I Remember . . . Doc Richmond

I Remember . . . Doc Richmond

I met “Doc” about 40 years ago. We were both involved with Boy Scouts and other volunteer groups in the community. But I really got to know him in the early 2000s.

A daunting assignment

It all began when the Museum accepted the offer from the Township to take over the historic Henderson House to save it from demolition. The house sat on the corner of Deal Road and Route 35. It had been neglected for years and by 2000 it was in sorry shape.

Doc and Ginny Richmond on the front porch of the Eden Woolley House at the dedication of the Richmond Gallery, named in tribute to their unwavering commitment to the restoration of the Woolley House. May 2012.

Copyright 2012 (C) Township of Ocean Historical Museum

The job was to oversee construction of a foundation in front of the newly opened Ocean Township Library, shepherd the move of the house 1100 feet east to its new location, and manage (and fund) the topto-bottom restoration.

At the time the Museum was housed in the old Oakhurst Schoolhouse. We had about 150 members and about $5000 in the bank. The project was bigger than anything we had ever imagined. Doc’s wife Ginny was our Museum president, and Doc was drawn to the challenge. He took charge and asked me to get involved. Little did I know what we were getting into.

On a mission

“Doc” took the job “head on.” Never a doubt. Never a hesitation. He found grants. Sent out bids. Vetted contractors. Recruited volunteers. Raised funds. Worked with the town on permits and built a partnership with the Township Public Works Department that proved invaluable.

When the fireplace fell off in the move, he found a mason who worked from a picture of the original, rebuilding and matching the stones perfectly. To recreate the missing shutters, he found a company in Vermont. To replace the rotted cedar shakes, he tracked down craftsmen in New England to duplicate the originals—by hand. He found a company to replace the custom copper gutters.

After a fire destroyed a county Museum in Middletown, Doc argued for a fire suppression system in the Woolley House. The cost was $39,000. He found the money.

Through his personality and the relationships he built, the Museum won a $99,000 Grant for two handicap bathrooms, a stair-chair, and access ramps.

The Richmond home became restoration headquarters: file cabinets, phones, computers, and two desks— one for him, one for Ginny. He was in charge: “Get me a file,” “Follow up on this,” “Call so and so.”

It was a well-oiled machine.

A debt of gratitude

The house was moved in 2005. In 2009, just three-and-a-half years later (record time for such projects), we opened the doors to the renamed Eden Woolley House, new home to the Ocean Township Museum. The Museum has since won awards for its exhibits and programs, expanded its membership, and consistently met its expenses. The Woolley House is a cultural gem in our community and a tangible tribute to the man who made it happen.

Rest in Peace, Doc. We will never forget you.

Paul Edelson

Museum president Paul Edelson was friend to Howard “Doc” Richmond, who died July 27, and his partner in overseeing the restoration of the Eden Woolley House (formerly the Henderson House). Here Paul pays tribute to Doc’s single-minded commitment and extraordinary accomplishment in restoring the Eden Woolley House.

Copyright 2014 (C) Township of Ocean Historical Museum