I got to go to the Vintage Auto Museum of New Jersey on a return trip to Point Pleasant. Both the Vintage Car Museum and the New Jersey Museum of Boating share the same building and are both open on Friday afternoon. So viewing their collections is a little easier.
What I like about the Vintage Car Museum is the selection of cars that they have on display. These are the cars of the early silent films and the beginning of ‘sound pictures’. Most of the cars date from the late 1880’s to show the development of the automobile through its early years. From the early automation of steam engines to gas powered cars, I could see Victorian men and women driving these early cars to the flappers and underworld bosses driving the get away cars of the past. These are cars that you will see in the movies.
The cars on display are in pristine condition with accompanying signs so you will have a full description of the make and model of each automobile. There is a small selection of cars so the collection is easy to see in one afternoon.
On the side walls there are secondary collections of driving accessories, pictures of cars and a small collection of toy cars in one of the cases. It is the perfect museum for car buffs or for visitors interested in the history of automobiles. It is perfect for those who love the silent films and early American engineering. These pristine cars are lined like jewels on a carpet that are meant to impress.
The Mission Statement:
(From the museum pamphlet)
Our mission is to provide an educational and entertaining family attraction, preserving, sharing and taking pride in an automobile heritage that truly encouraged and shaped the growth of New Jersey and our country and its impact on our society.
The front of the Vintage Automobile Museum of New Jersey in Point Pleasant, NJ
The front of the gallery
The front gallery of the museum
The front gallery of the museum
The history of the Museum:
(From the museum pamphlet)
The automobile has been a part of our culture for well over 100 years. Above all other inventions, the automobile is responsible for our development as a society. The automobile allowed people to leave their farms for the first time to visit the big cities and it allowed city dwellers to visit farms to see their first cow. There is no doubt that the automobile represents freedom, affluence, power and art.
In 2000, members of the Vintage Automobile Club of Ocean County, NJ having hosted many car shows, wanted to bring antique cars to a central viewing place. The result was the founding of the Vintage Automobile Museum of New Jersey, a venue suitable for displaying the many cars built around the world for the past 125 years. In addition to having vehicles on display, we have other artifacts. Photos, tools, signs, gas pumps and even a barber’s chair are all there for everyone to enjoy.
The some of the cars on display that enjoyed are the:
The 1896 Ford Quadricycle
The 1896 Ford Quadricycle
The Quarter Midget Racing sign
The Quarter Midget Racer on display
The 1903 Oldsmobile Model R sign
The 1903 Oldsmobile Model R car on display
The 1915 Ford Model T sign
The 1915 Ford Model T car on display
The 1923 Packard Phaeton
The 1923 Packard Phaeton on display
The mini Doyle sign
The Mini Doyle on display
The 1922 Ford Model T Huckster Wagon sign
The 1922 Ford Model T HucksterWagon on display
What I loved about these cars was the beauty of them and the rarity of their make and style. These cars look like they are ‘showroom ready’ to drive out of the building. I love the care that their owners give them and the look of their design. It is also the history and the age of these cars of the collection that make them impressive to look at and admire.
The collection of toy vintage cars that are in the collection.
The Johnson Boat Yards just outside the museum where you can see all the private pleasure boats
The Museum’s Mission:
(From the museum’s pamphlet)
The mission of the New Jersey Museum of Boating is to celebrate our state’s rich maritime history. We are committed to educating, preserving, interpreting and presenting the boats built in New Jersey and the related marine equipment and materials traditionally used in the process.
‘Boats N’ Kids’ is part of the charter we are endeavoring to educate today’s youth on the history of boating in New Jersey. We offer several programs for children which include basic boating safety and intern programs during the spring and summer. Visit the website or call our number for more details.
The boat display outside the museum
In 2002, the museum became the newest destination on the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail, achieving recognition by the National Park Service for the historic value of its collection and location.
The display of marine vessels outside of the museum
As part of our Charter, we are committed to the education of today’s youth on the history of boating in New Jersey. In that regard, the museum has developed a multi-faceted program to invite students from New Jersey’s elementary and high schools for information tours of the museum.
The display of boats just outside of the museum
My visit to the Museum:
While I admired all the boats outside the museum and the Johnson family Boat Works Marina and all the pleasure boats, all the nautical displays were in the inside of the museum.
The inside of the museum offers a gift shop and an introduction to the museum’s mission on the history of Boating
One of the first displays describes the famous shark attacks at the Jersey shore in 1916 as summer beach bathing was becoming popular. These were noted in the film ‘Jaws’.
The New Jersey Shark Attacks of 1916
The next display I visited was the World War II display to our veterans and their contributions from the State of New Jersey. There had been many sightings of enemy submarines on the Jersey shore.
The detailed display on our State’s contribution to the ‘Great War’
War propaganda poster that would be considered racist today but effective back then.
The next display was on the history of the fishing in the state. We have had and still have some of the best fishing on the East Coast both for pleasure and commercially.
Some of the contributions of our fishermen in New Jersey
There was also a big contribution to the steam engines from New Jersey as well.
The ‘Steamboats’ exhibition
The Sneakbox sign
On display as well was the ‘Frisky’. The ‘Frisky’ is the first ‘Beaton Built’ sneakbox. It was built in 1941 by David Beaton & Sons which won numerous championships in the 1940’s and 1950’s (museum pamphlet).
The ‘Frisky’ sneakbox
In the back of the museum, there was a display of vintage outdoor motors which powered boats over the years.
The exhibition sign for the Vintage Motor exhibition
The sign for the “Vintage Motor” exhibition
The Vintage Outdoor Motor display
The outdoor motors from times past
In the front of the museum you will see the ‘Frame’ exhibition and all the tools to build a boat.
The ‘Frames’ sign
The ‘Frames’ display
A closer look at all the tools for the construction of a boat
There were also smaller displays around the museum such as the NJ Coast Guard display and the NJ State Rowing Championship’s to show the nautical activities that are going on in the State of New Jersey.
The Coast Guard station display
The NJ State Rowing Championship display
The New Jersey Museum of Boating offers a wealth of information on New Jersey’s nautical past, present and future place in history.
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.
Visiting a Museum: The Unique, Unusual, Obscure and Historical 