The Asbury Park Museum
The Asbury Park Museum is in the process of acquiring a permanent home in downtown Asbury Park. Meanwhile, we are introducing a series of rotating pop-up exhibitions in the lobby of the historic Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, 1401 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, New Jersey. Our first such exhibit is “Asbury Park: 150 Years of Change and Transformation – A Segregated Seashore” that explores the history of Asbury Park’s beachfront and boardwalk from 1871 to the present day. The story is told in retractable banners, a twenty minute slide show and two showcases of historic artifacts. You may visit that exhibit from now until the end of November. Admission is free. That will be followed by an exhibit on Asbury Park’s diverse music history. We are continuing to acquire, for display, artifacts and memorabilia relating to Asbury Park’s fascinating history.
In the meantime, please consider becoming a Charter Member or making a donation to the Asbury Park Museum. You can do either from the “Get Involved Page.” You can help preserve Asbury Park’s historical legacy. The Asbury Park Museum is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and your donations are tax deductible.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Asbury Park Museum is to re-introduce, educate and advance an understanding, and appreciation of the history of the diverse, progressive, resort and urban community of Greater Asbury Park, New Jersey. The Museum strives to strengthen the bonds of the community and provide a venue for community wide civic engagement, as well as pride and inclusion.
History
While Asbury Park has been the subject of numerous books, documentary films, articles and essays, the popular seaside resort has never before had a permanent museum dedicated to its history. In 2018, a diverse team of concerned historians, journalists, educators and community activists came together to form The Asbury Park Museum, a 501c(3) non-profit organization with a mission “to advance an understanding and appreciation of the history of the diverse, progressive resort and urban community of Asbury Park, New Jersey.”
Through the funding of private donations, The Asbury Park Museum introduced itself to the public via the successful establishment of a temporary exhibit installation. Housed within a donated space offered by Madison Marquette on the city’s famous boardwalk, the installation operated for a period of three months between December 2018 and March 2019. The exhibition explored the city’s history through its multi-cultural influences, its architecture, its notable personalities and major events as well as its renown waterfront destination and commercial hub. The city’s rich musical legacy was also highlighted. While searching for a permanent home, we are maintaining a series of pop-up exhibits in the lobby of the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel as well as holding special events.
Photo (left) by Milton Edelman
Board of Directors
Kay Harris – President
Charlie Horner – Vice President
Lorraine Stone – Secretary
Ginny Otley – Treasurer
Pamela Horner – Membership Chair
Michelle Gladden
Eileen Chapman
Susan Rosenberg
Dina Todd
Advisors
Owen Flannagan
Claire Garland
Rick Geffken
Tyrone Laws
Christine Lutz
Paul Ressler
Robert Stewart
Don Stine
Robert Santelli
Daniel Wolff
Melissa Ziobro