653 ½ Washington Street, Cape May, NJ| 1730colonialhouse@gmail.com | Find us on Facebook
| President and Historian | Harry C. Bellangy |
| Secretary and Administrator | Kathleen Wyatt |
| Treasurer | Nancy Bowers |
| Colonial House Museum Curator | Al Conly |
| PennyWise Project Curator | Jennifer Brownstone Kopp |
| Colonial House Education Coordinator | Meryl Nelson |
| Membership and Communications | Tobie Banscher |
| Colonial House and Grounds Coordinator | George Werner |
Supporting the Society:
The mission of the Greater Cape May Historical Society is to collect, preserve, document, interpret and share the history of the greater Cape May area.
The Greater Cape May Historical Society has a public private partnership with the City of Cape May for the support and operation of the Colonial House. The Society will maintain the Colonial House along with its collection of paper documents and in doing so, provide a museum open to the public without bias and free of charge. The Society intends to make the paper collection available to the public on the internet. This partnership will provide the city with a designated area whereby visitors may obtain information and direction to other sites within the City and County to promote tourism. The Society seeks to have an ethical, open, and friendly group of volunteers to maintain the Society's mission and vision.
The headquarters of this organization, incorporated in August, 1974, is the Colonial House Museum c 1730, located at 653½ Washington Street, Cape May, next to Cape May City Hall. This house was originally a tavern and the family home of Revolutionary War Patriot Memucan Hughes. The front room features a tavern room. Other rooms open to the public in this unsung survivor from Cape Island’s very beginning depict a colonial era cooking/eating room. A room, added in the 1930’s, is a research/exhibit room.
The Greater Cape May Historical Society saved the Colonial House from demolition in 1974. The Society, a 501c (3) nonprofit organization, receives funds from an annual fair, membership, and grants administered by the Cape May County Culture & Heritage Commission, from funds granted by the New Jersey Historical Commission and from other grant opportunities.
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Colonial House Operating Grant: This program is made possible in part by a grant administered by the Cape May County Culture and Heritage Commission, from funds granted by the New Jersey Historical Commission for 2018.
Colonial House Preservation: In late winter of 2015, the exhibit room rear windows were painted and reglazed. The remaining five storm windows were built and installed to eliminate water intrusion while providing additional security. The porch metal roof was painted and the porch deck was stained with wood preservative. This project has been accomplished with financial assistance from the 1772 Foundation in cooperation with and administered by the New Jersey Historic Trust.
Colonial House Garden Project: This project will install a new array of native plants, herbs, hardy perennials along the path from the front of the house to the Pat Pocher Memorial Herb Garden. The project is a collaborative effort between the Society, the Garden Club of Cape May, and the City of Cape May Public Works. If you wish to donate to the Garden Project, you may use the Pay Pal button on this website, or send your donation to: GCMHS Pat Pocher Garden Fund, PO Box 495 Cape May, New Jersey 08204.
Cape Publishing: The Greater Cape May Historical Society wishes to acknowledge the many years of support for our website. We could not have kept the Colonial House doors open except for their generosity and good will. Cape Publishing produces CapeMay.com, Cape May Magazine, and Cape May Restaurant Week. capepublishing.com
Exit Zero: The Greater Cape May Historical Society wishes to acknowledge the generosity and good will that Exit Zero provides for advertising over the years. Pick up a copy of Exit Zero and patronize the business advertisers—shop local. You will be providing jobs and supporting our community. exitzero.us
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