Avalon History Center

10/22/2026

LET'S HONOR THE PERSON WHO STARTED OUR DUNE AND BEACH PRESERVATION MORE THAN A HALF CENTURY AGO...Fenton s. Groff.

This is how it began back in 1968 when Fenton Groff, a resident of Avalon, worked with Avalon school children to plant dune grass to help preserve our natural dunes. This weekend you can honor Fenton on what's the 20th anniversary of his passing and very close to his 100th birthday, by joining us on Saturday for the annual fall dune grass planting. Then, join the Avalon Historical Society at noon on the 48th Street Dune and Beach Path as they unveil the historic marker honoring this environmental pioneer. Join some of Fenton's children and grandchildren as they honor his memory and plant dune grass on Saturday.

SATURDAY:

8:45 AM gather at Community Hall for instruction on dune grass planting

9:15 help plant dune grass 76th Street to 79th Street and Beach - no experience necessary. Great family friendly event. They have 10,000 plumes to plant -- all will help preserve our natural dune system

Noon Unveiling of Fenton Groff historic marker on the 48th Street Dune Beach Path. Short ceremony honoring the man responsible for the early preservation of Avalon's dunes. Please come out and honor this great pioneer.

10/21/2026

Christie Carr Henry identified her house on the Pelican Dr. 1970s photo we posted the other day! Aerial photos of places we know are so cool!

10/20/2026

🏄‍♀️Stephanie Caterina messaged us this photo, saying "I wanted to share a photo of my brother and I with some friends at 29th street beach right by the theater and boardwalk. 1973". 🏖📽🏄🏻‍♂️
This is such a fun photo! Thank you for sharing, Stephanie!

10/18/2026

"Meet Your Neighbor" by Paul Davison featuring Bill Waddell, Avalon resident. This article was published in the Avalon Stone Harbor Herald on January 25, 1968.
📖You can read the full issue on our website:
https://avalon.quartexcollections.com/Documents/Detail/avalon-stone-harbor-herald-january-25-1968/11093

10/16/2026

🏡 Here is a photo of the Ridler family home, sent to us by Lisa Ridler, daughter of Art Ridler, retired sergeant in the Avalon PD who sadly passed away last year.

Lisa says of the photo: "My house in the early 1960s. 308 75th Street. As our family grew my dad added a 2nd story. I have the best childhood memories growing up in such a Beautiful place."
💖Thank you for sharing this with us, Lisa!

10/14/2026

When the Lenni Lenape summered at 7 Mile Beach, they caught fish and gathered shellfish along the coast, smoking and drying their catches over campfires and in the sun to preserve the food. Some of the only remains of the Lenape on the barrier islands are mounds of shells.

10/12/2026

We have posted this a few times and still no one has definitively identified the girl on the horse!

Tony Matalucci and his horse in the August 24, 1967 Avalon Herald, grand marshalling the Baby Parade, along with a young rider, who is listed as unidentified in the photo.

10/07/2026

Here is a 1973 aerial photo of Pelican Drive in the Fingers (aka the Lagoons). The house at the very tip is still under construction except for the dock!

10/03/2026

Pictured in black and white is Sarah McCann's boarding house at 12th and Dune Dr. circa 1920, when Dune Dr. was called Second Ave. The color image is a Google Street View from 2019. In the 2019 photo you can just about tell that the house is still in there, encased in some interesting renovations. The building was torn down in 2025.

Sarah McCann opened a boarding house for summer art students in the early part of the 20th century. She later married Gilbert Smith and they ran the Avalon Hotel together, taking over ownership in 1927.

10/02/2026