News and Updates

Harry Bellangy is Cape May MAC's Volunteer of the Month

Cape May MAC’s (Museums+Arts+Culture) Volunteer of the Month for April is Cape May Historical Society President and Historian Harry Bellangy, of Cape May, shown here at the society’s headquarters, the circa 1730 Colonial House Museum, 653 ½ Washington St.

The society and museum are longtime partners to Cape May MAC. Bellangy, a lifelong Cape May resident, was nominated by Cape May MAC Chief Outreach Strategist Mary Stewart for volunteering his time to give a talk titled, “Magnesite: A World War II Necessity.” His talk was part of Cape May MAC’s Lunch & Learn educational series, a twice monthly program offered both live and online via Zoom, on enlightening and entertaining topics of history and culture.

He included in his talk the history of Cape May’s magnesite plant that operated during World War II off Sunset Boulevard. The audience was captivated, he said. “They loved it. They had no idea in many cases what magnesite was and what it did or its importance during World War II. They had no idea magnesite could be extracted from sea water,” he said.

Many in the audience were interested in the environmental impact from the plant, as well, he said, from dust which is alkaline that affected acid-loving plants nearby, such as pines. “Harry is an engaging presenter, and his knowledge of Cape May history is broad and deep,” said Stewart. “The Colonial House Museum is a Cape May gem and Harry is an invaluable asset to the Cape May community. We are so fortunate and grateful to him for sharing his expertise with us and with the public.”