VOLUME LII, ISSUE 1
Newsletter www.capemaymac.org
WINTER 2022
‘A Diamond of Their Own’ exhibit opens GRANTS UPDATE: CAPE MAY - An exhibit celebrating the history of baseball’s Negro Leagues is open through April 30 at the Carroll Gallery in the Carriage House on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., Cape May, N.J. Admission is free. “A Diamond of Their Own: The Remarkable History of the Negro Leagues as portrayed by artist Sydnei SmithJordan,” is presented by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) and Center for Community Arts (CCA), in partnership with artist Sydnei SmithJordan. The exhibit features original artwork created by SmithJordan and artist Chanelle René, that celebrates the indomitable spirit and talent of the men and women who played for the Negro Leagues. The exhibit includes vintage baseball memorabilia and artifacts, courtesy of CCA, The Dempsey family, Mark Kulkowitz, SmithJordan, and Janis Washington White, including historic photos and text from the early days of the Negro Leagues. White, a fifth generation West Cape May
Physick Estate work has begun
Photo by Susan Krysiak
Shown here, at the exhibit opening Jan. 15 at the Carroll Gallery, members of the team that organized and curated the exhibit, from left: Janis Washington White, Chanelle René, Cape May MAC COO Melissa Payne, Rose Traficante (front), Chris Traficante, Sydnei SmithJordan, and CCA Director David Mackenzie.
native, is a descendant of members of the Cape May Giants, Cape May’s direct link (CONTINUED ON PAGE 14)
Work is underway at the Physick Estate on the three New Jersey Historic Trust grants announced last fall. Shortly into the new year, Robert Russell of HMR Architects, Princeton, N.J., and his team embarked upon two planning studies and one capital project. Cape May MAC also received a matching historic preservation grant for the capital project from the Cape May County Open Spaces Program. The total for all four grants is $158,335. According to Robert Russell, AIA, a partner at HMR, the first planning grant is for a Site Management Plan, which includes examination of all eight original historic outbuildings, and the later constructions that provide needed space for Cape May MAC’s operations. Where appropriate, changes will be proposed to maximize the use of historic structures for public activities while potentially housing the organizational needs in non-historic facilities. The second planning grant provides initial funding to plan for systems improvement for the environmental conditioning within the 143-year-old Physick House Museum to enhance the visitor’s experience while also preserving the historic building fabric and its some 6,000 works of art, including furnishings. The capital grant is funding improvements for fire safety and energy (CONTINUED ON PAGE 14)
In This Issue Celebrate a light in your life with lighthouse pavers LOWER TOWNSHIP - Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) is offering a limited opportunity to celebrate a light in your life with a permanent fixture at the Cape May Lighthouse. The pathway at the 1859 Cape May Lighthouse is being
repaved and will include a limited number of engraved bricks. Honor someone special to you with this fixture as a remembrance or simply celebrate your own or your (CONTINUED ON PAGE 14)
Meet the President........................Page 5 Membership News ......................Page 9 Partner Profile.................................Page 6 Recent Happenings...................... Page 2 Thank You Department......Pages 10-13 Winter Schedule.............................Page 7
