Greater Cape May Historical Society

06/18/2026

Hotel Red Books

In 1886 the Official Hotel Red Book and Directory Co. began publishing The Official Hotel Red Book and Directory. This book contained a list of the best hotels in the United States and Canada, including summer and winter resorts. It was intended for commercial travelers {salesmen}, tourists and businessmen. The Pullman Company, which operated sleeping cars on most major railroads, bought these Red Books for use in their sleeping cars. The ones used on Pullman sleeping cars have “Pullman” stamped on the cover. (Photo 1) This helped passengers find a hotel when they reached their destination. The hotels were arranged alphabetically by state and town or city within the state. Hotels supplied their updated information for the Red Book, which was published each year. Hotels and associated businesses could also purchase advertisements in this directory.

The 1904 Red Book lists 19 Cape May hotels with 5 at Cape May Point. First Class hotels are listed in capital letters. The hotel owner, or operator, is listed. (2)

By 1905, the Red Book contained 761 pages. It lists 17 hotels in Cape May, and 5 at Cape May Point. (3)

The new Hotel Cape May advertised in the 1909 Red Book. Hotels operating on the American Plan {meals included in room rate} are so indicated with (A.P.), European Plan {without meals included} are indicated (E.P.) Room rate range is shown. (4)

The Stockton and Aldine are not listed in 1915, and the Carroll Villa has been added. Cape May Point is not shown. (5)

In the 1923 Red Book some hotels have the number of bedrooms included. Some do not have the owner/operator listed. The Columbia has been added. (6)

The 1934 Red Book lists the Admiral with 500 rooms, open from June 1 to October 1. (7)

19 hotels are listed in 1951. The Sylvania is listed as part of the Earle Hotel System a unit of the Milner Hotel Company, which operated budget-priced hotels. (8)

Motels are starting to be listed by 1959. The Flower Cottages are listed. (9)

In 1973, the Hotel Red Book contained 1254 pages, but only 3 Cape May hotels and motels are listed. (10)

The 1979 Hotel Red Book is 12” by 9 1/4” paperback, with 738 pages. The Cape May list contains 2 motels and the combination hotel/ motel Colonial. (11)

Today when someone wants to see what accommodations are available in Cape May, all they have to do is use their cell phone or computer. When they find a place they like a couple of clicks and their rooms are reserved.

06/13/2026

Congress Hall’s Wicker furniture

The process of weaving plant materials together to make useful objects goes back as far as 8,000 BC. Various plants, including reeds and rattan, have been used for making furniture since the ancient Egyptians discovered that if reeds were moist they could be bent and would stay bent when they dried. During the Victorian era wicker furniture was popular partly because it was easier to clean than fabric-covered pieces. It was particularly popular in Cape May, because it allowed air to circulate in hot weather. It is not unusual for wicker furniture to survive a long time in private homes, but to survive more than a hundred years in a public place, like a hotel lobby, is rather remarkable.

The earliest known photograph of the Congress Hall lobby dates from the 1920s, shortly after the hotel was reopened after being closed for a number of years. This picture shows armchairs, rockers, sofas, lamps, tables, and plant stands made of wicker. Some, if not all of it, may have been in the lobby since the early 1900s. (Photo 1) A 1922 photograph even included ashtray stands. (2)

Many of the chairs and sofas were still in the lobby following the 1958 renovation. Even the plant stands were still in use. The wicker appears to have been painted white. (3)

By the 1980s, the wicker had been repainted black. One of the items shown has large round arm rests and an oval back. (4) It appears to match one in a circa 1930s photograph of the Windsor Hotel lobby. (5) If so, it was brought over to Congress Hall after Dr. Carl McIntire closed the Windsor in 1973. A 1983 photographs show chairs, rockers, sofas, and plant stands. (6) The floral pattern fabric-covered cushions are shown in a 1984 photograph. (7)

In 1986, a white arm chair and a different style black chair were in what would later become the Brown Room. (8)

The sofa and chair with the round arms, along with some white chairs and rockers, appear in 1988 lobby photos. (9)

In 1996, black wicker arm chairs and bentwood chairs were in use in the dining room. (10)

After the 2002 renovation, chairs and sofas with white cushions were arranged in the lobby. (11)

By 2016, floral fabric-covered cushions had replace the plain cushions. (12) Upholstered furniture was used with the wicker in the registration desk area in 2016. (13)

By 2025, the lobby walls were repainted, and new furniture added, but the wicker chairs continued serving. (14)

A writing desk that appears in the 1920s lobby photograph, was still there in 2021. Just imagine how many guests sat at this desk over the years, writing their “Having a wonderful time, wish you were here” postcards and letters. (15)

Information Sources:
Cape Resorts archives - 1920s -1950s photos(1) (2) (3) 1996 (10)
Press of Atlantic City - 1984 Photograph (4)
Larry R. Paul collection - 1980s-2002 lobby photographs.
Alan Monroe - 2016 entrance lobby photograph.(12)
Tripadvisor.com - 2016 Lobby desk photograph.(13)
Arlene Ciallella - 2025 photograph. (14)

06/08/2026

The Aldine /Elward

You may have passed the Aldine, at 11 Decatur Street, many times without realizing that it was one of many Victorian era Cape May hotels. This three-story frame structure was built in 1883 and opened as the Aldine Villa, operated by Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Mueller. It is described in the June 16, 1883 issue of the Baltimore Sun as “Adjoining the Lafayette, on Decatur street, a fine cottage has been erected to be kept as a boarding house, called Aldine Villa.” A 1894 advertisement in the Washington Star states that it was “open all the year.” (Photo 1)
It is shown on the 1890 Sanborn Insurance map. (Photo 2) An Aldine envelope, mailed in 1890, shows the building with a hipped roof and clapboard siding. There was a two-story wraparound porch. This illustration is a bit misleading because it appears that the longer six bay side is the front of the hotel, while the shorter five bay side, on the left, is the real Decatur Street entrance. (3) An 1890 advertisement in the Cape May Daily Star, promotes “ First-class Cuisine Large, airy Rooms Terms Moderate.” On March 12, 1891, the Philadelphia baseball team arrived at the Aldine for a two week stay while they had spring practice on the grounds of the Cape May Athletic Club. In 1891, the Cape May Daily Star contained an article about a musical, with dancing, that was given at the Aldine. (4)

Theodore Mueller purchased the Westmoreland Villa, next door to the Aldine, in 1896. He wanted to use it as an annex . The Aldine was advertised in July 1896 as “Greatly enlarged and refurnished.” Photographs from around 1900 show how the Aldine and the former Westmoreland were combined. The first floor porch was extended to the corner on the Decatur Street facade. It was window enclosed on the left side of the first floor, while the second floor section had been removed. The second floor Decatur facade porch had also been enclosed with windows. Shutters were now on the bedroom windows. The side of the Hotel Lafayette is visible on the right. (5)
1896 advertisements mention “Steam Heat; Sun parlors; cuisine excellent.” An advertisement in the July 12, 1900 Wilmington Evening Journal lists “Long Distance Phone 83.” This means the Aldine was one of the early Cape May hotels to install telephone service. The July 12, 1902, Cape May Herald, contains a glowing report on a health inspection at the Aldine. (6) Room rates in 1903 started at $2 per day, $10 per week. For $18 a week you got a room with a much better view. Postcards from around 1905 show the enlarged Aldine with the window-enclosed porches. (7) The 1909 Sanborn map shows the combined structures, with a two story building in the back yard that served as a laundry, with bedrooms for the help on the second floor.

Theodore Mueller died in 1908, at age 76. He came to America from Hanover, Germany when he was 18, and settled in Philadelphia. He worked at the Keystone Watch Case Company, where he invented several pieces of machinery for the company.

By 1913, Mr. & Mrs. Edward Phillip Nittinger were operating the hotel, under its new name, “The Elward.” The new name was probably based on Edward’s first name, with ‘l’ replacing ‘d’. (9)

In 1915, Mr. A. R. Glenum, of Haddon Heights got the contract to wallpaper rooms in the Elward.

On July 4, 1919, Mrs. Nittinger served a chicken dinner to 41 military men stationed in Cape May.

In 1920, Gustav Blank, of Philadelphia, taught violin every Saturday at the Elward.

In 1921, the Elward advertised that the dining room was supplied with items from the hotel’s own farm and dairy. (10)

In 1922, music for the Elward was supplied by Charles Free’s orchestra.

In addition to operating the Elward, Edward P. Nittinger was a Justice of the Peace, and police magistrate. Edward P. Nittinger died May 27, 1969, at age 89. His wife, Marie, died July 10, 1980, at age 86.

In 1932, it was renamed Hotel Barry-Lee, operated by Jessie Morgan Barry. That name apparently did not last more than the one year. (11)

Asbestos-cement siding had been installed over the original wooden clapboard by the 1980s, and the shutters were long gone. The front Porch was now open, and three story. (12)

By 2019, the siding had been given a coat of yellow paint. (13)

In April 2020, wind ripped off the roof and damaged the porch. (14)

That was all repaired, but in May 2024, the Fire Department responded to trash truck damage to the corner of the porch. (15)

Information sources:
1883, Jun. 16, Baltimore Sun - Boarding house.
1884, Jul. 12, Washington Star - Open all year.
1890, Jul. 22, Cape May Daily Star - Cuisine.
1891, Mar. 12, Philadelphia Inquirer - Ball team.
1891, Aug. 6, Cape May Daily Star - Musical.
1896, Apr. 19, Philadelphia Times - Purchased Westmoreland Villa.
1896, Mar. 27, Philadelphia Inquirer - Steam heat, sun parlors.
1896, Jul. 7, Washington Star - Enlarged.
1900, Jul. 12, Wilmington Evening Journal - Telephone.
1902, Jul. 12, Cape May Herald - Health report.
1908, Jul. 21, Cape May Daily Herald - Mueller obit.
1903 Aug. 28, News of Cumberland County - Room rates.
1914, Jul. 26, Philadelphia Inquirer - Elward Ad.
1915, Mar. 24, Courier-Post - Wallpaper.
1919, Jul. 19, Cape May Star & Wave. - Military meals.
1920, Aug. 7, Cape May Star & Wave - Violin lessons.
1921, Jun. 15, Evening Public Ledger - Farm.
1922, Jul. 1, Cape May Star & Wave - Orchestra.
1932, Jun. 26, Washington Evening Star - Hotel Barry-Lee
1932, Aug. 7, Philadelphia Inquirer - Barry Lee
2019 Google - View of side facade.
2024, May 13, Facebook - Cape May Firefighters.

WorthPoint - 1890 envelope.
eBay - Post cards.
Princeton University - 1890 & 1909 Sanborn Fire insurance maps.

06/04/2026

06/03/2026

Why don’t we just cover it with asbestos siding?

Following the November 8, 1878, fire that destroyed much of Cape May City, there was a rush to rebuild as many hotels and houses as possible before the summer 1879 season. Most of this new construction was made of wood, because it was available locally. With the exception of the new Congress Hall, the use of brick was pretty much limited to chimneys and foundations. The local soil did not provide the right materials for brick making. Bricks that were made in northern New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, were expensive to have shipped to Cape May.

These new wood-framed structures were covered with wooden siding. Horizontal clapboard was the most popular style, but some vertical boards, covered with thin batten strips were also used. Cedar shingles were used either as decorative elements, or to cover the entire building. The Victorian era interest in highly decorative finishes was labor intensive, but possible with wood. What has become known as “Gingerbread” woodwork was extremely popular in Cape May.

Sea air, strong sun, and stormy weather, worked against the oil-based paint used to protect this wood work. Buildings in Cape May needed to be repainted every few years.

In 1905, the Johns-Manville Company developed a new material composed of concrete mixed with asbestos. This material was formed into panels that could be used as exterior siding. By 1907, it was being marketed under the trademarked name Asbestoside™. (Photo 1) By 1908, it was being advertised in the Cape May Star & Wave.

Because it was promoted as being fireproof, and never needing to be painted, it quickly became popular. Other manufactures could smell the money, and profit, this material could provide them. Soon there was Flintkote™, RU-BER-OID™, and Gold Bond™.
By 1915, the Keasbey & Mattison Co., of Ambler, PA was producing ‘Century’ asbestos shingles. (2)
In 1939, The Philip Carey Mfg. Co. of Lockland, Ohio, had a plant in Philadelphia, which was making Careystone asbestos-cement shingles. (3)

In 1943, George Ogden & Son Co., of Cape May, advertised that they sold asbestos siding shingles. (4)

A 1958 Gold Bond advertisement showed how easy it was to apply their siding over clapboard. (5) By then Gold Bond was being made in several colors. (6) Three Gold Bond surface textures were available. (7)

During the 1950s the Ruberoid Company was promoting their ‘patent applied for’ Vitramic siding, that has a wavy lower edge. (8) The patent may not have been issued, because Johns-Manville made a wavy edge shingle in the 1950s. (9)

In 1913, the Cape May Golf Club building was covered with clapboard. By the 1970s, it sported an asbestos siding covering. (10)

As wonderful as the advertisements made it sound, applying asbestos-cement siding to Victorian buildings has some negative effects. The siding totally changes the appearance because it eliminates the shadow lines that the clapboard provided. The appearance of surface texture disappears and becomes flat. The house at 606 Columbia Ave., that was built in 1873 and finished with clapboard, was by 1976, recovered with asbestos siding. When the asbestos was removed, and the clapboard exposed once again, the entire look changed back to how the architect had designed it. (11)

When the Aldine Hotel was built in 1883, it was covered in clapboard. In 1913, it was renamed the Elward. By 1980, it had been covered with asbestos siding, which still is covering the original clapboard. (12) Often when the asbestos siding was applied other original features, such as shutters, were removed, as shown in these Aldine/Elward photos.

Between 2018 and 2022, the asbestos siding on the house at 1014 Lafayette street was removed and replaced with clapboard siding. This transformed the appearance. (13)

By the early 1950s, many of the older houses in Cape May had been covered with asbestos cement siding, which gave the city an overall plain white appearance. Once the importance of the original Victorian architecture began to be understood, many houses shed the asbestos siding that had been preserving the wood for years.

Some words of caution are needed. Asbestos siding does not present a health hazard as long as it is not disturbed. If it gets cracked or broken the asbestos fibers, which are a serious health hazard, can be released, and may be inhaled. Removal of asbestos siding must be done by trained and licensed professionals. There are federal rules and regulations that must be followed. The original wooden clapboard and trim, was painted with oil-based paint that contains lead, another serious health hazard that must be removed by professionals.

Information sources;
1908, Aug.1, Cape May Star & Wave - Johns-Manville ad.
WorthPoint - 1916 Keasbey ad. (2) 1939 Philip Carey folder.(3)
1943, Jul. 29, Cape May Star & Wave - George Ogden ad. (4)
Google - Image searches (5-6-7-8)
Library of Congress - Golf Club photo (9)
Cape May; Queen of the Seaside Resorts, Thomas & Doebley - 1976 photo of 606 Columbia Ave. (11)
Vincent C. Vespico, Jr - 2025 photo of 606 Columbia Ave. (11)
eBay - 1908 postcard, Aldine. (12)
Google - 2019 view of Elward. (12)
Redfin - 1014 Lafayette St. in 2018 (13)
Google - 1014 Lafayette St. in 2022 (13)

06/01/2026

The Greater Cape May Historical Society supports the Cape May MAC Lunch and Learn this week. Please do attend for Rick Geffken's presentation on colonial history.

Link to register for the virtual version:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/QEjU_E8aTWmrm4vOnXJgzQ

05/29/2026

Osborne Street

Osborne Street does not appear on any list of historic Cape May walking tours because only one of its pre 1900 houses is still standing.

In fact, an internet newspaper search for “Osborne Street” turns up very few items. The people who lived on Osborne Street were not the owners of major local businesses, nor were they prominent in social circles. They were the people who worked behind the scenes.

One newspaper source of information is the annual list of people who owe real estate taxes, and whose property will be put up for sale if the taxes are not paid. Being named on these lists does not necessary mean that the property owner does not have the money to pay the taxes, because the names of some of Cape Mays prominent residents appeared on these lists. Many wealthy people did not pay bills until the last possible day. They gathered wealth by keeping money in their bank accounts as long as possible. Some less wealthy people did the same, and some people just did not have the funds available. The earliest tax sale found was for 1888, and the property owner was Elizabeth James. The location of her property on Osborne is not mentioned.

The 1890 Sanborn fire insurance map shows about fourteen dwellings on Osborne Street. They were all of wooden construction, and most were 2-story. (Photo 1) The 1909 Sanborn map shows about sixteen dwellings, some of which have spaces for multiple families. Some lots contain two or three structures. (2) In November 1905, James J. Doak was awarded the contract to build a double cottage for Edward W. Dale, on the corner of Jefferson and Osborne. This cottage is shown as 812-814 Jefferson, on the 1909 map.

It was not until 1915 that a water main was installed under Osborne Street. This came about after a May 31, 1915 petition was received. The petition was signed by Osborne Street residents P.H. Hunt, George Ogden, Mrs. T.S. Stevens, Mrs. Lucy Edmunds, Wilamina Shiner, and Mrs. M. E. Ruffings.

On Christmas Eve in 1921, an overheated stove in a house on Osborne Street set fire to the woodwork. Firemen extinguished it before much damage was done. This event made the paper, but does not mention the house number.

In 1922, an ordinance established the distance that a building had to be set back from the street. On Osborne Street, from Franklin to Jefferson Street, the set back was five feet.

There is only one house on Osborne Street for which a photograph has been found, and that is a recent Google one. A circa 1920s aerial view includes Osborne Street. Allen AME Church, on the corner of Franklin and Osborne, is toward the lower right. The two story, gable roofed houses on Osborne are above the church, in this view. (3)

Visits to the homes that have been found in newspapers, and in the 1950 US Census, will provide a bit of information about a few of the Cape May residents who, over the years, lived on Osborne Street. {NOTE- the 1950 census is hand-written and in some case difficult to read, so my misspellings may happen}

703 - Which was probably built after 1909, had Ralph W. Loft living there in 1950. Mr. Loft was 53, separated from his wife, born in Georgia, and was a preacher at the African Methodist Church.

707 - Douglas Coleman, and his wife Clarabelle, lived here in 1950. Mr. Coleman, 35, was born in New Jersey and worked as a laborer. Mrs Coleman, 33, was born in South Carolina.Walter O. Knight, a nephew lived with them.

709 - Isaiah Wilson lived here in 1921. Anne Harris was living here in 1950, when the Census was taken.
In February of 1958, Mr. & Mrs. George F. Carter lived at 709, and on February 19, Mrs. Carter gave birth to their son Michael George Carter.

712 - Minerva Ruffings was living here in December,1915.

714 - This 2-story house, which is shown on the 1890 and 1909 Sanborn maps, is the only original house on the street. The 1950 Census lists it as vacant. (4)

715 - In 1908 John Crowell was living here. That December he placed a For Sale advertisement in the Cape May Star & Wave. (5) On Sunday May 16 of 1909, someone living here lost their black cape between the Presbyterian Church and home. The lot at 715 contained several buildings including an ice house, and probably a stable. In 1910, John Crowell held a public auction on the property, which included three horses and a wagon. (6) In 1914, Arabella Rogers owed taxes on her “1 -4 interest in a stable lot, Osborne street adjoining Crowell’s and others.” Mrs. Rogers lived in Camden, NJ, and owned the Marine Villa in 1900.

717 - There were two houses on the property at 717. The 1950 Census lists Erma Ludlow, 74, living in one house. Kenneth Hickman, 29, his wife Isabel, 30, and their son Charles, 3, lived in the other house. Mr. Hickman worked as a county detective in the police force. By 1971, Kenneth Hickman was county detective in charge of police training.

719 - Daisy Edmonds, 39 lived here in 1950.

720 -721 - Elizabeth James was the owner in 1903. In 1914, Charles Pollard was living here when he placed an Employment Wanted ad in the Star & Wave. He was seeking “Jobs of all kinds.” In 1915, he advertised for work Whitewashing and Calcimining {painting}.

In 1908, A. E. Ruffings, husband of Minerva Ruffings was working as a janitor in a Cape May City building. He died October 25, 1917. In 1919, Minerva Ruffings advertised in the Star & Wave that she did laundry. (7) In 1921, Minerva Ruffings was living in 721, and owed property taxes for 1918 and 1919. The 1950 Census lists Minerva Ruffings as 100 years old, and having been born in North Carolina.

725 - John Vance owned 725 in 1905, and owed taxes for 1903 and 1904. By 1921, Patrick Hunt was living in 725. Patrick Hunt and Frank Green bid on the contract to haul garbage for the city in 1921. They may have been the low bidder, but for some reason the contract went to Robert H. Keith. They then sued the city. No newspaper articles about how that turned out have been found, but Mr. Hunt was still hauling garbage for the city in the summer of 1922. In 1933, Charles Hunt, who was Patrick’s son, was hurt when his car skidded on ice and hit a tree. A fire that destroyed the stable at Broad and Elmyra streets in July 1935, resulted in the death of two horses owned by William Scott and Patrick Hunt, that they used for general hauling.
The 1950 Census lists Patrick Hunt as age 78, and having been born in North Carolina. His son, Charles, was 40, and worked as a janitor in a theater.
Patrick Henry Hunt died July 10, 1954. At that time he was living in Whitesboro. His age is listed as 88, so either the Census or the newspaper is incorrect. His funeral was held at Macedonia Baptist Church and he was buried in Mt. Moriah Cemetery, in Cold Spring. A October 1984, article in the Press of Atlantic City, describes the founding of Whitesboro in 1900. This article mentions that Patrick Hunt was a deacon at the First Baptist Church of Whitesboro.
In 1960, the family of Charles Plummer, Sr. was living in 725 Osborne. Charles Plummer, Jr. was a 22-year-old private in the Army, who had just graduated from the 82nd Airborne Division jump School at Fort Bragg, NC. Sadly, Pfc. Charles Plummer, Jr. was killed in October 1960, when his car ran off the road and hit a tree at Fort Bragg.

727 - John Vance owned this house in 1903, 1904, 1905, and 1906. Georgiana Vance is listed as the owner in 1909 and 1914. In 1919 and 1921 Jacob Boyer was the owner.

In 1968, twenty eight low cost housing units for people 65 and older, on limited income, were built on Osborne Street. They replaced the older houses that had been there. This new housing complex consists of 12 efficiencies and 16 one-bedroom apartments. This was the final section of three, built with $1 million in federal funds. Charles Plummer, Sr., who had formerly live at 725, was living 27 Osborne Court by June, 1979. Mr. Plummer died Friday June 23, 1979. He was born in North Carolina, but had lived in Cape May since 1932.

Information sources:
Princeton University Library - Sanborn fire insurance maps.
1905, Oct. 5, Cape May Herald - Vance taxes on 725.
1905, Nov. 2, Cape May Herald - Double cottage for Mr. Dale.
1915, Jul. 17, Cape May Star & Wave - Water main.
1921, Dec. 24, Cape May Star & Wave - House fire.
1922, Sep. 30, Cape May Star & Wave - Building set back.
1958, Feb.27, Press of Atlantic City - Michael Carter born.
Google Images- 2022 view of 714 Osborne.(4)
1908, Dec. 26, Cape May Star & Wave - Crowell ad.
1908, Feb. 15, Cape May Star & Wave - A. E. Ruffings.
1909, May 29, Cape May Star & Wave - Lost cape.
1910, Feb. 5, Cape May Star & Wave - Public Sale. Crowell.
1914, Dec. 12, Cape May Star & Wave - Arabella Rogers.
1914, Nov. 21, Cape May Star & Wave - Jobs, Pollard.
1915, Feb. 13, Cape May Star & Wave - Whitewashing.
1915, Jun. 5, Cape May Star & Wave- Water petition.
1919, Jul., Cape May Star & Wave - Laundry, Ruffings.
1920, Oct. 23, Cape May Star & Wave - A. E. Ruffings memoriam.
1921, Apr. 2, Cape May Star & Wave -Ruffings, taxes owed.
1971, Dec. 14, Press of Atlantic City - Kenneth Hickman in charge of training.
1922, Apr. 8, Cape May Star & Wave - Patrick Hunt garbage suit.
1922, Jul. 29, Cape May Star & Wave - Garbage inspector.
1933, Feb. 11, Press of Atlantic City - Charles Hunt.
1935, Jul. 3, Press of Atlantic City - Stable fire.
1954, Jul. 15, Cape May Star & Wave - Hunt obit.
1984, Oct. 13, Press of Atlantic City - Whitesboro.
1960, Jun. 19, Press of Atlantic City - Charles Plummer.
1968, Dec. 21, Press of Atlantic City - Low-cost Osborne St. project.
1979, Jun. 25, Press of Atlantic City - Charles Plummer, Sr. obit.

05/25/2026

The information posted about the Lobster House being sold was false. The Lobster House has not been sold. I regret the error, and any misunderstanding it has caused. Thanks to everyone who quickly pointed out my mistake. I should have attempted to verify the information before including it in the article. Please accept my apology. Larry Paul

05/25/2026

Cape May steps back in time so that it can move forward.
Part 7 Curtis Bashaw

Curtis Bashaw grew up in, and around, some of Cape May’s most important historic architecture.
Around 1963, he began spending his summers living, and later working in the Christian Admiral, and Congress Hall. These hotels were part of the Cape May properties owned by his grand father, Reverend Dr. Carl McIntire. As a teenager, in the 1970s, Curtis Bashaw spent his summers working at Congress Hall. He began as a bellhop, moved up to waiter, then to front desk clerk.

In the summer of 1982, before his senior year at Wheaton College, his grandfather ask Curtis to manage Congress Hall. (Photo 1)

After graduating from Wheaton, Mr. Bashaw was name one of three graduate scholars at the Rutgers School of Law in Camden.

From 1983 through 1985, manager Curtis Bashaw headed up a restoration of Congress Hall. A bit of stenciled ornament discovered in the lobby was copied and reproduced on the lobby walls by Cindy Becker. Much of this restoration work was done by volunteers. Mr. Bashaw’s mother made all the curtains.

In 1985, Curtis Bashaw was director of finance and development for Rev. McIntire’s properties.

In 1986, Curtis Bashaw got a chance to create the type of vacation resort hotel he envisioned. One of Dr. Carl McIntire’s properties was the 3-story Virginia Hotel, that opened in 1879. Its location on Jackson Street was ideal, with the Washington Street Mall at one end, the beach at the other end, and beautiful Victoria houses on both sides of the street. The hotel was vacant because it did not meet fire and safety codes.

The most important thing to have before undertaking any restoration project is enough money to fund even the unexpected problems. It was going to take $2 million to completely renovate and restore the Virginia. Curtis Bashaw’s father, who was an attorney and real estate developer, offered to help with the needed financial support. The Chamberlin Hospitality Group was formed to restore and operate the hotel.

The exterior had under gone a number of changes over the years. (2) The asbestos siding was removed to expose the original wooden clapboard. The wooden trim on the porch posts was replicated.

On the interior, a fire safety sprinkler system was installed, with the water supply pipes hidden behind walls and ceilings. 24 guest rooms with elegant custom-designed furnishings that pay homage to the hotel’s Victorian heritage without being limited to it, were created. The rooms were equipped with 5-star quality amenities like goose-down comforters on oversized beds; private bathroom with toiletries and terry cloth robes; individual climate control; and 25” TV with access to a library of videos.

Curtis Bashaws vision for the Virginia went way beyond just operating a historic hotel that was updated with all the modern creature comforts. He wanted to “exist to sell memories.” An outstanding restaurant that was open year round to guests and the general public, was the key to making the Virginia Hotel a first class resort that could create these ‘memories’. Early in the restoration process Mr. Bashaw began working with chef Joseph Lotozo to create a selection of regional American and international cuisine for the dining room that was to be named The Ebbitt Room, in honor of the original owner of the hotel.

After 18 months of work, The Virginia opened on June 2, 1989, and began selling Cape May vacation ‘Memories’.

Curtis Bashaws next historic restoration project was much more involved and controversial. In 1990, Rev. Carl McIntire’s Christian Beacon Press, Inc, owner of the Christian Admiral Hotel, filed for bankruptcy. The Christian Admiral closed in the fall of 1991. In 1993 Christian Beacon Press applied for a demolition permit. By 1994, $800,000 in back taxes was owed. Several conversion plans were suggested, but none got beyond the looking for financing stage. In January of 1995, the City Council accepted a plan to demolish the Christian Admiral, subdivide the property, and pay the back taxes.

Even though it was a landmark that was visibly impressive inside and out, the hotel had never produced the financial results that any of its owners hoped it would. It was in and out of bankruptcy several times. Some people believed then, and still believe, it could have, or should have, been saved. But the finances to make these ideas happen never materialized. Demolition of the former Christian Admiral began in December, 1995, and was completed in March, 1996.

Curtis Bashaw established Congress Hall Partners, and was working on plans to renovate Congress Hall in 1998, at that time it was estimated to be a $18 million project. (5) Taxes, where to park the guests cars, and even a law suit are in newspaper articles from that time.

The project finally got approved, and the renovation and restoration began in the spring of 2001. (6) By 2002 the total cost was up to $22 million. By the time Congress Hall reopened on June 7, 2002, the cost was $25 million.
All of the problems, challenges, delays, and costs that Curtis Bashaw had to deal with turned out to be well worth it. Mr. Bashaw now had a historic hotel filled with delightful interiors designed by his sister, Colleen Bohuny. (7) With fun dining options like the Blue Pig and the Boiler Room, Curtis Bashaw could now provide everyone with the Cape May memories that he specialized in.

Curtis Bashaw formed Cape Resorts, as a hospitality investment and management company, to own and operate his restored properties. Cape Resorts went on to convert the Coachman from a ho hum 1960s motel to a this is a fun place to stay property, named the Beach Shack. (8)
In 2009,West End Garage, a 1921 auto repair shop, was converted into a fun shopping venue, with around 60 vendor spaces. (9)
A boarding house with added motel section, at 29 Perry Street, was reinvented as an up-scale facility named The Star Inn. It serves as an annex to Congress Hall. (10)
Several of the Atlantic Terrace houses on Jackson Street have been updated and operate as rentals associated with the Virginia Hotel.

The individuals mentioned in this series of posts are but a few of the countless people who have, over the years, invested their time and money in preserving and restoring historic structures in Cape May.

For years and years, the firefighters of the Cape May Fire Department have undergone specialized training in the skills required to fight fires in building of frame construction. They are always on duty and ready to protect Cape May’s historic buildings.

Information Sources:
1984, Sep. 17, Courier-Post - Rutgers.
1985, Jun. 29, Press of Atlantic City - Director of finance & development.
1985, Jul. 23, Press of Atlantic City - Congress Hall restoration.
1986, Sep. 7, Press of Atlantic City - Victorian weekend & photo.
1989, Jul. 16, Star-Ledger - Opening date & Chef
1992, May 3, Scranton Times-Tribune - Virginia Hotel & Ebbitt Room information.
1993, Aug. 9, Star-Ledger - Virginia & Christian Admiral.
1994, Jan. 28, Press of Atlantic City - Demolition problems.
1994, Nov. 11, Staten Island Advance - Christian Admiral plans.
1994, Dec. 31, Press of Atlantic City - Back taxes owed.
1995, Jun. 28, Press of Atlantic City - Deal to demolish Admiral.
2012, Jun., South Jersey Magazine, Man on a Mission article by Nicole Pensiero - “Sell memories” quote & restoration projects.
2008, Apr. 6, The Times, article by Judy DeHaven - Restoration projects.
Congress Hall archives. (1) (7)(9, right)
Virginia Hotel archives. (4, left)
Cape Resorts websites (8) (10)
1997, Jul. 21, Press of Atlantic City - Renovations. (5)
George Rea Sr., photograph collection- Ca 1920s West End Garage (9, left)
1921, Jul. 2, Cape May Star & Wave -West End Garage advertisement.