Museum History
As excerpted by and account from founding member and benefactor, Burton Dezendorf.
The Society was founded in June of 1976, the Bi-centennial year of the country. Several years earlier there had been a special commission charged with the study of a possible development of a Seaport Village and the recreation of the Toms River waterfront in the town, to memorialize the water-oriented heritage of the river, the town and Barnegat Bay. It was hoped that there could be such a center as would be reminiscent of the colonial days when the village of Toms River was an important port on the eastern seaboard.
The whole scheme seemed to be so grand and was so late in its conception that it was obvious to many that it would be almost impossible to bring into being. Already “urban renewal” had taken its toll. Old buildings, former homes of sea captains and merchants whose businesses were associated with the maritime history of the area, had been torn down to make way for modern structures.
But, a nucleus of the idea had germinated, and a few people got together and formed a Board of Directors and decided to start the Society on a small scale and to hope that with the passing of time, interest would develop and support would come, probably from sources then unrealized.
Immediately after the board was established and the by-laws and a statement of purpose had been worked out, things began to happen. Several boats were acquired by donation and purchase. In October of that year the first “Annual Boat Regatta” was conducted on the river with approximately twenty-five boats taking part.
One of the dominant instincts of mankind has been, and continues to intensify, interest in the past and preservation of those things of the past which relate to both the spiritual and material aspects of that past. It is impossible to be part of the area of Toms River and Barnegat Bay without being conscious of the impact of the maritime heritage which lies in the waters and shores of the river and bay. It is the purpose of the Toms River Seaport Society to preserve as much of that heritage as possible and to restore those artifacts which can be saved for the edification and enjoyment of others and to create and conduct a visual display of the maritime past.
To this end, the Society has established a museum, albeit small, in which are exhibited artifacts of significance to the region. Under lease from the Board of Chosen Freeholders, members have converted the “Old Carriage House” on Hooper Avenue at the corner of East Water Street into a structure housing most of the Society’s collection. The building has been restored by dint of hard work into a creditable museum. Much of the house had to be rebuilt; it was insulated, heating and plumbing and other amenities were added and provides an office, work areas and display space [over the years since Mr. Dezendorf wrote this account, a boat restoration workshop, two boat sheds with poured concrete floors, and the new building to house the A-Cat Spy and other craft were added to the site]. This is a beginning but will serve as the foundation and basis for expansion in the future.
The Society was founded in June of 1976, the Bi-centennial year of the country. Several years earlier there had been a special commission charged with the study of a possible development of a Seaport Village and the recreation of the Toms River waterfront in the town, to memorialize the water-oriented heritage of the river, the town and Barnegat Bay. It was hoped that there could be such a center as would be reminiscent of the colonial days when the village of Toms River was an important port on the eastern seaboard.
The whole scheme seemed to be so grand and was so late in its conception that it was obvious to many that it would be almost impossible to bring into being. Already “urban renewal” had taken its toll. Old buildings, former homes of sea captains and merchants whose businesses were associated with the maritime history of the area, had been torn down to make way for modern structures.
But, a nucleus of the idea had germinated, and a few people got together and formed a Board of Directors and decided to start the Society on a small scale and to hope that with the passing of time, interest would develop and support would come, probably from sources then unrealized.
Immediately after the board was established and the by-laws and a statement of purpose had been worked out, things began to happen. Several boats were acquired by donation and purchase. In October of that year the first “Annual Boat Regatta” was conducted on the river with approximately twenty-five boats taking part.
One of the dominant instincts of mankind has been, and continues to intensify, interest in the past and preservation of those things of the past which relate to both the spiritual and material aspects of that past. It is impossible to be part of the area of Toms River and Barnegat Bay without being conscious of the impact of the maritime heritage which lies in the waters and shores of the river and bay. It is the purpose of the Toms River Seaport Society to preserve as much of that heritage as possible and to restore those artifacts which can be saved for the edification and enjoyment of others and to create and conduct a visual display of the maritime past.
To this end, the Society has established a museum, albeit small, in which are exhibited artifacts of significance to the region. Under lease from the Board of Chosen Freeholders, members have converted the “Old Carriage House” on Hooper Avenue at the corner of East Water Street into a structure housing most of the Society’s collection. The building has been restored by dint of hard work into a creditable museum. Much of the house had to be rebuilt; it was insulated, heating and plumbing and other amenities were added and provides an office, work areas and display space [over the years since Mr. Dezendorf wrote this account, a boat restoration workshop, two boat sheds with poured concrete floors, and the new building to house the A-Cat Spy and other craft were added to the site]. This is a beginning but will serve as the foundation and basis for expansion in the future.
