WARETOWN – Inside Albert Music Hall, the sound of fiddles, guitars and voices set the tone for the Township of Ocean’s 150th anniversary celebration, launching a yearlong series of events rooted in history and community. The kickoff drew residents, officials and descendants of founding families into a shared moment that blended pride, nostalgia and a renewed focus on local history.
It also set up an important point that organizers want people to understand. The 150 years refers to the township’s incorporation in 1876, when Waretown and what is now Brookville separated from Union Township to form Ocean Township. The community itself, however, dates back much further.
Long before there was a township government, settlers arrived along Barnegat Bay in the 1700s, building livelihoods tied to the water and surrounding forests. Shipbuilding, fishing, clamming and coastal trade made the area a busy and productive village, with sailing ships once filling the bay and many of the area’s older homes tied to captains and maritime families.
Mayor Ken Baulderstone made it clear that the anniversary is not just about looking back, but about reconnecting residents with a history that can sometimes feel distant. “This is about revealing the ‘secrets’ of the town,” Baulderstone said during the kickoff, describing a series of events designed to help both children and adults better understand Waretown’s past.
“Something that makes this Township very special is the families that built the town and that still have a presence,” he said.
That presence was visible in the audience, where descendants of founding families were invited to stand and be recognized, drawing applause from the crowd.
The event also brought together a wide range of officials and supporters. Township leaders later thanked members of the Township Committee, Senator Carmen Amato, Assemblymen Greg Myhre and Brian Rumpf, Ocean County Commissioner Jennifier Bacchione, as well as Adele Shaw and Linda Bleeke of the Waretown Historical Society. Former mayors, committee members and representatives of founding families were also acknowledged for their role in the township’s history and continued support.
Music And Meaning
While the program included formal elements such as the flag salute, national anthem and a prayer led by Pastor Dawn Corlew, the setting at Albert Music Hall ensured the afternoon never felt overly formal. Instead, music carried much of the emotion of the day.
Mitch Bernstein, vice chairman of the township’s Special Events Committee, played a central role. In addition to helping organize the event, Bernstein wrote and performed “Spirit of the Pines” with Paul Unkert, an original song for the 150th anniversary, giving the celebration a personal and distinctly local feel.
He was joined by a lineup of performers that included James Dalton, Redbird & Raven, Yankee Dime and Fish & Whistle, turning the kickoff into a full afternoon of live music that reflected the traditions Albert Music Hall is known for.
Township officials later called the event “a memorable” start to the anniversary year and thanked the Albert Music Hall Board of Directors for hosting the gathering in what they described as a historic venue.
Little Red Schoolhouse Takes Center Stage
If Albert Music Hall marked the beginning of the celebration, the Little Red Schoolhouse added more heart. The very next day, April 13, the township moved the celebration to the historic site for its official anniversary ceremony and the reopening of the Waretown Historical Society Museum.
The building itself is a recreation of the original one-room schoolhouse built in 1875, where generations of Waretown children were educated for more than 80 years before it was eventually torn down. The current structure, rebuilt by volunteers, stands as a symbol of the town’s commitment to preserving its past.
The reopening ceremony was led in large part by Aidan O’Hearn, who helped guide the event and has also been credited as a driving force behind the museum’s newest addition. Alongside John Pawlowski, O’Hearn spearheaded the creation of the new hands-on history exhibit, a project described as a true community effort.
“Our new exhibit in the newly restored schoolhouse museum stands as a reminder of where we’ve come from,” O’Hearn said. “They tell stories of our family, our neighbors, and the everyday lives that shaped this town into what it is today.”
That exhibit, filled with tools, artifacts and pieces of everyday life, is designed to be interactive. “It’s not just something that you can look at,” O’Hearn added. “It’s something you can actually experience.”
Waretown Historical Society President Adele Shaw placed the moment into a broader historical context, reminding attendees that the township’s story stretches well beyond its official incorporation. In her historical remarks, Shaw traced Waretown’s origins back to its earliest settlers, including the Rogerine religious group who arrived in the 1700s seeking freedom from persecution, and Abraham Ware, whose grist mill helped give the town its name.
“Isn’t it wonderful to know that our town was built on the reputation of an honest man,” she said, referring to Ware. “Let’s keep his true light shining.”
The ceremony also included a formal citation recognizing the reopening as “a meaningful tribute to the rich history, enduring spirit and strong sense of community that define Waretown,” reinforcing the importance of preserving that legacy for future generations.
State and county officials also attended the reopening of the Little Red Schoolhouse. “A town is its people,” Ocean County Historian Tim Hart said during the event. “Buildings and things are important, but a town is its people.”
A Yearlong Celebration
The 150th anniversary celebration continues with events throughout the year, beginning with Fireworks on the Bay on May 23 at Bayfront Park. Residents can take part in art, photography and essay contests, a July 4 bell ringing at the Little Red Schoolhouse to coincide with the ringing of the Liberty Bell, and a July 18 marina flotilla highlighting Waretown’s maritime past.
A township parade is set for August 29, followed by fall events including the PCS Heritage Festival, Pinelands Jamboree and cemetery tours. The year concludes with concerts, a tree lighting and holiday light show. A township-wide scavenger hunt also runs all year. For details, visit twpoceannj.gov.
