Category: Parks and Historical Sites

South Presbyterian Church 150 West Church Street Bergenfield, NJ 07621

South Presbyterian Church 150 West Church Street Bergenfield, NJ 07621

South Presbyterian Church

150 West Church Street

Bergenfield, NJ 07621

(201) 384-8932

https://www.southpresbyterian.net/history

Open: Sundays during service time

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Profile/R4960NKjustinw/mediabatch/13264450?m=19905

The South Presbyterian Church at 150 West Church Street in Bergenfield, NJ

The historic marker in front of the church

I was in Bergenfield, NJ recently to visit the Bergenfield Museum and I walked around this beautiful church and the graveyard next to it. What a beautiful, graceful building and the cemetery had an old New England charm about it. The graveyard held the graves of many of the original family members who founded the County and lived in Bergen County since the late 1600’s.

The inside of the church

The church sat in this beautiful area right next to Cooper Park off Downtown Bergenfield. I can’t wait to take a look inside one day.

The inside of the church during Sunday services

The Mission Statement from the Church:

(from the church website)

“As followers of the risen Lord, we, the South Presbyterian Church family, commit ourselves to proclaim the gospel, witness to the promise of God’s Kingdom, and nurture all children of God. In our community and throughout the world, we will serve in Christ’s name through worship and mission. We will serve through open worship, willing service and compassion to all for the glory of God wherever our lives shall take us.”

The historic marker of the church

History of the Church:

(from the church website)

SOUTH CHURCH is descended from the first Schraalenburgh congregation established in 1723. The first church building was constructed beginning in 1724, and fully completed by 1728. This was approximately 36 feet square with a Dutch hip roof ascending to a central belfry and steeple.

 The front of the church cemetery

This church stood atop a small hill just west of Long Swamp Brook, facing south and fronting on the new county road laid down in 1717. Using today’s landmarks, we can describe the site as the southeast corner of the present cemetery, directly across Church Street from the South Church House. For more than seventy years, this small church building served the farmers of Schraalenburgh. The site of the new church was apparently chosen because of the presence of a large spring across the road near Long Swamp Brook. 

 The historic graveyard with some of the original families of Bergen County

The philosophy of the Dutch Reformed Church shaped the growth and development in the early years of the church’s existence. In the more than two and a half centuries of its history, the members of the congregation had to choose many times between the strictly puritanical concepts and the more convenient religious beliefs, and invariably chose the puritanical. Some members were the patriots of the Revolution while others were Tories. In 1799, the new South Schraalenburgh Church was built a short distance to the west of the original building.

 The historic cemetery during the Fall of 2024

Because of differences within the congregation in the late 1700s, two groups were formed and when a decision was made to build a new church, the opposing group withdrew, purchased land and built the North Schraalenburgh (now Dumont) Reformed Church in 1801. In May 1866 the congregation voted to enlarge and remodel the building, adding 15 feet to the north end and replacing part of two windows in the front with doors on each side of the original single door, as you see it now.  This was completed in 1867.

 The Church graveyard

In the past century, the building has had its share of modernizations— candlelight gave way to oil lamps, and in turn to electrification. Heat was installed,  first coal fired, then oil, now gas, although the old drafts persist to this day. However, the charm and grace of the old Dutch Church at Schraalenburgh have remained. The South Church House completed and dedicated in September 1952, on the corner of West Church and Franklin Avenue, is used by the church for various classes and events and many community organizations meet there.  In 2002 South Presbyterian Church celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Church House.

 The historic graveyard at the side of the church in the oldest part

The South Presbyterian Church was placed on the National Registry December 6, 1975 and the Manse on August 24, 1979, both through the efforts of Mrs. Adrian Leiby. In 1913, after much discussion, the congregation chose to unite with the Presbyterian Church. Today, after almost 3 centuries of building and remodeling, separating and uniting, South Presbyterian Church in Bergenfield remains committed to the values of those Christian farmers who first gathered at this site to worship in 1723. . . steadfast in purpose and faith.

The Demarest family plot

The Church is especially beautiful at the holidays all decorated with wreathes and garland.

The South Church decorated for Christmas

The fences are so nicely decorated for the holidays

The outside of the church decorated for the holidays

The front of the church at dusk

The front doors are so welcoming at the holidays

The Bergecco-Parc Consulting Inc. Project promoting the church for “Dark Tourism”:

In a recent project I created for my Marketing Students at Bergen Community College in Paramus, NJ, under the fictional company “Bergecco-Parc Consulting Inc.”, the Teams were tasked in creating a project that promoted the South Presbyterian Church for “Dark Tourism”, meaning that we promoted their historic cemetery for a historic walking tour concentrating on the Demarest family plot.

Here is a link to that blog on the project:

https://mywalkinmanhattan.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=57059&action=edit

Here are the videos on the Bergenfield, NJ Historic sites project:

We walked through the park again to my take note of its Depression era past and beautiful views and colors and made our way to the historic South Presbyterian Church and its historic graveyard where the second half of the project would take place.

South Presbyterian Church at 150 West Church Avenue

https://www.southpresbyterian.net/

https://www.facebook.com/southpres/

The historic marker for the church

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Profile/R4960NKjustinw/mediabatch/13264450?m=19905

My review on VisitingaMuseum.com:

https://visitingamuseum.com/author/jwatrel/page/2/

The Demarest Family plot in the church graveyard

Touring the South Church graveyard for the historical walking tour with members of the Church volunteer staff

The tour was lead by Bob Carpenter, a historian who is helping renovate this historical graveyard

The tour of the historical Demarest family plot, which ties into the museum building’s historical past, was lead by historian Bob Carpenter, who is helping the church renovate and restore the graveyard. Mr. Carpenter explained to us how he was fixing all the plots and historic tombstones and how the maintenance of the stones needs to be carefully done.

Mr. Carpenter explains how to maintain the tombstones in these historic graveyards

Video of the walking tour of the historic graveyard:

IMG_2497Download

Both the church volunteers and Mr. Carpenter explaining to the students how families were buried in the 1700and 1800’s

We finished the tour that afternoon inside the South Church to learn its history in the community. Though it will not be part of the project, the church offered the students a glimpse into Bergen County’s past as the original church was built before the Revolutionary War.

The Student Consultants touring the pews of the South Church

Once the tour was complete, the Student Consultants had a better understanding of the locations where the project will take place.

The new project will include walking tours, historical aspects of all three locations, and ways of creating a Destination Marketing Plan for domestic and foreign tourism. This will take place when the Student Consultants present their ideas to myself and the museum and church staffs.

The student consultants had four weeks to this project and put together their game plans. The had to put together commercials to promote the Bergenfield Museum, Coopers Pond Park and the historical cemetery of the South Church. As an extra credit assignment, I had the students develop a Halloween walking tour with food and create a separate commercial for this of which three of the for groups completed.

Here is their Presentation of the Project Promoting the Historic sites of Bergenfield, NJ. This section of videos was on promoting the South Presbyterian Church:

The South Church Cemetery is one of the oldest and historic cemeteries in Bergen County and home to the Demarest family plot, one of the most prominent families in Bergen County. The students were tasked with creating a short Walking Tour video promotion for the project to promote the South Church for tourism.

Team One:

Commercial Two:

Team Two:

Team Three:

Team Four:

*Special Note: I credit my Marketing 201 students at Bergen Community College with all of this work and the dedication that they gave the class. Excellent job everyone!

Mount Tabor Historical Society Richardson History House 32 Trinity Place Mount Tabor, NJ 07878

Mount Tabor Historical Society Richardson History House 32 Trinity Place Mount Tabor, NJ 07878

Mount Tabor Historical Society

Richardson History House

32 Trinity Place

Mount Tabor, NJ 07878

973-975-0001

https://www.facebook.com/mounttaborhistoricalsociety/

Welcome

Open: Sundays 1:00pm-4:00pm/Monday-Saturday Closed

Admission: Free but donations accepted and recommended to help the museum operate.

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g46652-d28537558-r971784929-Mount_Tabor_Historical_Society_Museum-Mount_Tabor_Morris_County_New_Jersey.html?m=19905

The Mount Tabor Historical Society at 32 Trinity Place

The Historical Society and the gardens

I went on the Mount Tabor House and garden walking tour in late September on a rather gloomy Saturday and I had a wonderful time. It may have been gloomy out but the museum could not have been more interesting and the people who opened their homes could not have been nicer.

The tickets were $35.00 at the door which I thought was very fair for this fundraiser. They had transportation from the elementary school to the site and back that ran on a continuous basis from 11:00am to 4:30pm when the tour was over.

The sign by the bus tour stop

The first stop where we bought the tickets was the old Mount Tabor Fire House

When we arrived in the historic Mount Tabor neighborhood, this had once been a summer Methodist Camp. The planned community still has the original layout of the tent community and plots of land that the houses had been built on since old camp closed.

The center of the community was Trinity Park, a beautifully landscaped park

My first stop on the tour was the old Tabernacle, the original gathering place and hall where the religious services took place.

The inside of the Tabernacle, now being used for the quilt show for the tour

The Quilts were displayed on all the pews

The quilts were all handmade, some really colorful and beautifully stitched. It was a really impressive show of artistry.

The beautiful quilts on display

The colorful quilts on display

After I left the Tabernacle display, I headed up to the Mount Tabor Historical Society Museum for a tour of the museum and gardens. It was located on Trinity Park.

The Mount Tabor Historical Society on the eastern side of Trinity Park

The museum is part of triplex with a private home in the two other former homes. They are undergoing a renovation right now

The J. Smith Richardson History House (1873): A Camp Meeting Cottage Museum

(from the museum website)

The Mount Tabor Historical Society is privileged to share our historic community, founded as a post-Civil War permanent Camp Meeting ground, and the Richardson History House – a Camp Meeting Cottage Museum. The 1873 History House invites visitors to travel back to another era and see what it was like to spend a summer “camp meeting style” in the cottage of J. Smith and Lydia Richardson.

The parlor area in the home of Mr. Richardson

The home on the furthest to the left of the building is the museum, once home to the Richardson family, who were part of this Methodist retreat.

Mr. Richardson’s portrait hangs proudly on the wall overlooking the parlor of the home

The homes pipe organ that was used to entertain the family

The table was formally set with period China in the Dining Room that was shared with the parlor area. The tour guide told me that the family kept meticulous records of everything and on the table was the wedding menu of Mr. Richardson’s daughter’s wedding.

The Dining Room table set for dinner

The beautiful Victorian China

The bride’s Wedding menu. You can tell they ate well that afternoon

The brides wedding was pretty elaborate for the time and you could tell by the menu they ate pretty well that afternoon.

The bride’s Wedding photo hangs proudly in the parlor

The family heirloom, the bureau, sits proudly in the corner of the room

The family did not leave much behind but this bureau is the one piece of furniture that the family owned. It now holds serving pieces and dinner items. The kitchen is small but has all the modern convenes of the time including a range coal stove and an ice box, which were pretty elaborate for the time.

The kitchen of this small summer home

The shelves with all the cooking and storage materials

There are all sorts of baking materials, cooking utensils and items to cook full meals for the household.

Baking and measuring items

Items for baking

The historic map of the Mount Tabor Camp Ground was hung in the kitchen

Off the kitchen door was a beautiful garden and a landscaped walkway

Some vintage clothing was on display in the parlor

Vintage women’s clothing on display in the front parlor

I took a trip up the narrow stairs to the upstairs bedrooms and bathroom. I discovered that the house was much bigger than I thought. There was a nice size bathroom at the top of the steps.

For a small house, the bathroom was nice sized

The main bedroom was nice in size and also had a nice breeze from the window

The rooms were decorated with period furniture and bric a brac of the period. On the bed, lay funeral clothing of a family member in morning.

The clothing of someone in morning

The family bedroom set also returned to the house when donated back from the Richardson family

This gorgeous dollhouse was to the side of this bedroom with its tiny furniture and miniature decorations

The other bedroom was a little smaller but again was nicely furnished.

The view from the upstairs bedroom of the garden below

The second bedroom was a bit smaller and contained vintage clothes and toys

Family heirlooms, clothing and toys

The doll carriage for some lucky child

A sewing kit not too dissimilar from my grandmother’s

Baby dolls asleep on the second floor bedroom

The view from the parlor overlooking the Tabernacle

The Trinity Garden in the middle of historic district

The History of the Mount Tabor Methodist Camp:

(from the Society website)

Mt. Tabor, New Jersey, is a fine example of a 19th century community. Established in 1869 as a Methodist summer camp meeting ground, Mt. Tabor is now a full-time residential community.

While walking through Mt. Tabor, one can see Victorian cottages, complete with gingerbread, and several historic community buildings. Trinity Park is still a busy and central focus of the community. In addition to residences surrounding the park are three octagon structures. The Mt. Tabor branch of the Parsippany library occupies one of them, once known as the Ebenezer Pavilion. The Bethel, a pavilion erected in 1873 and enclosed in 1886, is used as a community meeting hall. Historic displays are featured in the Bethel the day of the annual house tour. The Tabernacle, built in 1885, is used to host large community events, including concerts. The fountain in Trinity Park is a close replica of the original fountain erected in 1875.

Throughout the 1870s and 1880s, private cottages were built at a rapid rate, while some summer residents stayed in tents. By the turn of the 20th century, more than 200 cottages were built, making Mt. Tabor a lively summer resort. The Depression and World War II brought some changes to Mt. Tabor: during these times when families could no longer afford two houses, the cottages were turned into year-round dwellings.

Mt. Tabor is still a special community. Its historic heritage is being preserved and its community is full of good will and participation. There are many events each year, including Children’s Day, an annual Holiday Craft Fair, House Tour, and concerts. The many active committees in town include the Garden Club, Historical Society, and Children’s Day Committee. Mt. Tabor also has a golf course and country club.

In 2001 we celebrated the reconstruction of a decorative iron arch at the entrance to Mt. Tabor closest to Dickerson Rd. at Rt. 53. The original arch was in place around the turn of the 20th century, and the reproduction was a project of the Mount Tabor Historical Society and the Beautification Committee of the Camp Meeting Association. It was completed in June of 2001, and helps one to visualize how Mt. Tabor appeared to people arriving by train, as many did. This project was made possible by contributions from individuals, from the Camp Meeting Association, and from money the Mt. Tabor Historical Society raises from events such as the annual House Tour.

Taking the Walking tour sponsored by the Society:

After the tour of the museum, I started my tour of the houses and gardens of the historic district. In the gloomy weather, I walked all the streets in the neighborhood visiting as many stops as I could.

As the rain subsided, I was able to walk around the neighborhood without juggling an umbrella. I wanted to see the gardens and parks first while the weather nice.

I loved walking around the neighborhood and admiring the homes

I walked up Strowbridge Avenue to make my first stop to see this whimsical front garden of this beautiful Victorian house.

The garden in front of 6 Strowbridge Avenue

The figures and small structures of this magical garden. I thought I would see ferries and elf’s walking around the yard.

The details of the front of 6 Strowbridge Avenue

The next house garden I visited 11 Sommerfield Avenue and this yard was hidden from the road to see its many surprises.

The front garden of 11 Sommerfield Avenue

The creative detail of the on just one side of the house

As you enter the garden, its theme was the Fall and Halloween

The water features and fountains of their background

The background fountains, water features and patio that make this backyard enjoyable

The new cottage home of 33 Embury Place

I walked down Embury Place to visit a last minute addition. I was surprised when the owner told me that six people once lived in the house. I saw the loft space and bunk beds that made this house work as a family home.

The elegance of 33 Embury Place

I walked down Morris Avenue, which is the heart of the complex and then walked up the “golden stairs” to West Park Place to next set of gardens and parks. The gardens in front of 12 West Park Place may not have been as elaborate as other homes but was nicely landscaped which complimented Mother Nature.

The gardens in front of 12 West Park Place

The gardens in front of 12 West Park Place

Across from these creative gardens is St. James Park, which sits in the middle of the complex. The park was gloomy with the rain drizzle so I really could not appreciate it. Still I could see how engaging the park must be in nice weather.

St. James Park

The Labyrinth in St. James Park

I made my way back down the stairs and made a walk down Morris Avenue to visit more homes. I noticed that time was running out and I only had an hour to visit this part of the neighborhood.

Trinity Park in full bloom when the rain stopped

Looking down the street down Whitfield Place during the tour of homes

A stuffed bear on display at 60 East Morris Street

The family who opened their home at 60 East Morris Street had a beautiful home. They invited us into their home, had a fire going on their patio and served us homemade cookies and apple cider which I thought was a nice touch. I saw this whimsical bear in one of the bedrooms.

71 Morris Avenue is the home of artist Gabriella D’Italia and her family

The artist’s work on the walls and her collection of puppets

The last set of gardens that I visited were at 36 Boehm Avenue. The rain had stopped and I was able to visit the gardens and not feel rushed.

The yard at 36 Boehm Avenue.

The yard at 36 Boehm Avenue where gold fish I thought were a nice touch

I saw this point of creativity at 26 Whitfield Place

When I finished the tour, I explored the area around Trinity Park. I walked around the park around the Pollinator Garden and admired the foliage.

The gardens at the start of the Fall

The map of the historical sign of the complex

The historic marker of the complex

The historic buildings around Trinity Park

The Gazebo in the park

The Methodist church on Simpson Avenue

The old Firehouse where we checked in

The old Camp office

It really was a wonderful walking tour and I learned a lot about the old Mount Tabor site. This was an eye opener of how a former Methodist camp becomes a desirable historical neighborhood that everyone wants to live in. The museum was an interesting look on how people lived in the past here and the walking tour showed how modern times living here that not much has changed. People still making these small charming houses home. This walking tour in Mount Tabor, NJ is every September.

After the tour for lunch:

After the tour was over, I stopped into Downtown Denville, NJ right down the road, which is right off Route 46 and Route 80 for a late lunch. Denville has a very nice downtown with lots of restaurants and stores. Even on a gloomy afternoon, most everything was open. I checked out by Advantage Dining site and found Second Half on Main at 5 East Main Street. This contemporary bar/pub had all the TV’s going for the football game and a packed bar. I ate in the dining room section of the restaurant and was able to stretch out in one of the booths.

The Second Half of Main Street Street at 5 East Main Street in Downtown Denville, NJ

https://www.secondhalfonmain.com/

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g46392-d2386465-Reviews-Second_Half_on_Main-Denville_Morris_County_New_Jersey.html?m=19905

The restaurant is a lively place and the bar area was busy. The menu has a nice selection of salads, burgers, pastas and large entrees with a nice beer listing. It got cold and miserable outside and it was the perfect burger day. I chose the Texas Burger with Bacon, BBQ sauce and sharp Cheddar Cheese and that hit the spot. What I liked about Second Half on Main is the prices are very fair. The burgers will run you around $15.00 and they include the French Fries, something you do not see in the Hudson River Valley or Bergen County anymore. They pull the a la Carte routine since COVID.

The Dining Room area at Second Half on Main

The burgers here are excellent. Perfectly cooked, stacked with ingredients and are juicy. The fries were also perfectly cooked. On a cool gloomy day, the burger hit the spot. If you are touring in the area, I highly recommend the restaurant. After lunch if the weather is nice, check out Downtown Denville.

The Texas Burger and French Fries at Second Half on Main

The Texas Burger and Fries is the perfect meal on a cool day

Yum!

The Museum of Cape May County 504 US. 9 Cape May Court House, NJ 08210

The Museum of Cape May County 504 US. 9 Cape May Court House, NJ 08210

The Museum of Cape May County

504 US 9

Cape May Court House, NJ 08210

(609) 465-3535

https://www.cmcmuseum.org/

https://www.facebook.com/Museumofcmc/

Hours: Seasonal Hours Sunday-Monday-Tuesday/Wednesday 10:00am-2:30pm/Thursday Closed/Friday 10:00am-2:30pm/Saturday Closed. Tours are at 10:00am and 12:00pm.

Admission: Donations Accepted/ (I paid $5.00 for the hour tour)

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g46342-d286393-Reviews-The_Museum_of_Cape_May_County-Cape_May_Court_House_Middle_Township_Cape_May_County_.html

The Museum of Cape May County at 504 US 9

The Museum of Cape May County sign welcoming you.

The Museum of Cape May Country museum complex

The Museum grounds in the back.

After three years of trying to visit the museum, I finally got on a last minute walking tour of the Museum of Cape May County and have to say that it was well worth the wait. What an interesting set of buildings that have a fascinating set of artifacts and so nicely displayed in a series of buildings.

The museum campus is broken up in a series of buildings on a two acre site. There is the main office which has an art exhibition, the family homestead of the family, who lived here for several generations, the carriage house which displays several carriages and stage coaches that were used in the area.

The back of the main house where you can see the three additions to the house

The barn where the Military, Native American and Farming displays are showcased

The Carriage House is to the left and the barn is to the right

The Carriage House on the property

The History of the House and of the Cape May County Museum site:

(from the museum website)

Housed in a building that dates back to 1704, the Cresse House, and its 1830 Holmes addition, as well as a historic 1780 barn and carriage house have rooms devoted to a subject or time that will hold you spellbound as you make your way through the past. The 11 room Cresse Holmes house treats you to a glimpse of life as it was in Cape May County from colonial to modern times. From the 1704 colonial kitchen and loft bedroom to the Victorian dining and sitting rooms all are decorated and furnished with period pieces. Special exhibit rooms include a children’s playroom teeming with toys, a doctor’s room with instruments, glassware and vials filled with a colorful array of pharmaceuticals and a Victorian music room with dozens of fascinating players and instruments (Cape May County Museum website).

Our first part of the tour was the family home which had been lived in for generations. The first part of the house was built in 1740 and you could tell by the open hearth and the flooring.

The hearth of the original section of the Cresse home

The kitchen was set up and furnished as the main part of the house. Because of the heat, this was the main part of the house that habituated. Here the family would gather, eat and socialize.

The back bedroom shows the families affluence in the late 1700’s

Having a separate room for sleeping was considered quite extravagant. The heat would circulated through the home and warmed this room next door. The main part of the house was built in 1840 in the Federalist design.

The main dining room showed the affluence of the Holmes family in the early pre-Civil war era

The main part of the house that faced the road was the 1840 Holmes family addition with the Federalist design. This part of the house was the main part house that was used for every day living and entertaining. The house was furnished in a combination of family heirlooms and donated period pieces..

The house well furnished with period pieces

The beautiful side table of the Dining Room

Both the Living Room, Dining Room and the Parlor were all tastefully furnished and what I thought were interesting parts of their collection. It was like someone had just left the room.

The Parlor of a Victorian house held its finest pieces

The furnishings in the Parlor

The painting of Henry Clay stood above the fireplace

Since I joined the tour late, I had seen just the first floor of the home before we continued on to see the rest of the building.

The front entrance room of the house

As we exited the house, we moved on to the most important room of the house, the outhouse which was located behind the main home.

The outhouse in the back of the home

We next moved on to one of the galleries of the Nautical collections.

The collection of nautical artifacts

Mantel’s for navigation

Items from the shipping industry

What beautiful items

Our next part of the tour was of the Carriage House and its collection of buggies and carriages owned by by local residents.

The Barn and Carriage exhibits:

(from the Cape May County Museum website)

Our barn is home to a maritime exhibit including Cape May County’s crown jewel, the original first-order Fresnel lens from Cape May Light House. In addition to our collection of farm implements the barn is also the site of our recently dedicated military room that pays homage to those who served our nation in time of war.

Period pieces range from the Revolutionary War to our country’s most recent involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Of special interest is the American flag that was carried by soldiers who hailed from Cape May County during the Civil War. The flag survived numerous battles, including Gettysburg, Spotsylvania, Bull Run and was at Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. The Carriage Shed houses items related to transportation – a vintage horse-drawn market wagon, a doctor’s sulky and an early stagecoach that ran between Bridgeton and Pennsville (from the museum website).

The collection of carriages and buggies

A local buggy from a member of the community

The history of the Cape May Stagecoach

The Cape May Stagecoach

This stagecoach was used on the route between Bridgeton and Pennsville

The funeral cart used to transport bodies once people die to their last destination

The last building on the museum’s property housed military artifacts, farm equipment and artifacts from what would shape the local community

The Maritime History of Cape May and of the Museum:

(from the museum website)

Since its earliest days the area we now call Cape May County has been linked to the water.  With the tumultuous Atlantic Ocean on one side, the Delaware Bay on the other and lush forest and field between it served its residents well.  Early Native Americans thrived, whalers found whales in the ocean and refuge in the bay. All worked the shores and tributaries for birds and shellfish.  As the population grew, shipbuilding and coastal trade took on greater importance.  Come visit us and explore this aspect of our museum (from the museum website).

Many of the artifacts, photographs and manuscripts associated with maritime activities have found their way our museum collection.  From the original first-order Fresnel lens that sat atop the Cape May light to whaling implements, marine skeletons, ship parts and Native American exhibits there is something for everyone.  Of special interest is our recently acquired Cresse Journal, an original manuscript by Lewis Cresse detailing the life of a whaler in the mid-eighteenth century (from the museum website)

Hunting and military items from around the turn of the last century

Household and farming items

Artifacts from the Shipping industry

Artifacts from the Counties Ship Building past

Items from the Whaling Industry in Cape May

The museum also houses the original Cape May Lighthouse light

The history of burial and old cemeteries in Cape May

Old tombstones from Cape May cemeteries

The family cemetery on what was once the family farm that now sits down the road and across the street

The family plot

The museum’s extensive collection of arrowheads and other Native American artifacts

The Cape May Civil War flag is most of the most interesting pieces in the museum’s military collection

The Cape May Civil War flag

Military artifacts from the war years

The extensive collection of military uniforms from the different wars in the museum collection with ceremonial drums on display on the top of the case

The gun and pistol collection at the museum

The Pistol collection at the museum

The collection of military items in the collection

The early military collection at the museum

The grounds of the museum before I left for the day

The family home that faces the Highway

The museum is not just an extensive collection of City of Cape May but the history of the County as a whole and its rich development from a farming, whaling and shipping town to a major tourist hub and recreation community.

It also shows it has never lost it nautical or farming past as well as this legacy still carries on in Cape May. The development of the community and the progress it has made over the years is showcased in the galleries and buildings on the museum property.

The Development of the Cape May County Museum:

(from the museum website)

The Cape May County Historical & Genealogical Society (CMCHGS), doing business as The Museum of Cape May County, was founded in 1927 as a private, non-profit organization by a number of local families who wanted to ensure the history of Cape May County was preserved and documented. In 1930 the CMCHGS established a museum and genealogical library which were housed in the basement of the County Court House building for 45 years.

In 1976, the current facility, the Cresse-Holmes House containing eleven rooms along with a five-room barn was purchased to accommodate the growing collection. By 1988 the construction and dedication of the genealogical library and administrative offices had taken place. In the last 90 years, thanks to the generosity of many individuals and families with a connection to Cape May County. the collections have grown to contain many thousands of Cape May County artifacts and documents.

Today the museum and library are run by full time, part time and seasonal staff members along with an enthusiastic group of active volunteers to assist with greeting visitors, guiding tours, researching, assisting with programs, and staffing events.

Swedesboro-Woolwich Historical Society Museum-Swedesboro City Hall 1500 Kings Highway Swedesboro, NJ 08085

Swedesboro-Woolwich Historical Society Museum-Swedesboro City Hall 1500 Kings Highway Swedesboro, NJ 08085

Swedesboro-Woolwich Historical Society Museum

Swedesboro City Hall

1500 Kings Highway/ Second Floor

Swedesboro, NJ 08085

(856) 467-0202

https://www.historicswedesboro.com/boards-commissions-departments/swedesboro-woolwich-historical-society/

Open: Sunday: third Sunday of the month 1:00pm-4:00pm Monday- Saturday By Appointment only-please call ahead

Admission: Free but donations are accepted

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g46860-d28393747-Reviews-Swedesboro_Woolwich_Historical_Society_And_Museum-Swedesboro_New_Jersey.html

Swedesboro City Hall at 1500 Kings Highway in Swedesboro, NJ

Mission Statement of the Museum:

(from the Museum website)

The mission of the Swedesboro-Woolwich Historical Society shall be to collect and preserve the architectural, cultural, commercial and farming history of the Borough of Swedesboro and the Township of Woolwich through records, documents, photographs, artifacts, and other means with the purpose to promote and provide access to this history for current and future generations, encourage preservation and restoration of historic landmarks located both in the borough and township and provide educational programs, guided historical tours and exhibitions to a diverse population.

The historic marker in front of City Hall

The front gallery of town artifacts

I recently visited the Swedesboro Historical Society located in a gallery on the second floor of City Hall in Downtown Swedesboro. It is an interesting little museum with several small galleries each dedicated to a different theme of the history of the town.

The gallery of Swedesboro High School memorabilia

The large gallery to the back of the museum houses an extensive collection of artifact on the school system especially to Swedesboro High School. This includes yearbooks, pictures, trophies and other spirit related items that show the rich history of the town’s school system.

Class picture over the last 90 years

Composites from trips to Washington DC from the high school. Some were taken in front of the Capital and some from Mount Vernon. It depended on the year.

The Cantoria Friezes from the old high school

The Cantoria Friezes from the old Swedesboro High School (now the elementary school)

These paster friezes once lined the Swedesboro High School and were taken down during the school’s renovation. The theme was Education and you can see this with each characters look in the pursuit of a higher education. These are the highlight of the High School gallery.

These were original reproductions by artist Pietro Caproni of the ‘Cantoria Friezes’ and are based on masterpieces from museums all over Europe. These friezes were purchased by the school system as part of the furnishings for its opening in 1923. These were cast and housed in his Boston studio (Historical Society website).

The former police department lockers make perfect props for high school artifacts

The museum is housed in what was once the old Swedesboro Police headquarters and the old lockers are the perfect backdrop for the museum’s extensive collection of school artifacts displayed in a classroom setting.

The Swedesboro High School China from the dining room

The Sports Department display

Trophies from the high school spanning 70 years

The next gallery is dedicated to town history and the business district. Many of the businesses have been long closed their memory lives on.

Memories and artifacts on businesses from the past

The museum has a large collection of items from the past from the business district showing how the town has changed and progressed from a farming community to a bedroom community of Philadelphia and New York City.

Pictures of businesses from the past and artifacts from a glass manufacturer whose business was in Swedesboro

Artifacts of businesses from the past

Commemorative plates from churches historic pieces of the town’s past

The back gallery hallway leading to the Swedish Room and the Everything room

Family China from one of the member’s of the Society’s family and era dress

The Indian arrowheads found in town

The town being so close to the water and hunting grounds was a place many local tribes settled in the summer months this there was a large collection of arrowheads and other Native American artifacts. This shows the area influence of the Lenape tribes before the Revolutionary War in this area as a hunting and fishing ground.

The ‘Everything Room’ where everything gets stored which does not have a home or display yet

The next display room was the ‘Swedish Room’ dedicated to the Swedish citizens who settled in the Delaware Bay along with Dutch. Swedish immigrants populated this area along with the Dutch in the late 1600’s and were an influence in the Delaware Bay area. “New Sweden” was established and thrived through the Revolutionary War.

The Swedish Gallery with the theme of “New Sweden” colony

Some of the cultural items from the Swedish population that used to live here including a photo of the Swedish royal family

A recreation of a home of a Swedish family in that time period

Books, maps and artifacts from the Swedish cultural the once dominated this community.

The last small gallery at the museum displayed the town’s Military contributions during the wars and artifacts on the town’s governing body.

The history of the different fraternal orders that were once and still are part of the town of Swedesboro.

More of the awards and accolades of the organizations in town.

The map of the town around the turn of the last century

Members of the Swedesboro community

The Military Gallery with uniforms, pictures and artifacts including medals from the town’s citizens that fought in the wars

What was nice about this gallery is that it shows the contribution of a small town and what they did for the war effort. The collection of uniforms is quite extensive.

The uniform and picture of a soldier from WWI

In the entrance to the museum, there are more displays on the town’s farming past and the people who helped shape this community to what is today.

Artifacts that are part of the town’s agricultural past in farming strawberries

Pictures of the architect and first Mayor of the town that helped shape the town

For such a small museum, the galleries are packed with interesting information of the Town of Swedesboro, its past, its present and its future. The museum tells the story of where the community has been and how it will shape its future.

Take your time to stroll the three galleries and look at the fascinating past of this small New Jersey town. Then head outside and walk its downtown to stroll the present. There are a lot of wonderful stores and restaurant to visit there as well. This is what makes the town of Swedesboro so special.

The History of the Swedesboro Museum:

(from the Museum website)

The Swedesboro-Woolwich Historical Society provides cultural and educational events throughout the year for area residents. Its goal is to obtain and preserve the history of the Borough and surrounding Woolwich Township. To meet this end, the society collects and archives artifacts, documents, books, photos, family histories and items which help to keep Swedesboro’s rich history alive. To add to our collection, volunteer with exhibits, or to give an oral history, click here to contact the Swedesboro-Woolwich Historical Society. To become a member, click here to download a membership application.

Visit our booth on Swedesboro-Woolwich Day in September.  Learn about local history, purchase books and other items to support the historical society.  Civil War re-enactors also attend town events to educate people about Swedesboro’s rich history and memorialize fallen Swedesboro & Woolwich Township soldiers.

In addition to our presence at local events, the Historical Society participates in programs to excite the community about Swedesboro’s rich history. Twice a year, we visit Fourth Grade classrooms within the Swedesboro-Woolwich School District to encourage interest in the history and culture of our community among students and teachers alike. Our meetings, held on the third Wednesday of every month (except July & August) at 7:00 PM and open to the public, also feature special interest speakers, authors, re-enactors, traveling exhibits from the Gloucester County Historical Society, and special programs throughout the year.

To learn more about our organization and local history, please stop by our booth at town events, strike up a conversation with a re-enactor you meet on the street, or join us at our new location (on the second floor of Borough Hall at 1500 Kings Highway in Swedesboro) for a meeting. To support the Historical Society, click here to purchase Historic Swedesboro Merchandise. New publications are researched, written and printed each year!

Video at the Swedesboro Historical Society-A Special Visit

This visit showcases the pictures that I took all over the museum. This gives a more detailed description of all the artifacts in the museum.

Tour of Historic Swedesboro, NJ-A Video tour