The Museum | Cape May County New Jersey

See below for a list of our ongoing research, historic preservation, and community engagement projects. E-mail us at cmchgsmuseum@gmail.com to get involved!

Limited Artist Series

Introducing our new Limited Artist Series collection - the story of Cape May County's rich history and culture, as told through the incredible minds of your favorite local artists.

Our 1st edition Limited Artist Series t-shirt graphic was designed by David Macomber, a well-known artist and Cape May County native. Like most of us who grew up here, he is both empowered and awestruck by the sea. He has a deep appreciation of our maritime history, which guided his Museum design. Get yours now at https://cmcmuseum.myshopify.com/collections/limited-artist-series. Visit https://davidmacomber.com/, and find yourself drawn to the ocean.

Stay tuned for our 2nd edition graphic by Tim Smith!

African American Roots Project

In conjunction with the Center for Community Arts in Cape May, the Cape May County Historical & Genealogical Society (CMCHGS) has organized a collaborative research project that aims to develop a greater understanding of African American roots in Cape May County. The project specifically seeks to identify connections between contemporary communities and their 18^th and 19^th century ancestors, and to explore the economic, social, and political lives of these communities during and after the Revolutionary War.

Research will be completed over the course of 2024 by Rachel Dolhanczyk, M.A. (Director of History Program at the Center for Community Arts), local historian Dr. Philippa Campbell, and Vice President of the CMCHGS Dr. Bobbi Hornbeck. The research team will meet quarterly with a formal 10-member Collaborative Advisory Group comprised of African American community elders and leaders from Cape May County. Final products include the organization of an index for all records/resources discovered as well as a final report which will be provided to all county library branches and our high schools.

The CMCHGS has received $25,000 in operating support for the African American Roots Project from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.

Cresse-Holmes House Historic District Preservation Plan

The CMCHGS Board of Trustees is dedicated to the preservation and protection of the Cresse-Holmes House and its historic outbuildings. Accordingly, the Board developed a long-term plan for this continued stewardship. The plan includes three phases: 1) Update our National and State Registers of Historic Places Nomination (passed unanimously at the July 18th, 2024, NJ State Review Board meeting); 2) Develop a formal preservation plan; and 3) Execute recommendations as outlined in the preservation plan.

The second phase of our long-term plan is now underway. The Society is working with Michael Calafati Architect, LLC, to develop a formal Preservation Plan for our Cresse-Holmes House, Smith Barn, and gravel-brick building. Michael Calafati Architect, LLC is an award-winning architectural firm specializing in the preservation of historic structures. The preparation of this preservation plan has been made possible, in part, by public funds from the Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund administered by the New Jersey Historic Trust.

Accessibility Through Digitization Project

The CMCHGS has developed the Accessibility Through Digitization project in pursuit of preserving historical resources, facilitating public knowledge, and developing technological accessibility. This long-term digitization project aims to expand our ability to share historic and genealogical resources with the community. Last year, the ATD project completed its first phase by digitizing the Society's microfilm collection. This year the project focuses on developing an entirely new website with digitized resource hosting capabilities. Online access to a selection of digitized historical and genealogical resources will be available before the end of 2023! Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey Historical Commission/Department of State, and the Cape May County Board of County Commissioners through the Division of Culture & Heritage.

Cresse-Holmes House Historic District Nomination & Revision

The CMCHGS’s 1976 purchase of the 3.3-acre Cresse-Holmes property has led to nearly half a century of historic stewardship. The main residential structure on this property, originally referred to as the “John Holmes House”, was listed in the N.J. State and National Registers of Historic Places in 1979. In accordance with our mission to preserve and share our local history, the Society remains committed to its successful stewardship by striving for accuracy and inclusivity. Together with Architectural Historian, Joan Berkey, the Society has successfully revised the property nomination so that it more accurately represents the breadth of its multidimensional historic value, and the people associated with that history. The revisions passed unanimously at the July 18th, 2024, NJ State Review Board meeting. The preparation of this Cresse-Holmes House Historic District Nomination/Revision was been made possible, in part, by public funds from the Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund administered by the New Jersey Historic Trust.

The Living Landscape Project

The CMCHGS has developed a project focused on transforming the Museum of Cape May County property into a living-history landscape.

The Living Landscape Project aims to enhance the CMCHGS’ outdoor campus by creating historic “agricultural” components accessible to the public. These components include: 1) A colonial herb garden to compliment the 18th century occupation of the property and the 1704 Cresse section of the Cresse-Holmes House; and 2) A Victorian orchard to compliment the 19th century occupation of the property and the Holmes section of the Cresse-Holmes House.

The colonial herb garden will be a generalized example that follows historic guidelines and will feature period appropriate as well as native species. Planting began in May.

The Victorian orchard will be a significantly scaled-down “sample” of the known apple and peach orchard owned by Joseph Holmes (8th owner of the property, life-long Cresse-Holmes House resident, and Civil War Veteran). As this component is a much greater undertaking, it remains in the planning stage for now. Let us know if you would like to be involved!

Similar in approach to “living history” heritage tourism, these living landscape features will allow the community to step back in time and experience a small piece of the rich agricultural/homestead history of Cape May County.