Anniversary Founders Committee,” the committee is comprised of people who were on the Garden Party Committee 50 years ago when the fundraiser began at the home of Dan Skyes (Portland Place), now part of the Monmouth County Parks System.

Nancy Gulick, Ibby Hertz, Mary Jo Kenny, Shirley Rathemacher, Alyce Van Wagner, Mary Louise Van der Wilden and Ann Westerfield are members of the committee, officials said.

The MCHA is inviting community members to join them for the Garden Party, which will take place on the Navesink River from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Friday, June 13. Attendees will be able to enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music and a silent auction at the event.

Community support will allow the association to preserve and protect Monmouth County’s history for current and future generations.

To learn more about tickets, sponsorships, and underwriting opportunities, you can visit the Monmouth County Historical Association website.

The Garden Party will take place at 72 West River Road, Rumson.