HARVEST BREW FEST:
A day of family fun at the Physick Estate
Come celebrate the start of fall in South Jersey Saturday, Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during Harvest Brew Fest, a full day of celebration and relaxation after summer’s end, presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) and sponsored by PNC Bank, Madison Resorts and Tito’s Vodka. It’s all at the beautiful grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. Enjoy craft beers and more during this all-day festival that features local food vendors, local artisans, local breweries and local musical talent. Admission to the grounds is free. Proceeds support the ongoing resto-
ration of Cape May MAC historic sites, the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, the 1859 Cape May Lighthouse and the 1942 World War II Lookout Tower, all on the national and New Jersey Registers of Historic Places.
Bring a lawn chair or spread out your beach blanket in the shade for a great afternoon of outstanding live musical performances on the outdoor stage. Animal House opens from 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Fat Mezz follows from 2:15 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Food vendors will be available and in-
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CHRISTMAS IN CAPE MAY
Nov. 22-Jan. 5, 2025
What better place to get into the true spirit of Christmas than Victorian Cape May? This seaside town is transformed into a Dickens village for the holidays with garlands of fragrant greens and twinkling gaslights. Wrap yourself in the warmth of holiday spirit and sample a variety of fun tours and events. CLICK HERE to plan your visit now!
Lessons of History Lecture
on Oct. 13 U-boats off the Cape May and Mid-Atlantic coast during World War II
How the United States, Cape May County, and American Admiral Ernest J. King, dealt with the German U-boat menace, and the story of Germany’s warfare off the coast of Cape May during World War II, is the subject of this year’s lecture in the Cape May MAC (Museum+Arts+Culture) annual Lessons of History Distinguished Lecture Series.
The waters off the mid-Atlantic were one of the most dangerous places on earth in the first few months of 1942. After Germany’s declaration of war against the United States on Dec. 11, 1941, the
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Photo by Susan Krysiak
Fat Mezz will perform along with Animal House at Harvest Brew Fest Saturday, Sept. 14 from 10am to 5pm at the Physick Estate.
Dr. Craig L. Symonds
Spring & Summer Wrap-Up
The 35th annual Cape May Music Festival continued the tradition of bringing sweet sounds to our seaside town. From its opening concert on Memorial Day Weekend, featuring the ever-popular Atlantic Brass Band, to the Cape May Cabaret on June 23 with Erich Cawalla and the Uptown Band, patrons were treated to a veritable musical smorgasbord. We welcomed back long-time favorites New York Chamber Ensemble (NYCE), Bay Atlantic Symphony (BAS) and New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players for programs of classical music that are near and dear to our audiences’ hearts. Members of the Bay Atlantic also provided three Bach’s Lunches at the Inn of Cape May Eliot Bailen and Susan Rotholz of NYCE joined Jed Gaylin, conductor of the BAS, for an intimate concert at the Washington Inn Eliot and Susan’s children, David, Daniel and Julia Bailen (AKA the band Bailen) returned to the Music Festival with their tight harmonies and engaging lyrics. Barry Miles and friends returned for our annual tribute to Cape May legend George Mesterhazy, this year held at the Episcopal Church of the Advent. Rounding out our series was Atlanta-based Okorie OK Cello Johnson, cellist-composer, looper, improviser, and storyteller, back for his second year at the festival. In late July, we received news that the New Jersey State Council on the Arts would again provide funding for our series for the next three-year cycle. Unfortunately, our grant has been reduced 20 percent. We are in the process of planning our next season with the reduction in mind.
The Cape May Lighthouse continued to be a happening place. Since the last newsletter, nearly 34.000 people have climbed the tower. We continued to open the tower for nighttime climbs on nights of the full and new moons, as well as for a great view of the fireworks on July 3 and 4. Each Wednesday since July 3, we’ve hosted Family Fun Crafts Shows on the grounds, with interactive crafts for kids and a variety of local vendors on the grounds. Thursday, July 25, we had a visit from a special guest as Santa came to celebrate Christmas in July with us.
NEWSLETTER
Published by Cape May MAC, a not-for-profit corporation P.O. Box 340, Cape May, NJ 08204 • Phone: 609-884-5404 New Jersey Relay Center for TTY Customers: 800-852-7899 Web Site: www.capemaymac.org • E-Mail: info@capemaymac.org
Editor: Jody Alessandrine • Assistant Editor: Jean Barraclough
Contributors: Sandra Adams, Maria Amin, Sara Kornacki, Susan Krysiak, Anna Marie Leeper, Eliza Lotozo, Reilly Shanahan, Mary E. Stewart
OUR MISSION
Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) is a multifaceted not-for-profit organization committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors.
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OUR VISION
Preserving Cape May’s rich heritage and assuring its vitality through superior cultural programs and events
Wednesday, August 7 was another special day as we celebrated National Lighthouse Day with a visit from the Wetlands Institute Touch Tank. Ghosts and spirits continued to be a popular attraction this summer. Visitors had plenty of tours to choose from including perennial favorites Ghosts of Cape May Trolley Tour and Historic Haunts Combination Tours Voices from Beyond, a tour created by our staff that includes audios of actual spirit vices recorded in the Physick House, drew an enthusiastic audience, as did the Cherry House Haunting Tales Tour, hosted by Cherry House owners, Frank and Beth Acker. The hands-down, hottest ticket of the summer was the sold-out Channeling Dinner with Medium Craig McManus on August 9.
The We All Scream for Ice Cream exhibit in the Carroll Gallery is a fan favorite this summer, not only because it’s a fun look at the history of America’s favorite summer treat but also because visitors can treat themselves to tasty Bassetts Ice Cream at the Carriage House Museum Shop as part of their experience! On July 21, we celebrated National Ice Cream Day with a Sundae Social. There were yard games for the kids and a visit from the Cape May County Bookmobile and an appearance by Dr. Physick
Cape May MAC’s public history programs are funded in part by the New Jersey Historical Commission in the Department of State.
Photo by Susan Krysiak
Cape May’s Poet Laureate Sylvia Baer held three very popular writing workshops this summer on Poetry, Fiction and Memoir writing.
ATTRACTIONS Coming
Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey
Oct. 19-20: This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey! From Saturday, Oct. 19 to Sunday, Oct. 20, explore New Jersey lighthouses up and down the coastline, including the Cape May Lighthouse. The challenge is to visit 10 land-based lighthouses, 3 lifesaving stations, 1 museum, 1 virtual site and the Lighthouse Society of New Jersey site over the two-day weekend. The challenge route covers the Atlantic Coast from Sandy Hook to Cape May and the Delaware Bay and River Coast from Cape May to Paulsboro. CLICK HERE to learn more.
Halloween Happenings
Oct. 1-31: Cape May holds echoes of seaside spirits who sometimes make their voices heard if you listen carefully. Experience what some call one of the most haunted cities in the nation, during the eeriest time of the year, with four weeks of specially-themed tours and events, including Murder Mystery Dinner: Bumped Off & Bottoms Up!; Phantoms of the Physick Estate: The Living Library; Historic Haunts House Tour; Historic Haunts Combo Tour; Voices from Beyond House Tour; Cherry House Haunting Tales Tour; Strange Victorian Obsessions House Tour; Spirits & Oddities Trolley Tour; Spirits, Oddities & Obsessions Combo Tour; Graveyard Ghosts & Mansions Combo Tour; and more, including a Ghost Walk with Craig McManus! Some tours, activities and events sell out quickly and admissions are limited. VISIT HERE for more information.
52nd Annual Victorian Weekend
LUNCH & LEARNS
Invest your time in expanding your knowledge during these free talks on Wednesdays at noon, presented by Cape May MAC educators, offered both live at the Cape May Lutheran Church, 509 Pittsburgh Ave., and online via Zoom (click on the link in each program to register). For more information call 609-884-5404 or CLICK HERE
THE ‘50s WOMAN
Sept. 18 (rescheduled from July): In the 100 years between 1850 and 1950, there were huge societal, educational, political and technological advances. How did they affect women? Mary Stewart explores whether it really was change or a case of “the more things change, the more they remain the same?” CLICK HERE to register.
SCHOOL DAYS IN THE VICTORIAN ERA
Oct. 2: Schools of the Victorian Era were very different from those of today. Ted Bryan discusses those differences as well as how Victorian schools were undergoing changes during this time of immigration and industrialization. CLICK HERE to register.
BUILDING MINIATURE DIORAMA SCENES
Oct. 11-14: Visit Victorian Cape May during this 52nd annual holiday weekend event that celebrates the Victorian beauty and history of America’s First Seaside Resort. Don’t miss this year’s exciting vintage baseball game played with late 1800s rules, between the Athletic Base Ball Club of Philadelphia and the Brandywine Base Ball Club of West Chester. Vintage baseball treats will be available for sale and admission is free! Did you know that hats have their own history? Discover the world of vintage hats over a delicious lunch during Lynne Anne Donchez’s “For the Love of Hats.” Expand your knowledge of history with the 12th annual Lessons of History Distinguished Lecture Series, welcoming Dr. Craig L. Symonds to present “War Comes Home to America: U-Boats off the Mid-Atlantic.” Step inside Victorian houses and properties and explore on the Victorian Weekend Historic House Tour, take a walk along historic streets on the Victorian Weekend Architectural Walking Tour, and more, including the annual Victorian Weekend Crafts & Collectibles Show, trolley tours, house tours, and … so much more! VISIT HERE for more information.
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Oct. 16: Creating small diorama scenes is an up-and-coming hobby. Building and painting structures, landscaping with plants, and creating streets and sidewalks provides a great sense of accomplishment. Cape May resident Joe Asterino talks about his 50-plus years of creating a fictional city for his model railroad and how you, too, can do this. CLICK HERE to register.
COLD WAR AT THE SHORE
Nov. 6: Civil Defense drills, air raid sirens, fallout shelters and a secret military presence deeply embedded the Cold War in the fabric of daily life in New Jersey. Harry Bellangy, President of the Greater Cape May Historical Society, looks at secret military facilities in South Jersey during the cold war. CLICK HERE to register.
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25th
ATTRACTIONS Coming
Sherlock Holmes Weekend
Nov. 16-17 & Nov. 23-24: Join Sherlock and Dr. Watson with an entire cast of characters as they attempt to solve “Sherlock Holmes and the Familiar Face,” at LaMer Beachfront Resort. Sherlock faces a difficult decision when a former adversary is accused of a heinous crime. Will our favorite investigative team help prove them innocent, or determine they were guilty all along? The play begins Saturday morning and ends on Sunday with the mystery revealed! Stalk the streets of Cape May in your own search of clues to help fill in the missing pieces while competing for the grand prize: a weekend for two to next year’s performance. Tickets include all performances. Full packages are $150 per person and include a welcome reception, performances, tour and luncheon. Weekend overnight packages are also available. VISIT HERE for more information.
Holiday Preview Weekend
Nov. 22-24: Holiday Preview Weekend launches more than five weeks of Christmas tours, activities and events in Cape May! Visit the Physick Estate Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7pm and see Santa turn on the decorative lights on the huge Christmas tree during the festive Christmas Tree Lighting Cer emony, sponsored by Sturdy Savings Bank. Visit with old St. Nick, en joy Santa’s Trolley Rides, refreshments available, sing along on Holi day Lights Trolley Rides, take a free self-guided tour of the Physick Estate, take a Spirited Cape May Christmas Trolley Ride, and much more! VISIT HERE for more information.
An Old-Fashioned Christmas Exhibit
Nov. 22-Jan. 5, 2025: Don’t miss this wondrous exhibit of holiday traditions through the years that delights the child in everyone! See a giant Christmas tree, an authentic Dept. 56 Dickens village, model trains, toys and so much more! At the Carroll Gallery at the Physick Estate. Open daily (except Thanksgiving and Christmas); hours vary. Admission is free! VISIT HERE for more information.
Museum Store Sunday Dec. 1
Museum Store Sunday celebrates the delightful shopping experience that museum stores offer! Stop by Sunday, Dec. 1 to Cape May MAC’s museum shops: the Carriage House Museum Shop, at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. and the Lighthouse Museum Shop, at the Cape May Lighthouse, 215 Lighthouse Avenue, Cape May Point. VISIT HERE for more information.
WALKING TOURS
Enjoy these walking tours with your knowledgeable guide in some of Cape May’s most interesting places! Earpieces enable you to hear your guide at a relaxing pace and distance.
PAINTED LADIES, PORCHES & MORE! WALKING TOUR
Wednesdays through Oct. 2: 9:30am: Take a guided walking tour from the Washington Street Mall to the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., and experience charming Cape May, a National Historic Landmark city, up close. Delight in beautiful gardens as you learn about Victorian architecture and Cape May’s colorful history along the way. Discover the interesting features of various Victorian styles and learn why front porches were so important to Victorian social customs. In September, a trolley shuttle will bring guests back to the mall. Comfortable shoes recommended. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.
ARCHITECTURAL WALKING TOUR
Sundays through Sept. 29: 9:30am
Saturday, Oct. 12: 9:30am, 11:30am
Sunday, Oct. 13: 9:30am, 11:30am
See America’s only National Historic Landmark City up close on this one-hour walking tour that explores Cape May’s renowned Historic District by foot. Put on your walking shoes and stroll along the sidewalks of streets such as Hughes Street, Ocean Street and Columbia Avenue, with a knowledgeable guide to show and tell what makes Victorian Cape May so interesting. See where Victorian gamblers won or lost their shirts, where the Great Fire of 1878 burned, and more. Tour begins and ends at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth. Comfortable shoes recommended. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.
FISHERMAN’S WHARF WALKING TOUR
Thursdays in September: 10:15am: Take this guided tour of Fisherman’s Wharf at the Lobster House Restaurant at Schellenger’s Landing and you’ll learn how your seafood gets from the sea to your table and discover how Cape May is a major commercial fishing port. Guests meet in front of the main entrance, next
FALL TROLLEY TOURS & GOLF CART TOURS
Fall is the perfect time of year to take a breezy TROLLEY TOUR or electric GOLF CART TOUR just as the leaves begin to change! Some trolley tours can be combined with other tours for a fuller experience and some trolley tours are offered daily. For help planning your Cape May fall adventure, speak with one of our Visitor Service Associates at 609-884-5404 ext. 0 or VISIT CAPEMAYMAC.ORG
BACKSTREETS & BYWAYS CITY TOUR
This 90-minute guided tour by electric cart takes you off the beaten track along routes not usually traveled — Cape May’s “back streets and byways.” Discover the fascinating history of Cape Island, from its maritime and agricultural roots to its designation as a National Historic Landmark City, and more, from experienced guides with a professional driver. The cart will make two planned stops for photo opportunities. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.
GHOSTS OF CAPE MAY TROLLEY TOUR
What was that shadow? Was it the undead of Cape May’s past wandering their beloved haunts? You might scoff, you might shudder but rest assured: on board a trolley with an experienced guide you will begin to wonder what’s beyond when you hear the tales of hauntings unearthed in Cape May by renowned psychic medium and author Craig McManus. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.
HISTORIC DISTRICT TROLLEY TOUR
Known as the “Queen of the Seaside Resorts” for its quaint Victorian cottages and pristine beaches, Cape May is the oldest
seaside resort in the country, and in 1976, the entire city was declared a National Historic Landmark. Possessing one of the country’s largest collections of 19th century seaside wood framed buildings, the historic district features a variety of styles of Victorian architecture. Tour guides will explain Cape May’s history and architecture and how and why it has survived and thrives to this day. Offered year-round either separately or as combo tours. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.
MANSIONS BY THE SEA TROLLEY TOUR
You’ll hear how the rich lived in the early 1900s in the most elegant part of town on this trolley tour that includes the eastern beachfront. You’ll see the broad streets and massive plots – an area marketed as “New Cape May” at the turn of the 20th century. Today, new, beachfront second homeown-
ers have continued the tradition, running the gamut from the merely wealthy to the fabulously rich. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.
NATURAL HABITATS TROLLEY TOUR
Beyond the charming Victorian homes and sandy beaches, Cape May is world famous for its birdwatching, monarch migration, and natural history. Join Cape May Bird Observatory naturalists on a trolley tour to local natural habitats (with the opportunity to disembark at Cape May Point State Park), learning about the beauty, diversity, abundance (millions of birds, butterflies, and dragonflies pass through each year), geography, and extensive history of this amazing spectacle. Relax and be entertained in the birding capital of North America! CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.
STORIES OF CAPE ISLAND TROLLEY TOUR
Many stories of Cape Island and the surrounding area’s economy are in whaling and farming and while new industries have evolved since then, that heritage is celebrated today. Hear how whalers centuries ago eked out a dangerous but lucrative living near Town Bank and how the area’s rich farming heritage continues to be a source of tremendous community pride. Learn about the Union Bethel community in 1831 in which Black residents thrived and the diverse community that continues to contribute to the vibrancy of island life today. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.
SPIRITS & ODDITIES
TROLLEY TOUR
Cats in ghostly form purr from the beyond.
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FROM THE PRESIDENT
At the end of 2024, I will have proudly served off and on as President of Cape May MAC for a total of ten years of MAC’s 54year existence. Over the years, I have written many newsletter columns, all of them full of good news celebrating major accomplishments such as the lighthouse restoration, praising our valued staff and volunteers, and announcing gifts to Cape May MAC such as original furnishings, artworks, chandeliers, vehicles, tools, plants, trees, and of course financial donations. We certainly had interruptions along the way, such as COVID-19, but the arc of our success kept reaching upward as it still does today.
If Dr. Emlen Physick had decided to reside in a city other than Cape May, there probably would never have been an organization like Cape May MAC. That’s because the prospect of the house being razed led to its formation. In 1971, Dr. Irving Tenenbaum, an early preservationist, chided city residents for the failure of historic preservation in Cape May, saying that “in the area of preservation and Urban Renewal, the boat is being missed entirely.” Luckily, the 1972 municipal elections brought preservationminded councilmen who immediately supported the newly formed non-profit of MAC and accepted a federal grant for the purchase of the Physick Estate. Fortunately, council members also saw the need to rewrite the city’s master plan and zoning ordinance, and to re-establish the Historic District Commission. These changes signaled to investors that we were no longer thinking of modernization through Urban Renewal but had adopted the campaign slogan, “Our future lies in our past.”
Changes in direction didn’t come immediately, but the 1970s and ’80s became known as the Cape May Renaissance. I am not sure who first used that term, but I hope it was me! These years brought in the bed and breakfast industry, wonderful little cafes and restaurants run by enthusiastic new residents, and shops with a wide variety of merchandise. It also brought new life for our failing 19th-century hotels, the return of colorfully painted houses, interest in our open spaces such as Rotary Park, and the establishment of live theater performances. Our strictly limited beach season was opened up to fall, Christmas, and spring activities. Other nonprofit groups picked up on birding, nature education, military history, and special events like the jazz festival, antique car shows, and athletic events like the Great Cape May Foot Race.
This spreading enthusiasm was a boon for all aspects of the town’s tourism and economic welfare. In the middle of it, Cape May MAC lived up to its formal, original name, the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts. We grew from an all-volunteer operation to a professional and well-respected contributor to the town we love so much— our
programming infusing nearly $200 million annually into our economy.
As I enjoy my walks and bike rides through town, I keep finding houses under restoration, beautiful landscaping, people greeting each other and visitors taking endless pictures. My love affair with Cape May MAC has never faltered but we sure couldn’t have accomplished it without community support. I offer a special thanks from all of us at Cape May MAC to our citizens and visitors for their part in our success and I hope along the way we have also added to their quality of life, their business success, and their pride in our lovely community.
Together, we have made Cape May a very, very special place and I think Dr. Tennenbaum would be delighted, and Dr. Physick too.
-- TOM CARROLL
To help support Cape May MAC’s mission, please visit CLICK HERE
FALL & HOLIDAY CRAFTS & COLLECTIBLES SHOWS
• Harvest Brew Festival: Saturday, Sept. 14 at the Emlen Physick 10-5. Free.
• Victorian Weekend Crafts & Collectibles: Sunday, Oct. 13 at the Emlen Physick Estate 10-4. Free admission.
• Crafts & Collectibles by the Sea: Saturday, Oct. 21 at the Emlen Physick Estate 10-4. Free admission.
• Halloween Crafts & Collectibles: Saturday, Oct. 26 at the Emlen Physick Estate 10-3. Free admission.
• Fall Crafts & Collectibles: Saturday, Nov. 2 at Cape May Convention Hall 10-4. $2.
• Holiday Crafts & Collectibles: Friday & Saturday, Nov. 29 & 30 at Cape May Convention Hall 10-4. $2.
CLICK HERE for more information
Tom Carroll, President Cape May MAC Board
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
Welcome new members
Sponsor: Ricki Gever Eisenstein & Andrew Eisenstein of Cape May, NJ.
Family/Grandparent: Joseph & Cristianne Freiert of Hanover, PA; James & Stephanie Seiple of Philadelphia, PA; April Shinn & Michael Inteso of Galloway, NJ; Mike & Stefanie Unangst of Cape May, NJ.
Joint: Michael & Lyn Carlson of Mountain Lakes, NJ; Nancy & Peter Cornell of Milton, DE; Joseph & Susan Greco of Phoenixville, PA; Lynn & Cheryl Marks of Cape May, NJ; George & Marla Martin of West Cape May,
NJ; Carol Olszewski Cook & Caitlyn Cook of Robbinsville, NJ; Christopher & Linda Polaski of Hillsborough, NJ; Jill & Nicolette Riera of Ho Ho Kus, NJ; Tom & Nancy Wojciechowski of Havertown, PA.
Individual: Michelle Boyd of Sewell, NJ; Barbara Feimster of Paoli, PA; Marie Lanzalotti of Wenonah, NJ; Ginger Mcdevitt of Cape May, NJ; Jan Weinberger of Easton, PA.
Staff: Maria Amin of North Cape May, NJ; Danielle Dufner of Ocean City, NJ.
Warmest congratulations to:
Larry & Miriam Hirsch, on the wedding of their son Evan
Sincerest condolences to:
The family and friends of former Cape May MAC President John Bailey; Retail Advisor Lindsay Givens Casale and her husband Daniel, on the death of Daniel’s grandmother Joan Casale; The family and friends of Cape May MAC volunteer Jim Del Grosso; The family and friends of Cape May MAC Member Ron DiUbaldi; The family and friends of Barbara Ernst, Director of the Cape May County Open Spaces Program; The family and friends of former Cape May MAC Trustee Jack Morey; The family and friends of Visitor Services Associate, Mary Squiccimara.
Fall trolley & golf cart tours
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Beloved family members in photographs without their heads. Graves equipped with a torpedo to put off intruders. Victorians of the late 19th century had wild notions about the passage from life to death. Belief in ghosts and spirits was common and superstition abounded. Hear strange stories from Victorian Cape May history that are macabre, mysterious or just plain weird! CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD TROLLEY TOUR
Cape May was part of the Underground Railroad and this trolley tour, which is part of the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom, and also one of just 13 sites nationwide on the Park Service’s Travels with Tubman app, tells of those dangerous days. Enslaved persons fled their captors in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia and braved strong currents and stormy seas, guided by the beacon at the Cape May Lighthouse. Hear how legendary anti-slavery fighter, Harriet Tubman, walked these streets, as did prominent railroad businessman and former slave, Stephen Smith, whose railroad cars carried hundreds to freedom. Begins and ends at Ocean Street Trolley Stop and travels through parts of Cape May and West Cape May, with stops along the way, including the Mt. Zion Cemetery. Trolley tour co-
sponsored by Center for Community Arts (CCA) and Cape May MAC. Portions of this tour are not accessible. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.
WELCOME TO CAPE MAY TROLLEY TOUR
This is the best introduction to Cape May for first timers and also for those who haven’t been to Cape May in some time. Find the hidden gems and the little-known treasures of this glorious seaside town and learn about natural and cultural points of interest. This narrated tour highlights the many cultural, historical and natural attractions on the island. Begins and ends at the Ocean Street Trolley Stop. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.
CAPE MAY’S MARITIME TROLLEY TOUR
Whaling, wartime and wild weather. The remarkable maritime history of our seaside town has long defined the Cape May story. Board the trolley and rediscover the important places and natural phenomena that have shaped, literally and figuratively, the Cape May we know today. Combine this trolley tour with a Fisherman’s Wharf Tour for an up-close walking tour about Cape May’s commercial fishing industry on the docks at The Lobster House. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.
MURDER MYSTERY DINNER
“BUMPED OFF & BOTTOMS UP”
Sept. 23, 25 & 30 and Oct. 2: 7pm
Enjoy a three-course dinner and watch as the mystery and drama unfold around you at the Chalfonte Hotel, during “Bumped Off & Bottoms Up.” Prohibition has arrived and that means locals and visitors alike gather at Walter O’Leary’s infamous club for refreshments and entertainment, when an evening of fun takes a terrible turn. Can you help bring the murderer to justice? Limited event. Advance purchase required. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.
‘THANK YOU’ NEWS
ANNUAL APPEAL DONATIONS
• $250-$499 Donors: Rita Modesti.
CAPE MAY MAC PRESERVATION FUND
• $10,000 Donors: Tom & Sue Carroll.
• $500-$999 Donors: Jack & Joan Dempsey.
LESSONS OF HISTORY FUND DONATIONS
• $1,000-$1,999 Donors: Jack & Joan Dempsey.
• $500-$999 Donors: David & Eunice King.
• $250-$499 Donors: Wayne & Joyce Monsees.
• $100-$249 Donors: Joseph & Eileen Cassidy, Malcolm & Dorothy Knapp, Richard & Janet Koester.
CAPE MAY MUSIC FESTIVAL DONORS
• Conductor’s Circle ($100-$499): Peg Gillies.
MAJOR DONATIONS
• William Killeen & Barbara Bittner-Killeen, for a $3,000 donation to the Physick Estate.
• Tom & Sue Carroll, for a $1,000 donation ($500 to the Cape May Lighthouse and $500 to Operations).
DONATIONS
• Rebecca Barner, for a $100 donation to the Physick Estate.
• Lee & Jill Bellarmino, for the donation of an antique pocket watch to the Physick House Museum Collections to be displayed in Dr. Physick’s bedroom.
• Hope Gaines and David Mackenzie, for donations of an Eastlake style table, a silverplated coffeepot, and Victorian pince nez eyeglasses.
• Nancy Matteson, for a $100 donation to the Physick Estate.
• Christy Mobile, for a donation of a Victorian stereoscope and thirty (30) stereographs.
• Janie McNutt, for a $50 donation in Memory of Mike Urbanski.
• Joy Wadleigh and Richard Hudson, for a donation of nine (9) table coverings and for providing valuable historical information about the pieces.
• Jody Wiker, for a $100 donation in Memory of John Pekich.
Ticket Buyers who added a donation when purchasing tickets: Sue Abramov-
Sturdy Savings Bank provided the not-for-profit Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) with a gift of $7,500 Tuesday, Aug. 20 to help underwrite popular Cape May MAC community events in 2024 and 2025. The gift helps underwrite the annual Volunteer Recognition Reception in spring; Community Day, in which Cape May County residents receive free admission to select tours with only a photo ID; and the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., which launches six weeks of holiday tours and events. Shown here, from left, Sturdy Savings Bank Director of Retail Banking Rob Quackenbush, Sturdy Savings Bank Business Development Officer Michael Clark, Cape May MAC Board of Trustees 1st Vice President Janet Coupland, Cape May MAC Chief Outreach Strategist Mary Stewart, Sturdy Savings Bank Cape May Branch Manager John Stefankiewicz, Cape May MAC Director & CEO Jody Alessandrine, Cape May MAC Chief Outreach Officer Eliza Lotozo, Cape May MAC Chief Financial Officer Charles Kealy, Sturdy Savings Bank Branch Administrator Tim Cabata and Cape May MAC Board of Trustees President Tom Carroll.
ich, Stephanie Albright, Ava Amato, Jacqueline Andrews, Danielle Angeloni, Cami Anka, Phil Armstrong, Gina Arnaiz, Anita Asfour, Keveney Avila, Christopher Barker, Jane Barr, Peter Barry, Jon Barwise, Joanna Bavoso, John Bebel, Robert Bedi, Erin Beggan, David Bellenzeni, Andrew Biddle, Nancy Bieder, Diane Blakely, Nicole Borovec, Katie Boudwin, Tara Brancato, James Bray, Kevin Breen, Donna Brown, Christine Bush, Amber Byrne, Robin Canger, Susan Capozzi, Cathy Cappiello, Stella Carlton, Donna Carney-Adelman, Carla Carpenter, Erin Cassel, Cyndy Cesena, Barbara Ciago, Ricky Clark, Kenneth Clebak, Michael Clemmens, Jessica Cohen, Sophia Cortese, Alysia Corvo, Sophia Crater, Denise Cutair, Cathlyn Dabrowski, Joanna Dagosta, Vincent Degiaimo, Sean Delamater, Karen Delong, Gerri Delvalle, Leslie DeMaio, Kelly Dias, Tanya Diedrich, Brian Dornisch, Lynda Drespling, Joan Eckert, Donna Eisenman, Herman Engel Ert, Lauren England, Joan Evans, Wanda & Robert Evelyn, Bryce Fager, David Faria, Sherri Farinaro, Caroline Ferguson, Lori Fink, Kathleen Fleming, Deirdre Flesche, Rachael Fried, Charles T Fritz, Liz Gabor, Linda Galan-
te, Mary Gallagher, Linda Garoian, Andrea Garzon, Rocco Giamundo, Elaine Gibson, Jennifer Goldman, Anabela Goncalves, Rui Goncalves, Viktoriya Gorbach, Kristen Gorman, Andrew Gowa, Nicoletta Greco, Justin Greene, Melanie Gregoire, Nicholas Gregory, Kelly Hadsall, Denise Hall, Tara Hanley, Laura Hanlon, Shannon Harper, Pamela Harris-Young, Quanita Hassell, Lisa Haus, Jacqueline Heaney, Susan Henner, Jennifer Hernandez, Patty Herren, Greg Herzing, Debra Hodgins, Laura Hudson, Jacqueline Hydock, Beth Iacoviello, Amy Ippolito, Kemilola Jahnke, Bruce James, Hailey Jankura, Donald Jeanson, Veronica Jelic, John Jicha III, Rosemary Keenen, Denise Keller, Amy Kinley, Edward Kirby, Adam Kovalevich, Keith Lambie, Marie Lanzalotti, Charles La rosa, Stephanie Larosiliere, Rachel Lauria, Robert Lavalle, Lenare Liptak, Eli Loewen, Dan Lusardi, John & Judy Lynch, Marie Mackanic, Sharon Maloney, Melissa Marcolina, Deborah Marin, Karla Marquez, Patrick Mason, Tamara Maxson, Gail May, Mark Mccartney, Eileen Mcdermott, Ginger Mcdevitt, Kate McDevitt, Jason McLaughlin Jacqueline Medina, Hans Medlarz, John Mele,
Photo by Susan Krysiak
‘THANK YOU’ NEWS
FOX29 featured Cape May MAC in a special called Bill & Shane Go There! that aired Friday, Aug. 23. It featured the Cape May Voices from Beyond Tour at the Emlen Physick Estate, and Cape May MAC’s Manager of Tour Systems Rosemary Rombado, and Registrar Donna Szemcsak, with Director of Media Relations Susan Krysiak. WATCH the special here if you missed it!
Lucy Mernit, Dolores Mulligan, Szilvia Nagy, Lori Navin, Joel Nentwich, Chiyan Ng, Ken Nguyen, Kelli Nylander, Nancy O’flaherty, Karen Olita, Jennifer Olsen, Andrew Orefice, John & Laurie Orem, Marilyn Ottato, June Palomba, Linda Peterson, Steven Peti, Daniel Pomarico-Maxson, Susan Powell, Suzann Price-Tedrow, Hanh Provenzano, Charlotte Quinn, Edgar Quinto, Debra Raisley, Carlos Ramos, Lynn Reich, John Reilly, Beatrice Reinacher, Bill Riggio, Michelina Robb, Curt Robinson, Marcia Ryan, Nancy Ryan, Rhonda Sawyer, Christopher Schilling, John Schulden, Helayne Schwartz, Joan Scirrotto, Romana Secades, Sarah Seidl, Dawn Sergi, Ann Shofer, Sue Simon, Brigid Smircich, Sharon Somers, Elizabeth Sorace, Mary Soria, Brad Stalter, Rhonda Stefanelli, Madeline Steiner, Stephanie Stofko, Lindsey Straub, Valen Straub, Denise Sullivan, Toni Sullivan, Diane Supple, Emily Sybrandy, Kathy Szwadowski, Marjorie Takleszyn, Elliott Tammaro, Deirdre Taylor, Ellyn Taylor, Zachary Taylor, Jean Thompson, Shawn Tom, Brenda Tovsen, Fred Trinkoff, Jaclyn Trovato, Lori-Ann Urbanski, Dennis Urffer & Megan Emery, Daria Velett, Melissa Veneracion, Cindy Voggenreiter, Emily Van Wagoner, Jillian Warminsky, Andrew Whymark, Destinee Winhauer, Alvina Woodland, Lori Wagner, Rj Wallis, Larry Wharton, Scott Wolf, Jill Yanez, Ruby Zayas, Robert Zlotnick, Lisa Zorovich, Bernard Zurawski.
ASSISTANCE
• Joyce Barth, for assisting with the Children’s trolley tour and the Glitter Tour review.
• Jill Bellarmino, for updating and organizing artifact folders and inventory.
• Cape Island Baptist Church, for hosting our July staff meeting.
• Cape May Lutheran Church, for hosting our Lunch & Learn programs.
• Janet Coupland, for her help with the Cape May MAC archiving project.
• Carol Crossed, for presenting a Lunch and Learn on the “Susan B Anthony Birthplace Museum.”
• Mary Fox, for facilitating Spirits and Oddities, Victorian Obsessions, Underground Railroad, and Welcome to Cape May tours.
• Karen Hammerman, training on the new Past Perfect Software and assisting with updating the textile inventory.
• Camille Llewellyn, for administrative assistance with research and data entry.
• Kathy Morais, for help with brochure and poster distribution.
• Dustin Piccolo-Kinsey of Fine Fellows Creamery, for helping with the National Ice Cream Day Sundae Social.
• Mary Stewart, for leading the Down the Shore Trolley Tour and helping with the National Ice Cream Day Sundae Social.
VOLUNTEERS
• Advisory Team Volunteers: Joyce Barth, Rosalie Gallagher, Peggy Gora, Carol Hartman, Loretta Hughes, John Klos, Barbara Lamont, Brian McGrath.
• Christmas in July Volunteers: Dagmar Jelincic, Susan Krysiak.
• Family Fun Day at the Lighthouse Volunteers: Laura DeSimone, Sue Currie, Alice Haber, Kelly Gray, Diane Meza, Donna Nansteel, Carole Ulmer, Susan Wiggins.
• Grounds Crew Volunteers: Tom Carroll, Rebecca Davis, JC De Haan, Robert Evelyn, Walt Gabriel, Robert Gorgone, Carol Lindsay, Melissa Motz, Rick Sasse, Joe Shimalla, Rita Wade, Stephen Ward, Deb Yamashita.
• Lessons of History Team Volunteers: Tom Carroll, Joan Dempsey, Vince DeGiaimo, Daivid King, Myles Martel, Mary McKenney.
• Media Event at Fisherman’s Wharf: Jane Foran, Robert Gorgone, Jean Grazel, Theresa Kirkpatrick, Rich Mistkowski, Kathy Morais, Chanelle René, Quanette VasserMcNeal, Carolyn Vinci, Janis White.
• Membership Mailing Volunteers: Kathy Genzoli, Ruth Anne Stewart, Tricia Kraemer.
• National Ice Cream Day Volunteers: Diane Meza, Carole Ulmer.
• National Night Out Against Crime Volunteers: Frank Scott, Carole Ulmer.
• Shore Club Hole in One Challenge Fundraiser Volunteers: Richard Mayer, Donna Szemcsak.
• Summer Crafts and Collectibles Volunteers: Dagmar Jelincic, Janis White.
• Tour Assistant Volunteers: Ellen DeRose, Donna Flegal, Gloria Kucher.
• Trolley Maintenance Volunteers: Rebecca Davis, Camille Llewellyn, Joe Mammarella, Franco Meza, Mark Nathan, Vince Rapone, Jim Walsh, Leann Weinberger, Deb Yamashita.
• Volunteer Team Volunteer: Tina Angstadt.
Harvest Brew Fest
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clude House of Cupcakes, Taste the Love, Bake n’ Bacon, Kreations by Kate, Greens & Grains, Rollin’ Bone, Southern Seafood and a Boy Scouts Concession Stand.
Beverage vendors include Behr Brewing, Cape May Brewing Co., Cold Spring Brewery, Gusto Brewing Company, Ludlam Island Brewery, Mudhen Brewing Co., Slack Tide Brewing Company, Wander Back Beerworks and Whale Tale Brewing Company, along with Tito’s Vodka mixed drinks and a sangria tent. Cape May Winery also sells a variety of wines by the bottle in the Carriage House Museum Shop. Pirate Pete’s Soda
Pop will serve non-alcoholic soda. Bring the entire family to enjoy kidfriendly activities including lawn games. Tony Gangi and The Great American Street Organ Magic Show will perform organ grinding, magic and flea circus shows from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mackie the Stilt Walker will greet visitors. Explore the variety of crafts and collectibles vendors on the estate grounds selling handmade and vintage items. A cooling off tent for pets will be available. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.
Admission to the grounds is free and free parking is available off site at the Cape May Elementary School, 921 Lafayette St. A free trolley shuttle will also operate from the Washington Street Mall Information Booth at Ocean Street to the estate throughout the day. There will be a charge for food, beverages and some activities. A valid ID is required for age identification to purchase alcoholic drinks. VISIT HERE for more information.
-- SK
German U-boat U-442 in front of
Lessons of History
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head of the German U-boat arm, Admiral Karl Donitz, sent a handful of long-range submarines to attack shipping along the East Coast of the United States. The carnage they inflicted was out of proportion to their numbers, and ships went down all along the East Coast from New York to Florida, including off the coast of Cape May.
Award-winning author and professor, distinguished historian and acclaimed speaker Dr. Craig Symonds presents “The War Comes Home to America: U-boats off the Mid-Atlantic,” on Sunday, Oct. 13 at Cape May Convention Hall, 714 Beach Ave. This is the 12th lecture in Cape May MAC’s annual Lessons of History Distinguished Lecture Series. The series brings top historians to Cape May Convention Hall in October to speak on engaging topics of history and to share insights in a Q&A session with the audience.
Dr. Craig L. Symonds is Professor of History Emeritus at the United States Naval Academy where he taught for 30 years and served as Department Chair. From 2017 to 2020 he was the Ernest J. King Professor of Maritime History at the U.S. Naval War College. He is the author of 17 books, the most recent of which is Nimitz at War (2022). He has been awarded the Lincoln Prize, the Roosevelt Prize, the Morison Prize, and the Barondess Prize, as well as the Dudley Knox Medal for Lifetime Achievement and the Pritzker Military Museum & Library Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing. The lecture begins at 5 p.m., and tickets are $40 in advance or at the door. Teachers and students will be admitted free with a valid school I.D. Tickets are available for purchase online HERE or by calling 609884-5404. -- SK
Courtesy of Naval History and Heritage Command
burning tanker of convoy TM in January 1943
Photos by Susan Krysiak Toast friends and make new ones as we welcome fall at the Sept. 14 Harvest Brew Fest.
Recent Happenings
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(Ben Ridings, curator of Cape May MAC). The fine folks from Fine Fellows Creamery were on hand with free samples of several flavors of ice cream to make the celebration complete.
We are so busy entertaining visitors that we don’t always think about how people hear about us. To help spread the word, we have staff working on social media posts, creating posters and brochures, updating our website, and distributing This Week in Cape May far and wide. Susan Krysiak, our Director of Media Relations, manages the lion’s share of media outreach. Here is just a sampling of the media exposure that’s come about because of these efforts: The Fisherman’s Wharf Walking Tour was featured in CBS Philly News. The Cape May Lighthouse was featured on PHL17, NBC10 and in a podcast by the U.S. Lighthouse Society. National and regional media highlights featuring Cape May MAC include mentions and stories in Forbes, USA Today, Travel+Leisure, NJ.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer, American Military News, New Jersey Family Magazine, The Baltimore Sun, and the Asbury Park Press.
Our educational outreach activities continued through the summer. Cape May’s Poet Laureate Sylvia Baer generously lent her time and talents again this summer, leading three Summer Writing Workshops. For three Mondays in July, Sylvia led her students through exercises on poetry, fiction, and memoir. Lunch & Learn programs con-
Walking tours
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to the green awning at the Lobster House. The tour guide arrives by trolley to meet the tour. Get tickets online at capemaymac. org or at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth at Ocean Street. Comfortable shoes recommended. Fisherman’s Wharf is a working dock and wheelchair accessibility is not guaranteed. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.
GHOST WALK WITH CRAIG MCMANUS
Saturday, Oct. 12: 6pm and 8pm: Walk the haunted streets of historic Cape May with your guide, psychic medium Craig McManus, who will talk about the houses where he has sensed paranormal activity. Leaves from the Washington Street Mall. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets. -- SK
Family Fun Crafts Shows at the Lighthouse, Christmas in July at the Lighthouse, and National Lighthouse Day during the summer are fun ways for families to enjoy non-beach days in Cape May. Shown here, Lighthouse Keeper Janie McNutt’s shell and driftwood collection attracts admirers. Her sales help raise funds for ongoing historic preservation.
tinued twice monthly. On July 3, we learned about the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum and the legacy of its namesake from Carol Crossed, the founder of the museum. In August, we heard from Elan ZingmanLeith on Victorian Vice (a topic that always turns out a crowd). Cape May MAC’s Curator Ben Ridings ended the month with a look
at John Philip Sousa and his connections to Cape May. Museum educators continue to visit Victorian Towers and the Blind Center of the Jersey Cape monthly. Also in August, we were invited to the Ocean City Historical Museum, where we presented a program on Seaside Attractions.
National Lighthouse Day on Aug. 7 is an annual event that celebrates lighthouses across the United States. Families enjoyed a variety of activities at the base of the lighthouse, including the Cape May County Bookmobile, crafts activities for kids, and more.
Photo by Susan Krysiak
Photo by Susan Krysiak