This historic Toms River house was built in 1868 and offers a model of the Vernacular Colonial Revival style of architecture. The home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Since 1950, the Ocean County Historical Society has worked to preserve and share the history of Ocean County and eastern New Jersey. In 2001, the society acquired this Victorian home in Toms River, allowing the museum and research library to move out of its space in the county courthouse. The Richard L. Strickler Research Center maintains a library of over 8000 volumes as well as historic photos, microfilm, and manuscripts.
The Maritime Museum is headquartered in the 1868 former carriage house for the Joseph Francis estate. This building was in very poor condition when the society leased it from the county with the condition that the building be restored and maintained by the Seaport Society. The downstairs portion of the building, that once housed carriages and horses, now houses the library, ships store, ship model displays, and a small boat display. Upstairs was the grooms quarters and hay loft and is now an artifact display room, office, and meeting / work room Outdoor storage sheds were added to the property and now contain part of the societies collection of wooden boats. The restoration shop was built alongside the museum, to provide much needed work space and tool displays. The museum has constructed a building to house the A-cat Spy and other local boats. This building will be located on the south-west corner of the property, bordering Hooper Ave. and River Road. The museum has a large collection of Barnegat Bay Sneakboxes including the 20 foot racing sneakbox Stormalong, Slade Dale's camping sneakbox Sheldrake, a 15 foot racing sneakbox, and a Barnegat Bay duckboat, the Delux Duck that competes in the annual Duckboat world championship. 1 "Maritime Museum and Displays."
Constructed in the 19th century and located in a part residential and professional office area, the A.A. Brant House is situated on a high bluff overlooking the Toms River. The home features the Vernacular Queen Ann style of architecture and was acquired by influential New Jersey coal and lumber merchant A. A. Brant in 1899.
This historic home was built for Ebenzer Applegate in the 1850s and purchased by Captain George W. Giberson shortly after its completion. Giberson was a local politician, saw mill owner, former sea captain, and prominent citizen.
This historic home dates back to the 1830s and features the Vernacular Georgian/Federal style. The Crawford House gains its significance from its historical association as the residence of two local mariners, Richard Crawford and Barzillar Grover. Both men chose to reside close to the source of their livelihoods along the Toms River.
Finished in 1851, the Ocean County Courthouse still stands today as a reminder of Ocean County's long and fascinating history. Now part of a larger judicial complex, the courthouse remains the focal point of the area facing towards Washington Street.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This short walk through Toms River includes stops at some of the community's historic homes as well as the Ocean County Historical Society Museum and the Toms River Seaport Society and Maritime Museum. The tour consists of entries authored by the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission.
