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Humanities To Go / Public Scholars Project / Catalogue / PS Programs

The Jersey Devil in Myth and History

For three centuries the tale of the Jersey Devil has fascinated and frightened people. According to the legend, in 1735 South Jersey matriarch Mary Leeds was giving birth to her 13th child at her home in the Pine Barrens when, out of exhaustion, she cursed the unborn baby. What happened next? The child was born with wings, hooves, a tail, and a thirst for the blood of animals. While the Jersey Devil is now a hockey team mascot and folkloric legend, there was a time when New Jerseyans were truly terrified of the beast, especially when newspapers were even regularly reporting sightings. In this program, participants will explore the history and how the legend evolved over time.

apply for this program


Levi Fox, Ph.D.
Public Historian
PROGRAMS BY THIS SCHOLAR

  • The Jersey Devil in Myth and History
  • A Night with Nucky: Salt Water Taffy, the Jersey Devil, and Atlantic City

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  • ABOUT
    ▼
    • Mission
    • Impact
    • Staff and Interns
    • Board
    • Katz Prize
    • Strategic Plan
    • Job Openings
    • Accessibility
  • EVENTS
    ▼
    • 50th Monthly Events
    • 50th Anniversary Gala
    • Events Calendar
  • GRANTS
    ▼
    • Grants Overview
    • Funded Projects
    • For Grantees
  • PROGRAMS
    ▼
    • Clemente Course in the Humanities
    • Community Conversations
    • Community History
    • In the Weeds
    • Informed NJ
    • Museum on Main Street
    • Sponsorships
  • NEWS
  • DONATE
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