653 ½ Washington Street, Cape May, NJ| 1730colonialhouse@gmail.com | Find us on Facebook
The Greater Cape May Historical Society is the steward of The Colonial House. The Colonial House or Memucan Hughes House was originally a tavern and the family home of Revolutionary War patriot Memucan Hughes. The house is an unsung survivor from Cape Island’s very beginning and thought to be one of the oldest surviving houses on Cape Island. The Colonial House is also the headquarters of the Greater Cape May Historical Society.
The Greater Cape May Historical Society is the steward of The Colonial House (circa 1730). The Colonial House or Memucan Hughes House was originally a tavern and the family home of Revolutionary War patriot Memucan Hughes. The house is an unsung survivor from Cape Island’s very beginning and thought to be one of the oldest surviving houses on Cape May County open to the public. The Colonial House is the headquarters of the Greater Cape May Historical Society since 1974.
The Colonial House is open to the public at no charge from June 15th to September 15, Wednesdays through Saturdays from 1pm–4pm.
The Colonial House is open by appointment after September 15. We respectfully request a minimum of 24 hours’ notice. Please send email to 1730colonialhouse@gmail.com. While admission to the Colonial House in season is always free of charge, (June 15- September 15), visitors in the off season will be subject to a minimum admission fee ($20.00) based on the number of guests in attendance. All donations go toward our mission to collect and preserve Cape May history and our stewardship of the Memucan Hughes Colonial House. We are a 501c3 non-profit organization— volunteer only since 1975.
The Greater Cape May Historical Society’s (GCMHS) mission is to collect, preserve, document, interpret and share the history of the greater Cape May area. Since our founding in 1974, the Society's mission has been maintained by an ethical, open, and friendly group of volunteers. We are a community-based organization that recognizes the fundamental principles of diversity, inclusion, and equal access. Therefore, our stewardship of the Memucan Hughes Colonial House, and our virtual collections, are free and open to the public. We welcome people from all backgrounds to attend, question, and contribute to the Society for the future historians who will succeed us and adopt these principles.
The Greater Cape May Historical Society saved the Colonial House from demolition in 1974. The Society, a 501c (3) nonprofit organization, receives funds from membership, gifts to the Society and grants administered by the Cape May County Culture & Heritage Commission; the New Jersey Historical Commission; the New Jersey Cultural Trust and the Society is a qualified organization of the New Jersey Cultural Trust; the NJ Council for the Humanities; and from other grant opportunities.
Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey Historical Commission / Department of State, and the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the Cape May County Department of Tourism, Public Information and Culture & Heritage.
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