Historical Commission Lauds Couple For Preserving Details from the Past

WILDWOOD CREST ─ After the holiday bustle, a home on East Heather Road still glowed with warmth. In a world where yesteryear and the present seem to clash at every turn, there is a place in the Wildwoods where the past is not only remembered, but preserved and cherished. 
The quest began as a “creative outlet” and has grown into a public service. The New Jersey Historical Commission recently honored several individuals and organizations throughout the state, including David and Theresa Williams of Wildwood Crest.
The reward of recognition states its purpose: “To David and Theresa Williams, for outstanding service to public knowledge and preservation of the history of New Jersey.”
In the Williams’ home, technology serves the past and its preservation, not its destruction. “He’s learned a few tricks,” said Theresa, referring to David and his computer skills. With key strokes and software, David Williams has performed a “few tricks” as he continues to assemble a vast photo collection and shares his gift with hundreds.
“We were in Australia at the time,” Theresa began, describing the November day when she and David received an email congratulating them on their award.
Dr. Joseph Salvatore, chairman of the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum, sent them the congratulatory email from the Historical Commission. The Williams could not attend the presentation at Rutgers University but Salvatore accepted the award in their stead.
“They (Joseph and Anne Salvatore) support us,” said David.
Along a wall in the Williams’ historic home, a line of shelves bear the weight of multiple volumes of photographs. Those photographs, collected since 1979, take the viewer on a journey through Cape May County’s history.
From black-and-white to color, Williams said his collection is “one of a kind,” including many rare photographs of hotels and houses no longer in existence in Cape May and the Wildwoods.
“He has a memory like an elephant!” said Theresa. David has been featured in a Public Broadcasting System special and also in a film at the Doo-Wop Museum in Wildwood.
Many pictures from the Williams’ collection were used in the museum’s film and also in a book about Wildwood Crest entitled “The First Hundred Years.” Theresa freely admitted that although she helps in their work, “he (David) has the brain to remember.”
David’s love for history stems to his childhood. “I grew up in my father’s darkroom,” Williams said. Williams’ father worked for a theater and David grew up taking pictures of cast members.
Though Williams endured challenges in his childhood and youth, he took his knowledge with him and applied himself in his studies, earning a master’s degree in Graphic Arts.
Williams’ creative journey led him away from the theater in Allentown, Pa., to work in a print shop. Later, in 1979, Williams moved to the Wildwoods where he and Theresa raised their family.
“I went in business for myself and never looked back,” said David. The Williams owned their own plumbing business in Wildwood with David as master plumber and Theresa running the office. David also wrote a column for the Gazette-Leader called “Cape May Perspectives” for many years.
Throughout the many challenges and changes in their lives, David and Theresa retired and began adding to their growing collection. “He feels fulfilled at the end of the day,” explained Theresa.
David sends daily emails to hundreds of contacts, full of historic pictures. Various local museums and organizations benefit from the Williams’ endeavors.
Promoting Naval Air Station Wildwood, events at the Wildwoods Convention Center, and Historic Cold Spring Village, the Williams pursue history and its preservation throughout Cape May County.
“History is dying,” David said, explaining why he uses technology as a medium of bringing it to the public.
When asked where they find their photographs, Theresa replied, “We go to estate sales and other places.” David added, “We even find them in the garbage!” Often, people will bring them stacks of pictures after cleaning out family homes and attics. “We have something for everyone,” said David.
The collections range from houses and hotels to pictures of flowers, churches, trains, people, gas stations, and more. If a picture is torn or a piece of an old map is missing, David redraws the missing piece and corrects the picture.
Theresa plies her creativity to photography, which has garnered many prizes. Now she judges contests held by the Wildwood Civic Club. “I had my time in the sun,” Theresa said with a smile.
By preserving history of South Jersey, the Williams have met many with incredible stories to tell.
One of their friends played the violin as a youth in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II as victims marched to gas chambers. “He never got over it,” David reflected.
David and Theresa also volunteer at a local thrift shop where they often stumble across an old photograph. The Williams present project is sorting and digitalizing a collection of pictures featuring cathedrals and churches in Europe.
“I had to grow up quickly,” David remarked, reminiscing on his creative pathway. Williams praised his wife for her care and love throughout the years. “She is the love of my life,” Williams said. “And I am hers.”