Taking a look back

Those area residents who like to recall how things were back in the old days — you know, the way it was when they moved here in 1995 — can broaden their view just a bit this weekend.

The 10th annual Archives and History Day will be held on Oct. 15 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters in Manalapan. Historians, archivists, genealogists and others with similar interests will gather to focus attention on a day when looking back will be the thing to do.

The event is open to the public and admission is free. More than 70 organizations will have exhibits. Exhibitors are expected to include the Allentown-Upper Freehold Historical Society; the Battlefield Restoration and Archaeological Volunteer Organization (BRAVO); the Battleground Historical Society; the Fort Monmouth-Command Historian; the Genealogical Society of New Jersey, Historic Walnford; Rutgers University-Special Collections and University Archives; the Sons of the American Revolution, Monmouth Chapter; and many others.

The event will also feature guest speaker Alex Magoun, who will talk about “The RCA Origins of Everyday Things.” A large exhibit of historical photographs will also be on view in the library.

History can tell us how things were in this area, and that knowledge may shed some light on our region’s future. An enlightening event awaits those who make it to Archives and History Day.