Wildwood Museum Open House Showcases Island’s History

WILDWOOD ─ Those “Wildwood Days” blossomed again March 23 as residents, guests, and officials met at the Wildwood Museum, hosting an open house. Offering food, conversation, and memories, the museum opened its doors and a glimpse into an era gone by. 
Yet for Al Brannen, vice president of the Wildwood Historical Society, the future of the museum is bright.
“We have some new board members,” Brannen told the Herald, adding that the museum has entered the “world of Facebook.”
With younger members, social media is embraced as a tool to spread the word of the museum to the world.
Attracting interest and traffic on its Facebook page will help spread the museum’s mission, he hopes. Preservation through using technology is a balancing act for lovers of history, but necessary in today’s world.
Brannen said that millennials (roughly ages 18-35) will help with social media outlets.
He also urges island residents to bring artifacts pertaining to the Wildwoods.
“Don’t throw it away,” Brannen added with a smile.
Board member Karen Bohme still wonders at the museum’s collection.
“I’m always finding something new,” Bohme told the Herald.
A graduate of Margaret Mace Elementary and Wildwood Catholic High School, Bohme lives in Anglesea and looks forward to Memorial Day Weekend every year. She enjoys the summer guests flocking to the island.
Bohme encourages locals to visit the museum. “I’m amazed at how many locals haven’t come in,” Bohme added.
“We like it here,” member Kathy Skouras said.
Skouras and her family moved to the Wildwoods seven years ago, making a childhood vacation destination home.
“I came here as a kid,” Skouras said. Skouras’ father, a teacher, would bring her and her brothers to Wildwood the last week of August.
Now, Skouras enjoys learning the stories behind the artifacts and of the people who bring them.
Those with deep roots in Wildwood also find themselves returning to the museum.
Mayor Ernie Troiano said, “This (museum) is truly one of Wildwoods’ greatest treasures.” He encourages everyone to “get lost in our vision of Disneyland.”
“I truly love this place,” Troiano added.
Like so many in the city, Troiano’s family came from Italy, adding to the mixture of cultures in Wildwood.
In previous comments, Troiano explained that most inhabitants of Pacific Avenue were either of Italian or Jewish descent, contributing to the texture of life along the street.
Troiano told the Herald he has 6,000 feet of sound movie film and wants to convert the film to DVD for the upcoming Troiano generations.
The museum hosts two open houses a year, throwing open the curtain of time for all who enter.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.