Cape May MAC's Winter 2024 NewsLetter

VOLUME LIV, ISSUE 1

Newsletter

www.capemaymac.org WINTER 2024

Physick House gets major overhaul

Photo by Susan Krysiak

Insulated storm windows were installed this

January in the Physick House Museum as part of

the HVAC installation project.

Presidents Day Weekend Friday, Feb.

16-Monday, Feb. 19 is a cool time to visit

Cape May. Parking is a breeze and there are

tours through the weekend. Take your time

and explore America’s First Seaside Resort

on this brisk holiday weekend and imagine

tipping your hat to Washington and Lincoln

as you stroll through town. Here are the

highlights! VISIT HERE for more information.

Cape May Lighthouse is Open!

Climb the 199 steps for a wintry panorama

of the Delaware Bay. The 1859 Cape May

Lighthouse is open daily during Presidents

Day Weekend from noon to 3 p.m.

Crafts & Collectibles In Winter

On Saturday, Feb. 17 and Sunday, Feb.

Cape May’s Victorian House Museum,

The 1879 Physick House, is undergoing

a major overhaul to upgrade its fire

suppression system, and its heating,

ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)

system, thanks to government and private

grants and matching fund donations.

Planning for this project began in

2021. Since then, work has proceeded in

two planning phases for HVAC and one

planning phase for fire suppression. Among

other work during this planning phase, fire

blocking and a new fire door were installed

in the Physick House basement. Recently

completed renovations to the secondfloor

bathroom added new exhaust for

ventilation.

The seaside City of Cape May is subject

to wide swings of temperature and

humidity throughout the year. Low humidity

during the winter months results in cyclic

excessive shrinkage movement followed

by re-expansions within furnishings and

architectural millwork. Humidity levels in the

30 percent range and lower are common.

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 18)

HHHHHHHHHHHH

PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND

18, the first Crafts & Collectibles Show of

2024 kicks off. Throughout the year, Crafts

& Collectibles Shows present interesting

wares from vendors and crafters in the

Northeast.

Come browse and shop during this winter

show at Cape May Convention Hall, 714

Beach Ave., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission

is $2.

Brunch & Bingo at the Inn of Cape May

Laugh along with your friends as you

play a little bingo, compete for prizes, and

enjoy a fashion show by Lace Silhouettes/

Cotton Company. It’s all over a scrumptious

breakfast buffet at the Inn of Cape May, 7

Ocean St.


Photo courtesy of Center for Community Arts

Shown here, ca. 1955, waitresses and other

workers had Sundays off and would often

take time to enjoy the beach.

“Line in the Sand”

at Carroll Gallery

A new Carroll Gallery exhibit at the

Emlen Physick Estate opened Martin

Luther King, Jr. weekend and illustrates

and explores the racially-segregated

beach experience of Cape May and

Atlantic City prior to the civil rights era.

Cape May MAC, Center for Community

Arts (CCA) and Chicken Bone Beach

Historical Foundation present, “A Line in

the Sand: Segregated Beaches in Cape

May and Atlantic City,” open through

March 25.

Prior to the 1960s civil rights era,

Black persons were limited to recreation

on certain beaches because of the color

of their skin. Beaches had been racially

segregated at resorts like Cape May and


In This Issue

Coming Attractions.................... Page 3-4

From the Director........................... Page 5

Membership News ......................Page 6

Recent Happenings...................... Page 2

Thank You Department......Pages 13-17

We had just enough time between Victorian

Weekend and Halloween Happenings

programming and Holiday Preview

Weekend to squeeze in not one but two

Sherlock Holmes Weekends. “The Case of

the Other Consulting Detective” by Jacklyn

Fazio had our famous detective facing

competition from interlopers from across

the pond as well as from our enthusiastic

guests. Sara Howe from Milford, CN was the

lucky winner of $200 on the November 3

weekend and Trevor and Jennifer Williams

of Frederick, MD took home the honors on

the November 10 weekend.

Cape May Winery hosted our Annual

Meeting again this year. Having our members

gathered gave us the opportunity to

present the results of the Economic Impact

Study we commissioned in conjunction with

the Southern Shore Regional DMO and the

Cape May County Department of Tourism,

which shows just how important our tours

and activities are to the region, generating

nearly $200 million annually. We also

presented our Honor Award, acknowledging

those members of our community who

have significantly helped us during the past

year. This year’s award winners couldn’t have

been more appropriate- Diane Wieland,

Director of the County Department of Tourism,

and Deborah Bass, who manages the

Southern Shore Regional DMO. In addition

to their help with the Economic Impact

Study, Diane and Debbie have collaborated

with Cape May MAC in hosting travel writers,

assisted with promotion of our events

RECENT HAPPENINGS

Winter Wrap-Up

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, 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.

---- v ----

OUR VISION

Preserving Cape May’s rich heritage and assuring its vitality

through superior cultural programs and events


Pictured here with CFO Charles Kealy and Director & CEO Jody Alessandrine is Michael Clark,

Vice President and Business Development Officer for Sturdy Savings Bank, presenting the bank’s

second 2023 sponsorship donation.

Cape May MAC’s public history

programs are funded in part

by the New Jersey Historical

Commission in the Department

of State.

and allowed us to represent the DMO at

Group Travel Shows. We also honored Brian

Groetsch and Chris Clemans who are retiring

from our Board of Trustees after nine

years of service.

To prepare for our Christmas Tree Lighting

Ceremony, several things need to happen.

Our maintenance staff and volunteers

begin the preparation in October, with

miles of extension cords and thousands of

lights to set in place. David Barraclough, assisted

by his mother Jean Barraclough, turns

the Carroll Gallery into a Christmas wonderland,

building a larger-than-life Christmas

tree with a Dept. 56 Dickens Village beneath

it. Curator Ben Ridings and Registrar Donna

Szemcsak convene their Physick House

decorating elves (see the list in the Thank

You Department) just four days before the

event, which is just enough time for them

to work their magic. When our holiday visitors

arrive, it’s showtime! The Christmas Tree

Lighting on Saturday, Nov. 18 was seamless.

The Atlantic Brass Band’s program of holiday

music set the perfect tone, and Mayor

Zack Mullock and representatives from

Sturdy Savings Bank (which sponsors the

event) welcomed Santa. His jolly self arrived

just in time on a jolly red trolley and at the

flip of a switch, the 60’ tree by the stage

was ablaze with lights. It was the start of an

incredibly busy time for us, with nearly 700

individual events on our calendar.

One of the first of our special holiday

events was the Holiday Crafts & Collectibles

Show in Convention Hall. Organized by Director

of Visitor Services and Special Events

Janice Corkery, the two-day show gave visitors

the opportunity to shop for the wares

of some of the best vendors in the region.

Next up for our shoppers was Museum


Page 2 • Winter 2024 Cape May MAC www.capemaymac.org

Coming

ATTRACTIONS

609-884-5404 • www.capemaymac.org • 800-275-4278

Winter Trolley Tours

Take a brisk ride in our open-air trolleys during the

late winter or early spring (the sun shines on winter

days, too!) and you will see Cape May in a new light.

Offered this time of year are Historic District Trolley

Tours, Stories of Cape Island Trolley Tour, Mansions

by the Sea Trolley Tour, Cape May’s Sports History

Trolley Tour, Ghosts of Cape May Trolley Tour, Underground

Railroad Trolley Tour, Children’s Trolley

Ride, and Welcome to Cape May Trolley Tour.

Lunch & Learns and More About Music

Learn more — in person or by Zoom!

Meet other curious learners and expand your knowledge for free during Cape May

MAC Lunch & Learns and More About Music talks this winter — informative and illustrated

presentations on popular topics of history, culture and the arts. Lunch & Learn programs

are offered both live at the Cape May Lutheran Church Hall, 509 Pittsburgh Ave.,

and by Zoom. Bring lunch and no registration is needed if you plan to attend in person.

If you wish to view the program

via Zoom, please pre-register

for individual programs by clicking

on the links in the calendar

at right. (When you register, a

link to the Zoom meeting will be

emailed to you.) Questions? Call

609-884-5404. Bring a beverage

if you like! The hall is accessible

and free parking is available.

Carroll Gallery Exhibit

“We All Scream for Ice Cream:

A History of Summer’s Favorite Treat”

Opens April 12, 2024: At the beginning of the 1800s, ice cream was an elite and expensive

dish in flavors like Parmigiano and asparagus. By the end of the 1800s, ice cream

was adored by everyone in flavors like vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. Some of our

favorite dishes, like the ice cream cone, the ice cream sundae and the banana boat

are Victorian inventions. This exhibit celebrates summer’s

favorite treat. See an authentic 1898 ice cream

maker and other artifacts, and a reproduction Victorian

ice cream wagon. Discover the diverse innovators

and pioneers of American ice cream, and the

development of the ice cream scoop and commercial

ice cream freezer, including Augustus Jackson,

Nancy Johnson, Bassetts of Philadelphia, and more.

Free Admission.

LUNCH & LEARN: MAGNESITE:

A WWII NECESSITY

Feb. 21 at 12pm: Harry Bellangy of the

Greater Cape May Historical Society discusses

the need for magnesite during

World War II, how magnesite was manufactured,

and the plant that opened in

1941 in the area we know today as Sunset

Beach. CLICK HERE to register.

LUNCH & LEARN: A

CELEBRATION OF ALL THINGS π

March 6 at 12pm: People around the

world are preparing for March 14. It’s Pi

Day, an international day of mathematics!

Join Donna Szemcsak for a fun exploration

and celebration of this mysterious

and irrational number. There will be pi

jokes, pi music, pi art, and maybe even

some pie! To register for the online Zoom,

CLICK HERE to pre-register.

LUNCH & LEARN: IT’S MARCH!

A TIME TO CELEBRATE IRISHNESS

March 20 at 12pm: Every March in the

United States, revelers from coast to coast

celebrate all things Irish by hoisting pints

and cheering bagpipers, step dancers

and marching bands parading through

city streets. Where did the traditions

begin, how did they spread across the

ocean and why have we embraced them

today? Find out by attending Lunch &

Learn presented by Mary Stewart. To register

for the online Zoom, CLICK HERE to

pre-register.

BRUNCH & BINGO AT BELLA VIDA

Saturdays Feb. 24 & March 16

9am: Laugh along with your friends as

you play a little bingo, compete for prizes

and enjoy a fashion show by Lace Silhouettes/Cotton

Company. It’s all over a

scrumptious breakfast at Bella Vida Garden

Cafe. $25. CLICK HERE to purchase

tickets.

BRUNCH & BINGO

AT THE INN OF CAPE MAY

Saturdays Feb. 17 & April 6

9am: Laugh along with your friends as

you play a little bingo, compete for prizes

and enjoy a fashion show by Lace Silhouettes/Cotton

Company. It’s all over a

scrumptious breakfast at The Inn of Cape

May. $25. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.


www.capemaymac.org Cape May MAC Winter 2024 • Page 3

Coming

ATTRACTIONS

609-884-5404 • www.capemaymac.org • 800-275-4278

(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3)

Cape May Beer Trail

March 16 at 10:45 am: New in 2024! Cape May County is home to a selection

of fantastic breweries. Hop on Cape May MAC trolley for visits

to Cape May Brewing Co., Behr Brewing, and Gusto Brewing Co., for

tasting flights of local beers. Lunch is included at Cape Square Kitchen

& Craft. This tour is for adults ages 21 and over. CLICK HERE for tickets.

Cape May Wine Trail

Feb. 17 at 10:45 am: Board the trolley at the Emlen Physick Estate and

travel to the Bellevue Tavern in Cape May Court House for a delicious

lunch. The trolley will then travel to Jessie Creek Winery for a tasting

and souvenir glass, and to Natali Vineyards for an educational tasting

tour. This event is for adults ages 21 and over. CLICK HERE for tickets.

Climb the lighthouse at nighttime!

Since it opened to the public in 1988, more than 2.5 million visitors have climbed to

the top of the 1859 Cape May Lighthouse, but far fewer have climbed at nighttime.

During the Lighthouse Full Moon Climb, follow the light of the moon up the 199 castiron

spiral staircase steps to the top of the Cape May Lighthouse and see the night sky

in its glory from the Watch Gallery, with a nighttime view nearly 156 feet above the

Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean. During Stairway to the Stars, without the moonlight,

you really see the stars shine!

Climb the 199 steps to the top of the

Cape May Lighthouse on evenings of

the New Moon and the start of a new

29.5- day lunar cycle, when the moon

is so dark it blends in with the night

sky and is invisible to the naked eye.

Stars and constellations are more visible

on clear nights during the New

Moon. Binoculars are permitted if

securely worn around the neck. The

lighthouse Full Moon Climb is offered

8-10 p.m. on April 23, May 23, June 21,

July 21, Aug. 19, Sept. 17 and 7-9 p.m.

on Oct. 17 and Nov. 15. Stairway to the

Stars is offered 8-10 p.m. May 7, June

6, July 5, Aug. 2, Sept. 2, and 7-9 p.m.

Oct. 2 and Nov. 1.

$20 adult admission;

$10 children (ages 3-12)

Purchase tickets from the lighthouse

keeper the evening of the event

Photo by Joseph Evangelista

Presidents Day

Weekend


Offered Saturday, Feb. 17 at 9 a.m. during

Presidents Day Weekend. See more information

and PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.

Cape May Wine Trail

Don’t miss the first Cape May Wine Trail

of the year! Visit Cape May County wineries

via trolley and sample the unique vintages

of each on this all-day tour. Begin with a

trolley ride from the Physick Estate to lunch

at the Bellevue Tavern in Cape May Court

House. Afterwards, the trolley brings you to

Jessie Creek winery for a tasting and souvenir

glass and then to Natali Vineyards for an

educational tasting and tour. Tour limited to

those 21 and over.

Offered Saturday, Feb. 17 during Presidents

Day Weekend. See more information


Presidents Day

Weekend Tours

Underground Railroad Trolley Tour

Cape May was part of the Underground

Railroad, and this trolley tour 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

businessperson and former slave, Stephen

Smith, whose railroad cars carried hundreds

to freedom.

Offered Monday, Feb. 19 at 11 a.m. during



Stories of Cape Island Trolley Tour

Many stories from 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 discover the

area’s rich farming heritage. 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.

Offered Saturday, Feb. 17 at 11 a.m. and



FROM THE DIRECTOR

It’s always interesting when people

say something like, “I suppose this is your

downtime,” usually after either the summer

or holiday seasons. Truth is, and I’m

not playing the role of martyr or looking for

sympathy for me or our staff -- because I’d

rather be busy and I knew what life at Cape

May MAC would be like before applying for

the job -- there really is no “downtime” at

Cape May MAC!

After each busy summer, we’re putting

the finishing touches on planning the holiday

season and this year also had two major

grants to complete before the holidays.

After the holidays, we’re finalizing our 2024

tour and event schedule (it was firmed up

by January 9th), as well as finalizing budgets

and both our winter and annual Carroll

Gallery exhibits. Just around the corner are

more major grants and reports due in early

spring that we start writing as soon as the

calendar flips.

This past holiday season was extra-busy

in that Thanksgiving was very early, leaving

us 32 days between it and Christmas day.

Cape May MAC had 699 tours and events

on our public and private (group tours,

Jody Alessandrine, Director/CEO

trolley rentals) calendars from the Saturday

before Thanksgiving, when we host our

Holiday Preview Weekend, featuring the

Christmas Tree Lighting at the Emlen Physick

Estate, through New Year’s Day.

To adequately staff so many things, we

Cape May MAC Board Election Results

Ballots for the 2024 Board elections were mailed to Cape May MAC

Members in November and returns tabulated by Membership

Committee Chair Janet Coupland. Our Membership has elected the

following Officers and Trustees to lead the organization in 2024:

President: Tom Carroll

1st Vice President: Janet Coupland

2nd Vice President: Norris Clark

3rd Vice President: Lee Bellarmino

Secretary: Jake Cuomo

Treasurer: Mary Farber McKenney

Trustees: Wendy Collins, Wanda Wise Evelyn and Rita Rothberg

The newly elected Officers and Trustees join Tina Angstadt, Bob

Gorgone, Bernie Haas, Ioanna Iliopulos, Jake Pashelinsky, and Steve

Steger Jr., who are currently serving unexpired terms, and Jody

Alessandrine, who serves ex officio as Director.

Our thanks go to Brian Groetsch and Chris Clemans who have retired

from the Board after nine years of service.

rely on our dedicated pool of volunteers,

who are so appreciated. Total volunteer

shifts in the six-plus weeks were 443. Further,

many full-time and part-time staff

members, including those at the director’s

level, take additional shifts to cover. And it’s

all-hands-on-deck for the three Candlelight

Christmas House Tours, which fell on the

first three Saturdays of December this year.

Speaking of the Candlelight Christmas

House Tours, this year, proceeds will help

us match grant funding for the installation of

both fire suppression and HVAC systems in

the 1879 Physick House Museum. It is part

of our stewardship to protect the structure

(recently named “New Jersey’s Most Beautiful

House” by Angi.com), the 6,000 objet

d’art (artifacts) in the museum, as well as

our nearly 20,000 guests annually and staff

members. Most of the properties on tour

are within walking distance, with just a couple

outliers on each night’s tour Candlelight

schedule. Despite the dearth of bed and

breakfasts and inns (there were once about

80 in Cape May City and West Cape May,

now there are less than 20), we were able to

include as many as 20 properties on tour this

year. Thus, the need for so many volunteers.

This April we’ll again acknowledge the

150-200 volunteers that made 2023 and

make each year here at Cape May MAC successful.

Many of those volunteers are Board

of Trustee members, and as noted, staff,

who all work beyond performing their primary

function, whenever required— from

the Gardens of Cape May Tour and the

Cape May Music Festival, to our summer

Sunset Solo Series concerts and the Harvest

Brew Festival on the grounds of the Emlen

Physick Estate.

Each holiday season we reflect on that

for which we are grateful. Our Board of

Trustees and senior staff are thankful for the

dedication of all our staff and volunteers

who enable us to offer locals and visitors

more than 8,000 things to do each year. As

our recent economic impact study revealed,

these efforts infuse nearly $200 million into

Cape May’s economy annually, positively

affecting local businesses and everyone’s

property values.

Just as important, our programs at Cape

May MAC enrich countless lives each year,

and enhance the Cape May community as

a whole.

To help us meet our match for Physick

House fire suppression and HVAC projects,

please CLICK HERE.


Family/Grandparent: Rebecca &

Robert Kolas of Toms River, NJ; Rachel &

Todd Holtzman of Washington, DC; Yong

Zhu & Helene Nguyen of Hackettstown, NJ.

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

Welcome new members

Joint: Megan Bergonzi & David Bentz of

Lebanon, PA; Nancy & Bill Brady of West

Cape May, NJ; Lynne & Michael Brecker of

Cape May Point, NJ; Bonnie & Terence Callaghan

of Villas, NJ; Kathleen & Will Canum

of Ocean City, NJ; Carol & Craig Connolly

of Marlton, NJ; Melissa & Brent Dukin of

Wharton, NJ; Louanne & Jeff Fox of Villas,

NJ; Carole Harchar & Alyssa Harchar Stelle

of Monroe Township, NJ; Barbara & Francis

Hatch of Cape May, NJ; Deborah & David

Herman of Princeton, NJ; Rosemarie &

Thomas Scott Hill of Moorestown, NJ; Mary

Jean & Alan Lush of Toms River, NJ; Courtney

Leo & Neal Apgar of Cape May Point,

NJ; Lisa & Matthew Mcclane of Lyndhurst,

NJ; Kathleen & Phillip Mcfadden of Villas,

NJ; Dolores Neill & Alan Wolfersburger of

Villas, NJ; Karen Olsen & Robert Davidheiser

of Lansdale, PA; Loriann & William Sharpe of

New Castle, DE; Seane & Michael Siegfried

of Turnersville, NJ; Debra & Ziggy Slusarz of

Washington Township, NJ; Allison & Chris

Voss of West Cape May, NJ; Mary & Paul

Walchak of Philadelphia, PA.

Individual: Bernie Bittner of Haddon

Township, NJ; Roberta Carty of Havertown,

PA; Georgia Combs of East Stroudsburg,

PA; Greg D’amato of Cape May, NJ; Barbara

Feeney of Villas, NJ; Michael Feeney

of Villas, NJ; Pam Hagan of Villas, NJ; Joann

Hamaid of Manchester, NJ; Pam Heagy of

Cape May, NJ; Diane & Kevin Keenoy of

Egg Harbor Township, NJ; Maryellen Malloy

of Mullica Hill, NJ; Victor Nawrocki of Winter

Garden, FL; Jerry Paradise of Ivyland,

PA; Regina Roth of Stone Harbor, NJ; Patti

Schaefer of Petersburg, VA.

Our deepest condolences go to:

Sturdy VP Business Development Michael

Clark, on the death of his father John Clark;

Cape May MAC Director of Visitor Services

& Special Events Janice Corkery, on the

death of her brother Edward Ablett; Family

and friends of former volunteer Dorsey

Donnelly; Family and friends of former Trolley

Driver and Guide Rob Reihl; Cape May

MAC Trustee Steve Steger, on the death of

his Grandmother Betty Steger.

Presidents Day Weekend


Sunday, Feb. 18 at 10:30 a.m.

during Presidents Day Weekend.

See more information

and PURCHASE TICKETS

HERE.

Historic District Trolley

Tour

On this charming trolley

tour, guides will explain Cape

May’s fascinating history as

the oldest seaside resort and

how it has survived and thrives

to this day. The trolley travels

through portions of Cape

May’s historic district and highlights

Cape May’s Victorian architecture.

Offered Saturday, Feb. 17

at 12:15 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.,

Sunday, Feb. 18 at 11:45 a.m. and 1 p.m., and

Monday, Feb. 19 at 1 p.m. and begins and

ends at the Ocean Street Trolley Stop during



Combination Trolley/Physick Estate Tour

This immersive, two-hour tour experience

combines a guided tour by trolley of

Cape May’s Historic District with a guided

tour of the Physick House Museum, providing

an in-depth look into Cape May history

and architecture. Learn why Cape May is

the only National Historic Landmark City in

the nation as you appreciate the details of

Cape May’s unique Victorian streetscapes

via trolley. Take a guided tour of the first and

second floors of the 1879 Physick House

Museum, for a detailed look at Victorian architecture

and the period. The tour includes

a visit to the Carriage House Carroll Gallery

Exhibit and begins and ends at the Ocean

Street Trolley Stop.

Offered Saturday, Feb. 17 at 12:15 p.m.

and 1:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 18 at 11:45 a.m.

and Monday, Feb. 19 at 1 p.m. during Presidents

Day Weekend. See more information


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. Offered

Feb. 16, 17 and 18 during

Presidents Day Weekend.

See more information and

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE.

Emlen Physick Estate Tour

Take a guided tour of the first and second

floors of the 1879 Physick House Museum,

for an in-depth look at Victorian architecture

and the period, reflecting one

Victorian family’s lifestyle.

Offered Saturday, Feb. 17 at 11:45 a.m., 1

p.m. and 2:15 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 18 at 12:30

p.m. and 1:45 p.m., and Monday, Feb. 19 at

1:45 p.m. during Presidents Day Weekend.

See more information and PURCHASE

TICKETS HERE.

-- SK


Physick Estate part of new “digital twin” process

The Physick House Museum is normally

closed and quiet weekdays in January, but

on Wednesday, Jan. 3 and Thursday, Jan. 4

it was bustling with activity. Cinematic Digital

Experience CEO Allan Barmak and Chief

Production Officer Jeff Gross were leading

a small team of highly technical photographers

to gather images needed to create

“digital twins” of rooms in

the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate

through a process called

photogrammetry. Digital

twins are 3D replicas of spaces

and places. Cinematic Digital

Experience is helping lead

the way into harnessing this

technology in the filmmaking

industry, in marketing, for

historic preservation and for

education.

“Our goal when we started

our company Cinematic Digital

Experience was to leverage

the latest technology to

promote locations around the

country,” said Barmak, “as we

feel that the creation of digital

twins is the most important

technological advancement

for documenting history since

photographs.”

Photogrammetry is the

process of obtaining information including

images, UV, textures, and relative distance

for developers to create a photo-real

and accurate digital twin. The concept of

digital preservation of historic landmarks

has many uses. The technology is helping

digitally preserve artifacts and historic sites

in war-torn Ukraine and has been used for

archeological documentation. Museums are

currently focused on digital preservation of

artifacts and museum pieces. They’re taking

3D scans of artifacts and storing them digitally,

Barmak said. The same technology can

be used for entire rooms. The company just

recently finished a similar project in Luray

Caverns.

“Once we capture the images and build

the digital twins, we can enhance them with

VR (virtual reality) experiences, virtual tours,

etc.,” Barmak said. “Interactive, engaging

environments are a great way to get students

around the country involved and interested

in history.”

The digital twin, when complete, may

be licensed to filmmakers as a digital film

set where live actors interact. Hollywood

is actively looking for virtual sets of actual

locations, Barmak said. Hollywood studios

outside of New Jersey that want to film at

the home will be able to do so in photoperfect

real time rendering with live actors

on any Virtual Stage in the world. This means

that visitors to the actual Emlen Physick Estate

will now be touring a “living film set.”

Even while visitors are on the premises, a

film could be using a digital twin of the area


Above, cameraperson

Tony Ventouris captures

images of Physick

Estate rooms using

special photographic

equipment. The images

will be used to create

a 3D “digital twin” of

the rooms. Right, Jeff

Gross and Alan Barmak

on the Physick Estate

Sun Porch during

production.

they are in at that very moment.

“Cape May MAC receives regular requests

to use our three historic sites for

filming projects,” said Director of Media Relations

Susan Krysiak. “The Emlen Physick Estate

is most popular in this regard. In the last

10 years, we have received about the same

number of requests from filmmakers. However,

even with a filming policy and permit

process in place, because of our 363-daya-year

tour schedule, we rarely permit film

requests due to the disruption they cause

and have not had the opportunity to review

a large-scale project.”

Cape May MAC will be able to license

the digital twin to filmmakers just like a film-

ing permit while avoiding the disruption

of a film crew on site and earning revenue

from license fees. Cape May MAC will make

all decisions about use of the digital twin.

“We have full control over the approval

of all film projects and are the owner of the

digital twin,” said Cape May MAC Director

and CEO Jody Alessandrine. “We will

evaluate potential film projects

from filmmakers as we

do now, carefully, and with

guidance from our Filming

and Photography policy. Our

film and photography policy

reflects and protects our core

values and mission as a nonprofit

organization dedicated

to historic preservation and

heritage tourism.”

For exterior shooting, the

team used both a drone pilot

and a still photographer on

the ground in tandem to capture

every angle needed for

the photogrammetry process

to create the digital twin. The

interior rooms were captured

using still photography with

special camera equipment

and polarized

lenses.

“Our initiative

of

digitally preserving

historic

landmarks

will make the

Emlen Physick

home the first

estate in New

Jersey to be archived

virtually

for generations

to come,” Barmak

said.

Cape May MAC is thrilled to be an

early adopter of this cutting-edge technology,

Alessandrine said.

“We see it as a new way to fulfill our mission

of historic preservation, by preserving

the physical space in the 1879 Physick House

Museum in a valuable and unprecedented

way. We also see great potential in the possibility

of finding new ways of engaging our

visitors with the museum. Additionally, we

see a potential revenue source for our 501(c)

(3) non-profit organization, from filmmakers

who want to have the Physick House serve



Line in the Sand


Atlantic City for decades through the 1950s,

with boundaries that sometimes moved

from season to season, but which were

clear, even when they weren’t publicly

advertised.

The exhibit explores Cape May’s Grant

Street Beach through historic photos

provided by West Cape May families and

original artwork by Cape May County artist

Chanelle René, along with Chicken Bone

Beach in Atlantic City through historic

photos provided by the Chicken Bone

Beach Historical Foundation. Learn how

people of color enjoyed their time at these

segregated beaches on the Jersey Shore

despite the harsh racial divide of the Jim

Crow era.

“We are grateful to our other nonprofit

partners, CCA and the Chicken Bone

Beach Historical Foundation, for helping

to bring this content together here at the

Carroll Gallery,” said Director and CEO Jody

Alessandrine. “It is important to illuminate

this time and place in history.”

Chanelle René’s Grant Street Beach

series was inspired by her own family’s

photos and experiences on the beach in

Cape May.

“Each work explores the complexity and

nuance of the human spirit while celebrating

generations of Black beach goers as they

transition from segregation to making Grant

Street Beach a tradition of choice,” she said.

The public is invited to the exhibit in the

Carroll Gallery on the grounds of the Physick

Estate, 1048 Washington St. Admission is

free. Exhibit is open Saturdays and Sundays

Digital twin


as a setting for their film projects. The beauty

of this partnership with Cinematic Digital

Experience is that Cape May MAC will no

longer choose between granting a filming

permit and interrupting the museum’s 320-

day tour schedule. We will have complete

control to license the digital twin to projects

of our choosing, as we do currently with our

robust film and photography policy, which

provides protection for the estate and complete

control over the permitting of commercial

filming projects.”

CLICK HERE to see a quick video (less

than 3 minutes) about the technology.

Also, CLICK HERE to see a link to digital

artifacts from the Smithsonian.

The Future of Filmmaking: Cinematography

in the Age of Photogrammetry

-- SK

through Feb. 11, noon to 3 p.m.; Feb. 17, 18,

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Monday, Feb. 19, noon to

3 p.m.; daily March 1-25, noon to 3 p.m.; and

March 16 and 23,11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Center for Community Arts (CCA)

is a multicultural education organization

whose arts and humanities programs

foster creativity, community building, and

appreciation for the rich diversity of our

world. centerforcommunityarts.org. The

Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation,

Inc. (CBB), is a non-profit organization

formed and titled in homage to the historical

segregation of African Americans on Atlantic

Photo by Alan Barmak

Shown here, Director of Media Relations Susan

Krysiak, left, and Jeff Gross, right, watch as

photographer Frank Weiss expertly maneuvers a

drone camera circling above the Physick House.


Shown here, Artist Chanelle René is

interviewed by WHYY reporter Peter

Crimmins and photographer Emma Lee

for a story about the exhibit that aired

on NPR.

City’s world-famous beaches. Use of the

beach was limited to the area surrounding

Missouri Avenue. chickenbonebeach.org.

Chanelle René is an award-winning, New

Jersey contemporary figurative painter and

mural artist. Her use of vibrant colors and

painterly brushstrokes in oils and mixed

media often celebrates the feminine figure

to create narrative and engaging works,

from original canvases to large-scale murals.

Chanelle has exhibited nationally and

internationally with works held in private

and public collections. chanellerene.com.

-- SK


Bid for your favorites in Cape May MAC’s Online Auction

Let the bidding begin! With over

$20,000 worth of gifts and experiences—

generously donated by dozens of

organizations and individuals—the 2024

Cape May Preservation Fund Online

Auction is officially live.

During the month of February, Cape

May MAC is auctioning off fun and

unique items to raise money for our

annual capital campaign supporting the

Cape May Preservation Fund. Proceeds

are already earmarked for continued

restoration at the Emlen Physick

Estate — the historic landmark whose

preservation launched the founding

of Cape May MAC over 54 years ago.

We have secured grant funding to

install much-needed HVAC and Fire

Suppression systems within the Physick

House Museum and continue to raise

funds to match these grants. Every

day we operate the museum without

climate control systems puts over

6,000 Victorian-era artifacts at risk of

deterioration. Of course, a fire without

a fire suppression system installed could

destroy these artifacts and the iconic

Frank Furness-designed mansion that

houses them.

Thank you to our generous donors

who have provided some fantastic items

to bid on. Some bidding items include:

A two-night stay at Montreal Beach

Resort

An antique cedar chest

Cape May Day Spa gift certificate

Cape May MAC Private Ghost Tour

Gorgeous Beach-inspired jewelry

from The Whale’s Tale

Season Cape May Stage passes plus a

Cape May Magazine 2-year subscription

And much, much more! CLICK

HERE for a complete list. Bidding closes

Thursday, Feb. 29!

-- SK

Photo courtesy of FiNS

FiNS Sunday Social on Jan. 21 benefitted Cape May MAC. Special thanks to FiNS co-owner Jeff

Gernitis, his partners and FiNS staff for their annual kind gesture.


Cape May Music

This year’s 35th annual

Cape May Music Festival,

presented by Cape May MAC

(Museums+Arts+Culture)

features 15 classical, chamber,

jazz, indie-pop and brass

band musical performances,

some free to attend, from

May 26-June 23. Evening

concerts are scheduled this

year on Thursdays, Saturdays

and Sundays.

Classical music lovers will welcome the

return of the New York Chamber Ensemble

performing two chamber concerts, the

New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players

performing one chamber concert and the

Bay Atlantic Symphony performing one

chamber concert, and a second concert

featuring the full symphony at Cape May

Convention Hall.

New York-based BAILEN returns, bringing

their stellar musicianship and power trio

vocals and guitar to Cape May Convention

Hall. The award-winning Atlantic Brass Band

returns this year in a free outdoor concert

during Memorial Day Weekend.

Jazz lovers will enjoy a Jazz Brunch at the

Inn of Cape May featuring Mary Lou Newnam

and Ray Mallach; the return this year of

the exciting Atlanta-based cellist-songwriter,

looper, improviser and storyteller, Okorie

“OkCello” Johnson; and the heartfelt

George Mesterhazy Tribute Concert in the

intimate setting of the Episcopal Church of

the Advent.

Capping off this year’s festival is the

exciting new Cape May Cabaret with Erich

Cawalla & the Uptown Band Orchestra, at

Cape May Convention Hall.

Also, in 2024, New York Chamber Ensemble

Artistic Director Eliot Bailen will

bring an original music education program

into Cape May area schools as part of the

festival.

For more information about concerts,

performers or venues, and to purchase tickets,

CLICK HERE or call 609-884-5404. The

35th Annual Cape May Music Festival lineup

is as follows:

Sunday, May 26: 7 p.m.

Atlantic Brass Band

Rotary Bandstand, 400-498 Lafayette St.,

Cape May, N.J.

(Rain location: Cape May Convention Hall,

714 Beach Ave.)

Free admission.

The award-winning, 35-piece Atlantic Brass

Band, under the baton of Salvatore Scarpa,

returns to Cape May with an exciting new

program of rousing band music, the perfect

high note for Memorial Day Weekend.

Thursday, May 30: 7 p.m.

New York Chamber Ensemble

The Episcopal Church of the Advent,

612 Franklin Street, Cape May, N.J.

$30 Adults, $25 Cape May MAC members

and $15 Students

Featuring Artistic Director Eliot Bailen, cello,

and Susan Rothholz, flute, the New York

Chamber Ensemble presents selections

from the classical chamber music repertoire

performed by accomplished New York musicians.

Saturday, June 1: 7 p.m.

OKCello




and $15 Students

Atlanta-based cellist-songwriter, looper,

improviser and storyteller, Okorie “OkCello”

Johnson returns after a triumphant Cape

May debut in 2023. OKCello shares themes

and expressions of the African Diaspora, his

personal truths, a deep love and celebration

of women, and a commitment to musical

prayer, immersing his audiences in vivid

stories as well as songs, creating a richly layered

and transcendent experience.

Sunday, June 2: 7 p.m.

George Mesterhazy

Tribute Concert:

“A Time for Love”


Festival 2024




and $15 Students

Artistic Director Barry Miles once again

brings together musical friends and colleagues

of the late jazz pianist George Mesterhazy

for this intimate tribute. A Time for

Love marks 12 years since George’s passing.

This annual remembrance concert celebrates

how much George meant to so many

through original musical arrangements and

meaningful songs.

Wednesdays, June 5, 12, 19: 12:30 p.m.

Bach’s Lunches

Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St.,

Cape May, N.J.

$55 adults, $50 Cape May MAC members

Lunch and a classical music mini concert

combine for a wonderful afternoon at the

historic Inn of Cape May. These intimate

performances feature members of the Bay

Atlantic Symphony.

the air in a program that features a quartet

of soloists for the Brazilian Suite Retratos

(Portraits). Fabio Oliveira solos on the magical

sounds of the marimba with a Brazilian

Regional group that includes a 4-string

Cavaquinho, a 9-string Guitar, the Brazilian

Pandeiro frame-drum, as well as a 9-piece

string ensemble. The mood goes sultry and

sentimental with a work by Tango king Astor

Piazzolla. An adored string orchestra favorite

of great melodic sweep and beauty,

Dvorak’s Serenade for Strings, steals your

heart away.

Dvorak Serenade for Strings

Astor Piazzola Oblivion

Radames Gnattali Suite Retratos (Portraits)

1. Retrato de Pixinguinha (chore)

2. Retrato de Ernesto Nazareth (valsa)

3. Retrato de Anacleto de Medeiros

(schottische)

4. Retrato de Chiquinha Gonzaga

(corta-jaca)

Mary Lou Newnam on saxophone, clarinet

and flute, and Ray Mallach on piano.

Thursday, June 13: 7 p.m.

New York Chamber Ensemble




and $15 Students

Featuring Artistic Director Eliot Bailen, cello,

and Susan Rothholz, flute, the New York

Chamber Ensemble presents selections

from the classical chamber music repertoire

performed by accomplished New York musicians.

Friday, June 14: 12:30 p.m.

Midday Music & More

Washington Inn, 801 Washington St.,

Cape May, N.J.

$60 admission

Enjoy an intimate classical music performance

over lunch at the historic Washington

Inn, presented by Friends of the Cape May

Music Festival, featuring Eliot Bailen, Susan

Rotholz and Jed Gaylin


Bay Atlantic Symphony




and $15 Students

Sensual sounds, contemporary rhythms

and harmonies from the Americas will fill

Sunday, June 9: 10 a.m.

Jazz Brunch at the Inn of Cape May

Inn of Cape May,

7 Ocean St., Cape May, N.J.

$55 adults, $50 Cape May MAC members

Savor a delicious jazz brunch at the historic

Inn of Cape May that celebrates the music of

The Great American Songbook and features

Saturday, June 15: 7 p.m.

BAILEN

Cape May Convention Hall, 714 Beach Ave.,

Cape May, N.J


and $15 Students

New York-based, indie-pop group BAILEN,


Where words fail, music speaks

Hans Christian Andersen


Cape May Music Festival


comprised of Julia Bailen on vocals and guitar,

David Bailen on vocals and drums and

Daniel Bailen on vocals and bass, returns to

the festival this year, bringing their power

trio of stellar musicianship and emotionallyricism

to Cape May Convention Hall.


New Jersey Symphony

Chamber Players


612 Franklin St., Cape May, N.J.


and $15 Students

New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players,

Eric Wyrick and Brennan Sweet on violin,

Brett Deubner on viola and Jonathan Spitz

on cello, perform a diverse string quartet

program featuring works by Florence Price,

Beethoven, George Walker and Jessie

Montgomery.

• Mendelssohn-Hebrides Overture

Mendelssohn-Violin Concerto

Qing Li, violin

• Mendelssohn-Symphony No. 4, Italian


Cape May Cabaret with

Erich Cawalla & the

Uptown Band Orchestra

Cape May Convention Hall,

714 Beach Ave., Cape May, N.J

$100 Admission (includes dinner & show)

Don’t miss this exciting evening of outstanding

big band music capped off with dinner

and dancing! Erich Cawalla returns with his

big band after a resounding Cape May debut

in 2023.

The Cape May Music

Festival is presented by

Cape May MAC with major

sponsorship from the New

Jersey State Council on the

Arts, a partner agency of

the National Endowment

for the Arts, along with

additional support from

generous businesses,

organizations and

individuals.


Bay Atlantic Symphony

Convention Hall, 714 Beach Ave.,

Cape May, N.J


and $15 Students

Incisive rhythms, happy harmonies, musical

musings and brilliant colors fill the air in

a program that highlights Felix Mendelssohn’s

most celebrated works. These iconic

pieces, though, trace a vast universe of

emotion and inspiration, even as they bear

Mendelssohn’s stunningly distinctive imprint.

Bay Atlantic Symphony and Cape May

favorite violinist Qing Li returns in an impassioned

take on the violin concerto.


Jill and Lee Bellarmino present Director & CEO Jody Alessandrine with their annual contribution

to the Cape May MAC Preservation Fund. The Bellarminos have been loyal donors to Cape May

MAC for several years.


‘THANK YOU’ NEWS

ANNUAL APPEAL DONATIONS

• $2,000 and up Donors: Lee & Jill Bellarmino,

Warren & Janet Coupland, Thomas &

Peg Curran, Sharon Kewish, Joan & Dane

Wells.

• $1,000-$1,999 Donors: Joan & Jack

Dempsey, Russell & Lora Jo Dickhart, Ronald

& Terry Diubaldi, Steven & Anne Docimo,

Stan & Peggy Gora, David & Eunice

King, Frank & Carol Kunkel, James Moffatt,

Paul & Kathleen Ragan, Catherine Rein, Eleanor

Roman, Marc & Lauren Shenfield,

Paul & Karen Sherbine.

• $500-$999 Donors: Daniel Barbera, Chris

Bezaire (Coldwell Banker, Sol Needles Real

Estate), Joe & Paul Bogle, Joseph & Eileen

Cassidy, Tom & Peg Curran, Joseph & Elizabeth

Garner, Roger Henry, Eileen Kirk,

Nancy Lofredo, Carlos & Nancy Moreira,

Stephen & Sandy Sheller.

• $250-$499 Donors: Donna Benton, Jon &

Daphne Fleck, Martyn & Grete Greenacre,

Victor Keen & Jeanne Ruddy Keen, Janet

Kerney, John & Ann Kosco, Charles & Ellen

Mansueto, Henry & Carol Mauermeyer, Bill

& Mina Parker, George & Carole Sick, Donald

& Christiane Wiscott (Roseman’s Marina).

• $100-$249 Donors: Jody & Cheryl Alessandrine,

Charles Antinori, Thomas & Barbara

Atherton, Laura Benevento, Daniel Bosin,

Dale Buralli & Joanne Bernardi, John & Lisa

Boecker, Gerard & Phyllis Brew, Martin &

Valerie Carlin, John & Geraldine Carroll, Paul

& Margaret Comelin, Raymond & Maryann

Czajkowski, Stephan & Paulette De la Veaux,

Frank & Ellen DeRose, Rosalie DiBianca, Wister

Dougherty, Christofer Dubois, Thomas &

Elizabeth Dupree, Kenneth & Nancy Durkin,

Charles Eck & Clare Sapienza-Eck, Kathleen

Emerson, Patricia Everett, Robert & Kathleen

Familetti, Fred & Rosemary Fellmeth, Kevin

& Kelly Ferguson, William Flounders & Alice

Wyland, Ron Frech, Joseph Freiert, William

& Adrienne Gallagher, Peg Gillies, Debra

Glessner, Robert & Rosemary Gorgone,

Michel Gras (Chez Michel), Susan Greene,

Robert & Gina Greenwood, Paul Grena,

R. J. Scott Griffith, Alex & Mary Elizabeth

Hager, Ted & Kim Heininger, William & Eva

Elisabeth Hohman, Scott & Nancy Holland,

Bob & Carole Irwin, Raymond & Cheryl

Jablow, Sherry Kejzman, Jeanne Kelly, Kevin

& Debby Kilkenny, Stephen & Linda Kimler,

John & Nancy Klos, Bob & Jayne Lester, Alphonse

& Martha Maffeo, Joan Maguire,

Marianist Family Retreat Center, Anthony

Marino, Lynn Martenstein & Jorg Pawlik, Peter

& Carol Mastrola, Glenn & Patricia Matis,

Franco & Diane Meza, Arthur & Diana Miller,

Wayne & Joyce Monsees, Eric Muck, Howard

& Barbara Neilson, Nancy O’Hanlon,

John & Jennifer Ochman, William Paladini,

Matt & Christine Palmer, Lou & Aurora Paradise,

Theodore & Virginia Passon, Scott &

Deborah Pearson, Periwinkle Inn, Tom &

Maria Quigg, Nancy Boyd Ray & Edward

Crutchfield, Lisa Rebert, Susan Reilly, Linda

Riccio, Annie Roberts, Christopher & Carol

Saracco, Michael & Theresa Schmal, Thomas

& Carolyn Schwartz, Navneet Sharma, Siracusa-Kaufmann

Insurance Agency, George

Smith, James & Brenda Sonzogni, Barbara

Sorensen & Robert Tackett, Mary Swartz,

Shawn & Kelly Taylor, Meg Terry, Russell &

Bridget Tibbetts, Brian & Laura Tousignant,

Christopher & Rosanne Traficante, Dan &

Jane Valdes-Dapena, Joy Wadleigh & Richard

Hudson, Allan & Janet Weierbach, Jack

& Arlette Wright.

• Under $100 Donors: Charles Adamson,

Jim Allax, Clara Jane Amodei, Lou & Bernadette

Barth, Bernard & Mary Bernacki, Nancy

Benz, Stefanie & Bill Bodine, Nancy Burton,

Carla Capizzi, Joseph & Marianne Catagnus,

Cyndy Cesena & Robert Gerlough, Mark &

Linda Clemente, William Conte & Ken Whitworth,

Bruce & Robin Corini, Gary D’Atrio &

Nancy Tucker-D’Atrio, Joseph & Pamela Decato,

Elizabeth Feeney, William & Margaret

Flanagan, Lee & Carol Fredericks William &

Anne George, Howard Gibb, Nancy Gibson,

Trudi Hathaway, Donald & Margaret

Helmstetter, Jean Hill, Elizabeth Hobdell,

Scott & Nancy Holland, Julian & Kate Jiggins,

Rick & Janet Koester, Deborah Kops,

Harry & Lynda Leaming, Patricia Lee, Dante

Liberti, Bruce Madden, Eugene & Maria

Mancuso, Giuseppina Marinucci, Charles &

Gail Markley, Frank & Jeanne Marie McCall,

Martha McCormick, Elaine McDonnell, Robert

McLaughlin, Tom & Ellen Measday, John

& Patricia Meisenhalder, Kyle Anne Midkiff,

Bill & Mary Anne Mistick, MaryAnn Mosso,

John & Patricia Murray, Joe & Diane Nadolski,

Gordon & Mary Ann Nienburg, Alyce

Parker, Barbara Parker & Thomas Andaloro,

Jeffrey Pierson, Anthony & Eileen Raguseo,

Richard & Beatrice Reinacher, Richard Renza,

Jean Richardson, Richard & Joan Rojek,

Elaine Rottger, Joseph & Maria Sammartino,

Peter & Joann Sanso, Jeanne Shelley, Deborah

Stingis, Robert & Diane Suchowierski,

Uri & Marlena Taenzer, Frank Thomson, Ed

Unger & Dawn Gambino, Dennis Urffer,

Robert & Jean Vander Vliet, Martha Waite,

Frank Wilson, Sharon Wyatt, John & Joan

Yetzer, Marvin & Lee Zektzer, Peggy & Ray

Zemaitaitis, Edward & Cindy Zeuner, Thomas

& Susan Zug.

(CONTINUED ON PAGE16)


Mary Stewart makes a presentation about the History of the Christmas Tree to a class at the

Margaret Mace School in Wildwood on Dec. 22.



(CONTINUED FROM PAGE13)

LESSONS OF HISTORY FUND

DONATIONS

• $1,000-$1,999 Donors: Joan & Jack

Dempsey, Richard & Susan Foxx, Catherine

Rein.

• $500-$999 Donors: William & Tina Angstadt.

• $250-$499 Donors: David & Barbara

Schindler.

PHYSICK HOUSE

HVAC PROJECT DONORS

• $2,000 and up Donors: Fins Bar & Grill

(Jeff Gernitis), Jeannie & Jim Morris.

• $1,000-$1,999 Donors: John & Jennifer

Zambri.

• $500-$999 Donors: Craig & Gail Fitz.

• $250-$499 Donors: Paul & Shivaun Celano.

• $100-$249 Donors: Roy & Ruth Brader,

Thomas & Elizabeth Dupree, Leigh & Carol

Johnson, Linda & Maria Kastner, Peter &

Kathy Manzetti, Benedict & Diane Martorana,

Chris Stafford.

• Under $100 Donors: Debra Bradley, Maria

Cowan, Kevin & Alicia Kapp, Margaret

Lonzetta, Carol Petters, Robert Stewart &

Barbara Barnett-Stewart, Sanford & Mary

Stewart.

CAPE MAY MUSIC FESTIVAL DONORS

Quartet Sponsor ($500 - $999): William &

Tina Angstadt.

LESSONS OF HISTORY:

The War Comes Home to America:

U-boats off the Mid-Atlantic

Cape May MAC’s annual Lessons

of History Distinguished Lecture Series

brings renowned speakers to Cape May to

offer illuminating insights within their respective

fields. In this 12th year, Cape May

MAC welcomes Dr. Craig L. Symonds to

Cape May Convention Hall, Sunday, Oct.

13 at 5 p.m. to present “The War Comes

Home to America: U-boats off the Mid-

Atlantic.” German U-boats made the mid-

Atlantic one of the most dangerous places

on earth in the first few months of 1942.

The carnage they inflicted was out of proportion

to their numbers and ships went

down all along the coast from New York

to Florida. How the United States dealt

with this menace is one of the great stories

of naval and U.S. history. Dr. Symonds

taught history at the U.S. Naval Academy

for 30 years and has earned numerous

awards for his teaching and research. He

is the author of 17 books translated into six

languages and holds the Naval Historical

Foundation Dudley Knox medal for lifetime

achievement and the Pritzker Military

Museum and Library Pritzker Prize for

DR. CRAIG L. SYMONDS

Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing.

Tickets are limited. CLICK HERE for more

information and to reserve your tickets.

Musician’s Circle (Under $100): John &

Cheryl Gulish.

MAJOR DONATIONS

• David R. & Patricia D. Atkinson Foundation,

for a $15,000 donation.

• Philippa Campbell, for a $2,500 donation

to the Physick Estate.

• Exelon, for a $2,000 donation for the

Light Up Cape May contest, co-sponsored

with the Chamber of Commerce of Greater

Cape May.

• Elizabeth Fey, for a donation of $500 to

Operations.

• Jay Kloosterboer and Barbara Zicari, for a

$500 donation to Operations.

• Becky Kriebel, for a $600 donation to Operations.

• Jacob & Amanda Pashelinsky, for a $2,500

donation to Operations.

• Sturdy Savings Bank, for a $2500 donation

to the Physick Estate to assist with the

HVAC.

DONATIONS

• Bob Bailey, for a $25 donation to operations.

• Sally Brice-O’Hara, for a $100 donation to

the Cape May Lighthouse.

• Frank & Tracy Burns, for a $50 donation to

Operations.

• Lynne Cutler, for a $50 donation to Operations.

• Maura Daddario, for a $20 donation to

the Cape May Lighthouse in memory of

Don Daddario.

• Joseph & Mary Emanuelli, for a $90 donation.

• Donna Fisher, for a $96 donation.

• Daniel Gross, for a $50 donation to Operations.

• John & Cheryl Gulish, for a $75 donation

to Lunch & Learn.

• Dennis Johnson, for a $250 donation to

Operations.

• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, for a

matching gift of $250 generated by Daniel

Gross.

• Marcie Karlins, for a $15 donation to the

Cape May Lighthouse in honor of Stephen

& Pamela Karlins.

• Lisa Mcnamara, for a $50 donation to the

Cape May Lighthouse in honor of Jessika’s

50th birthday.

• Henry & Carol Mauermeyer, for a monthly

gift of $25 to the Preservation Fund.



• Gerald Michalowski, for a $96 donation.

• MaryAnn Mosso, for a $100 donation to

the annual appeal in memory of US Navy

Veteran Gus Mosso.

• Anthony Noonan, for a $50 donation to

the Preservation Fund in honor of Michelle

Noonan.

• Cathy Pagliuca, for a $10 donation to Operations.

• Colette Perri, for a $100 donation to Operations.

• Joseph Reilly, for a $25 donation in honor

of Dory Coe.

• Bruce & Jane Ryan, for a $200 donation to

Operations.

• Mallory Stetter (Mallory’s Eats), for a $80

donation to operations.

• Mike & Debbie Stingis, for a $50 donation

to the Cape May Lighthouse in memory of

Andy Stingis.

• Bennett Werner, for a $200 donation to

the Cape May Lighthouse in memory of David

Rutherford.

• James & Marlo Vandegrift, for a $100 donation

to the Cape May Lighthouse, and a

$100 donation to the Cape May MAC Preservation

Fund.

Christmas Candlelight House Tour Property

Owners who donated their cleaning fees

back to Cape May MAC: The Abbey (Jacob

& Amanda Pashelinsky), The Bedford Inn

(Paula Murray), Cape May Stage (Roy Steinberg),

Cape May United Methodist Church

(Pastor HeyYoung Horton), William & Karen

Kurtz, The Mason Cottage (Kim Gilbert), The

Queen Victoria Bed & Breakfast (Jamie Harvey).

Ticket Buyers who added a donation when

purchasing tickets: Noreen Allen, John Altadonna,

Michael Amato, Maureen Anderson,

Edward Andrescavage, Donna Antonowicz,

Ashley Archambo, Francis Bagliani, Sean Bailey,

Justine Barrett, Linda Bartsch, Thomas

Basile, Holly Battiste, Janet Bennett, Nancy

Benz, Margaret Bertulis, Bernie Bittner, Garett

Blake, Rob Blaker, Sharon Boyer, Carol

Braker, Mrs. Debra Broskoskie, Heather

Brown, Susan Bruett, Donna Buono, Susan

Burns, Mary Frances Bushong, George Butler,

April Calise, Michele Camerota, Kathleen

Canum, Robyn Carrone, Lisa Catena, Sandra

Cavallo, Jon Caveman, Nancy Ciano, Paula

Clark, Jennifer Cory, Christine Cosenza, Leslie

Cosgrove, Kristen Coyne, Jeff Crompton,

Joanie Croskey, Kathleen Cryan, Barbara

Dale, Kyle Damico, Robert Davidheiser, Kim

Davis, Susan Degeorge, Lisa Delaurentis,


Cape May County Travel & Tourism’s Director Diane Wieland and Marketing Director Debbie

Bass are Cape May MAC Honor Awardees for 2023. Shown here, Wieland accepts the award from

Director and CEO Jody Alessandrine during MAC’s Annual Meeting on Nov. 9.

Rhonda Dinapoli, Leonard Dipisa, Joseph

Discienza, Mike Divito, Joseph Donnelly, Joanna

Doran-Paley, Natalie Ducharme, Deborah

Duffy, Genevieve Dwyer, Valerie Echavarria,

Susan Esquer, Brian Falconer & Virgina

Lamb Falconer Christina Fargo, Wendy

Faries-loney, Thomas Felz, Lorin Ferrante,

David Fielder, Eileen Fitzpatrick, Anthony

Forte, Vincent Fracchiolla, Angelina Fricke,

Kevin Gallucci, Christine Ganz, Camelia Ganea,

Nicole Gannon, Mark Garcia, Sophia

Garrahan, Scott Gauser, Lisa Gleason, Jill

Gorman, Kathy Guerin, Megan Gutierrez,

Patricia Hall, Pamela Hanrahan, Katie Hare,

Maureen Harrison, Barbara Hatch, Dawn

Held, Tyler Higgins, Elizabeth Hochreiter,

Thomas Hrabal, John Hughes, Karen Hyatt,

Kelly Jabour, Lara Jackson, Robert Jastrzebski,

Kristin Johnston, Walter Jones, Christine

Kang, Mr. Daniel Keating, Brad Kellmyer,

Carrie Kening, Kathleen Killion, Tara Kirchner,

Tracey Kontor, Renee Kopyta, Christa

Koth, Elizabeth Krieg, Stephanie Kruse, Leroy

Kucheruck, Angela Lafrance, Valerie

Landell, Jeanine Leichtnam, Iwona Leja,

Robert Lewandowski, Estrella Lirio, Donna

Little, Janet Lucignano, Scott Macdonald,

Joanne Madsen, Patricia Magee, Karen Majek,

Jeffrey Marino, Robert Marootian, Bonnie

Martin, Liliana Martire, Nora Maxwell,

Daniel & Andrea McCabe, Mare Mccafferty,

James Mccrohan, Rob Mcdowell, Brian

Mcgarrity, Doug Mcgough, Christina Mcgowan,

Susan Mcgowan, Mary Mckeever,

Adrienne Mckelvey, John Mckenna, Robert

Mcmahon, Lisa Meola, Maureen Miles, Amy

Miller, Ellen Mone, Mary Kay Montague, Erin

Montellione, Adam Moser, Lauren Musarra,

Carolyn Muzyka, Melissa Myers, Barbara

Neilson, Jeffrey Nicholls, Diane Nordquist,

Jessica Nyitray Tofil, Ann Marie Oconnell,

Leakey Oduol, Terry Ohanlon, Dina Orr,

Elizabeth Orsino, Audrey Papa, Robert Peacock,

Maureen Pedersen, Amelia Piermani,

Mary Planthaber, Marianne Plucienik, Caren

Pohts, Dennis Polini, Nancy Rader, Carol Reduce,

Christine Reinwald, Judith Rhoads,

Shannon Rice, Victoria Rosenberg, Michael

Rosenblum, Debra Ross, Joan Ross, Kathy

Ross, Jeanne Santucci, Clare Sapienza-eck,

Nancy Sceia, Theresa Schuck, Elizabeth Schurr,

Sheila Schuck, Michelle Serrano-Adorno,

Lynne Seborowski, Holly Shorey, Kathleen

Sifer, Anthony Simeone, Jason Simons,

Susan Smith, Deborah Snyder, Joyce Snyder,

Brian Speziali, Lisa Stofko, Jean Streeter,

Brenda Steffens, Larry Stelck, Jaime Sullivan,

Richard Svrchek, Sandra Swope, Beatrice

Sykes, Rachael Tenner, Nancy Thornton,

Michele Tiedemann, Mary Tierney, Robin

Tilton, Laura Todd, Christine Tomes, Nicole

(CONTINUED ON PAGE16)


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE15)

Tomko, Liz Torres, Symme Trachtenberg,

Mary Tramo, Seth Vaders, Stacey Vanhorn,

Cristina Vendra, Jacquelyn Vent, Carol Verrone,

Susannah Vetter, Ann Viscomi, Terry

Walsh, Mary Elizabeth Ward, Donna Webb

Higgins, Elfriede Weiss-Paquette, Andy

Whitcomb, Carolyn Wildman, Kenneth

Witek, Betsy Wolfe, Michael Wood, Randy

Wood, Jim Yingst, Chrissy Yoder, Janice

Young, Carol Zambelli.

ASSISTANCE

• Cape May Lutheran Church, for the use

of the church hall for meetings and Lunch &

Learn programs.

• Cathy Baldacchini and Susan Krysiak, for

assisting with the marketing table at the Fins

Sunday Social.

• Jean Barraclough, for assisting with the

installation of the Old-Fashioned Christmas

Exhibit in the Carroll Gallery.

• Jill Bellarmino, for her help in Cape May

MAC’s Museum Division.

• Center for Community Arts (David Mackenzie),

for providing photos for “Line in the

Sand: Segregated Beaches in Cape May and

Atlantic City” exhibit in the Carroll Gallery.


• Chanelle René, for help in planning and

hanging Cape May MAC’s winter exhibit.

• Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation

(Henrietta Shelton), for providing photos

for “Line in the Sand: Segregated Beaches

in Cape May and Atlantic City” exhibit in

the Carroll Gallery.

• Janet Coupland, for her help with the

Cape May MAC archiving project.

• Teri Hislop, for providing a Lunch & Learn

program on the Lenni Lenape.

• Mal & Dottie Knapp, for presenting a

program on Gilbert & Sullivan for the Blind

Center of the Jersey Cape and again for

Lunch & Learn.

• Kathy Morais, for help with brochure and

poster distribution.

• Lou Paradise, for providing a Lunch &

Learn program on the 100th anniversary of

the Cape May Kiwanis Club.

VOLUNTEERS

Brunch & Bingo at Inn of Cape May Volunteer:

Sue Currie.


Shown here Cape May MAC Guide Rosalee Gallagher gives a presentation on the History of the

Christmas Tree Nov. 28 to a group tour over dinner at the Lobster House Restaurant.

Christmas Candlelight House Tour Participating

Properties: 25 Ocean St. & 29 Ocean

St. (Aaron Sackstein), 721 Franklin St. (Patricia

Ternove), The Abbey (Jacob & Amanda

Pashelinksy), The Angel of the Sea (Theresa

Stanton), Bedford Inn (Paula Murray), Buttonwood

Manor (Lauren Cavallo & Ross

Hammer), Cape Island Baptist Church (Reverend

Michael Goldade), Cape May Fire

Station, Cape May United Methodist Church

(Pastor HeyYoung Horton), Cape May Presbyterian

Church (Pastor Nicole Wilkinson),

Cape May Stage (Roy Steinberg), The Colonial

House Museum (Harry Bellangy), The

Dormer House (Bob Mullock), The Episcopal

Church of the Advent (Rev. Alan Leonard),

The Firefighter’s Hall History Museum,

Franklin’s Key (Maria & Andrew Bonner), The

Inn at the Park (Susan & Carl Spatacco), The

Judson Bennett House (Anna & Mike Dedominicis),

The Kiwanis Club of Cape May (Jack

Killeen), The Kurtz Residence (Karen & Yogi

Kurtz), The Mainstay (Esther & Peter Scalone),

The Montreal Beach Resort (Dan Alecia), The

Mason Cottage (Kimberly Gilbert), Our Lady

Star of the Sea Church (Rev. John Dolan),

The Queen Victoria (Jamie Harvey), The Wilbraham

Mansion (Doug Carnes).

Christmas Candlelight House Tours Volunteers:

Janice Ablett, Cheryl & Jody Alessandrine,

Pixie Angelo, Tina Angstadt, Cathy

Baldacchini, Lorraine & Pete Baldwin, Jean

Barraclough, Mel Bateman, Nancy Battagliese,

Fred Bianco, Bill Brown, Patricia

Brown, Mary Burke, Janice Corkery, Janet

Coupland, Barbara Cummings, William

& Sue Currie, Jim Del Grosso, Jane Donnelly,

Lori Dribbon, Chris DuBois, Jane Foran,

Christina & George Fore, Mary Fox,

Hope Gaines, Kathy Genzoli, Trudy Gilfillian,

Lynne Glasser, Peggy Gora, Roe Gorgone,

Pam Hagan, Kurt Hague, Karen &

Kevin Hammeran, Victoria Heimall, Richard

Hudson, Amber Irons, Kimberley & William

Ivins, Kathleen Janits, Megan Kately, Charles

Kealy, William King, Susan Krysiak, Gloria

Kucher, Kimberley Lauton, Anna Leeper,

Parker Lengle, Nora Macaluso, Debbie &

Joe Mammarella, Richard Mayer, Vicki Mc-

Bride, Jennie McCaney, Diane Meza, Franco

Meza, Kathy Morais, Melissa Motz, Tricia Nolfi,

Elaine Ottaviano, Therese Porzio-Kwiecinski,

Julianna Richardson, Frank Scott, Mary

Stewart, Donna Szemcsak, Carole Ulmer,

Joy Wadleigh, Susan Wiggins, Lisa Xavier,

Jim Yingst.


Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Volunteers:

Bill Angstadt, Tina Angstadt, Cathy

Baldacchini, Jean Barraclough, Mel Bateman,

Susan Bronzina, Mary Burke, Roe &

Bob Gorgone, Carole & Robert Irwin, Dagmar

Jelincic, Megan Kately, Anna Leeper,

Ben Ridings.

Crafts & Collectibles by the Sea Volunteers:

Cathy Baldacchini, Mel Bateman, Carol Ulmer.

DEAI Team Volunteers: Janet Coupland,

Wanda Wise Evelyn, Quanette Vassar Mc-

Neal, Janis White.

Exhibit Planning Team: Tom Carroll,

Chanelle René, Janet Coupland.

Fall Crafts & Collectibles Volunteers: Kimberly

Ivans, Tricia Nolfi, Sue Wiggins.


Halloween Crafts & Collectibles Volunteers:

Ean Oerstle, Carole Sick, RuthAnne Stewart.

Halloween Trick or Treating Volunteers: Ellen

DeRose, Lori Dribbon, Lisa Mraw, Bev

Parada, Gladys Richards.

Holiday Inns Tour Participating Properties:

721 Franklin St. (Patricia Ternove), Bedford

Inn (Paula Murray), Buttonwood Manor

(Lauren Cavallo & Ross Hammer), Cape May

Stage (Roy Steinberg), The Colonial House

(Harry Bellangy), The Duke of Windsor (Clara

Ziman), The Queen Victoria (Jamie Harvey).

Holiday Inns Tour Volunteers: Joan Bauer,

Susan Beal, Barbara Bonner, Carla Colson,

Sue & William Currie, Jim Del Grosso, Chris

DuBois, Jean Erickson, Susan Esposito,

Donna Flegal, Kelly Gray, Jean Grazel, Scott

Griffith, Alice Haber, Alexander & Mary Beth

Hager, Victoria Heimall, Richard Hudson,

Megan Kately, Anna Leeper, Eliza Lotozo,

George Macaluso, Joe Mammarella, Peter

Manzetti, Emma Jane Maurer, Richard Mayer,

Diane Meza, Kathy Morais, Steven Olszewski,

Elaine Ottaviano, Joan Ryan, Donna

Szemcsak, Joy Wadleigh, Anne Walsh, Susan

Wiggins, Deb Yamashita.


Nov. 26 was Museum Store Sunday and Director of Retail Operations Sharon Falkowski scheduled

events to celebrate the day, including book signings. Shown here, author Mary Anne Castagnetta

with husband Eddie welcomes visitors to the Carriage House Museum Shop. She signed her

book, “I Love Cape May.”

Lamplighter Christmas Tour Participating

Properties: 1023 Washington Street (Richard

Hudson & Joy Wadleigh), 25 Ocean Street

& 29 Ocean Street (Aaron Sackstein), Bedford

Inn (Paula Murray), Buttonwood Manor

(Lauren Cavallo & Ross Hammer), Casablanca

(Andrew Bares & Kelly Lavorgna), The Colonial

House (Harry Bellangy), The Dormer

House (Bob Mullock), The Lovely Lorelei

(Lori & Steve Lazan), The Queen Victoria (Jamie

Harvey).

Lamplighter Christmas Tour Volunteers:

Carla Colson, William Currie, Jim Del Grosso,

Chris DuBois, Jocelyn Duquette, Jane

Foran, Hope Gaines, Lynne Glasser, Scott

Griffith, Alice Haber, Karen & Kevin Hammeran,

Parker Lengle, Peter Manzetti, Diane

Meza, Kathy Morais, Therese Porzio-Kwiecinski,

Julianna Richardson, Lillian Rozin,

Joan Ryan, Carole Ulmer.

Lessons of History Team Volunteers: Tom

Carroll, Vince Degiamo, Joan Dempsey, David

King, Mary McKenney, Chris Traficante.

Membership Mailing Volunteers: Kathy

Genzoli, RuthAnne Stewart.

Old-Fashioned Christmas Exhibit Volunteers:

Mathew & Reese Barraclough, Roe

& Bob Gorgone, Eunice Hudzik, Dagmar

Jelincic, Sherlyn Rosado.

Physick House Decorating Volunteers:

Joyce Barth, Jill Bellarmino, Kathleen Familetti,

Rosalie Gallagher, Kathy Genzoli, Peggy

Gora, Carol Hartman, Ken Hornbeck,

Yvonne Kuemmerle, Barbara Lamont, Christy

Mobiles, Gerry Ridings, Harry Schmidt,

Kathleen Sjoland.

Physick Estate Grounds Crew Volunteers:

Tom Carroll, Walt Gabriel, Roe & Robert

Gorgone, Carol Lindsay, Steven Ward, Deb

Yamashita.

Trolley Maintenance Volunteers: Joe Mammarella,

Mark Nathan, Deb Yamashita.


Overhaul


Wall coverings likewise lose their ability to

remain adhered to wall and ceiling surfaces.

During the summer months humidity

levels sometimes rise close to 100 percent

during thunderstorms and when the wind is

blowing off the bay to the west. In addition,

to the expansion and contraction of historic

materials the high levels of humidity provide

conditions for destructive mold blooms in

papers, fabrics, and floor coverings.

The 1879 Emlen Physick House in Cape

May houses a significant collection of

period furnishings, window treatments,

and period interior finishes— 6,000 objet

d’art in total. The house interior exemplifies

extensive wood millwork reflective of the

original Frank Furness architecture and

later Physick interior changes to reflect

changing styles through 1890. Despite the

importance of this historic fabric the house

lacks control of the interior environment

beyond basic heating during the winter

months and window air conditioning units

in the summer.

Recent Happenings


Store Sunday on Nov. 26, when we joined

more than 2,100 museum stores worldwide

to provide a special shopping experience.

Local authors were in the Carriage House

Shop and at the Lighthouse Museum Shop

to autograph their books. Joanne Infante,

whose handmade fabric ornaments are

available in our shop, was on hand to demonstrate

her work, and shoppers had the

chance to win a $75 gift card.

We had Christmas tours and activities

every day and every night, save for Thanksgiving

and Christmas Day. There was truly

something for everyone on the calendar.

The most popular of our offerings was The

Holiday Lights Trolley Ride, with nearly

6,200 riders in our six-week holiday season.

This year was the 50th anniversary of

our Christmas Candlelight House Tours and

nearly 5,000 people agreed with us that this

is the most festive tour to be had. Not to be

ignored, our Cape May Lighthouse Keepers

entertained more than 2,500 visitors

during the holiday season. We can’t thank

our partners in all these endeavors enough

- the homeowners, the innkeepers, the

restaurants and hotels, and the volunteers

- without whom very little of this would be

possible.

There’s not much downtime between

our Holiday and Winter exhibits. As soon

“Cape May MAC has long recognized this

limitation and the damage from constantly

changing temperature and humidity

fluctuations is visibly evident in the building

fabric and furnishings, exacerbated by the

salt air here at the seaside,” said Director and

CEO Jody Alessandrine.

At least two previous efforts to develop

responsible solutions to this situation failed

due to the magnitude of the installation cost

and visible intrusions. In 2021, MAC obtained

NJHT funding to reconsider system options

using newer equipment technology and

space on the previously vacated third floor.

The resulting Environmental Conditioning

feasibility study completed by HMR

Architects, and the engineering firm Bruce

E. Brooks & Associates, outlined a new

hybrid approach using a centrally controlled

system of VRF heat pumps, the existing

warm air system, and humidity stabilization

equipment. This approach eliminated

the need for extensive new ductwork

installations and the associated cutting and

patching of the historic building fabric.

as holiday programming ended, the Carroll

Gallery became a beehive of activity.

The Old-fashioned Christmas exhibit was

painstakingly dismantled, all those Dickens

Villages houses and figures were packed in

Styrofoam, into their protective boxes and

then into plastic hampers (42 of them!) and

safely stowed away until next year, along

with several crates of ornaments and lights.

The tree came down, bough by bough,

and Mike Millison and his maintenance

crew carefully dismantled the platform and

readied the gallery for the next exhibit. This

all happened in the space of three or four

days. Once the gallery was clear, our exhibit

designer Steven Olszewski began the installation

of “Line in the Sand: Segregated

Beaches in Cape May and Atlantic City.”

With Hope Gaines as curator, we worked

with both the Center for Community Arts

(CCA) and Chicken Bone Beach Historical

Foundation this year. The collaboration

gave us access to rare historic photos from

both beaches. The accompanying narrative

was drawn largely from CCA’s book

“Black Voices of Cape May.” This year we

also worked with local artist Chanelle René

who created several large colorful paintings

for the exhibit, drawing from her own family’s

photos. A well-attended opening was

celebrated on Martin Luther King Day. This

“We are gratified and pleased that

the project is coming to fruition,” said

Alessandrine. “We are proceeding with

a sound plan that will deliver a safe and

efficient system to help make our tours

more comfortable and safe for visitors

and staff and help preserve the house for

generations to come.”

The capital phases of the HVAC and

the fire suppression projects are now

beginning. Work has already been

completed this month to install historically

and architecturally customized storm

windows on all the 1879 mansion’s windows.

Installation of mechanicals will begin soon.

Both projects combined exceed $1million.

Cape May MAC’s New Jersey Historic Trust

grant is for five years for the HVAC portion

to be completed. Grant match fund-raising

efforts continue.

Would you like to support this project

specifically by donating to our matching

fund? Every gift is needed and appreciated!

CLICK HERE.

-- SK

is a “don’t-miss exhibit,” documenting how

people of color enjoyed their time at these

beaches, despite the harsh racial divide of

Jim Crow. It’s open weekends through February

and weekdays, too, starting March 1.

We offered two Lunch & Learn programs

in December: a fascinating history of

Our Lady Star of the Sea Church presented

by Mary Stewart. Founded as a mission parish

in 1848, the “church on the Mall” celebrated

its 175th anniversary in 2023. Next up

was Brenda Leonard’s presentation on the

modern Christmas Carol, that included 20th

and 21st century works. We picked right

up on Jan. 3, with a program on the Lenni

Lenape nation provided by Teri Hislop, a

member of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania.

Teri was followed on Jan. 17 by Lou

Paradise who spoke of the Kiwanis Club

of Cape May, celebrating its 100th year of

service in 2024. Attendance both live and

on Zoom has been strong and the schedule

is set through the end of the year. We

also visited the Avalon History Center in

November with a program on the History

of Thanksgiving and Margaret Mace School

in December with a program on Victorian

Christmas Traditions followed by a workshop

to make ornaments. We also continued

our monthly visits to the Blind Center of

the Jersey Cape and Victorian Towers.

-- MES


Cape May MAC's Winter 2024 NewsLetter

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