STONE HARBOR – The Borough of Stone Harbor celebrated its centennial in 2014. Now the Stone Harbor Museum has a new and larger space to display many artifacts that show the history of that century. Its grand opening was June 10.
The space at 9410 Second Ave. is just down the street from Borough Hall and a short stroll from the main shopping district on 96th Street.
Also in close proximity is the water-pumping station, built in 1924, one of the borough’s oldest structures.
With almost three times the space it had available in its former location, the museum can cater to both the property owners who want a better sense of the community’s history and the tourists interested in cultural tourism or just a fun spot to explore on those inevitable bad beach days.
Museum President Terrie Cwik gave all the appropriate credit to the borough, the museum’s board and the volunteers who help the museum function daily.
She neglected to mention her own tireless efforts to expand the museum’s reach and its central importance to the community.
Helping Mayor Judith Davies-Dunhour cut the ribbon was a special guest for the event, Marian Herbert Hornsby, 91 years a resident of the borough and the great, great granddaughter of Samuel Herbert, the second mayor of the newly-incorporated municipality from 1915 to 1918.
The museum’s spring newsletter stated, “The long years of hoping, searching and dreaming are now over.”
Since its initial opening in 2000, the museum has been in a space that was not adequate for the full display of its many treasures or the hosting of cultural and educational events.
The new location fills a desire for a larger, centrally-positioned home.
One recent plan had been to locate it in space vacated by the library and the current police station.
What evolved instead was the opportunity to purchase a 2,500-square-foot space already fitted out as an art gallery.
The purchase occurred in February, and the new home of the museum was open for business in short order.
What made financing possible was the fund started at the museum’s birth by select “Platinum Society” donors.
Given its new space, the museum plans some cultural events for the summer season, including a program on Cape May County’s involvement in World War I, and a look at the music of that era.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of America’s entry into that Great War.
With the county celebrating its 325th anniversary this year, the museum also plans to host County Clerk Rita Marie Fulginiti, presenting some of the stories and artifacts of county history.
Cape May County has 16 municipalities each with unique histories that have given rise to a variety of community cultures.
This is the start to summer for Stone Harbor. A major beach replenishment has been completed, the back bay waterways have been dredged, and the summer sunsets are back.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.
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