2014 08 - Township of Ocean Historical Museum Newsletter

Ocean’s Heritage, Summer 2014

85 people--80 of whom were crew members! Panicked passenagers, who had received no lifesaving instruction, jumped into the sea. Nearby ships sped to pick up survivors.

Local heroes)URP� VKRUH�� ORFDO� ÀVKHUPHQ� DQG� ERDW�

RZQHUV�GHÀHG� WKH� VWRUP� WR� MRLQ� WKH� UHVFXH��$PEXODQFH� FUHZV�� SROLFH�� DQG� ÀUH� GHSDUW-ments (including Ocean Township’s) rushed to the scene. Local lifeguards pulled corpses and survivors from the water.� � ,Q� WKH� ÀQDO�toll, 412 were saved, 137 died.

Rescue of a different sort By early afternoon, the Coast Guard cutter

Tampa had begun towing the Morro Castle to SRUW��,Q�D�ÀQDO�WZLVW�RI�DQ�LOO�IDWHG�MRXUQH\��WKH�towline snapped, leaving the ship adrift and headed for shore. Its dramatic landing brought QRWLFH�WR�$VEXU\��7HQV�RI�WKRXVDQGV�ÁRFNHG�WR�see the wreck, which sat off the beach for six months. Merchants dealing with Depression Era downturns and a city burdened by debt realized an economic boon. The story of the 0RUUR�&DVWOH�� DOUHDG\� D� VLJQLÀFDQW� FKDSWHU� RI�maritime history, became the stuff of local lore.

Join us September 7 to learn the full story. The exhibit will be up through the end of November.

On Saturday, September 8, 1934, the burning hulk of the disabled luxury liner Morro Castle broke free of its

towline and drifted dangerously near Con-vention Hall to run aground just yards off the Asbury Park beachfront. The tragedy (at the time the worst in U.S. merchant marine history) made national headlines. It turned local lifesavers into heroes and Asbury into a sightseeing mecca for the next six months.

Eighty years later (almost to the day), the Museum opens a mini-exhibit remembering the Morro Castle. The highlight of the Sep-tember 7 opening is Cheryl and Bob Miller’s GUDPDWL]DWLRQ� RI� D� UDGLR� LQWHUYLHZ� ZLWK� ÀF-tional Morro Castle survivor Ellen Van Brunt. Imagining a WCAP (“City of Asbury Park”) broadcast from Convention Hall, the Millers’ performance, scheduled for 1:30 and repeated at 3:00, brings events to life.

Bad weather, bad behavior, bad design$�FRQÁXHQFH�RI�PLVIRUWXQHV��DGGHG�XS�

to tragedy for the Morro Castle. The liner was on its 174th return trip from Havana to New York when its captain died mysteri-RXVO\��7KDW�VDPH�QLJKW��D�ÀUH�RI�VXVSLFLRXV�origin broke out on board. The acting cap-

Mini-exhibit opens at the Woolley House, Sunday, September 7

The Morro Castle tragedy remembered 80 years later

!e Eden Woolley House

tain delayed signaling for help, thinking DW�ÀUVW�KH�FRXOG�PDNH�LW� WR�1HZ�<RUN��$Q�RQFRPLQJ� 1RU·HDVWHU� IDQQHG� WKH� ÁDPHV��By 3 a.m. the ship--whose design and ma-WHULDOV�FRQWULEXWHG�WR�WKH�ÀUH·V�VSUHDG��ZDV�ablaze. They were six miles off Sea Girt. Launch of the lifeboats was hampered by ÀUH�� -XVW� �� PDGH� LW� WR� VKRUH�� FDUU\LQJ� RQO\�

&KHU\O� DQG� %RE� 0LOOHU� ÀUVW� SRUWUD\HG� ÀF-tional characters radio reporter Bob Norb-ertson and Morro Castle disaster survivor Ellen Van Brunt for Museum guests in 2009. In performances at 1:30 and 3:00, they reprise their roles for the exhibit opening.

Photo by Stevie Spector-Shutman

Opening“Remembering the 0RUUR�&DVWOHµ

Sunday, September 7

1 to 4'UDPDWL]DWLRQV�DW��DQG��

Our Town GalleryThe Eden Woolley House


The forecast was iffy, and the day threat-ened showers. But the skies cleared on Sun-GD\�� -XO\�� MXVW�DV��FKLOGUHQ�DQG�DGXOWV�arrived at the Eden Woolley House to cel-ebrate dolls.

Inside the Museum, displays of dolls DQG�WHGG\�EHDUV��ÀOOHG�WKH�JDOOHULHV��RQ�ORDQ�IURP� FROOHFWRUV� 6XH�0DF'RQDOG�� -XG\� +D-zelrigg, Mary Hill, Suzi Mathis, and Mari-on Vogler. Professional dollmaker Laura Tuzio-Ross of Philadelphia came and dis-played the lifelike works of art she sculpts

for collectors around the world. Our own Heather MacDonald, aka “Phoebe Woolley,” played tunes on a dulcimer, an early stringed instrument.

Outside under the tents, the children made lavender sachets, took part in a doll fashion show, listened to a story about the

Woolley Sisters (who lived in the Woolley House 170 years ago), VKRSSHG�DW�WKH�0XVHXP�6WRUH�IRU�KDQG�FUDIWHG�GROO�RXWÀWV��DQG�enjoyed a tasty tea party.

At the heart of all events at the Museum are the loyal volun-teers who make it possible. The Tea Committee, under the direc-tion of Marge Edelson, included Ginny Richmond, Eleanor Mil-ODU��-RDO�/HRQH��1DQF\�(PPRQV��$QQ0DULH�&DSSRQL��0DU\�+LOO��Brenda Wityk, and Heather MacDonald.

Assisting on site and in the kitchen were Gerri Applegate, -HDQQH� 5LEVDP�� -RDQ� :REVHU�� %DUEDUD� +XGVRQ�� 'LDQD� *HQWLOH��Penny Gabriel, Phyllis Fyfe, Lois Landis, Fran Wolak, Tammi Richmond, and Mary Ann McKean.

2XU� -XQLRU� 'RFHQWV� KHOSHG� FKLOGUHQ� ZLWK� WKHLU� FUDIWV� DQG�served the food for the party. They included: Sarah and Emily +D]HOULJJ��-DPLH�:DWW��6DUD�+DQGHUKDQ��.\OLH�5LFKPRQG��)LRQD�&RIÀQ��&ODXGLD�$ULDV��*UDFH�:HOOV��DQG�0RQLTXH�8FDOH�

2

The skies cleared just in time for a perfect American Doll Tea

-XQH�VSHDNHU�DQ�652�HYHQW

Family Stories Oral History ProjectAn opportunity to preserve and honor memories

AUFKLWHFW�)UDQN�7RPDLQR�ÀOOHG�WKH�DXGLWRULXP�-XQH�10 for his talk on local architecture, featuring some

of the area’s most interesting houses. His interaction with the standing-room-only audience produced fasci-nating stories of unusal homes. We’re looking for the gentleman who shared his story of moving a house in WKH�HDUO\��V�WR�:DQDPDVVD�IURP�WKH�$VEXU\�ERDUG-ZDON�ZKHUH�LW�KDG�EHHQ�UDIÁHG�RII��:H·G�OLNH�WR�WHOO�KLV�story in an upcoming newsletter. Let us know if you know him!

It was saving a set of oral history tapes that sparked the idea for our Museum 30 years ago. What better way to honor our

anniversary than a new oral history project, one that captures the stories that make up our family lore and maybe even enrich our understanding of Township history? The idea is to video Town-ship residents being interviewed by a family member--a grand-child asking a grandparent to recall times gone by, perhaps.

We’ve recruited a professional to help--Museum member Dallas Grove, host for more than a decade of the television inter-view program “Meet the Leaders.” Dallas is compiling a list of starter questions and will work with participants to coach them to produce an engaging interview, or even participate in the in-terview, if requested.

The interviews will take place by appointment in the Museum. The resulting DVDs go to the family--and with their permission --to the Museum archives. To cover our costs, we are suggesting a $25 donation.

We’d like to know if you are interested. Contact us to learn PRUH��RU�oceanmuseum.org.

American Doll Tea moments, left to right: Junior docent Sara Handerhan helps Janie Marcus and her mom Shani make a lavender sachet; the girls gather under the trees for a group photo; Isabella and Aliya Ross pose with their mom, artist Laura Tuzio-Ross, Mary Hill, and sister Gianna Ross.

Fashion show emcee Brenda Wityk in-terviews 3-year-old Pippa Hlatky.


Come join a pictorial tour of Mon-mouth County, 7:15 pm, Tuesday,

October 7 at the Oakhurst School au-ditorium (now the Board of Education RIÀFHV�� 0RQPRXWK�Road. Our guide is Ran-dall “Randy” Gabrielan, Monmouth County His-torian, 13-year Executive Director and now member of the Monmouth County Historical Commission, author of forty books on 1HZ�-HUVH\�DQG�1HZ�<RUN�KLVWRU\��UH-searcher, and lecturer.

For this, the next event in the Museum’s Speakers’ Series, Randy

Hal Wallis, famed Hollywood producer, was a family friend and frequent guest. Our party features a fantasy sequence with two of his most memorable stars --the charismatic Dean Martin and the very young Elvis! The fun ends with a nostalgic look back on life at Stucile Farm--and tasty refreshments for all.

Come shop the Museum Store, enjoy free refreshments, and spend a fun and interest-ing Sunday afternoon. The Ghost Walk is known to sell out. Call the Museum to make your reservation.

It’s become a Halloween season high-light: the Museum’s History Ghost Walk.

And on Sunday, October 19, once again spirits from the Township’s past “return” WR�ÀOO�XV�LQ�RQ�WLPHV�ORQJ�JRQH��7KLV�\HDU·V�ghosts tell tales of some of the Township’s most interesting residences and bring the Museum’s newest exhibit (“The History of Houses”) to life.

The actors portraying our ghosts in-clude talented amateurs (many students) and a few professionals. They have stud-ied the history they “channel” and deliver performances that both delight and in-form. Some are stationed along the out-side walk; others perform at a party inside.

Outside walkOutside, guests are guided along the

path east of the Woolley House to meet DQG� LQWHUDFW� ZLWK� WKH� ÀUVW� JURXS� RI� WKLV�year’s spirits. Here’s a sample:

��The young Woolley sisters, Eden’s daughters, “come back” to tell of grow-ing up in the Woolley House in 19th century Ocean Township.

��Thomas Potter, one of the Township’s founding fathers, materializes to talk DERXW�KLV�ÀUVW�́ KRPHµ�KHUH��D�FDYH�GXJ�into a stream bed in the 17th century!

3Make your reservations now for Sunday, October 19

Historian to speak on Monmouth County, past and present

The History Ghost Walk to bring the Museum’s latest exhibit to life

taps images and research from his latest book, Monmouth County Past and Present, to trace the evolution of the county from the early 20th century to today--and to

explore the forces behind the changes. In keeping with the Museum’s “History of Houses” exhibit, his talk highlights no-table Monmouth County historic KRPHV� DQG� FODULÀHV� WKH� GLVWLQF-tion between renovation/remod-eling and restoration/preserva-tion.

Monmouth County, Past and Present and other of Randy’s books will be available for sale at the presentation.

Speakers’ Series Event, October 7

Inside partyInside, Ghost Walk guests join a party

in the former Haupt family mansion (now the Library’s Terner Gallery). Here they get a glimpse of the glamorous lives of the ZHDOWK\�+DXSWV��RZQHUV�IURP��WR��of the 40-plus-acre Stucile Farm where the Museum, Township Library, and Human Resources building stand today.

The Haupts entertained the rich and famous of their day. Our ghosts bring imagined highlights of their parties to life.

HISTORY GHOST WALK

5:30, Sunday, October 19�5DLQ�'DWH�2FWREHU��

$7, adults, $5, children(Reservations encouraged.

Call the Museum 732-531-2136)

The Eden Woolley House groundsTerner Gallery, Ocean Library

Young Rosemary Ryan returns to her Victo-rian Playhouse on the Museum grounds to join the spirits in this year’s Ghost Walk.

Randy Gabrielan

The talk is open to the public, free of charge. Donations are appreciated. Refreshments are served. (We collect and welcome non-perish-able items for the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.)


The Eden Woolley House is in many ways our own version of the PBS perennial “This Old House.” We have our own set of challenges and surprises that come

with care of a wonderful, classy--and very old--building.

As any passerby will notice, the Woolley House is in need of painting. And it WXUQV�RXW� WKDW� WKLV� LV�QR�VWUDLJKWIRUZDUG�PDWWHU�� ,W� UHTXLUHV�D� FRQWUDFWRU�FHUWLÀHG� LQ�dealing with lead paint.

Here’s the good news. The Museum has received a $9, 500 grant from the 1772 Foundation to help pay for the project. The Foundation is a Connecticut-based trust that awards funds for exterior maintenance and restoration of historic sites. Our JUDQW� LV�DGPLQLVWHUHG� WKURXJK�WKH�1HZ�-HUVH\�+LVWRULF�7UXVW��:RUN�RQ� WKH�:RROOH\�House is tentatively scheduled to begin September 22.

Regulations prohibit using electric sanders. All prep work must be done by hand. Even at that, the exterior of the house must be wrapped in plastic while work takes place.

During this phase of the project, the Museum will be closed. As we go to press, we expect that to be the two weeks between September 22 and October 3. Please check the website oceanmuseum.org for updates.

The Museum’s new major exhibit, “The History of Houses and the Things WKDW�0DNH�7KHP�+RPH�µ�RSHQHG�LQ�WKH�5LFKPRQG�*DOOHU\��6XQGD\��-XQH��

0DQ\�RI�WKH�DSSUHFLDWLYH�ÀUVW�GD\�FURZG�VHHPHG�WR�VKDUH�VLPLOLDU�UHDFWLRQV��$V�one put it, “I’ve lived in houses all my life. I guess that would make me some-thing of an expert. But I learned things here that will change how I see my own home and neigborhood.” And that is precisely the point.

“This exhibit invites us to rethink the familiar,” exhibit director Peggy Del-linger explained. “It probes ‘why.’ Why do our houses look like they look on the inside and the outside? What was going on--politically, culturally, and techno-ORJLFDOO\��WKDW�VKDSHG�RXU�KRPHV�DQG�FRQWLQXHV�WR�LQÁXHQFH�KRZ�ZH�OLYH"µ

The exhibit answers these questions and more. Its collection of house mod-els, vintage household tools and gad-gets, and historic documents opens our eyes to what’s been before them all along. Stop in and see for yourself. The exhibit is in place through May 2015.

4

PresidentMessage from the Museum

7KLV� \HDU� ZH·YH� FHOHEUDWHG� VLJQLÀ-cant anniversaries for our state (350 years) and our Museum (30 years). But this year is also a milestone worth noting for the Township, incorporated ��\HDUV�DJR��,Q��WKH�VWDWH�OHJLV-lature divided Shrewsbury Township, creating the Township of Ocean from its eastern portion. The new munici-pality stretched along the coast from Sea Bright to Shark River and west to include Neptune, parts of Tinton Falls, Eatontown and Oceanport. Over the years, one by one, many of the com-munities it once encompassed seceded --the last Loch Arbour, in 1957.

The 11.1 square miles that make up Ocean Township today started out as farmland. From the beginning the Township had three distinct sections --Oakhurst, Wanamassa, and Wayside. In the 20th century, neighborhoods sprang up in Colonial Terrace, West Allenhurst, West Deal, Elberon Park and Shadow Lawn. The migration of families from the cities after World War II completed our transformation from farmland to suburb. $V�ZH�UHÁHFW�RQ�WRGD\·V�7RZQVKLS�RI�

Ocean, we thank the citizens who insist-ed on the purchase in 1972 of the 208-acre Deal Test Site and the addition of the 80-acre Library and Museum com-plex. These open spaces link to school grounds and the community pool to cre-ate a “green belt” across our Township. -XVW�DV�RXU�QHZ�H[KLELW�H[SORUHV�´7KH�

History of Houses and the Things that Make Them Home,” we honor our ��WK� \HDU� E\� UHÁHFWLQJ� RQ� WKH� WKLQJV�that make our town a community.

Paul Edelson

“History of Houses” now in Richmond Gallery

This old house

Museum Member Joyce Barrett and her granddaughters Catherine and

Caroline Moore on opening day.

Museum receives grant for exterior painting


W e always knew that the house where we grew up--in the Elberon Park section of Oakhurst--was special.

Ours was the house where everyone gathered. Where our mom held taffy pulls and each year hosted a maypole dance. :KHUH�LW�ZDV�RND\�WR�KDYH�VKDYLQJ�FUHDP�ÀJKWV��LQVLGH��´,W·V�only soap!”) Where Christmas was a magical season full-beyond-imagining of generous acts, family traditions, and celebration. Where at midnight every New Year’s Eve, we’d grab our accor-dions and kitchen pots to parade down the street greeting neighbors.

But it was just ten years ago that we learned that our house was special in yet another way. The much-loved Dutch Colonial of our childhood was built from a Sears and Roebuck house kit!

Great design, charming detailOur family lived in our Sears house

from 1942 to 1971. As we’ve learned since, it was built in the late 1920s from a kit that included pre-cut and numbered lumber, every piece of hardware and PLOOZRUN�QHHGHG��VWDLQV�DQG�YDUQLVKHV��ZLULQJ�� OLJKWLQJ�À[-tures, and the plumbing and heating plant--all ordered from a catalog and delivered by train. We hadn’t a clue!

7KH� VRSKLVWLFDWHG� ÁRRUSODQ� DQG� FKDUPLQJ� GHWDLOV� RI�the house gave no hint of their “pre-fab” origin. The living

room was separated from the music room by an arched opening, complete with columns. The music room, in turn, led through window-ÁDQNHG� )UHQFK� GRRUV�into a year-round sun porch. We had a full, for-mal dining room--and a

breakfast nook in the

5

I Remember . . .Growing up in a Sears house-kit home

Kathleen Hanlon and Sally Welch (the Carr sisters) grew up in Oakhurst with their brother Jim in one

of the nearly 100,000 houses nationwide built from kits sold by Sears between 1916 and 1933. The kits,

delivered by railroad box car, came complete with HYHU\WKLQJ needed to construct and equip a house.

kitchen with built-in benches and a china cabinet that held dishes used only for New Year’s Eve dinner! Upstairs were three bedrooms and a “sleeping porch,” a room we used as a bedroom, but (with its many windows) served the previous owner as an artist’s studio. Elegant details were everywhere:

a built in bookcase with leaded-glass doors, handsome sconces on either VLGH�RI�WKH�ÀUHSODFH��OLW�RQO\�RQ�+DO-loween), pocket doors into the din-ing room, and so much more.

Bygone ritualsLife in the house had an annu-

al rhythm. In spring, our dad and EURWKHU� -LP� OLIWHG� WKH� KHDY\� VWRUP�windows off their hinges and in-stalled wood-framed screens. Our mother replaced the drapes with summer sheers and the living room carpet with a grass rug. Slipcovers went on the furniture. At summer’s end, the ritual was reversed. Every

holiday has its own annual cycle of traditions--always includ-ing friends, family, and decorations.

Early on, we had an ice box--conveniently tucked in a nook by the back door, making it easy for the ice man to make his delivery. And even after the refrigerator replaced the ice box, the back door took deliveries. Deavers, the “traveling grocery store” pulled up weekly. If our mother was out, she’d leave her list and money on the table. When she returned, the FXSERDUGV�ZHUH�ÀOOHG�DQG�KHU�FKDQJH�ZDV�ZDLWLQJ�Saying good-bye

Our father, who owned the Townley Hardware Store in /RQJ�%UDQFK��GLHG�LQ��2XU�PRWKHU�DQG�-LP�VWD\HG�LQ�WKH�house for six more years. On the day they moved out, our mom requested that her rocking chair be left in the sun porch. We watched her walk inside and sit alone rocking--saying her VLOHQW�JRRG�E\H�WR�D�KRPH�ÀOOHG�ZLWK�ORYLQJ�PHPRULHV��

Kathy Hanlon and Sally Welch

This photo of Sally Carr Welch and her friend Sandy Sacks shows other Sears homes on the street. Neighbors included Oakhurst School teachers Jean Mohn and Em-ily Parker and the legendary prinicpal, Miss Voorhees.

The Carr’s Sears house on Lawrence Ave. in the Elberon Park section of Oakhurst


MRUH�WKDQ��SHRSOH�JDWKHUHG�DURXQG�WKH�0XVHXP�ÁDJ�SROH�-XO\��WR�KRQRU�YHWHUDQV��OLYLQJ�DQG�GHFHDVHG��IURP�WKH�

Vietnam War. The names of the honored were those submitted by friends, families, and veteran’s organizations.

Museum President Paul Edelson opened the program. Fol-ORZLQJ�WKH�UHDGLQJ�RI�´$�9HWHUDQ·V�3UD\HUµ�DQG�ÁDJ�VDOXWH��+DQ-nah Berenberg, an Ocean High School student sang “God Bless $PHULFD�µ��-DPHV�3HWLOOR��9LFH�3UHVLGHQW�RI�WKH�9LHWQDP�0HPRUL-DO�LQ�+ROPGHO�VSRNH�EULHÁ\��DQG�&KDLUPDQ�-RH�&DUH\��FRQGXFWHG�the MIA/POW Remembrance ceremony. The names of 59 Shore Area veterans who had been killed in action were read, followed

9LHWQDP�:DU�YHWHUDQV�KRQRUHG�DW�-XO\��ÁDJ�UDLVLQJ6

Standing, right to left: Vietnam War veterans Herbert Tomer, Michael P. Quilty, Tom Milmoe, Jim Frick, Allen McKean, Jim Petillo, Phil Par-ratt, Arthur Schenck, Jr., Hank Heinz, Bob Hopkins, Chester Gregory. Seated, right to left: Joseph Renzella, Joseph Kenny, Joseph Williams, Peter Murphy, Jim Mack, John Kritsky

Jim Frick (left) and Jim Petillo ÀUVW� PHW� �� \HDUV� DJR� RQ� %LHQ�Hoa Air Base in Vietnam where WKH\�EULHÁ\�ZRUNHG�VHFXULW\�GXW\�together before Frick’s deploy-ment with the 173rd Airborne at Dak To. They hadn’t met or spoken since--until Frick recog-nized Petillo, the speaker at the 0XVHXP�ÁDJ�UDLVLQJ�

Member Joe Carey, himself a veteran, chaired the event and led a moving cermony remembering the Vietman War Prisioners of War and Missing in Action.

Museum celebrates 30 years in style

County recognizes Museum’s achievement

by the names of 50 veterans submitted to the Museum.

Scout Troop #71 of Oakhurst FRQGXFWHG� WKH� ÁDJ� FHUHPRQ\�� -RVHSK�Kane, a 2014 graduate of Ocean High 6FKRRO��SOD\HG�´7DSVµ�DV�WKH�QHZ�ÁDJ�was raised. Following the ceremony, guests were invited into the Museum to view a display and video on the Vietnam War.

This year’s ceremony to honor Vietnam veterans follows ceremonies in 2012 recognizing World War II vet-erans and in 2013 for Korean veterans. The names of the Vietnam veterans KRQRUHG�-XO\��ZLOO�EH�RQ�GLVSOD\�E\�WKH�0XVHXP�ÁDJ�SROH��7DNH�D�PLQXWH��next visit, to pay your respects.

-une 2, the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders and the Historical Commission honored the Museum with

a special award. At the Commission’s annual ceremony at the Hall of Records in Freehold, it singled the Museum out for having not only restored the Eden Woolley House, but DV�VLJQLÀFDQWO\��IRU�KDYLQJ�WXUQHG�LW�LQWR�D�YLDEOH�LQVWLWXWLRQ�that continues to attract visitors. As Commissioner Randy Gabrelain put it, “Local history museums have a challenge: how to keep people coming back. The Ocean Museum’s full calendar of events and regularly changing exhibits has solved this problem.”

More than 90 friends and supporters gathered at the Deal Golf and Country Club, Sunday, August 17, to

celebrate the Museum’s 30th anniversary. Founders Peggy Dellinger and Marge Edelson started things off remember-ing the Museum’s humble beginnings. Dignitaries from state, county, and local government were there to offer con-gratulations and present celebratory declarations. See more photos on our website at oceanmuseum.org.

Left to right: Event chairs Joan Brezansky and Marge Edelson enjoy the day with silent auc-tion chair Brenda Wityk.

)UHHKROGHUV�-RKQ�&XUOH\�DQG�/LOOLDQ�%XUU\�ÁDQN�Museum president Paul Edelson who holds the 5HFRJQLWLRQ�&HUWLÀFDWH�IURP�WKH�FRXQW\�


:fd`e^�<m\ekj

Mark your calendar

Mini-Exhibit opening“Remembering the Morro Castle”

Sunday, September 7, 1 to 4, Dramatiza-tions at 1:30 and 3—Woolley House

General Meeting and Speaker Event Monmouth County, Past and Present

Tuesday, October 7, 7:15--Oakhurst School-KRXVH�$XGLWRULXP��%RDUG�RI�(G�2IÀFHV�Distinguished historian and author Randall Gabrielan shares images from his personal collection to illustrate how Monmouth County has evolved.

History Ghost WalkSunday, October 19--Woolley House Grounds; Terner Gallery Characters from local history come “back” to tell their stories and entertain our guests.

Holiday Weekend and Oakhurst School Mini-Exhibit

Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7--Eden Woolley HouseFor two days, the Museum is trans-formed for the holidays. Handmade JLIWV��KRPHPDGH�JRRGLHV��TXLOW�UDIÁH�

Send us your memory of Oakhurst School

It’s about time: Updating our bylaws

Museum president speaks at state conference

Membership to vote on recommended changes October 7

The mini-exhibit that opens at this year’s Holiday Weekend (December

�� DQG� �� highlights the history of the Oakhurst School. The fall issue of the Museum newsletter will feature memo-ries from those who studied, worked or volunteered there. We are also looking for the school’s oldest living graduate.

Send your candidate for most se-nior alum and/or your two-to-three line personal memory to peggydellinger@JPDLO�FRP� RU� 72+0�� 3�2�� %R[� ��2DNKXUVW��1-��

It comes as no surprise that the bylaws we drafted three decades ago and revised

incrementally over the years needed a seri-ous review. Since our incoporation in 1984, PXFK�KDV� FKDQJHG�� 0RVW� VLJQLÀFDQWO\�� WKH�Ocean Township Historical Museum is now reponsible for operating and maintaining the Eden Woolley House--a million dollar asset. President Paul Edelson asked mem-ber Marianne Wilensky to chair a commit-WHH��-DFN�0F&RUPDFN��*LQQ\�5LFKPRQG��DQG�Peggy Dellinger) to address the gap.

Our current bylaws make no mention of the Woolley House. Their references to PHHWLQJV�UHÁHFW�DQ�RXWGDWHG�RSHUDWLQJ�VW\OH��Our memberships have always applied to D� KRXVHKROG�� EXW� WKDW� LV� QRW� GHÀQHG��$QG��the make-up and authority of the Executive %RDUG�ZHUH�VHW�RXW�ZKHQ�LWV�ÀVFDO��OHJDO��DQG�operational responsibilites were very differ-ent.

The team looked at these and other mis-matches. They benchmarked the charters and bylaws of historical museums across the country. They analyzed our documents, studied today’s challenges, and adopted the best practices they found.

Ocean Township Historical Museum president Paul Edelson joined panelists at a state historical conference June 5 to tell the story of the move and rehabili-tation of the Eden Woolley House.

TKH�1HZ�-HUVH\�+LVWRU\�DQG�+LVWRULF�3UHV-ervation Conference, held at Brookdale

&RPPXQLW\�&ROOHJH�-XQH��IHDWXUHG�D�IDPLO-iar face. Our Museum president, Paul Edel-son, shared with the audience the story of how an all-volunteer organization managed to rehabilitate and equip the 250-year-old (in its oldest part) Eden Woolley House and open it as an award-winning, three-gallery Museum in just four years.

The Conference, whose theme “Past Present and Future” celebrated 1HZ� -HUVH\·V� ��WK� DQQLYHUVDU\�� RI-fered 20 educational sessions. Paul joined Richard Geffken and Dr. Gerard Scharfenberger in a panel discussion of “Monmouth County’s Rich History.” The three panelists spoke on local ef-forts to preserve historic structures and answered audience questions.

The team has drafted a proposed set of bylaws for member review. In general, the changes address:

�� The mission of the Historical Muse-um emphasizing the caretaker role in preserving the Eden Woolley House.

�� 0HPEHUVKLS� GHÀQLWLRQV� DQG� JHQHUDO��membership meetings.

�� The categories of honorary member and honorary trustee.

�� The make-up and authority of the Executive Board, including provi-sions for standing and ad hoc com-mittee chairs.

�� The frequency and governance of Exeutive Board meetings.

�� 7KH�QRPLQDWLRQ�RI�RIÀFHUV�DQG� WKHLU�election and installation.

The general membership will vote on the recommended changes at

the October 7 general meeting and Speaker’s Event. The draft bylaws are available for review after September 1 on the Museum website oceanmuseum.org and at the Museum Welcome Desk.


(Please check) New________ Renewal_______Date_______________________________

Name(s) as you would like it (them) to appear on your membership card and correspondence. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Number of people in your household (your membership includes them all) ___________________

Street ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Town_______________________________________ State________________________ Zip________________________________

Phone________________________ Email (used only to send notice of Museum events )_____________________________________________ Please check your level of support ___ Friend of the Museum $5000+ ___ Platinum Member $1000+ ___ Gold Member $500+ ___ Silver Member $250 ___ Benefactor $100+ ___ Patron $50+ ___ Supporter $25+ ___ Basic Member $15+ Please check the volunteer opportunities that interest you ___Historical research ___ Grant preparation ___ Membership ___Collections/Acquisitions ___ 3rd Grade program ___ Quilting/Crafts� BBB3XEOLF�UHODWLRQV� � � BBB�([KLELWV� � � � BBB2IÀFH�ZRUN ___Fund-raising ___ Oral histories ___Gardening ___ Restoration ___ Tour guide/Docent ___ Other ____________________

Detach and mail to Township of Ocean Historical Museum, P.O. Box 516, Oakhurst, NJ 07755

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Sunday, September 7Mini-Exhibit Opening:

“Remembering the Morro Castle” !e Eden Woolley House

!e Eden Woolley HouseHome of the Township of Ocean Historical Museum

Museum Hours

The Township of Ocean Historical Museum

2014 Household Membership Application/Renewal

‘The Twp. of Ocean Historical Museum received an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a

division of the Department of State.’

Documents

2014 08 - Township of Ocean Historical Museum Newsletter