Ventnor
City Historical Society
The Ventnor City Historical Society is a non profit organization
dedicated to preserving the history of Ventnor City. Ventnor
City Historical Society meetings are held every second Tuesday
evening of the month.
Download the Historical Society Membership Application
For any additional information please contact:
Cynthia Mason-Purdie
Ventnor City Historical Society
P.O. Box 2668
Ventnor City, New Jersey 08406
Ventnor City Historical Society Officers:
President - Cynthia Mason-Purdie
Vice President - Ruth Advena
Treasurer - George Wimberg III
Secretary - Jeanette Adams
Trustees: - Ruth Advena
Dennis Kelly
Gloria Weiss
George Wimberg Jr.
Newsletter Editor – Monica Degnan
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In the Year 2003
In the year 2003, Ventnor City celebrated an assortment
of celebrations at various times over it’s 100th year.
It was the desire of Mayor Kreischer and Commissioners Vespertino
and Schafer that the celebration should not occur at only
one specific time of year, but throughout the entire year
so as to provide an opportunity for all Ventnor residents
to reflect, remember, and celebrate.
Reflect – on the insight that the founding fathers
had in establishing the nucleus of what was to become one
of the best communities along the Jersey shore;
Remember - the purpose of breaking away from the rest of
the existing communities of Atlantic City, South Atlantic
City, and Egg Harbor Township, which was to provide better
services to the people in Ventnor City while providing a
strong community gathering through the neighborhoods of
the City; and to also remember the sacrifices of Ventnor’s
youth, the men and women who made the supreme sacrifice
in the fighting of our country to maintain the values that
enable us to be a municipality in a free country.
Celebrate – the accomplishments of the last 100 years
regarding the development of Ventnor City; it’s neighborhoods,
business districts as well as the development of it’s
youth through the Ventnor School system. We also celebrate
as we anticipate the advancement of Ventnor City through
it’s next 100 years of growth.
These 2003 centennial celebrations could not have been
possible without the co operation of many Ventnor residents
who volunteered and took their time to ensure a successful
event. Listed below are the celebrated events with a listing
of the individuals responsible for it’s success.
January started out the Centennial celebrations with a
polar bear splash. This event attracted approximately 400
to 500 people and was held on New Year’s Day at 12:30
pm in front of the Ventnor City Beach Patrol Lifeguard Headquarters
at Somerset Avenue and the Beach. Mrs. Charlotte Josephs
was the coordinator for this event and was assisted by Mr.
Douglas Biagi, a Lieutenant in the Ventnor City Police Department
who along with helping to coordinate the program, also ran
into the frigid ocean as Baby New Year. Father time was
represented by Mr. Joe Baltzell, a Ventnor City resident.
February begin the tedious task of an art contest throughout
the Ventnor City schools to design the 2003 Centennial beach
badge and official Centennial logo. Students in the Ventnor
Educational & Community Complex and St. James School
submitted their entries which were judged by Ms. Rhonda
Mauer, the director of the Ventnor City Cultural Arts Center.
The 1st place winners were each given a $100.00 cash prize
from the Ventnor City Civic Association, as well as a plaque
with their artwork prominently displayed. Jessica Damiano
won the design for the Centennial beach badge, and Amber
Elliott won with her design of the official Centennial logo.
Carmine Bonanni Jr., the Superintendent of Schools for the
Ventnor City School District and Sister Joan Mary Baldridge
of St. James School were the coordinators for this event.
March, being the actual month of the anniversary, involved
a re creation of the first organizational meetings. To accomplish
this task, Ms Vicky Persiano, a teacher at the Ventnor Educational
& Community Complex directed a re enactment with the
Ventnor Students. The script for this re enactment was organized
by Mayor Tim Kreischer and Commissioner Joseph W. Schafer,
and based upon the available minutes of the Senate &
General Assembly session of 1903, which was provided by
City Clerk Sandi Biagi, newspaper events from the era, along
with the Sarah Thompson Smith’s book, The history
of Ventnor City. Additional information was supplied by
Dr. James Mason, the City Historian, and the Ventnor City
Historical Society. This event took place in the school
auditorium on March 17, 2003 at 7:00pm.
April saw the Ventnor City Centennial Ball occur at the
St. James Memorial Hall, on the unit block of Newport Avenue.
The event, held on April 5th began at 6:00 pm with cocktails,
Dinner at 7:00, and dancing to the sounds of the Jim Craine
Quartet until midnight, There were several members of this
committee, Commissioner Schafer, Mayor Kreischer and Commisioner
Vespertino, Public Relations Director Paul Maccagnano, as
well as residents Harry & Jeanette Adams, grandchildren
Bill, and Danielle Melfi, and Tina Friedman, all Ventnor
City residents, as well as Mayor’s Secretary Patti
Kedzioraand countless other Ventnor City residents who worked
hard to make this happy occasion.
June began with a series of free beach concerts commemorating
the Centennial year.
These concerts were coordinated by Commissioner Schafer,
and brought together some of the finest musical entertainment
throughout the South Jersey Region. June also presented
the Ventnor City Centennial antique car show. This event,
organized through the Ventnor City Historical Society, was
chaired by Mr. Harry & Jeanette Adams and Mr. Douglas
Biagi, and was held on Saturday, June 28, 2003. 26 vintage
classic cars paraded down Atlantic Avenue at 12:00 noon
to the Ventnor Educational & Community Complex. Judging
was conducted by Public Relation Director Paul Maccagnano
and awards in 5 categories were given out. Following the
parade, refreshments were available from the Ventnor City
chapter of D.A.R.E, and a grand time was had by all.
July and August consisted of barbeques being permitted
on the beach on weekends throughout the summer. It was largely
reported that all participating families enjoyed the option
of barbequing on the beach with their family and friends.
October 18th and 19th included the Ventnor City merchants
and business districts by having sidewalk sales along Ventnor
and Atlantic Avenues.
November offered the last remaining events; The
VFW post #3361 sponsored an essay contest throughout
the Ventnor schools. The topic, “ What living in Ventnor
means to me ,” was won by Ventnor student James Arentz,
and was presented a plaque as well as a $100.00 cash
prize at the Ventnor City Commission meeting held on
November 20 th , at 6:00 pm. The judging was conducted
by the members of the VFW Post, with the coordinators
for the event being Post commander Rudy Florentine and
Russell T. Smith, a long time member of the VFW Post,
and a former Ventnor City Policeman. Finally, the last
event was the burying of a time capsule, which was done
on Saturday, November 29 th at 12:00 noon. The committee
for this event was Commissioner Schafer, along with Mayor
Kreischer, Commissioner Vespertino, Mr. Harry Adams,
Dr James Mason, and the Ventnor City Historical Society.
Throughout the entire Ventnor City's Centennial
Year, the residents of Ventnor City celebrated the heritage
and history of this great City, and look forward to celebrating
all of it's future accomplishments.
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