Open: Sunday-Friday Closed/Saturday-Select Saturdays during the Spring and Summer Season-See website
Admission: Free but donations are accepted
My review on TripAdvisor:
The Bridget Smith House from the road
I went to visit the Bridget Smith Homestead Museum run by the local historical society and the house was an interesting step back into time when mines were located all over this region. The original house itself was built around 1855 as housing for people working in the mines and the house was bought by the namesake woman in 1879, when as a widow she moved in with her children. When she died in 1907, the house was rented to Ida and Jesse Mc Connell and Ida ended up living here for 78 years before she died in 1993 at 103. After she passed, descendants from the Smith family donated the home to the town as a historical site (Bridget Smith Home Historical website).
The Bridget Smith House
The house is an early example of mining life in the area. It was practical and cost effective to families. Being a two story/two home structure, the main two rooms were on the first floor with a heating unit on the bottom and a large room on the second floor for sleeping. My tour guide told me at one time, one family lived in one of the sides of the house with six kids. I am not sure how that all worked out.
The historic sign on the property
History of the area:
From the late 1700‘s to the late 1800‘s, New Jersey was one of the major iron producers in America. The northwestern part of the state, known as the “highlands” was an important iron mining area. In the 1840‘s Irish settlers came to America for work. On August 10 1854, an Irish settler named Thomas Malona (later spelled Maloney) purchased a 30×150 lot in the “Irishtown” section of Mine Hill and built a house on it (Bridget Smith House website).
The information sign that welcomes you
Little changes have been made to the structure since the mid 1800‘s. Electricity was added in the 1940‘s and running water was added in the 1980‘s. In 1993 the great grand-children gave the house to Mine Hill for $1 to be preserved as the “Bridget Smith Homestead”. Restoration began soon afterward and work continues to this day (Bridget Smith House website).
The Dickerson family of the Dickerson Mines
The sign on the Dickerson family
The grave of Mahlon Dickerson in the Orchard Street Cemetery
The Dickerson Family plot at the cemetery
The history of the mines in the area
This area of New Jersey was and still is rich in ore and the amount of mines in the area made this a vibrant area for industry. When it was not longer cost effective or the mines ran out of ore that could be reached, the mine was sealed off. As the industry wore off so did the area and people moved on.
Mining and work equipment
Items inside the house and office and some iron ore samples
Miner’s lamp-examples of mining equipment
Paperwork and accolades
Use of horses and donkeys at the mines
The original view of the house and its renovation as a museum
The former residents of the house and their stories
In 1879 the house was sold for $300 to Bridget Smith (1835-1907) a young widow with two children. Smith and her late husband John, who was killed in the mines, lived in Mine Hill since 1860. Bridget Smith lived in the house until her death in 1907. In 1912, the house was rented to a young couple, Jessie and Ida McConnell. Ida McConnell lived in the house for the next 78 years. She died in the late 1990’s at the age of 103 (Bridget Smith House website).
The back room on the other side of the house
Some of the equipment to make cloth
Family life at the house
Family items
An example of a miner’s bedroom
The backyard of the Bridget Smith house with the outhouse
The two seat outhouse in the back of the house
The inside of the outhouse is heated
The entrance to the basement
The entrance to the basement was filled with cobwebs (Don’t go down there)
The house is part of the Women’s Heritage Trail
The house is listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. It is also part of the New Jersey Women’s Heritage Trail. The museum is operated by the Ferromonte Historical Society (Bridget Smith House website).
The house tour when the site is open in a look into the life of a mining family before and after the Revolutionary War and how the area changed with the ups and downs of the industry. It is also a glimpse into the life of early New Jersey family and watching a community progress into the modern era.
The Deputy William G. King Law Enforcement Museum is a small museum on the fairgrounds of Ulster County and is only open when the fairgrounds are open. The museum is manned by officers of the Sheriff’s Department. The museum houses the collection of retired Deputy William G. King law enforcement memorabilia.
The entrance to the museum
The collection includes a wide variety of guns, ammunition, equipment used on the job and riot gear.
The main gallery of the one room museum
The display cases house police department patches, pins for uniform, pictures of policemen and incidents. There is a collection of badges from various departments around the country.
A collection of awards and night sticks
What I found impressive was the collection of riot gear and equipment used on emergency calls. People do not understand the life of a police officer when duty calls and their perspective might be during a riot to protect people.
Riot gear, the gun collection and police equipment collections
The officer who manned the museum from the sheriff’s office was explaining how the equipment was used and how it has progressed in time.
Items from the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department
The museum also has a simulation of the New York State Gas Chamber, Electric Chair and the jails. I thought this was pretty interesting in that Capital punishment is still legal in New York State.
The display on Capital Punishment in New York State
A better view of the display
The Sheriff’s Department of Ulster County does a nice job maintaining and explaining all the items in the museum. They also make it less intimidating for children to approach a police officer when they need help. The museum is packed with information and the officers manning it could not have been nicer. Its just too bad that it is only open during the times the fairgrounds are open.
The banner from the Ulster County Deputy Sheriff’s Wives Association
The Seaside Heights Historical Society at 1400 Boardwalk in Seaside Heights, NJ
The Carousel Pavilion and Museum sign
The new Seaside Heights Historical Society Museum features this recently restored carousel and many small displays surrounding the walls of the building. This will grow in the future.
The historic Seaside Heights Carousel lovingly restored by the Society
The inside of has a couple of small displays which will be expanded on in the future. Dr. Moreland’s collection of carousel horses were on display in two cases around the building.
Dr. Moreland’s display of carousel horses
The display sign
On display also above this display were vintage videos of days at the Seaside Heights Beach. These videos show people enjoying themselves at the shore.
The other display case of carousel horses
There was also a display on panels from the carousel that could not be repaired but were so beautiful that they were mounted to see the before and after pictures.
Some of the original panels from the carousel
The plaque dedicated to Dr. Floyd L. Moreland
When I was talking with one of the volunteers who was assisting with the carousel that evening, he told me there will be more displays of artifacts from this beach community in the future. So there is more to look forward to in the coming year.
The carousel before the start of the ride
For right now this museum has a wonderful display of carousel horses and a short history of the town. You can also take a three minute ride on the beautiful carousel listening to the entertaining music. It will be an evening of returning to your childhood.
This is a great start to a wonderful museum.
The new displays:
Postcards from Seaside Heights
Historic City Map Sign
Historic Hodge Podge sign:
City Map and Hodge Podge artifacts in the collection’s back room
The new Seaside Heights Historical Society Museum sign:
The new Museum sign outside the museum
The upcoming highlights of the new museum
The historic pictures of life at the Seaside Heights Beach
The view of the museum from the end of the boardwalk
The Front of the Point Pleasant Jenkinson Aquarium on the Boardwalk
The entrance of the aquarium on the Boardwalk in Point Pleasant, NJ
This was the first time I had stepped foot in this aquarium since the year it was opened. I could not believe that I had not been here since 1991. The aquarium had just finished a renovation of the second floor of the building and created a Amazon Jungle type of exhibitions of small mammals and birds.
The interactive displays and open tanks are all over the aquarium so that you really can interact with the marine life under a controlled environment
What I like about the aquarium is that it is very hands on and family friendly. There are all sorts of docents and animal caregivers around to explain what the aquatic life do and how they live in a controlled environment. Each of the floors is broken down into different sections and each type of marine life has their own environment to live.
The Mangrove tanks with Moon Jellyfish and Yellow Tang fish
The full tanks of marine life
When you walk in you are greeted by a display of a Mangrove forest and the inhabitants that live there. These Yellow Tang fish seemed right at home swimming amongst the trees. Next to them, the Moon Jellyfish were swimming around in their tank like floating angels. They looked so beautiful and colorful in the tank.
The Yellow Tang fish
The Moon Jellyfish moved around their tank like floating angels. You could see them in full detail down to their spines. They swam around and looked like a surreal movie.
The first open tank you will visit has sting rays, hermit crabs and other small fish. You have to pay attention to what the docent is explaining so that you don’t startle the marine life. The main floor of the aquarium is like a marine life museum in which each tank is dedicated to a classification of fish.
The Sting Rays were very playful in the open tank but I would stay away from them,
In the main room of the first floor of the aquarium, each tank is home to different marine life. These surround the main open tank filled with hermit crabs, sting rays and turtles. These tanks give you a chance to interact with the wildlife.
The little sea turtle was relaxing when I visited him in his tank
These spotted sting rays swam around the bottom of the tank
In the larger tanks that surrounded the open tanks contain all sorts of ocean creatures swimming around claiming their territory. This is why they are kept in different tanks so that they don’t devour one another. The shark tank is the most active with sharks swimming around trying to find a way to escape from these tanks.
The shark tanks are a very active tank
The eels are active on their own interacting with the art work on the walls thinking it is real.
The eel showed it own independence in its tank
The colorful Angel Fish tank showcased an array of hues of other tropical fish as well
Taking one last tour of the first floor before the Seal feeding upstairs
The Clownfish tank
On the upper floor of the aquarium is the Penguin Tanks, the open tanks with more turtles and starfish, mammals as sloths and small monkeys and the bird exhibition with parakeets.
The penguins are such inquisitive mammals. They just watched their trainers and feeders clean the tank and acted like this was a perfectly acceptable thing for them to do. They just observed and talked amongst themselves as they watched us watching them. They are so jaded by human interaction.
The Diamondback Turtle was staring back at me from the open tanks
So did the Spotted Turtle
The seal feeding was very different from other aquariums that I had been to recently. First it was inside and second it was two different types of seals that were both disabled. The small Harbor seal had one of its flippers removed and the other Black seal was legally blind. They had been taken out of the wild for rehabilitation and it is safer for them to be in a controlled environment. I have never seen two mammals so well taken care of by trainers who treat them with respect.
The blind Black Harbor seal swam around and reacted positively to her trainer. She just looked out at the audience with a playful attitude of someone who was used to being around humans.
She came to surface for her meal
She was very interactive with the audience after she got fed. Here she welcomed us
The smaller Harbor seal was so cute. She had such a difficult life when she had her flipper removed for her health and safety so her swimming was tougher. She made due and learned to swim a different way and showed her independence.
She gave the audience such a innocent look
After the feeding was over, she swam over to where we were and I waved at her. I was not sure if this was directed at me looking at her but she gave me such a soulful look like I knew her.
I swear she looked at me like she knew me. I was ready to give her a hug
I really enjoyed my visit to the Jenkinson Aquarium. I liked how you feel like you are part of the exhibitions and how you are explained what is going on my both the volunteers and staff. They almost give you a responsibility to know what the plight of these mammals and aquatic life is like and how we have to respect it. You will learn a lot in one afternoon. These residents know how to communicate with us by just a stare or just looking back at us with a knowing glance. I just think they are used to us as well.
History of the Jenkinson Aquarium:
(from the company website)
The Boardwalk entrance to the Jenkinson Aquarium in Point Pleasant, NJ
Jenkinson’s Aquarium is a privately owned facility located on the boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. Opening in June of 1991, Jenkinson’s Aquarium has proven to be a valuable educational and recreational resource, as evidenced by its growing popularity. The aquarium is dedicated to educating the public on all aspects of marine life and conservation. Each exhibit is designed to promote awareness of the animals, their habitats and conservation.
The Black Harbor seal responding to her feeding
Exhibits such as Atlantic sharks, Pacific sharks, coral reefs, penguins, and seals give you the opportunity to get up close to animals from around the globe. Another attraction, the touch tank, allows visitors to touch live animals ranging from a sea star to a sting ray!
The Tropical Fish tank
In addition to the educational exhibits, the aquarium offers workshops for children of all ages, as well as professional development workshops for teachers and group tours for schools and scout groups. Groups are provided a general tour of the building and can choose between a number of Focus Programs that will highlight a chosen topic. If your group is unable to make it to the aquarium, we can come to you through our Outreach Program. If you are looking for somewhere special to have your child’s birthday party, the aquarium is just the place.
The Penguin Tanks
We offer a Perky the Penguin Birthday Party for children turning four years or older. The aquarium is also available for evening functions such as wedding receptions, corporate parties or business meetings. For those who wish to volunteer their time, Jenkinson’s Aquarium has an extensive volunteer program for those over the age of sixteen. The aquarium staff, including volunteers, participate in many community programs including Adopt-a-Highway and NJ Community Water Watch.
The Shark tank
Either in the community or at the aquarium, our staff will greet you in a courteous and professional manner. The staff is on hand to answer any of your questions while visiting, making it an enjoyable and educational experience. On your way out, you can take the fun home with you after browsing through our aquarium Gift Shop which has an extensive selection of marine related products.
The large fish tank
Jenkinson’s Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). AZA is America’s leading accrediting organization for zoos and aquariums, and accredits only those institutions that have achieved rigorous, professional standards for animal welfare and management, veterinary care, wildlife conservation and research, education, safety, staffing, and more.
The Moon Jellyfish
It is such a great visit!
I went back in October of 2024 and there was a Boo on the Boardwalk event with all sorts of activities for kids at the Aquarium and on the Boardwalk.
The Aquarium on Halloween for events
The ‘Boo at the Boardwalk’ event
During a very gloomy post-Christmas day, I returned to the Boardwalk for the ‘Sea of Lights’ event and that was pretty spectacular. The whole first floor was done on white lights with all sorts of special activities. I missed Santa’s plunge earlier in the day but it was still a festive environment on the Boardwalk, gloomy weather aside.
The ‘Sea of Lights’ event at the Boardwalk
The Boardwalk decorated for the Christmas holidays
The Boardwalk decorated for Christmas
This part of the Boardwalk was open and ready to greet visitors in the post Christmas holiday
Inside the real magic began with these beautiful lights all over the place
The hallways and exhibits were bright and cheery regardless of the weather.
It was still gloomy when I left the aquarium but I was in better spirits seeing all the beautiful lights
Who says Christmas at the Jersey Shore is boring? There is lots to see and do and the people at Jenkinson’s give you that option to step in and have fun at the shore.
