History Comes Alive in Matawan with a "GHOSTLY OCTOBER"

The Matawan Historical Society is proud to present a month full of ghostly events for adults and families. Beginning with tours of the Haunted Burrowes Mansion, guided tours of the most haunted cemetery in NJ, Rose Hill Cemetery, and a GHOST HUNT at the Burrowes Mansion.

Burrowes Mansion, Haunted by Matawan's Past

The society starts the month off this Sunday, October 7 with a guided tour of the Historic Burrowes Mansion and Museum from 2 p.m.- 4 p.m.. Another tour will be offered to the the public on October 21 from 2 p.m.- 4 p.m..

The Burrowes Mansion Museum was built in 1723. On this site the first New Jersey company was mustered by Major John Burrowes to join the forces in the Revolutionary War. In 1776, British troops stormed the mansion to find Maj. Burrowes, who already had fled. Margaret Burrowes blocked the entryway to the home and boldly refused when a British soldier demanded her shawl to staunch his wounds. The soldier retaliated by stabbing Margaret through the chest with his bayonet, almost killing her. Visitors report seeing Margaret's ghost standing at the doorway of Burrowes Mansion, guarding her home against intruders.

Come to the tour to hear and see for yourself the many historic and tragic events that happened at the Mansion. Suggested donation of $5 per adult; children under 12 are free.

Rose Hill Cemetery, New Jersey's Most Haunted Cemetery

History comes alive at the second annual guided walking tour of the Haunted Rose Hill Cemetery on Saturday, October 20 at 10 a.m. and Sunday October 21 at 2 p.m.. Tours are approximately 2 hours.

Local historian Al Savolaine of the Matawan Historical Society will give all the fascinating stories about the deceased Matawan and Aberdeen residents, such as Capt. Thomas Cottrell and the 1916 Shark attacks victims Lester Stillwell and Stanley Fisher. Learn about the GREAT Matawan fire of 1901 and the ugly repercussions on the suspected arsonist; the unusual ghost sightings at Rose Hill, considered the most haunted cemetery in New Jersey; the funerals attended by two US presidents; Pirate Captain Kidd’s use of Rose Hill; The Civil War casualties; 1918 Spanish Flu victims; unnerving freak accidents and the 1896 gruesome murder.

The tour is $10 per adult and children under 12 Free. Tickets are available the day of the tour at the cemetery. Ravine Drive, Matawan NJ. A rain date is set for Sunday October 28 at 2 p.m..

Ghost Hunt at Burrowes Mansion

Lastly, the Historical Society presents a real GHOST HUNT of the Burrowes Mansion on Saturday October 27 6:30 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. led by members of The Specter Inspectors (TSI), a local paranormal investigation team. TSI has investigated many historic locations - including Burrowes Mansion - and will be on hand to assist in the investigation.

Ticket-holders will be given access to all of the public rooms, as well as to the normally off-limits attic where the most activity occurs. Only 20 tickets will be sold and attendees will be divided into small groups and allowed to investigate the mansion alongside TSI on a rotating schedule so everyone has a chance to investigate every room. Members of the Matawan Historical Society will also be assisting in the investigation and will provide a presentation about the history of the mansion.

TSI will be providing a short presentation about their investigations at the mansion and will share some of the evidence they collected there during previous investigations. It is the opinion of TSI that the Mansion is indeed haunted. Cost of the event is $50 per person. All details  and limited tickets can be found at http://www.the-specter-inspectors.com

Where does the money go?

All of the Historical Society’s events are to benefit the painting of Burrowes Mansion and Rose Hill Cemetery beautification. Also membership is available for the Matawan Historical Society which benefits in restoration and producing events. The Matawan Historical Society is a volunteer, non-profit organization founded in 1969. Two of its goals are the preservation of and the education about local history. The society members furnish and operate the Burrowes Mansion Museum, maintain the collections, and serve as tour guides at the museum.

The Society and its members undertake projects to make history available to the public. These have included indexing historical records, publications, and providing speakers for outside groups. The society has two slide programs available for loan to organization for showing at their meetings.

The Matawan Historical society meets the fourth Monday of the month at the Burrowes Mansion September to May at 7:30 pm. Visitors are always welcome to attend. The Burrowes Mansion is open to the public the first and third Sundays of the month from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in March through December.

For further information on the Society please call 732-566-5605.