Dolley Madison Visits Shores of Stone Harbor

STONE HARBOR – Residents and neighbors of Stone Harbor were granted an audience with First Lady Dolley Madison in the historic Stephen C. Ludlam Post #331 American Legion Life Saving Station on Friday afternoon, Sept. 13. The Stone Harbor Museum had invited the First Lady as part of its mission to provide in depth understanding of Seven Mile Beach history in context to greater Cape May County history. Through this presentation on the War of 1812 it sought to explore the war’s impacts on Cape May County, the state of New Jersey, and our emerging nation.
The museum funded two programs for the students of Stone Harbor and Avalon at the schools for grades kindergarten through 4th in the morning and grades 5th through 8th in the afternoon. The elementary students were instructed in the fine art of curtsying, bowing, dancing, and the art of flirtation with a fan; the upper grade students were give a thorough understanding of Mrs. Madison’s role as the “Presidentress” and the War of 1812 and effects of the conflict on the coast from Maine to Virginia. Ice cream introduced to America by Mrs. Madison during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency where she served as his official hostess in the White House was served to all!
In the late afternoon Mrs. Madison performed for a capacity crowd thrilling all with stories of the British invasion of Cape May County’s peninsula, the attack on Baltimore Harbor which inspired the writing of our National Anthem and the burning of our then Federal City and the White House. She vividly described escaping with the painting of Washington and original founding documents including a copy of the Declaration of Independence as the British advanced on the White House. Questions and answers continued on with Mrs. Madison able to field every query with much humor and intimate details of her life.
Cynthia Janzen, Executive Director of the American Historical Theatre, has interpreted Mrs. Dolley Payne Todd Madison for several years—all left the days’ performances convinced they were truly in the company of the First Lady!