Historic Happenings Blog

The  Junior Apprentice Program  educates students, ages 11-14, on life in the early 1800s by exposing them to the trades, crafts, and heritage of the period. Apprentices work alongside a Village artisan to  learn an Early American trade or craft. Historic Cold Spring Village hosts two Junior Apprentice Program sessions in the summer,  one in July  and a  second session in August . Each session is four weeks long.  Apprentices will spend two days each week learning their trade or craft and the history of the 1800s here at Historic Cold Spring Village . While at Historic Cold Spring Village, all apprentices will be required to wear historically appropriate clothing, supplied by HCSV. Selection for participation in the program is competitive and the number of available slots is limited. APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE NOW Please  CLICK HERE  to download an application or contact John Ryan at (609) 898-2300 ext. 18 or  jryan@hcsv.org .  Appl...

A new Cape May walking tour, Painted Ladies, Porches & More, set to begin Tuesday, June 16 (Tuesday, Thursday Sunday) This week we are also excited to announce our next step toward a full reopening: a new Cape May walking tour.  Painted Ladies, Porches & More   begins next Tuesday, June 16.  Take a walk from the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate to the Washington Street Mall with a knowledgeable guide and experience charming Cape May, the nation's only wholly-designated National Historic Landmark city, up close.   Delight in beautiful gardens as you learn about Victorian architecture and Cape May’s colorful history along the way. Discover the interesting features of various Victorian styles and learn why front porches were so important to Victorian social customs. This tour lasts 45 minutes. Comfortable shoes are recommended. Masks will be required on this tour Tickets are very limited.  Purchase tickets.  (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday at 10:00 am) As of this ...

Cape May, Cape May County Emlen Physick Estate Tour Take a guided tour of Cape May's Emlen Physick Estate, the magnificent Stick Style mansion attributed to the renowned Victorian architect Frank Furness. A tour of the 15 beautifully restored rooms gives you a glimpse into the lifestyle of this Victorian-era Cape May family. Physick Estate Tours take approximately 45 minutes and end with a visit to the 1876 Carriage House where you can see the current exhibit in the Carroll Gallery. Tours will be at 11:15 am and 12:30 pm on Saturday and 12:30, 1:45, and 3:00 pm on Sunday .   Admission is $15 for adults, $8 for children (ages 3-12). Tickets can be purchased at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information and to reserve tickets, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit  www.capemaymac.org . Learn More  https://capemaymac.org/experience/emlen-physick-estat...

Resources While You Stay at Home: Cape May MAC At Cape May MAC, we want you to know that while we are looking forward to welcoming everyone back to our museums, tours, and events, the well-being and safety of our visitors, members, volunteers, and staff are our number one priority. Cape May MAC's tours and events have been cancelled until further notice, and we are re-assessing the situation daily.  Meanwhile, we have been working behind the scenes to provide you with opportunities to interact with our historic sites and educational programs.  We could all use time to unplug from the news, tap into our creativity, and even learn something new. We've gathered a few ideas to help you reset. New! Cape May Lighthouse Virtual Tour  If you're like us, you miss the spectacular view from the top of the Cape May Lighthouse and the awesome experience getting there. Join us on our newest virtual tour. Tip: If you watch while walking up and down your stairs, you will still get that g...

Saturday, June 13 -- Cape May County Spring Celebration Garden  Tour June 13 in Cape May First Cape May MAC tour since March, this self-guided tour of outdoor, private gardens is a chance to celebrate being outside this spring Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) announces its first tour since March, the  Spring Celebration Garden Tour , on Saturday, June 13 (rain date June 14) from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Cape May MAC cancelled all public activities after the state shut down in March due to the COVID-19 virus; this is the first Cape May MAC tour since then, and a wonderful celebration of spring, beauty, and hope! Here is your invitation to step past the frontage and explore the private plants and blooms of some of the Cape May area’s most dedicated gardeners. See their private landscape designs and take home ideas for your own gardens. Smell and see what’s blooming and flourishing in several different seashore locations dominated by sunlight, ocean breezes, sand and salt, but e...

Friday, March 13 – Cape May County Learn about Victorian architecture and local history while helping your neighbors in need during free tours of the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. Three free tours are being offered  by the Friends of the Physick Estate, an affinity group of the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC), on Fridays, Feb. 28, March 6 and March 13 at 2:15 p.m., in exchange for a small donation of items that will benefit the Cape May Community Food Closet.       With a donation of pantry items, toiletries or paper goods worth at least $5, visitors can take a 45-minute, complimentary guided tour of Cape May’s only Victorian house museum, the 1879 Physick House Museum , an 18-room mansion built in 1879 and designed by renowned architect Frank Furness. The Physick Estate is one of the finest examples of Victorian “Stick Style” architecture in America

February 6 and 13 -- Cape May County Fireside Chats Cold Spring Brewery, Thursdays starting February 6 and 13, 2020  February 6 th  – “ T raveling to Cape May ” by John Ryan HCSV Assistant Director February 13 th  – “Ben Franklin & the Continental Navy” by Tim McGrath - Author & Historian This free lecture series is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission,  a division of the Department of State .  Historic Cold Spring Village is a nonprofit, open-air living history museum that portrays the daily life of a rural South Jersey community of the Early American period. It features 27 restored historic structures on a 30-acre site. Admission during the season is $14 for adults and $12 for children ages 3 to 12. Children under 3 are admitted free. Unlimited free admission is available with Village membership. For more information on events, membership, volunteering, or booking private affairs, please call (609) 898-2300, or visit the V...

February 6 and 13 -- Cape May County Fireside Chats Cold Spring Brewery, Thursdays starting February 6 and 13, 2020  February 6 th  – “ T raveling to Cape May ” by John Ryan HCSV Assistant Director February 13 th  – “Ben Franklin & the Continental Navy” by Tim McGrath - Author & Historian This free lecture series is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission,  a division of the Department of State .  Historic Cold Spring Village is a nonprofit, open-air living history museum that portrays the daily life of a rural South Jersey community of the Early American period. It features 27 restored historic structures on a 30-acre site. Admission during the season is $14 for adults and $12 for children ages 3 to 12. Children under 3 are admitted free. Unlimited free admission is available with Village membership. For more information on events, membership, volunteering, or booking private affairs, please call (609) 898-2300, or visit the V...

Thursday, January 23 and 30 – Cape May County Fireside Chats at the Cold Spring Brewery  On January 23rd from 4 pm-5 pm at Cold Spring Brewery, gather round the fireplace at for this free lecture series! We’re going to kick the various topics off with  “ Revolutionary Women” by Darci Tucker. January 30th  –   “ Among the Lenape ”   by Bill Cloer HCSV Education & Curatorial Coordinator

Thursday, January 23 and 30 – Cape May County Fireside Chats at the Cold Spring Brewery  On January 23rd from 4 pm-5 pm at Cold Spring Brewery, gather round the fireplace at for this free lecture series! We’re going to kick the various topics off with  “ Revolutionary Women” by Darci Tucker. January 30th  –   “ Among the Lenape ”   by Bill Cloer HCSV Education & Curatorial Coordinator

Saturdays, December 7, 14 & 28 Don't miss our 46th Annual  Christmas Candlelight House Tours! Saturdays, Dec. 7, 14 & 28, 2019  5:30pm to 8:30pm Experience the high point of Cape May’s holiday season during these self-guided walking tours, which feature: ​Homes, inns, hotels & churches specially decorated for the holidays ·       Christmas caroling and strolling musicians ·      Hospitality centers with warm beverages & home-baked goodies ·      Admission to the Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May’s only Victorian house museum, and to “An Old-fashioned Christmas: Holiday Traditions through the Years” exhibit in the Carroll Gallery ·      Limited trolley shuttle service provided Tickets: Adults $40, Children (3-12) $20 Tickets are selling quickly, so ho-ho hurrrrrry up and reserve yours today! Click here to buy tickets!  https://www.capemaymac.org/christmas-candleligh...

Sunday, December 22 - Cape May, Cape May County Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Ride A member of the East Lynne Theater Company regales you with a Victorian holiday ghost tale as you ride through Cape May’s festively decorated Historic District. Rides start and end at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth Adults $15 and children (ages 3-12) $8. Tour on Sunday at 8:30 and 9:15 pm. Advance reservations strongly recommended. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information and to reserve tickets, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit  www.capemaymac.org .

Sunday, December 8  - Cape May, Cape May County Holiday Lights Trolley Ride Ride through Cape May’s Historic District to see festively decorated inns and homes as guides talk about Victorian Christmas traditions, lead sing-alongs, and play Christmas music. Rides last about 30 minutes. Adults $15 and children (ages 3-12) $10. Trolley rides on Sunday at 5:30, 6:15, 7:15, 7:30, and 8:15 pm. Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). For more information and to reserve tickets, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit  www.capemaymac.org . --------------------------------- Sunday, December 8 - Cape May, Cape May County Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Ride A member of the East Lynne Theater Company regales you with a Victorian holiday ghost tale as you ride through Cape May’s festively decorated Historic District. Rides start and end at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth Adults $15 and children (ages 3-12) $8. Tour on Sunday at 8:30 and 9...