Ocean’s Heritage, Summer 2012
Ocean’s
The Eden Woolley House
Heritage
The Township of Ocean Historical Museum
Vol. 28, No. 3, Summer 2012
Election Memorabilia: The Stuff of American Campaigning
Mini-exhibit opens September 9 A new exhibit opens Sunday, September 9, in the Our Town Gallery of the Woolley House—just in time for the high-stakes months of the Presidential Campaign. The exhibit, “Election Memorabilia: The Stuff of American Campaigning,” showcases an impressive collection of political campaign buttons, banners, signs, photos, and news clippings. The artifacts ,both Republican and Democratic, include material from our own collection (a gift from the Mullaney family) and loaned items from local collectors. It’s no surprise that the stuff of American political campaigning is colorful. Consider the characters it represents. From our first President to our current, slogans, buttons, ads, and bumper stickers vie to tell a candidate’s story and win votes.
Here are just a few fun facts: • Even the father of our country wore a campaign button. His was brass, sewn to his coat, and read “Long Live the President.” • William Henry Harrison was the first to run an “image” Presidential campaign (1840). Though born rich, he chose the log cabin as his logo and coined what may be the first Presidential political slogan, the famous “Tippecanoe and Tyler, too.” • The campaign button sums up the candidate in a few words. Remember “I like Ike?” Jimmy Carter’s went one step further. It had no words at all, just a golden peanut! From the start, American campaigning has been rough and tumble and this exhibit captures the fun and fight of the contest. It’s a window into the history of campaigning. It’s an overview of the election process from local contests to the
selection of President. Perfect for adults and children (who will be hearing a lot about elections this campaign season), it’s one more good reason to visit the Eden Woolley House. “Election Memorabilia: The Stuff of American Campaigning” runs through the end of November.
The exhibit features an array of campaign buttons. Buttons were first mass produced in the 1890s and enjoyed their “golden age” from 1896 to 1916. By the 1970s, campaign coffers were funding television ads and bumper stickers. Buttons no longer reigned!
EXHIBIT OPENING
Election Memorabilia: The Stuff of American Campaigning Sunday, September 9 1 to 4 Eden Woolley House 703 Deal Road, Ocean Local election campaign sign (circa 1961). The elephant gives it away. Today Ocean Township has a non-partisan Council-Manager form of government. But before 1964, Democrats and Republicans ran against each other for seats on the Township Committee.
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Ocean’s Heritage, Summer 2012
Museum website makes the connection
Descendant of New Era survivor visits exhibit
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Ginny Richmond holds her mother’s “hair receiver,” one of those curious artifacts that gives us a glimpse into the past
Hair receivers
Collectible with a story
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inny Richmond, past president of the Museum, was browsing through an old issue of History Magazine when she came across an article about hair receivers. “Imagine my surprise when I realized that my mother had one of these now rare objects and had always kept it on the dresser that was upstairs in my house,” Ginny said. “I ran upstairs, and there it was! I remember Mom brushing her hair and putting hair into it.” Most every Victorian woman had a hair receiver to save hair culled from her comb and brush. She used the collected hair to stuff pincushions and small pillows. The saved hair had another use. Women used it to make “ratts,” hair stuffed into a hairnet to make a ball about the size of a potato. Ratts were inserted into a hairstyle to add volume and fullness. (I guess they didn’t know about “teasing!”)
Victorian “do” created with “ratts” Based on an article in History Magazine, April.May 2003
eith Feather, of Durham, North Carolina, has a mission. He is determined to document the harrowing story of the 1854 wreck of the New Era off Asbury Park-and the survival of his great-great grandfather Heinrich Weckesser. So, imagine his delight when he learned through our website that an exhibit featuring local shipwrecks, Keith Feather, great-great grandson of New Era survivor including the New Heinrich Weckesser, traveled from North Carolina to see the Era, was installed in Museum’s shipwreck exhibit and visit the West Long Branch site of the mass grave of New Era victims. our Museum. * He contacted us and planned a pilgrimage. In April, Keith and his wife Carol visited. They met with local expert Dr. Rich Fernicola, toured the Museum, and visited related locations-the West Long Branch monument, site of the wreck in Asbury, and more. “It was a very interesting and worthwhile trip for us,” Keith explained. In fact, the trip inspired Keith to spearhead a project to identify as many living descendents of the wreck’s survivors as possible. “If you think about it, of the 120 some survivors who went on to have their own families, there must be people alive today that are their descendents. My guess is that many of them are either unaware of this part of their past or have only the vestiges of a largely forgotten family tale passed down over four generations.” He hopes to rally the descendents and others to support archeological work at the wreck site. Chances are the family stories to which Keith refers are as fascinating as his own. His great-great grandfather Heinrich was an orphan and a pacifist. Facing conscription into a mercenary army, Heinrich left Germany on board the ill-fated New Era to start a new life in America. The ship was run aground and torn apart by a violent storm within site of the shore. The captain and crew are said to have abandoned ship, leaving hundreds of German passengers on board--most of whom were washed into the sea. Heinrich clung to the mast through the night until the sea subsided and rescuers could reach the ship. Survivors were taken by steamer to New York City. From there, Heinrich made his way Heinrich Weckesser, New Era survivor to Philadelphia and established roots. * On July 2, “Loved Ones Go to War: Local Stories of World War II” replaced the shipwreck exhibit in the Richmond Gallery of the Eden Woolley House. Information about shipwrecks and life-saving is available in the Museum’s Research Library.
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Proposed addition to Museum bylaws The Board recommends the following addition to the Museum bylaws, to be voted on at the next meeting of the general membership: HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP Honorary Life Members are elected by the Board. The honor is granted to a person for extraordinary or meritorious service or gifts to the Township of Ocean Historical Museum. Recommendations for Honorary Life Membership may come from any regular member in good standing. • Recommendations must be submitted to the President in writing and include the name of the person recommended for the honor and the rationale for his/ her consideration. • The Board must adopt a motion and approve the recommendation. Honorary Life Members shall enjoy all privileges and benefits of regular members without further payment of individual annual membership dues. Explanation: On occasion, gifts or service from individuals (often not members) provide significant benefit to the Museum. This change to our by-laws gives the Board a way to recognize their contributions and to ensure they remain part of the Museum community.
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Volunteer Spotlight
llen Gulick began volunteering at the Museum just over a year ago. She was a treasured Wayside School librarian for many years. Today she is head of our Research Library Ellen Gulick and Third-Grade-Program Chair. She is a wonderful storyteller and delights the third graders reading “The Story of the Woolley House.” Thank you Ellen, and all the volunteers who give their time to the Museum.
Mark your calendar
Coming Events
Walking Tours starting at the Woolley House
Eden Woolley House. Guided tours of st nd historic grounds. The 1 and 2 Sundays of the month and by appointment.
Friday Flag-Raising
6:30 p.m. every Friday through Dec. 7 A 48-star flag is raised in memory of deceased local World War II veterans. Public welcome.
Mini-Exhibit Opening:
Election Memorabilia: The Stuff of American Campaigning
Not so scary ghost walk History comes to life as the spirits of the World War II homefront “come back” to delight and inform visitors. On Sunday, October 21 (rain date Oct. 28), the Museum holds its 4th annual Ghost Walk on the grounds of the Eden Woolley House. Meet Rosie the Riveter, a Civil Defense warden, USO volunteer, victory gardener, military wife, and more. Enjoy yourself at a 1945 USO --complete with entertainment and treats. Call the Museum 732-531-2136 to reserve a spot. Adults $7, children $3.
Ocean’s Heritage, Summer 2012
Sept. 9 through Nov. 29—Our Town Gallery, Eden Woolley House.
4th Annual History Ghost Walk
Sun., Oct. 21, 5:30 –Eden Woolley House & Terner Gallery. Characters from the World War II homefront come to life to teach and entertain. Doc and Ginny Richmond in front of the newly named Richmond Gallery
Richmond Gallery dedicated
H
ow do you say “thank you” to two people whose boundless dedication made the Eden Woolley House possible? One way is to create a permanent tribute. On Sunday, May 20, we did just that. The former “West Gallery” of the Eden Woolley House was renamed “The Richmond Gallery” in tribute to the contributions of Howard (Doc) and Ginny Richmond. Doc mastermined the move and renovation of the house. There would be no Eden Woolley House without him. Ginny served as Museum President ten years--leading us through the move and getting us firmly established in our new home.
General Meeting and Speaker Event
Living Voices: Memories of Jewish War Veterans” Tuesday, November 13, 7:15—Oakhurst School Auditorium.
“Home for the Holiday:” Holiday Exhibit Weekend
Sat. and Sun., December 1 & 2—Eden Woolley House Miniatures, trains, dolls, and a holiday boutique and bakery.
Memorial Bricks Just a reminder that the Museum’s “Buy a Brick” campaign is alive and well. You can add your name--or that of a loved one (perhaps a WWII vet!)--to the brick walkway on the Woolley House property. The cost is a tax-deductible $100. Call 732-531-2136 to learn more.
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Ocean’s Heritage, Summer 2012
Message from the Museum
President
The summer is flying by and attendance at the Museum is at near-record numbers. More visitors are coming from outside the Township than ever before. In the midst of all that’s going on, it’s good to step back and realize how far we’ve come from our beginnings in the old Oakhurst schoolhouse. We’ve saved, refurbished, and opened the Woolley House. We’ve expanded our hours (open 50 a month), installed new permanent exhibits in two galleries and five changing exhibits in the Richmond Gallery (and that’s not counting our “mini-exhibits”). Our website is fully operational, informative and interactive. We’re on Facebook and Twitter and have an email list to keep fans informed. Our newsletter goes out to well over 600 households four times a year. We’ve built a reputation with local media. Over 75 web sites promote our events. Our “Research Library,” headed by a volunteer who worked for many years as a professional librarian, is open and helping visitors from as far away as Florida. Our collection of documents and artifacts grows with our reputation. And our curator and office volunteers are cataloguing it all. Our fund-raisers keep us in business and delight hundreds of adults and children who look forward to teas, ghost walks, holiday exhibits, and more. A crew of talented handicrafters have raised nearly half our annual fund-raising target each year for years. And we’re always thinking of what’s next--like Paul Edelson’s idea to raise the flag for local deceased World War II vets. So much to be proud of. (Did I mention “Best Museum” three years running?)So many volunteers to thank. I invite you to feel a part of this success story. Visit, volunteer, get involved. Join the fun. We welcome you! Brenda Wityk
Tea Chairman Marge Edelson with the junior docents whose help made the July 22nd event an unqualified success. Back row from left to right: . Kolbe Kary, Marge Edelson, Ariel Moynahan, Megan Kelleher. Front row from left to right: Emily Grossman and Kylie Richmond.
Annual American Doll Tea sells out--again
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unday, July 22nd was a perfect summer day. The rescheduled American Doll Tea Party was held under tents on the back lawn of the Eden Woolley House. The afternoon was filled with doll-centered activities for the 84 guests--young girls and their moms or grandmoms--attending. Inside the Museum, doll and teddy bear displays filled the galleries. Collector Sue Mathis exhibited her Madame Alexander dolls, and Mary Hill had a “Dolly Tea Party” of her toddler-sized Middleton collection. Sue MacDonald displayed her “Charlie Bears” from England, and Marion Volger had a collection of mini bears all in costume. Next to the original hearth, “Mrs Woolley” demonstrated spinning. Outside the children participated in a fashion show, made friendship pillows, listened to a story about the Woolley sisters, and enjoyed a tasty tea party with fresh fruit and home-baked goodies. Hand-crafted outfits were for sale at the “Doll Shop” and the 1915 Playhouse was open and furnished for all to enjoy. Tea Party Chairman was Marge Edelson and on her committee: Ginny Richmond, Eleanor Millar, Joal Leone, Tammy Richmond, Ann Marie Capponi, Heather MacDonald, Mary Hill, Lois Landis, Gerri Applegate, Brenda Wityk and an “army” of loyal adult and teenage volunteers who help set up and clean up.
Shop the Museum Store (at the Eden Woolley House)
Charming gifts, handmade by Museum volunteers, offer a chance to shop local and benefit a great cause
Original, one-of-a-kind, handcrafts--and more. Reasonable prices. Perfect gifts. Knit hats Quilted gifts Doll clothes Woolley House Note Paper Books on local history Historical maps
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Ocean’s Heritage, Summer 2012
Gift to the Museum
Ross Fenton Relic A concrete banister that was once part of the elegant lakefront entrance to Ross Fenton Farm now sits in the Our Town Gallery of the Eden Woolley House. It is a gift from Pat and Marty Martino whose home is located on property that once was part of the famous Wanamassa nightclub. The Martinos discovered the banister while making repairs to their dock. “It was sitting under our dock on the edge of the lake, underwater for at least 70 years. ” Marty explains. Ross Fenton Farm was a popular resort on Deal Lake from 1898 to the early 1950s. The country’s top talent--including the likes of Irving Berlin, Eddie Duchin, and Helen Morgan--entertained patrons, many of whom traveled by train from New York City. (Locals sitting in their canoes enjoyed the sounds of music drifting across the lake.)
Surviving elements of the lakeside entrance to Ross Fenton Farm, now part of the property of Pat and Marty Martino.
Send us your story
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ur thanks to Don Vineburg for bringing his 1955 Wanamassa School 6th grade to life in our “I Remember...” column. We’d love to publish your story. Send us a photo and memory of vintage Ocean Township by email to oceanmuseum@verizon.net or call the Museum at 732-531-2136.
Don Vineburg in 1955. Don was a teacher and administrator in Ocean Township Schools for 34 years. He retired in 1994 and later began a 10- year career as Student Teacher Supervisor for St. Norbert College, DePere, Wisconsin. He now volunteers three mornings a week with 4th and 5th graders in Green Bay--which he says, “Keeps me young and out of mischief…. well almost.”
I Remember . . .
My First Year of Teaching; Wanamassa School 1955-56
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graduated from Trenton State Teacher’s College in 1955 and went to work teaching 6th grade at the Wanamassa School. Interestingly, I had been interviewed years earlier for admissions to Trenton State by a Dr. Warner, a Wayside resident whose mother-in-law, Mrs. Green, longtime principal of Wanamassa School, passed away my first year of teaching. (We had a half day of school the day of her funeral.) But I’m getting ahead of myself. First, let me tell you how I came to teach in Ocean. Mr. German, Ocean Superintendent of Schools, met my brother-in-law, Ed Colodin, in the bank. He asked Ed if he knew anyone wanting a job—teachers were scarce. I interviewed with the Board of Education. Bill Friedman, a neighbor from Sixth Avenue in Asbury Park and the brother of my sister’s best friend, was on the Board at the time, which didn’t hurt my chances! That first year of teaching, I earned $3,000. It was the era before collective bargaining. Here’s how my salary was negotiated: Superintendent German interrupted my class. In front of the students, he asked if I would accept the Board’s offer of a $150.00 salary increase ($50.00 for the first year, $100.00 the next). I know I said “yes,” but was annoyed by the interruption! That first year, I had 36 students in my 6th grade class, including Alex Gruber, Vickie Bennett, Ann Neville, Harry Packwood III, Kathy Gafney, Raymond Shea, John Paolantonio, and Wendy Kessler. Mr. Covino was Principal. The school housed K-8th grades. Graduates went on to high school in either Asbury Park or Long Branch. The male teachers, including Joe Palaia, used the lavatory in the basement along with the boys. (No one told me that and I was a bit uncomfortable the first week until I found out.) Barbara Thompson taught 1st grade. Celeste (Blanchfield) Kwartek taught math to 7th graders –and to me too, as I had majored in history and geography. Mrs. Mamula taught history and Mrs. Eickhorn, 3rd grade. I believe Dee Samarco D’Esposito taught 5th grade; Mrs. Mohn , 6th. Mrs. Stumph taught English and led her 8th graders through the hall, clasping a student’s hand in her left (they took turns) and her Bible in her right. School ended on June 19th without me. I had been DRAFTED!!!! I was sworn into active duty at Fort Dix on June 14, l956, Flag Day. Thank you for the opportunity to share my story. I can’t remember where I put my keys, but at least, my long term memory is intact! Don Vineburg
Ocean’s Heritage, Summer 2012
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“Loved Ones Go to War; Local Stories of World War II”
World War II Exhibit opens
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ust in time for Independence Day, the new exhibit “Loved Ones Go to War: Local Stories of World War II” opened in the newly named Richmond Gallery of the Eden Woolley House. On Sunday, July 2, a full house of visitors took in the moving and sometimes surprising story of how the war changed everything. The exhibit sets the context for the story. Overnight, in December 1941, the country’s sense of security was shattered. Suddenly we were vulnerable. The blackout shade, Civilian Defense material, ration books, USO poster, and more suggest the new “normal” right here in Monmouth County. The exhibit highlights the stories of ten veterans with connections to Ocean Township--the boys next door, the family doctor---who left their loved ones behind and went off to war. One, Louis LaPointe, whose daughter Lois LaPointe Kiely lives in Ocean Township, did not come home. Lois, who was just 18 months when her father was killed, expressed her feelings: “Through the exhibit my father becomes more of a reality to me. I feel that I did have a father. It’s as close as I can come to what others daughters have taken for granted.” The exhibit continues to attract visitors--drawing other World War II veterans, those who were children during the war years, and those born much later who are moved and amazed by the stories they see. Please add a visit to “Loved Ones Go to War: Local Stories of World War II” to your list of destinations. The exhibit will be up through spring, 2013.
All six of the surviving World War II veterans whose stories are among the ten featured in the exhibit attended its opening, July 2. Seated from left to right: Jim Serano, Ralph Jeffers, and Jack Morris. Standing from left to right: Mort Burke, George Cook, and Bob Landis.
Rosh Hashanah observed in Rothschild Synagogue in Paris, 1944--the first open services since Nazi occupation
Panel Discussion
Living Voices: Memories of Jewish War Veterans
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n Tuesday, November 13 at 7:15 pm at the old Oakhurst School Auditorium, 163 Monmouth Road, six members of the Jersey Shore Jewish War Veterans (JWV) Post 125 will share their war experiences. Their stories cover World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. Cable television host Dallas Grove of “Meet the Leaders” will moderate the panel, including a Q&A session. Jersey Shore Jewish War Veterans (JWV) Post 125 has had a long and illustrious history. The group, supported by an active Ladies Auxiliary, undertake programs and missions that serve veterans as well as the community. Accomplishments include raising funds for charities, helping hospitalized vets and decorating graves of fellow veterans at Monmouth County cemeteries on Memorial Day. The JWV continues to have an active involvement with Troop 71, Boy Scouts of America, and annually attends several Memorial Day services. They are sponsoring a job fair for veterans at Brookdale Community College on August 27. The panel discussion is open to the public, free of charge. Donations are always appreciated. Refreshments will be served. Please bring a non-perishable item for the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
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Ocean’s Heritage, Summer 2012
Ceremonies continue every Friday evening
Raising the flag in memory of World War II veterans In conjunction with the newly opened exhibit, the Museum is honoring deceased local World War II veterans with a flag-raising ceremony each week through December 7, 2012. Every Friday evening at 6:30, a 48-star American flag is raised on the grounds of the Eden Woolley House and flies in honor of that week’s veterans. (The flag can be provided by the family or the Museum.) Photographs of the week’s honored veterans are displayed beside the flag pole. Ocean Township Boy Scout Troops 70, 71, and 76 provide the color guard. Following the cermony, guests are invited into the Museum for refreshments and a tour of the new exhibit, “Loved Ones Go to War: Local Stories of World War II.” The schedule below lists the deceased veterans being honored in coming weeks. Paul Edelson, who conceived and oversees the program, is still accepting names. If you have a friend or relative you would like to honor, please call Paul at 732-531-9187, or stop by the Museum to learn From the first flag-raising, June 29, friends and family have turned out--rain or shine-every Friday evening at 6:30 to remember a deceased World War II veteran in their lives. more. Guests--even those without connections to the honored veterans--come to pay respect and Upcoming ceremonies support the program. After the brief, moving service, they gather in the Museum to visit the exhibit and enjoy homemade treats. It is a fitting way to pay respect to those who gave August 17 so much. Please consider joining us. All are welcome Cpl. Andrew Ribsam, US Marine Corps Radioman 2nd Class Joseph E. Brady, US Navy Petty Officer John DiOrio , US Navy Tech Sgt, Michael J. Vignola, US Marine Corps August 24 Dr. Paul Strassburger Albert Strassburger August 31 PFC Milton (Kelly) Worth, US Army Killed in Action Robert Fischer, US Army Harold Fischer, US Marine Corps J.Virgil Newcomb, US Marine Corps September 7 Cpl. Albert Vaccaro, Killed in Action Capt. William A. Nurthen, US Army Sgt. Pasquale J. Simonetti, US Army September 14 September 21 World War II Veterans, Wanamassa Fire Co September 28 Frank Reingold Killed in Action Stephen W. Bumball US Army October 5 James F. Byrnes US Army
World War II
By the Numbers 16.1 million Americans who served in military in WWII
407,000 U.S. military killed in WWII 16 months Average U.S. serviceman’s time overseas 100+ Ships sunk or damaged by German submarines off the
East Coast of U.S. during the first 18 months of the war
2 million Women working in U.S. war industry 20 million Victory Gardens nationwide $185.7 billion Invested by Americans in war bonds $300 billion Spent by U.S. fighting war and supplying allies 10 million Volunteer and paid workers in the Civilian Defense Corps 60,000+
during the war years
GIs trained during the war at Ft. Monmouth as Signal Corps specialists
Ocean’s Heritage, Summer 2012
Mini exhibit opening Sept. 9 “Election Memorabilia: The Stuff of American Campaigning”
The Eden Woolley House
Home of the Township of Ocean Historical Museum
703 Deal Road • Ocean, NJ 07712
( Mailing address: P.O. Box 516 •Oakhurst, NJ 07755) 732-531-2136 • oceanmuseum.org
Museum Hours Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 1 to 4 Thursday evening: 7 to 9 1st and 2nd Sundays of the month: 1 to 4