Development News

My pride in Cape May’s historic preservation success reached a new high the other day when I was reading the newsletter of The Preservation Society of Newport County, RI. The newsletter boasted that The Breakers “Cottage,” the star of the 14 properties owned by the Society, was declared a National Historic Landmark way back in 1994. That’s 18 years after all of Cape May received National Landmark status in 1976, thanks to the determined efforts of folks like Carolyn Pitts and Ed Bramble. 1976 was also our country’s Bicentennial, which generated great interest in American history, and historic places rose to the top of many people’s travel destinations. Interest in historic sites was key to Cape May’s enormous growth in cultural tourism and helped us live up to Mayor Bruce Minnix’s campaign promise in 1972 to “Save Cape May and Make it Pay.” We all should be very proud of our community, not just for our preservation successes but for the amazing variety of activities that have made Cape May a year-round destination.

Cape May MAC, a leader in this renaissance, was in its infancy in 1976 with only one full-time staff member directing numerous volunteers. As MAC prospered, so did our newly-rediscovered 19th Century resort town, with many new faces in the community restoring buildings as homes, B&B’s, guest houses, restaurants, cafes and shops. These same people worked hard to support numerous organizations such as Cape May Stage, East Lynne Theater Company, the Nature Center and others.

As Cape May MAC enters our second half century, we know that we need to continue our leadership in preservation and cultural tourism. We are currently evaluating all of our regular activities and events, planning for the maintenance of our historic structures, and are brainstorming about how we can improve the visitor experience, as well as the quality of life for our neighbors, staff and volunteers. Our research indicates that many organizations of our size, history and regional impact are encouraging members to consider continuing their support over a period of years and are being recognized as Annual Donors. This anticipated income can help MAC plan for maintenance, programming, and staffing and assure that we can count on having adequate financial support for matching grant applications.

This fall, we began asking friends and members if they would be willing to declare their intentions of making donations of their choosing at regular intervals for the foreseeable future. Much to our delight, we have already received numerous commitments in amounts of $100 to $10,000. We certainly hope this trend will continue through the rest of 2022 and will help us reach well over $100,000.

While we certainly hope you will consider Cape May MAC for a generous donation, please know that any donation is welcomed and very important to our financial welfare. Very few organizations like ours that provide free or affordable education, music, art and culture can operate without donations and grants. An investment in Cape May MAC is and has always been an investment in Cape May. Whether you live or vacation here, you know that Cape May is a national treasure that needs our care and nurturing. Small contributions from the majority can be just as important as larger contributions from a few, and best of all, these contributions spread a feeling of ownership and participation within our city and the entire MAC family.

Tom Carroll, Chairman Cape May MAC Development Team

-- TC

Carroll Gallery Exhibit “Throw Like a Girl: Women in Baseball” opens Jan. 14

Women have played baseball as long as men have. They were in amateur and professional teams and leagues, joined high school and college teams, and competed in Negro League matches. Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) and Center for Community Arts (CCA) introduce you to these players in the Carroll Gallery exhibit, “Throw Like A Girl: Women in Baseball,” that opens Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 in the Carriage House at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. Visitors will learn about some of baseball’s female greats. Effa Manley was the first woman elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, not only for her ownership of the Negro League Newark Eagles, but for her lifelong work on civil rights issues. Mamie Johnson was 5’3” and weighed 98 pounds. She struck out the batter who nicknamed her “Peanut.” Young Mo’ne Davis was the first girl to throw a shutout in Little League World Series history. Breathe in the joy of America’s pastime and learn how women not only participated, but could excel at the game, with artifacts featuring team uniforms, baseball bats, bobbleheads and books. This exhibit is co-sponsored by Cape May MAC and CCA.

Photo courtesy of Sydnei SmithJordan