A Look At Local History

The

A LOOK AT LOCAL HISTORY

Collins_Pancoast Hall

Continues to Thrive in Present Day

BY KATHY CHANG

The vision of developer John S. Collins - for what is referred to as the Collins-Pancoast Hall at the intersection of South Center Street and West Chestnut Avenue - has thrived for more than a century.

The historic marker, which was placed outside the building in 2018, says it best. “Thus, this building was an architecturally imposing commercial structure that caps the most active generation of Merchantville’s growth, representing the maturing of the community as it evolved towards one that sustained the arts and was unified by various social and fraternal organizations.”

There’s so much history about the grand hall, which was entered onto the National Register of Historic Places on Feb. 16, 1984.

The deep storied history of the CollinsPancoast Hall essentially begins on Sept. 6, 1886, when Collins acquired land from state Senator Alexander G. Cattell. The state senator moved to Merchantville in 1863 and served in the Senate from 1866 to 1871.

The Merchantville Historical Society has a wealth of information on the CollinsPancoast Hall from photos to newspaper clippings. Just ask Society president Maureen McLoone.

She is the author of “Images of America Merchantville,” published by Arcadia Publishing in 2001. please see HISTORY, page 11

A price for a lot on West Chestnut Avenue in the mid-1880s cost between $350 and $500, according to the Merchantville Historical Society. The building’s namesake is inspired by Collins, a Quaker and sixth generation of the Collins family to farm the family’s western New Jersey homestead dating back to 1678 and Collins’ son-in-law, Thomas Pancoast.

In 1887, carpenters built a lumber yard complex on the site and in 1892, a fire destroyed the existing main structure. The large hall building with a Queen Anne façade and overtones of Germanic Victorian brickwork was erected in 1893, according to the Merchantville Historical Society.

Collins and Pancoast developed a successful coal and lumber business they later called J. Collins & Sons where they sold coal, lumber, paints and varnishes on the first floor of the hall.

Side note – Collins went out to develop Miami Beach, Fla. Yes, that Miami Beach.

Collins and his family’s investment in the Miami area during the 20th century ultimately resulted in a building and tourism boom that helped the area grow into the urban community it is today.

And even though Collins himself left for Florida, the Collins family continued to operate the hall that not only served the business, but also the entire community as a civic and cultural center for numerous decades.

The first entertainment there was by the St. Agnes Guild of the Grace Episcopal Church. It was largely used for fashionable entertainment around the beginning of the 20th century. The Merchantville Lodge of Free Masons No. 119 held its first meeting the second Friday of every month from its 1893 opening until the 1970s.

The U.S. Post Office was also located at the site from 1900 to 1909. The MerchantvillePennsauken Water Commission had its beginnings when a group of citizens met to discuss the water famine of 1909. The Merchantville Playcrafters used Collins Hall from 1937 until 1976 and dancing classes for young girls and boys were conducted in the auditorium, according to the Merchantville Historical Society.

Eateries have come and gone such as Craig’s Ice Cream Parlor in the late 1970s, Tavern on the Square, which opened in March 1998 and The Collins House in 2004.

Since 2008, the Blue Monkey Tavern has occupied the first-floor space where the Collins House Restaurant used to be. The tavern features a 20-foot-square mahogany bar as the room’s centerpiece and a variety of seating types throughout for groups big and small, and larger more private areas to accommodate small gatherings, according to the Blue Monkey Tavern website.

For some time, “The Collins House” had relocated to the second floor and served as a catering hall until the pandemic. “The stately decor and high ceilings make it one of the most grand facilities in southern New Jersey. The second floor can seat up to 100 people and offers a full-service bar and catering packages from full-service dining to sit-down dinners,” according to the Blue Monkey website.

Remo Croce, his wife Lindsay and Michael Chapman and his wife Marci have put new life into the Blue Monkey Tavern since becoming new owners of the restaurant in August. Croce said he grew up in the area and they decided to keep the name.

Work to update the second floor began on Dec. 6 for small party gatherings. Croce said they hope to have the second floor up

HISTORY continued from page 10 and running by Super Bowl weekend in February 2023. Currently, Croce said there are no plans in the works for the third floor. As of right now, the restaurant owners are using the space for storage. Twice annually the Blue Monkey Tavern holds a Beer Festival. The restaurant closes down Chestnut Street and invites 70-plus beer vendors and multiple food trucks. Craft beer enthusiasts gather from 5 through 9 p.m. and get the chance to sample whatever they wish. Proceeds benefit Merchantville’s Fire Co. 

MAIN PHOTO BY LOUIS WASHINGTON. HISTORIC PHOTO COURTESY OF MAUREEN MCLOONE

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