Wildwood’s Glory Days Captured in New Book by Pulitzer Prize Nominated Photographer

EXTON, PA. August 2, 2010 Robert O. Williams, best known as a Philadelphia Inquirer staff photographer for 22 years and Pulitzer Prize nominee, introduces his latest homage to the halcyon days of Wildwood, New Jersey in Wildwood’s Neon Nights & Motel Memories. This gloriously illustrated book takes you on Wildwood’s wild ride from a seaside playground in the sixties and seventies through the tumultuous 90’s and 2000’s, finally resting at its reincarnation with present day Wildwood (and some of the Doo-Wop motels being placed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Most Endangered” list).
A book as much about neon signage, as the motels the alluring megawatts drew in, this trip down “memory lane” promises to take you back to your youth, if only for 220 color photos worth of it. The story behind Wildwood’s roller coaster of kitsch, class and memories is told by Melinda Williams, also formerly of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Listen in as the pioneers of the sign industry, building trade and advertising world share how they created their niche in Wildwood and helped to buoy it up to international prominence in the tourism, architecture and roadside Americana realms.
Wildwood’s Neon Nights & Motel Memories is photographed by Robert O. Williams, author and photographer of the critically acclaimed photographic retrospect on stainless steel diners called Hometown Diners. Wildwood’s Neon Nights and Motel Memories is written by Melinda M. Williams, Managing Partner of The Williams Group (www.TheWilliamsGroup.info), based in Exton, PA. Both are Chester County, PA residents. Visit the book’s website at www.WildwoodsNeonNights.com for a preview of the book and to purchase it. Wildwood’s Neon Nights & Motel Memories is published by Schiffer Books, Atglen, PA. For review copies, please contact marketing@schifferbooks.com