Ocean'ili~ri tage
703 Deal Road. Ocean, NJ
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Vol. 27 • No 2 • May, 2011
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The Township of Ocean Historical Museum
TAKANASSEE EXHIBIT OPENS
Those who come to rekindle fond memories of the Takanassee Beacb Club will not be disappointed in the new exhibit opening in the West Gallery June 4 & 5. They will lind beach club photos and artifacts galore. But they will discover as well another life a this small strip of Long Branch oceanfront. Shipwrecks, Life-Saving, and the Story a Takanassee features beach club memorabil ia. But it also tells a fascinating tale of the treacherous nature of early sea travel, J' s role 10 the country's response, and the hero ism of Life Saving Station #5.
Life-Saving Service. Its first station was uilt at andy Hook. at long after, another as set up at Takanassee beach. is lirst Takanassee station was a simple shed, equipped with apparatus provided by the U.S. government. For decades, it-and all stations in tbe Service--were manned by volunteers. much like today's lire companies. By the 1870s. pressure mounted for a professional Life-Saving Service-wltb versight, paId and trained crews, and well maintamed equipment. As pan of this overBoat House Sketch
The three distinctive buildings that still stand at Takanassee beach were part of the U.. Life-S"ing ervice, created in 1848 10 response to the alarm 109 10 e of life and properly from slup wrecked offour nation's shores-most notably along ew Jersey's coast. NJ was the manner's nightmare-arguably the deadliest coast in the world. It is said that if all the hIps wrecked along ilS expanse were laid end to end, the string of sunken hulls would stretch from Sandy Hook to Cape May. A deadly combination of shallow and shifting shoals, trong m-shore currents, heavy hip traffic. 'orth Atlantic storms, and primitive navigational and wcather forecasting tools together made the Jersey COasl the "gra\Oyard of the Atlantic." o surprise, then. that the appeal for help came from a J Congressman-William ewell (later governor). At his urging, the fcderal government appropriated funds to establish the U. .
haul, a new station was built at Takanassee in 1879
and later two other structures, circa 1903. In 1915, the LifeSaving Service merged with the Revenue Marine Bureau to fonn the U.S. Coast Guard, and Guardsmen continued for decades to operate out of Takanassee. Visitors to the exhibit will learn of the heroic deed of these early life-savers. Take the tale of Annie and Charles Green, for instance. Charles, whose family had owned Takanassee beach and surrounds going back centuries, was one of the lirst of the Takanassee "keepers." The bravery of his crew-and his wife-in rescumg the crew of the Adonis. run aground in a vialent stann in 1859, earned the Service's coveted Gold ~edal (the lirst and last ever gIven to a keeper's wife). The exhibit tells the story of Takanassee in this broader context. On di play are relics retrieved from local wrecks, the New Era (1854), the Adonis (1859), the Rusland (1877). and the Pliny (1882). It is a fascinating legacy. Come see for yourself.
"PROHIBITION ON THE NORTH JERSEY SHORE, GANGSTERS ON VACATION"
_ _ _ _ _ _ Tuesday, June 14, 7:15 pm at the Old
Oakhurst School, 163 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst. Prohibition is perhaps the most unique law enacted by the Unitcd States. There are few times in American history when the nation has experienced such a dramatic shift in
character. After 13 years, Prohibition was repealed in 1933. but the nation and the Nonh Jersey Shore were no longer the same. Based on hIS book, "Prohibition on the North Jersey Shore: Gangsters on Vaca
tlOn", corne hear author, Manhew R. Linderoth, discuss the orth Jersey Shore's experience dunng th,s tumultuous lime. Manhew Linderoth is a reSIdent of the orth Jerscy Shore. He studies 2 I-century U. S. social history. He bolds a bachelor's in history from Rutgers University and a master's in U. S. his tory from Monmouth University. The book will be available for sale at 19.99 each. Open to the public free of charge (donations are welcome). Please bnng non-perishable food for the MonmouthJOeean County Food Bank. Refreshments will be served.
A Message From The
Happy Spring! Spring is a time for change and here at the Township of Ocean HistoricolMuseum we have had a change that I would like to share with you. Our long standing President, Virginia Richmond, who has guided us and led us over the past ten years, has retired from her position. We are happy to report, that Virginia will stay on the Board as Corresponding Secretary. As the newly elected President of the museum, I would like to personally thank Virginia for her dedication and vision that transformed the museum to a place that the community con be proud to call their own. As I take on this opportunity, I would like to share with you the steps that led me here. I walked into the museum, when it was located on Monmouth Road in the Administration Building, looking to volunteer one day a month and what I found was a second home. The possionJrom the Founders and volun teers soon found their way into my heart, and I was hooked. It was a small two room museum that worked like a well oiled machine. Schedules hung on the wall, quilters worked diligently on the quilt that would become our fillldraiser. Administration staff was fold ing membership letters to be deliL'ered to the post office, event planning was taking place, and it was very excit ing. Virginia was at the core of it all, always with a smile. My job was a docent, teaching our popular
"Third Grade Program" to elementary students in Ocean Township at the museum. The students were very excited for a field trip to the museum and asked a lot ofquestions, and I was happy to answer them. As a port ofthis well oiled machine, the Eden Woolley House was preparing to become our township museum. All hands on deck!! Did I mention that we are an all volun teer organization? For the post four years, I have been the Museum Director at the Eden Woolley House, working closely with volunteers, running The Third Grade Program and helping with our wonderful events. This year to my surprise, I was asked and honored to be President of this wonderful institution. With the talented and committed Founders and volun teers, some of the best examples that we could find that represent our township's past, along side of me, I know we will go on to do great things. I am excited to be a port of the vision that will lead our museum in the next cycle ofgrowth. If you find time in your schedule to stop by to see our exhibits, collections and research library, you will not be disappointed. Al o. keep your eye on our events cal endar it is packed u'ith fun things to do and see, I hope to see you there! Brenda Wityk, President
lUKE BONENFANT, 1ST GRADE, WITH HIS STORY Luke Bonenfant is a ftrst grade student from Mrs. Vetrano's class in Wayside Elementary School. He and his Mom have been frequent visitors to our Muse um. Luke is a friendly, outgomg young boy \\ ho enjoy school and especially likes talking to hIs teacher. During one of his visits to the Museum. our De\\ Presidenl, Brenda Wityk suggested to Luke that he write a story ahout what it's like to be in ftrst grade. The photo above shows Luke at the Museum. He is holding the story he wrole entitled, "What It's Like to Be in First Grade." He brought hIs story to the Museum and read it to the volunteers who were presenl that day. Luke's project was very well done and his reading skill quile supenor for his grade level. It was a unique and delightful experience for Luke and for his most interested audience.
lIeather MacDonald, in period costume, demonstrates the eli· queue of the ran \\ith sfHral "olunteers who ""ere attending the Museum Tea.
IN MEMORIAM Anna Elizabeth Farry, age 103
by Marjorie Edelson In a time when we can communicate instantly by cell phone or text messaging. when electricity and tech nology make our work easier and put entertainment at our fingertips. when travel is easily accomplished w,th personal vehicles and public transponation. and when we can enjoy the advantage of indoor plumbmg and central healing, we forget how our ancestors Ii'ed in the centuries before u. But the Woolley House is an excellent teaching tool to make that hi tory come alive. When we cooduct tours of the Eden Woolley House we remind our visitors that the earliest part of the house dates back to the 1750·s. It was built by Thomas Woolley when this was still a British Colony. Thomas had 3 wives and II children who lived in the house. In 1830, Eden Woolley. a cousm. purchased the farm and added the larger secllon of the house. Eden's family owned the house untilu was sold 10 1926. Last July at the American Doll Tea at the \iuseum. we mtroduced the Woolley Sisters to our audience of children and their parents as a way of illustrating what life was like 10 the 1800s. We used a pall of 18 inch dolls in period dress to ponray the two daughters of Eden and Elizabeth Woolley who were born and grew up on the farm 10 the house that IS now our Museum. Mary Elizabeth was born 10 1836 and Sarah Louvenia in I 41. At the lime ofthell binh, the Woolley land was still Shrewsbury TownshIp. It was in 1849 that Shrews )10') Ind Sirah Woo lie) doll .. . . '11 k h bury townshIp was dIVided and the eastern ponlOn became the TownshIp of Ocean. At that ttme the "'. rna °e Boot er appearance. . . , . at the American Doll Tea in TownshIp extended from Sea Bnght south to Shark RIVer and west to mclude what IS now eptune. July Eatontown, West Long Branch and Oceanpon. The Woolley sisters were there for the founding nf our Township and saw their father Eden Woolley become one of the first elected comrnineemen to lead the new community. Lacking a municipal building or town hall the elected offi cials held their public meetmgs in local tavern and inns. One of those buildings is still located on 10nmouth Road In Oakhurst at the foot of West Park Ave. The building before 1849 was known as the J.R. Conk Hotel and then became the OceanVIlle Inn 10 recogmllon of the new Township. Today that building houses a psychic and a locksmith shop. Mary and Sarah were both married by the age of 20. Mary married James Lippincott and had 4 children: Elisha Eden. Anna. George and Charles. Sarah married Benjamm Borden Hance and had four children: Asher. Elizabeth Ann. Susan Borden and Howard Irving. Sarah died at the age of 50 and Mary Ii,ed to be 77. Theil lives spanned 21 U.S. PreSIdents from Andrew Jackson to Woodrow Wilson and a nation that grew from 25 to 4 tates. The Woolley family and the house they built have been witnesses to the hIstory of this country. If only the walls could peak.
Flower ower
useum recently held a mall fundraiser, selhng flowers for pring plantmg, Many thanks to all those wh Icipated tn the plant sale. pecial thanks to one of our volunteers, bbey WIlson. a High chool freshm ho IS a tour guide on the second Sunday of each month. Abbey was the top volunteer sales person. Congrat lations Abbey and thank to all. The eight individuals who were able to sell flowers sold a total of 815. mel shi in Thi resulted in a rofi;.;.t""fo;;.;;r...;;th;.;.e;..M;.;.;.;;;use;;.;;.;;um;=0::f:::::3::5::7.::5::0.:::;:::;::=;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;_....
MUSEUM GETS
COUNTY GRANT
The Township of Ocean Historical Museum was award ed a preservation grant of $4.750 from the Monmouth County Historical Commission to be used towards restoration of the historic water tower. The water lower, located behind the Woolley Hou e and library. is being restored by an interested group of contractors, volun teering their time and expertise. This grant along with a previous $1.000 donatinn from Ira Haupt II. will provide much needed funds to uppon this project. Our sincere thanks goes to the Monmouth County Historical Com mISSIOn, the Monmouth County Freeholders and 10 Mr. Haupt. Another small part of Ocean Township's history is being saved.
Hat Cont~st \\inner!: L-R Dorh; Carroll, mosl original; "alerie lIlrii 50 prettiesl; Pal \\eber, most colorful; Mary Jane Suda. most slylish; K~II) Po\\ers. 'Intag~ a\\ard.
Third American Doll and
Teddy Bear Tea Party
September McCarthy and Nick Marchetti, talented vocalists at the Tea Catherine Durocher and her fa"orite doll dressed as an Ocean
cheer leader.
On Sunday, July 24th from I :00 to 3:30, children, dolls and teddy bears will take over the grounds of the Eden Woolley House for the third annual sum mer afternoon tea party. This sellout event cele brates the relationship of a child and their favorite doll or teddy bear. The children will make a craft for themselves and their doll or bear, show off their doll's or bear's outfit in a fashion show, listen to a story, and enjoy a tasty tea party. There will be doll and teddy bear collections to see, and a Doll Shop that will feature hand made clothes and accessories for dolls The rain date for the Tea Party is Sun., July 31 st. Children 5 years and older must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are $25 for a parent and child, an additional child is $10. There is limited seating. Reservations are a must. Tickets will go on sale after June 1st. Call 732- 531-6040 or the Museum at 732 531-2136.
Longwood Gardens
Christmas Display
A bus trip to see the holiday display at Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA is planned for Wed., Dec. 7th. Trees hung with millions of brillant lights, dancing fountains, thousands of flowering plants, and special musical performances will put you in a holiday mood. Tickets are $65 and will include the bus, admission, and dinner. The bus will be depart ing mid afternoon and returning late evening. There is limited seating so call the Museum to make a reservation at 732-531-2136.
reprinted from History MagaZine April/May 2002
Thimbles were probably developed 5,000 years ago. Thimbles dating from ancient Egypt have been found and a bronze thim ble was excavated from Pompcii. The word thimble itself is derived from the Old English word thymel for thumb. Usually shaped like a bell and worn over one of the fingers, with pound marks so that the needle does not slip, thimbles have also been shaped as rings, exposing the fingertip for picking up thread, material or needles. Thimbles were made of leather, bone, wood, stone, ivory and various metals. Needles occasionally penetrated worn thimbles,
so capped thimbles were created with stones such as amethyst. In the 1880s, Charles Homer patented a thimble that had a strong steel shell encased in silver, these thimbles are known as Dorcas thimbles and were very popular. In an inventory of Queen Elizabeth I's possessions, "a nedell case of cristall gamysshed with silver gilt, with twoo thimbles in it 't is mentioned. Queen Elizabeth I gave her ladies- in-wait ing a thimble. In the Victorian era, thimbles were given to women by men as engagement gifts because of the thimble's association with
domestic duties. Social staoding was often shown by the quali ty of the woman's thimble, china thimbles were beSI for work ing with silk, brass ones were cheap and therefore plentiful. Some thimbles were made from gold or sliver and adorned with precious stones.
Older thimbles are rare as they wear out, and as they were made
of metal, they were often melted down for other uses. In Samuel
Pepys' diary entry for 3 April 1663, he mentions Hugh Peler,
minister and anny preacher during the English Civil War, stir
ring up the women of London during the Civil War to bring in
their thimbles for the Parliamentary forces. In the mid-20th cen
tury, tens of thousands of thimbles were donated to the Silver
Thimble Fund, which funded various hospital projects.
Today most thimbles are made of metal and plastic, while dec
orative thimbles, often made of porcelain, are collected by dig
itabulists.
-VICTORIA KING
fAkr'II!f'lIl1ia! arlit
dt5ymr-J
Vir!
By Marjorie Edelson
C(f"{''IItJ 7a!n,r!a r Looking Ahead, , ,
aturda~
and unda), June 4 and 5.1-4 pm, e" exhibit, Ship" reeks, Lifesaving, and the StOI") ofTakan., sec" opens at the Eden "'oolley House.
Icen ennla
UI
ID .. u.seum
o.e<~,o'n • • •
The year was 1976 and "Bicentennial Fever" was spreading across the country. The ladies of the Oakhurst PTA under the leadership of Terry Patterson planned a handmade Bicenteenial Quilt that would illustrate the history, the land marks and the natural areas of the Town ship. Twenty one women stepped forward to design and stitch a picturesque block on her assigned topic. Other women quilted the red blocks with an oak leaf, an Indian head and a horse, to depict the three ections of town. Another team of sewers put the blocks together to complete the Ocean Township Bicentennial Quilt. The beautiful quilt was displayed around town and even tually became the centerpiece of the newly formed Museum at the Oakhurst School in 1983. Sincc that time it was used in the Museum to teach the visiting third grade clas es the history of Ocean Township. Approxi mately 7000 children learned about their town from the Bicentennial Quilt. Recently the quilt has been showing signs of age and wear and has been reserved for special occasions. How ever, in celebration of its 35th birthday, the Bicentennial Quilt will hang in the "Our Town Gallery" in the Muse um from September until after the holidays. A reunion celebration will be held on Sunday, Oct 2nd for the quil ters who worked on this project and will be open to the public. The Bicentennial block quilters we have located are: Peggy Dellinger, Marjorie Edelson, Pat Grasso, Ro e mary Gregory, Judy Hansen, Janice Hiers, Barbara Hop pin, Lois Landis, Angie Mazza, Ginny Montedoro, Mary Anne Olson, Terry Patterson Freeman, ancy Sproat, Judy Smith, Anne Stiles, and Betty Willms. We have not located: Karen Dehaenen, Barbara Gilham, Joan McGrath, Lila Prezler, and Carolyn Tertzagian. Anyone with information about these quilter can call the Muse um at 732-531-2136
Tuesda), June 13, ':15 p.m. Oakhurst School uditorium. Author, Matthew Linderoth, \\ill present "Prohibition on the North Jerse) Shore, Gangsters on 'a....d tion." His book on this subject "ill be available for sale. Sunday, July 24, 1- 3:30 pm. Third annual American 0011 and Teddy Bear Tea at the Eden Woolley House grounds "ith special e-"hibits inside. Rain date-July 31. Tuesday, September 13, ':15 p.m. Oakhurst School auditorium. "'Vomen F1)ing into Histol") the 'omen 'r fore enice PHo s" (\\.A.S.P.) Former \ . .P., Bea Falk Ha~du "ith her first hand tories from the \\ \'11 era. Copies of her book, "Letters Home-\\omen Air force Senice Pilots" \\ill be available for ale. Sunday, October 23. Third annual Ghost "alk at the Eden Woolley House. Rain date October 31. Tuesday,. 'ovember I, :15 p.m. Oakhurst School auditorium." ew Jersey Civil War Odyssey" by Tom Burke. Saturday and Sunda). Dec 3 & 4. Holiday E:"hibit Weekend at the Eden WooUey House. Wednesday, Dec 7. Longwood Gardens Bus
Trip. Holida) flower & light show, dinner,
guided tour.
Tickets $65.00. Call the museum for reserva
tions 732-531-2136.
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The Township of Ocean Historical Museum 2011 Member Application Check one: Oate
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Name _
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Please check the type of membership you prefer.
o Friends of the Museum $5000 o Silver Member $250 + o Supporter $25 +
0 Platinum Member $1000 +0 Gold Member $500 + 0 Benefactor $100 + 0 Patron $50 + 0 Basic $15
Please check the Volunteer Activities that interest you.
o
Historical Research
o
Public Relations
o Collections & Acquisition o Quilting Group o 3rd Grade Ed. Program o Exhibit Preparation o Grant preparation o Fund Raising
o Group Tour Guide o Oral History o Membership o Office Work
o Gardening o Restoration o Display o Other
Detach Form & Mail To: Township of Ocean Historical Museum, P. O. Box 516. Oakhurst. NJ 07755 -- - - ---- - - --- - - - ----- - ---- -- - - - - -- - - - -- For Office Use Only- - - - --- - - ----- - - ---- - - ---- - -- - - - - ---- - - Check # Cash _