Brick Turns 175 Years Old in 2025: Here’s How You Can Learn About Its History

Havens Homestead, Brick, N.J. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Your town is reaching a major milestone this year, meaning it’s the right time to bone up on your Brick Township history. Fortunately, Brick’s longtime township historian and author Gene Donatiello will lead a presentation to look back on the 175 years of events that shaped the town we all know today.

Technically, the 175th anniversary of the township’s founding is Feb. 15, leading the Brick Township branch of the Ocean County Library to schedule its historical presentation, “Brick Township: Yesterday and Today,” for Feb. 12.

Donatiello, Brick Township Historian and a founder of the Brick Township Historical Society, will offer a striking visual tour of Herbertsville, Laurelton, Osbornville, Adamston and the beachfront area as they once were, and as they are now. Attendees will be able to see the township’s transformation through images of its houses, businesses, streets, bridges, waterways and shoreline.

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The Brick Township Historical Society’s first President, Gene taught history for many years at Brick Memorial and Brick Township high schools. Among the numerous books he has authored are A Family of Soldiers: Letters Home to Herbertsville from the Civil War; Greetings from Brick Township: 20th Century Summer Camps and Resorts in Brick Township, New Jersey; and Brick Township in the “Images of America” series, all of which are available at the Ocean County Library.

Donatiello also documented the township’s historic homes, serves on the Brick Township Historical Preservation Commission and led the restoration of the Historical Society’s Havens Homestead Museum, in which he serves as curator.

The historical presentation will be held at the library, 301 Chambers Bridge Road, Feb. 12, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. The event is free, but registration is requested at this address or by calling 732-477-4513.