Tag: Exploring the Jersey Shore

Point Pleasant Historical Museum 416 New Jersey Avenue Point Pleasant, NJ 08742

Point Pleasant Historical Museum 416 New Jersey Avenue Point Pleasant, NJ 08742

Point Pleasant Historical Museum

416 New Jersey Avenue

Point Pleasant, NJ 08742

(732) 892-3091

https://www.facebook.com/PPHSMNJ/

Welcome!
Open: Sunday-Wednesday Closed/Thursdays 1:00pm-4:00pm/Friday and Saturday Closed

Admission: Donations accepted

My review on TripAdvisor

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g46745-d27962336-r955720708-Point_Pleasant_Historical_Society-Point_Pleasant_Beach_New_Jersey.html?m=19905

I took a trip to a well known to the well known beach community of Point Pleasant Beach to see what other activities were available rather than just spending time at the Boardwalk. After about an hour there, there was not much else to see or do. I found it in the Point Pleasant Historical Society Museum, a small gallery that is a treasure trove of artifacts and information on the history of the town. The collection may be small but it is packed with interesting tidbits of the history of this shore town and its development from a small fishing and farming community to the well known resort town that it is today.

The gallery is located in the back of City Hall just off the main downtown area a few blocks away. It may seem unassuming but there is a lot to look at the museum. On top of the local amusement industry and the development of the Jenkinson Boardwalk and Aquarium, there was the growth of the town of local businesses that contributed to the direction that the town is now.

Some of the most interesting artifacts had to deal with local disasters in the surrounding communities such as the Morro Castle Ocean Liner fire of 1934 and the Hindenburg disaster in Lakehurst in 1937. These aspects of ‘Dark Tourism’ are displayed with artifacts from those incidents. There is a small collection of Lenape artifacts from when this was a seasonal fishing village of the Native Americans and artifacts from both the Point Pleasant Fire and Police Departments on their early development in the town. You could also see the change in the types of cottage businesses that cater to the locals versus the tourists.

Take time to look through the cases and see all the interesting objects that the collection carries. They also have a room dedicated to town history and family lineage if your intention is to find family members or the history of a business such as Jenkinson’s or even the Jersey Mike’s chain which originated in this town. There is a lot to see and explore in about an hour to an hour and a half.

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Point Pleasant Historical Society and Museum is to preserve and share the rich history of  both Point Pleasant Beach and Point Pleasant Boro.  The Society traces it roots back to about 1976 when long time local resident, Margaret “Peg” Busse  planted the seed of a need for a historical society to properly preserve the history, artifacts and memories of days gone by.

Peg worked tirelessly to sign up new members and offered her home and yard for meetings. She advanced our goals, kept our records, and made the Shore Harbor Historical Society famous for Beach Plum Jam until retiring in 1990. We thank her and Victoria Hassett and Carolyn Martin who together wrote the book on the society. Since 1990, Jim and Pat Malone have guided the organization selflessly and Richard and Sharon Morris have worked tirelessly to organize and administer the museum.

The Point Pleasant Historical Museum at 416 New Jersey Avenue.

This wonderful little museum is a large one room display of the history of the town of Point Pleasant and the surrounding businesses. Each display holds the town’s treasures and the key to its past both for shore development and its progression as a tourism destination.

The development of the original Point Pleasant City at the turn of the last century.

The town had been home to the Native American tribes until the arrival of colonists and its development in the late 1800’s. What was once a farm was developed into the current town it is today. As tourism developed after the Civil War to WWI, businesses developed, amusements, hotels and bathing pavilions were added and services catering to this population sprung up.

The main gallery of the Point Pleasant Historical Museum

The museum display cases are broken down into the local history of the town. The local community administration of Fire and Police is displayed here.

The town historical records and local business, schools and Native American history are displayed here.

The Lenape display of Native American artifacts in the collection

The Point Pleasant Police Department Jail cell door showing its past as part of the town fabric

The original fire trumpet of the Chief of the Point Pleasant Fire Department

The development of the Boating and Fishing industries of the area

The museum also covers local famous disasters such as the Hindenburg disaster which happened in Lakehurst, NJ and the Moro Castle Cruise fire of the 1934. They even had the artifacts from the sites.

The Moro Castle Cruise disaster of 1934

The Hindenburg disaster of 1937 took place in Lakehurst, NJ

The Society also has a nice collection on local businesses. You could see how the businesses of the town developed from catering to a nautical and farming economy to the tourism and amusement industry. The problem with a town that depends too much on tourism is when the off season comes, how to you pivot the business to locals. You are now seeing this development in the downtown where there is a growth of clothing and antique stores.

The Pleasant Farms dairy farm (now a dealership)

The Jenkinson Boardwalk in its early years

What I thought was interesting is that this is where the Jersey Mikes sub chain started. In the town’s historical records are the original records of the first store along with the story of the company. This is a good selling point for the town.

The original Jersey Mike’s store in Point Pleasant, NJ

The collection contains a little bit of this and that in the cases as the membership is working to grow the collection. As the collection grows, we will see more of what makes the town of Point Pleasant the special place that it is as a community.

The collection case of items from residents personal homes

The collection case of community departments and hobbies

The collection case of business related items and household items

The collection of vintage bottles

Some of the interesting artifacts that I saw the head of a ship mass. The volunteer had said that this had washed up on shore and was donated by the people who found it.

The face from the ship bulkhead that was found washed up on shore

The bathing and swimming aspect of the beach community.

This delightful little museum is a nice rainy day adventure when you are in Point Pleasant on your way to discovering its funky downtown. It just goes to show that there is a lot more to this beach community than just the boardwalk and the beach.

An eel basket from the fishing industry

US Armed Forces collection of the WWII era

Beach art and history of the community of Point Pleasant

It is a perfect rainy day activity or for people who are interested in the history of the town, this little hidden gem is the place to start.

Uff Da Maritime Museum at Viking Village 1801 Bayview Avenue Barnegat Light, NJ 08006

Uff Da Maritime Museum at Viking Village 1801 Bayview Avenue Barnegat Light, NJ 08006

Uff Da Maritime Museum at Viking Village

1801 Bayview Avenue

Barnegat Light, NJ 08006

(609) 494-0113

https://www.vikingvillage.net/shops

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g46285-d2471201-Reviews-Viking_Village_Inc-Barnegat_Light_Long_Beach_Island_New_Jersey.html

The Uff Da Maritime Museum at Viking Village historical site.

The museum signage on the site.

I came across this interesting little museum on a recent trip to Viking Village for their Christmas Craft Show in December 2023. The museum explores the history of the fishing industry not just in Barnegat Light and Long Beach Island but the State of New Jersey.

The small gallery describes the fisherman who were once part of the trade, the years and development of the fishing industry in Barnegat Light, NJ and pictures of the boats and ships that made up the fishing industries creation and expansion over the years.

The inside of the small gallery is packed with information on the fishing industry of Long Beach Island.

The fisherman gallery

What I like about this museum is that it gives you a localized view of fishing industry and its history at the Jersey Shore.

The fishing industry on Long Beach Island in Barnegat Light, NJ on the tip of the island.

The fishing industry and its history on Long Beach Island.

Fisherman outfit

Boats and fisherman

It’s a small gallery packed with information and many interesting pictures. It is nice to visit when Viking Village is open for business.

A wonderful tour of Viking Village with the NJ Secretary of Agriculture.

Viking Village at the holidays.

Viking Village display at Christmas time.

Viking Village is still an active fishing business.

The Viking Village fishing community is still strong.

Viking Village during the Christmas Craft Fair in November 2023:

The Viking Village Holiday Craft Fair.

Santa arrives at Viking Village during the holiday Craft Fair

Santa arrives on the Barnegat Light Fire Truck

Santa walks in

Avalon History Center 215 39th Street Avalon, NJ 08202

Avalon History Center 215 39th Street Avalon, NJ 08202

Avalon History Center

215 39th Street

Avalon, NJ 08202

(609) 967-0090

Open: Sunday Closed/ Monday-Friday 10:00am-4:00pm/Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm

https://www.avalonhistorycenter.org/

https://www.facebook.com/avalonhistorycenter/

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g29754-d8096123-Reviews-Avalon_History_Center-Avalon_Cape_May_County_New_Jersey.html

The Avalon History Center is at 215 39th Street in Downtown Avalon, NJ

Recently I took a tour of small Jersey shore towns and their historical societies. These interesting little museums are packed with information on the history and development of these towns. The progress of these towns from fishing and hunting villages for the Native Americans to the modern day resorts and permanent residence’s have a fascinating history.

The early history of Avalon display with the development of the hospitality industry in the town

The Avalon History Center was the last museum on my visit to the shore that day and it had become very gloomy outside. The town was relatively quiet when I got there on a late Thursday night. I ended up having the whole museum to myself to tour. The curator came out and greeted me nicely and said that they were working in the back and if I had any questions to come get them. Outside that, I was the only one touring the exhibitions.

When you enter the building, the rooms are broken down in section by display. The Avalon Police Department has a wonderful exhibition of the history of the department. There are all sorts of police gear, mannequins with old uniforms and all sorts of police gear and pictures of the department through the ages. Near that is the Brendan Borek High Tide Memorial Fund.

The Early Avalon Room contains the history of the many hotels that used to dot the town during the Victorian era that have either burned down or succumbed to the ocean currents. Of all the hotels that existed only the Sea Lark B &B (See my review on TripAdvisor) still greeting guests. There are all sorts of dishware from the old hotels, menus and silverware that show the opulence of the time when pleasure travel lasted longer than present day.

The history of the Hotel Industry in Avalon with artifacts like menus, china and wonderful pictures of the old hotels. One of the hotels, the Sealark Hotel, still operates as a bed and breakfast. I had stayed there in 2017 for the Firemen’s Convention and had a excellent stay.

The Sealark B &B at 3018 First Avenue in Avalon, NJ

http://www.sealark.com/

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g29754-d79340-Reviews-Sealark_Bed_and_Breakfast-Avalon_Cape_May_County_New_Jersey.html?m=19905

There was a section on the Founding of the town and its development over time. The town used to be Native American place to fish and hunt to the Victorian resort it became with the railroads. There was extensive history of the Railroad system that was so important to the growth of these shore towns. This was until 1937 when the rail system became obsolete with the advent of the automobile. There was a nice display of the old Avalon Pier.

The detailed display of businesses that made Avalon the place to go and party

The Mascot for Pudgie Pelican

The back of the building was dedicated to local businesses that have since closed, This shows old signs, pictures and menus of watering holes that were popular for generations. There was an interesting display from the Avalon Hotel’s ‘Phil’s Bongo Room’, a popular place for bands.

The artifacts from Jack’s

Memories from a forgotten bar scene

On the other side of the front of the museum is an interesting display on the Avalon Shore Patrol, a much dedicated group of men and women that play such an important role in a shore community. The museum displayed an restored patrol boat surrounded by other artifacts. Pictures of generations of Beach Patrol members proudly line the walls.

The Beach Patrol display

The Beach Patrol display

The museum also has landscaped grounds to walk outside either to some of the smaller historical buildings or to the gazebo to relax on a nice day and just enjoy the breezes. It is nice to walk along the flowering beds and just enjoy the sunshine.

The Avalon Cottage sign outside the museum

The Avalon Cottage located outside the museum

The Summer Sanctuary sign outside the museum

The Summer Sanctuary outside the museum

It was a great visit both times I went to the museum.

History of the Avalon History Center:

(from a recent AHMS Newsletter)

The current facility opened its doors in September of 2001 to the public and began to share Avalon’s past, historical photographs, artifacts, memories and recollections lovingly collected and recorded by members of the Avalon Museum and Historical Society.

The museum main gallery

After several years of discussion, 1997 saw a historical society being formed at last in Avalon, supported by the enthusiastic endorsement of Mayor Marty Pagliughi and Borough Council President Nancy Hudanich, Doris Hanna and Jean Losch even secured a $10,000 donation from the Avalon Women’s Civic Club, as seed money for a building. Borough Council agreed to provide a location at 39th Street as well as a modular building-the old Public Works Headquarters, which did not prove suitable. The Avalon Museum and Historical Society got to work.

In June 1997, the first election of the Avalon Museum and Historical Society officers occured, along with the adoption of a constitution and bylaws. Among those first officers were Robert Jaggard, President, Lucille (Sue) Jacobson, Vice-President, Jan Jaggard, Secretary and Gordon Smith, Treasurer. Among thefirst Trustees were Jean Losch, Doris Hanna, Betty Shoemaker, Marvin Wells Jr., Joseph Koen and Robert Penrose Jr.

In early 1998, as the AMHS held its first fund drive, Doctors John and Elizabeth Ruskey agreed to honor the previous owner’s wish to donate their recently purchased house (location on 111st Street in Stone Harbor) to the effort. The Avalon Museum and Historical Society had support, money, a location and a building. Now all they had to do was move the house from Stone Harbor to Avalon, which is exactly what happened on November 6th, 1998. The groundbreaking took place on January 22nd, 1999.

The main history display at the museum

Once in place, work on putting the building back together and creating a museum space continued, inside and out. Items had been donated, collected and stored in the homes of the officers and trustees. It was the work of the AMHS to organize fundraising events to finance the project.

In mid-September 2001, the officers opening day arrived at last and AMHS President Pary Woehlcke, together with Mayor Marty Pagliughi cut the ribbon on Avalon’s very own local history museum.

Since then, there have been many changes at 215 39th Street, including the merger and incorporation of the Avalon Museum and Historical Society into the Avalon Free Public Library. We are now the Avalon History Center.

One thing that remains constant is the commitment, enthusiasm and passion from History Center staff and the Historical Society Board and members. Our mission remains to bring Avalon’s past alive and make it accessible for all. This year has been a challenge but one we hope we have met as we continue to keep the doors open, broaden our outreach online, entertain, educate and amuse our patrons.

The Avalon Yacht Club display

Mission of the Avalon History Center:

The Mission of the Avalon History Center is to collect, chronical and preserve the history of the Borough of Avalon in the County of Cape May, New Jersey.

Peermont Self-Guided Walking Tour:

This self-guided tour of a section of Peermont (25th to 42nd Streets) will lead you from the Avalon Post Office at 33rd and Dune Drive through to 30th Street and ending at the Boardwalk and Beach Patrol on 32nd Street. It should take about one hour of gentle walking.

History of the Area:

(from the Avalon History Center pamphlet)

In October of 1888, Philadelphia entrepreneur George Rummel and the Avalon Beach Improvement Co. (ABICO) purchased from Joseph Wells at 17 block area of Seven Mile Island from 25th to 42nd Streets. The tract excluded the vast beachfront but included large areas of boggy meadowlands west of Third Avenue. This section of Seven Mile Island became known as the ABICO tract.

Rummel’s first priority was to build a hotel, which he named “The Peermont”. The railroad station which went up at the same time also became known as Peermont and so the ABICO tract followed suit. Peermont was on the map.

The Hotel Peermont in Avalon, NJ

Building lots were very quickly offered for sale so many that those in the Avalon section began to feel somewhat behind. Lots were also sold and bought in the meadowlands between Third and Forth Avenues on the assumption that they would be drained, filled, graded and curbed. Unfortunately 25th Street to Gravens Thoroughfare was the only roadway made passable. Rummel did however tear down the dunes, fill in and grade the ponds and marsh areas along the beachfront section of the ABICO tract, in order to build a seawall and then a boardwalk.

Ocean City Historical Museum 1735 Simpson Avenue Ocean City, NJ 08226

Ocean City Historical Museum 1735 Simpson Avenue Ocean City, NJ 08226

Ocean City Historical Museum

1735 Simpson Avenue

Ocean City, MD 08226

(609) 339-1801

https://www.ocnjmuseum.org/

https://www.facebook.com/ocnjmuseum/

My review on TripAdvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g46696-d15122158-Reviews-Ocean_City_Historical_Museum-Ocean_City_Cape_May_County_New_Jersey.html

The entrance to the museum is inside the Municipal Building and Library 1735 Simpson Avenue

The original map of Ocean City, NJ

I made a trip to many of the beach towns at the Jersey Shore recently visiting the small historical societies that explain the history and development of these small towns. It is amazing to see how they have developed in just 150 years from Native American fishing villages to thriving vacation spots and permanent residential districts. Ocean City, NJ itself has an interesting history.

The entrance gallery with the history of the town

As you enter the museum from the back of the library, you are warmly greeted by a docent who will explain the museum to you. Then you will follow a semicircle through the exhibitions in a genealogical order from when the town was founded to modern times and events.

The first exhibition is called “From Hunting Ground to the Modern Resort:

The early history from the time the Native Americans used the shore line for fishing and hunting to the history of the Miller family who owned parts of the island. The exhibit explained how the Miller family owned this section the island and how it was developed. These were the early years of the island until the coming of the Methodist colony.

The original map of the barrier island and artifacts of the local Native American tribes

The second Exhibition was “The Founders and the Early Years”:

In 1879, four Methodist ministers came to Ocean City to develop a Summer Colony and resort for their members based on Christian values. This lead to the development of the “Blue Laws” in which some traces are found today. The displays discussed the how the resort moved into modern times and how this development shaped the resort as it is today. There are interesting pictures of the development of the Camp in the turn of the last century.

The early growth of the island as a resort

Early Motel sign

The early Bathing exhibition

The third Exhibition was “The Boardwalk”:

The development of the first Boardwalk in 1887 to give access to the shoreline lead to early development around it. You could follow the developments of many versions of the Boardwalk over the years due to storms and development. There were displays of old movie theaters that used to dot the Boardwalk along with other family businesses that opened over the years. Old hotels that have since closed or being used for other uses had their histories told. The Flanders Hotel’s history was displayed.

The Boardwalk rebuilt into its present form

The Boardwalk in the beginning

The Beach Patrol display

The Beach Patrol sign

The Ocean Patrol exhibition and artifacts

The forth Exhibition was “The Sindia”:

The Sindia was a shipwreck off the coast of Ocean City that ran aground in 1901. It still lies off the coast but many of the artifacts of the wreck are displayed here. There is all sorts of bottles, dishware and other household and decorative items displayed here. There is also an interesting display of model ships.

The Porcelain artifacts

The model ship display

The model ship display

The ship mass display

The museum Parlor exhibition

The museum Parlor exhibition

The last Exhibition was on actress Grace Kelly and her family:

Princess and Actress Grace Kelly used to vacation with her family in Ocean City from the time she was a little girl until her death. I never realized that her father was an Olympic Rower and used to row at the Jersey Shore. Her brother was a lifeguard for the town as well. There are all sorts of family pictures of her and her siblings growing up here. What I thought was interesting was she bought her royal family to the Jersey shore to vacation with her family and there were pictures before she passed enjoying her time here. That I thought was very interesting that she never forgot her roots.

The Grace Kelly exhibition

The Princess and Movie Star never forgot her roots

There was a special exhibition on the local theaters that once used to dot Ocean City, NJ:

The history of movie theaters in Ocean City, NJ

The Village Theater exhibition

The theaters of Ocean City, NJ

It was an interesting look at the development and then the closure of the local theaters that had become a part of everyone’s lives.

Don’t miss their nice gift shop that has all sorts of decorative items and jellies and honey.

The Gift Shop at the Museum

The Gift Shop

History of the Museum:

(from the Museum’s Website)

The Ocean City Historical Museum is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 corporation established in April of 1964. It was created by a group of enthusiastic volunteers with the support of the local government. The purpose of the Museum is to preserve the city’s history for future generations for both visitors and residents.

The first museum was located on the first floor of the old elementary school at 409 Wesley Avenue. It was only open during the summer of its first full year, as the building was still being used as a school. In July of 1965, it was opened for year round visitors when the school moved to its new location. The museum moved to its current location at the Ocean City Community Center at 1735 Simpson Avenue in 1990.

Mission:

The mission of the Ocean City Historical Museum is to delight, inspire and educate the public about the story of Ocean City, NJ and to collect, preserve and promote items relevant to its heritage, traditions and memories.

The Recycle Man display

Vision:

The Vision of the Ocean City Historical Museum is to be an inviting, informative and innovative community resource that is recognized and respected as the place for exploring and celebrating the rich history and heritage of Ocean City, NJ.

The Toy Collection