Research Specialist

Patrick Ray serves as a member of the Board of Directors and as Research Specialist at Agard Research Associates. He is a recent graduate of Georgian Court University with a strong interest in American history, particularly the American Revolution and Civil War eras. He began his studies at Brookdale Community College, where he earned an Associate of Arts in History in December 2023. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in History at Georgian Court University in August 2026 and has been accepted into the History graduate program at Monmouth University, where he will begin his graduate studies in the near future. His academic interests have increasingly focused on the history of New Jersey and on the ways local communities experienced and participated in major events in American history.

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Since March 2026, Patrick has worked as a seasonal employee at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, where he combines historical research with public engagement. He assists visitors by providing information about the park and by helping them understand the historical significance of the Battle of Monmouth. He has also completed several research projects related to the battle, including work on intelligence gatherers and local informants and on the Royal Highlanders who took part in the campaign. His research on Hessian soldiers and their role in the American Revolution reflects a continuing interest in the experiences of individual soldiers and in the range of people who served on both sides of the conflict.

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Patrick recently completed an internship with the Matawan Historical Society, where he gained hands-on experience in archival and local historical work. He helped establish and organize the Society's archives, contributing to efforts to preserve its collections and make them more accessible to the public. He also completed a research project on Loyalists during the American Revolution, examining individuals and events connected to the history of Matawan and the surrounding communities. The internship allowed him to apply his academic training to local primary and secondary sources, and it strengthened his interest in archival research, preservation, and New Jersey's role in the Revolution.

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Patrick is a member of the 4th New Jersey Reenacting Regiment, an activity that allows him to engage with military history through historical interpretation and living history, and he was inducted into Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society, in recognition of his academic achievement. His experience across public history, archival work, historical research, and reenacting has given him a broad understanding of the different ways history can be researched, preserved, and presented to the public. He brings that range to the research and educational work of Agard Research Associates, whose programming is anchored in the humanities and introduces students to civic institutions, public service, and the historical foundations of American working life, including a dedicated track on veterans and military service.

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Professional/Academic Affiliations:

• Phi Alpha Theta (History Honors Society)

• Monmouth Battlefield State Park

• Matawan History Society