Historian talks about change, both good and bad

By Coleen Burnett
Ocean Township — The Township of Ocean Historical Museum hosted the latest in their Speaker Series on October 10. The event was held at the Board of Education offices at the old Oakhurst School and featured Randall “Randy” Gabrielan, a former executive director of the Monmouth County Historical Commission and the author of some 40 books on New York and New Jersey history.

Randall “Randy” Gabrielan signs books at his talk on local historic homes.

His latest book is entitled “Monmouth County Past and Present,” which traces the evolution of the county from the early days of the 20th century to today. In keeping with a current museum exhibit, “The History of Houses,” Gabrielan talked about several local historic homes, and spoke about the differences between renovation, remodeling, restoration, and preservation.

The Middletown resident is a leading researcher and lecturer on the subject of architecture and old buildings, and he tells the Link his interests in history began when he was very young. “I liked to collect books,” he said.

As he grew older, he collected more and more books, and out of that personal collection he began to write. He started off with articles, then gradually he felt comfortable enough to compose entire books. “I turned those books into a collective tool for works on my own.”

Gabrielan actually embraces change — up to a point. Sometimes change is good, but it also depends what you replace it with. One of the various examples he cited was the old Metropolitan Hotel in Eatontown, which was located on Broad Street.

“That building was torn down in 60’s and replaced by an office building,” he lamented.
Instead of replacing it with something more architecturally pleasing, it was replaced by what he called a “vanilla” building.

“What is painful is seeing it [an epic building] replaced by poor design — will it be a pride for the community or a detraction?” he asked.

As an amateur historian Gabrielan tries to weigh the “quality, stature and significance of the building along with its sustainability for future use and occupancy.”

“Hotels are often not built to endure, at least not in their original configuration and so typically need a major rehab every 35 years or so,” he told the audience.

“Much of society does not have an appreciation for maintaining and preserving its historic heritage.”
Gabrielan says his latest book reflects the perpetual changes in society, whether for better or worse.
“All places change,” said the author. “I attempted to portray how the county has changed and permit the readers to make their own conclusion.”

Gabrielan can be reached by e-mail via monmouthhistory@comcast.net.