Volume 9,Issue 2 14

SUMMER 2011

Good-bye To An Original Former AHC President and Trustee, Jack Haynie, died April 26, 2011 at the age of 91. Jack was a long-time member who served on many committees and as a duty volunteer. Dick Squires, AHC President, reminded us recently that Jack was active in the Boy Scouts (Note: he was Scoutmaster of Troop 30 in Ventnor) and that he devoted much time and effort at Camp Edge in Salem County, NJ before the camp grounds were sold for private development. He was extremely upset that the grounds were not purchased with Green Acres funds. Jack, and former President, Dr. James H. Mason, IV, both actively pursued Dick to accept appointment to the Board of Trustees. Dale Lonkart, Librarian, remembers that Jack loved to laugh and he had a silly, little boy‟s laugh that was infectious. “One February 20th, we celebrated Jack‟s birthday in the library, even attaching a birthday balloon to his chair at lunch. At 3:30, we all packed up and went home. Shortly after that, the heat came on, causing a breeze, which moved the balloon, which set off the security alarm. We all laughed at that, but none harder than Jack!” “Boo” Pergament, Asst. Museum Curator, also recalled Jack‟s involvement with the Boy Scouts in Ventnor and at Camp Edge. He also pointed out that Jack was the inspiration and main promoter of the Atlantic County Round Table of South Jersey Historical Societies which meets regularly to share their ideas, needs, experiences and advice, also with assistance and input from the Atlantic City Free Public Library. Helen Walsh and Sheryl Collins, Trustees and the major interviewers for our Veterans‟ History Project, recalled Jack‟s pride at having served his country during WWII as a medic and his eagerness to participate early on in the VHP. Sid Parker, Vice President, worked with Jack a great deal in the late „90's, especially sharing duties with the volunteers and filling in together when there was a shortage. They also spent considerable time repainting the interior of the library side by side although Sid said “Jack really wanted to paint the whole building himself.” With a smile, Sid recalls that he called Jack “a blind two-eared VanGogh” while Jack called him “a drunken graffiti artist with palsy.” The job was finished, though, with many laughs and the efforts of many other volunteers. Jack gave the Center a lot of love, many laughs, a few tears and some fine memories. Thanks, Jack, for being part of our history.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Upcoming Events Annual Appeal Library Accessions Cookbook & More! Encore Awards VHP Spotlight

L-R: Jack Haynie, “Boo” Pergament & Dick Squires.

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Events and Happenings Program Logistics Risley Homestead

Program Description The The Risley Homestead is one of two 18th century houses in Atlantic County individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was home to many generations of Risley oystermen. The AHC received the Homestead and its furnishings by bequest from Virginia Risley Stout in 1989. The Homestead is open weekends from May through October.

8 Virginia Avenue (near 400 block of Shore Road) Northfield, NJ Each Saturday 11:00am – 4:00pm Each Sunday 1:00pm – 4:00pm Closed on major holidays. Free Admission -Donations Appreciated

Atlantic Heritage Center

WHY DID THEY NAME IT THAT?

Shore Road, Somers Point

June 22nd 7:00pm Free Admission – Open to the Public

Did you ever wonder about the origin of some of the unusual names of local spots? Some that come to mind are Rum Point, Ducktown and of course, Jeffers Landing (or is that Jeffries Landing?) Lee Ireland, local author of Place Names of the Jersey Shore, was raised in Ventnor and has always had an interest in tracking down the history of these names. His program will provide some clues to these and many others.

Shore Mall

CHRISTMAS IN JULY?

Black Horse Pike Egg Harbor Twp., NJ

Friday, July 13th – Sunday, July 15th 10:00am – 3:00pm, each day

Harbor Pines Country Club Ocean Heights Ave. Egg Harbor Twp.

Saturday, October 15th 11:30 A.M. Reservation Required. Fee: $30.

Shore Mall Black Horse Pike Egg Harbor Twp., NJ

Saturday, December 3rd & Sunday, December 4th 11:00am – 3:00pm, each day

It’s Back!

Get a jump start on the Holiday season with this opportunity to purchase gifts and decorations made by the Atlantic Heritage Center elves. Among the items for sale will be wreaths and gift baskets as well as many other holiday décor items. Volunteers are needed.

ATLANTIC HERITAGE CENTER ANNUAL LUNCHEON MEETING Members and the general public are invited to attend the Center‟s annual meeting and luncheon. Frank Ferry, Esq. will be the guest speaker.. The "Bringing History to Life Award" will be presented. Members will vote on nominees to the Governing Board at this time.

CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW In case you miss Christmas in July, this is your opportunity to check out the fine crafting skills of our many AHC Christmas elves. Decorations, gift baskets and much more will be on display and available for purchase at the AHC tables at the annual Christmas Craft Show at Shore Mall.

The Fourth Annual Spirit of Christmas’ Past Loves a White Christmas, featuring the Sweet Adelines will be held on Monday, December 5th @ 7:00pm. On Monday, December 19th, the fun continues with Mr. & Mrs. Claus, the annual “Cookie Walk”, gift bags from Santa and Christmas story readings for PreSchoolers. Programs will be from 11:00am – 3:00pm. Look for more information in the next Newsletter, call the AHC at 609-927-5218 or e-mail [email protected]. Volunteers are needed.

AHC YEARBOOK We are now soliciting articles to be considered for inclusion in the 2011-2012 yearbook. Suitable subjects include original, unpublished research on topics of local historical or genealogical interest, transcriptions of unpublished materials in the Center's documentary collections, etc. Submissions, or questions concerning submissions, should be addressed to the attention of the "Yearbook Committee" at Atlantic Heritage Center, P.O. Box 301, Somers Point, NJ 08244-0301, or to [email protected] with "Yearbook article" in the subject line. Please include your complete contact information in any submissions made by regular mail.

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GREAT IDEA, WILLIE William Sutton, who preferred to be called Bill, was born June 30, 1901 in Brooklyn, NY and, although he didn‟t attend school past 8th grade, he displayed a creative and enterprising nature which allowed him to “earn” an estimated $2,000,000. during an abbreviated career in “banking.” The police nicknamed him Willie and took a dim view of his career path. He was jailed several times in the 1930's and 1940's, receiving lengthy sentences, but he proved to be as determined and adept at escaping prison as he was at robbing banks. The tools of his trade were frequently disguises such as a postman, messenger, maintenance man and even a police officer and he usually carried a pistol or a Thompson submachine gun which he claimed were never loaded because somebody might get hurt. He once observed, quite rightly it would seem, that “You can‟t rob a bank on charm and personality.” Willie Sutton is best known, however, for his response to a reporter‟s question when asked why he robbed banks, he said “because that‟s where the money is.” Although he later dismissed this story, he acknowledged “If anybody had asked me, I‟d have probably said it.” Which leads to the point of this biographical sketch… It‟s the time of year when we launch our annual fund raising appeal. You know from our newsletters just how generous many of our members are. Unlike Willie, we won‟t break out the pistols or the submachine guns but we are willing to try charm, personality, humor or downright begging to raise funds for our capital building fund. We turn to you, our members, because, as Willie put it so well, “that‟s where the money is.” We know that none of you is named Gates or Midas and no member has an address at Fort Knox but we know that many of you will use the enclosed envelopes to help us eventually build the addition to our facility. In advance, thank you for your generosity.

The Atlantic Heritage Center is pleased to welcome and thank our newest members: Theresa McElroy, Northfield Mary Jane Woods, Margate Judith C. Rogers, Corbin City William Smith, Egg Harbor Township James & Linda Duross, West Atlantic City (EHTwp)

MANY THANKS! We wish to thank the following for their donations during the last three months: FRIEND: $1-$49 Jim and Claire Moyer Marianne Caruso S.J. Corvari, In Memory Of Jack Haynie Grace Garrity, In Memory Of Jack Haynie Dale and George Lonkart, In Memory Of Jack Haynie Mary Sue Lovett, , In Memory Of Jack Haynie PATRON: $50-$249 Jim Leeds Four Seasons Veterans Club Sid and Pat Parker, In Memory Of Jack Haynie Tim Timmons & Friends, In Memory Of Jack Haynie Peggy Zwerver & Tom Baker, In Memory Of Jack Haynie

Incidentally, Willie was in jail from 1952 until his release from Attica State Prison on Christmas Eve, 1969 for reasons of ill health and need for an operation on the arteries of his legs. He died in 1980 in Spring Hill, FL while residing with his sister. 

SPONSOR: $250-$1000 Mark Haynie Family & Friends In Memory Of Jack Haynie

Atlantic Heritage Center Governing Board President: Richard Squires Vice-President: Sid Parker, Jr. Recording Secy: Barbara Perry-Silva Treasurer: Charlene Canale Asst. Treasurer: Pat Parker Financial Secretary: Kevin Little

Librarian: Dale Lonkart Assistant Librarian: Freda Bird Curator: Ruth C. Gold Assistant Curator: Allen “Boo” Pergament Chaplain: Rev. Norman Goos

Trustees: Jerry Bell, Doug Cervi, Frank Ferry, Trudy Fenton, Helen Walsh, James Mason, V, Richlyn Goddard, Ruth Taylor, Ellen Hyatt, Ruth Faust, Alex Marino, Donald Perry, Sheryl Collins.

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Library Accessions Dale Lonkart, Librarian Freda Bird, Assistant Librarian

Accession# 2011.117

2011.118 2011.119 2011.120

2011.121 2011.122 2011.123 2011.125 2011.126 2011.127 2011.128 2011.129 2011.130

2011.131 2011.132

2011.133 2011.134 2011.135

Source / Description

Gift of H. J. Swartz: 2 photos - First Miller Park-O-Meter, 1937. 3 photos - Groups of individuals. 3 photos - Mercury Streamline Train. 4 photos - Atlantic City Businesses. 5 photos - Atlantic City Hotels. 6 photos - various subjects. 7 photos - Steel Pier. 14 photos - Beach and Boardwalk. 18 photos - Firefighters Museum of Southern New Jersey, Galloway, NJ. Booklet - Enjine! Enjine! (sic). Booklet - 30 Years of Memories, Glasstown Antique Fire Brigade. Gift of New Jersey Transit: Book - Timber Trestle Bridges of New Jersey. Gift of Susan Ditmire: Book - The Underground Railroad. Gift of Donald Nyce: 2 photos - Borgata casino construction. Letterhead - Capt. Starn's Restaurant and Bar. Image - Wreck of the German ship GESITOMLINDE, bathing house, pavilion, restaurant, etc. Photo - Atlantic City Inlet Pier, circa early 1900's Map - Comparative Study of Inlet Channels. Photo - Atlantic City Lighthouse early 1900's. Photo - Airship AMERICA at the Arctic Circle. Photo - Arno Apel speed boat, TEMPO VI. 3 photos - Capt. Starn's Sightseeing, Sailing Trips. 22 Photos - Shore Road Bridge demolition 2011. Gift of Teri Clark: Letter - from James Yates, August 16, 1857. Letter - from William Yates, August 26, 1862. Family records - Bowen, Cordrey family, images, clippings, 5 page photocopy. Gift of David P. Martin: CD- Book of Dave Martin Designs. DVD - Efficient Boat Designs by David P. Martin Naval Architect, Vol 1 of 2. Gift of Michael Andrescavage: Book - Rails Around South Jersey. Gift of Donald Nyce - Photo - Hackney's Restaurant 1962. Photo - Capt. Starns, 1944. Gift of William Smith: Bible Records - Margaret Sutton Smith 1883 - 1965. Gift of the Linwood Historical Society: Wood block image - Pleasantville High School basketball team, circa 1924 Gift of Dale Swagler: 4 books - Genealogy of Leeds Family, 4 volumes. Gift of John Yates: Peter Steelman Will and Inventory 1876. - 8 page. Gift of Mary Levy: 2 booklets - Atlantic City High School, Class of 1933, 45th Reunion. 8 booklets - The Herald Magazine 1928 Dec. 1929 Feb, Mar, May, Dec. 1930 Vol 26-2, Apr, May. 2 Yearbooks - The Herald 1932, 1933. Ephemera - Found inside yearbook The Herald 1933. Gift of Mary Jane Woods: Photo - Ship MORRO CASTLE, on the beach, Sept 8, 1934. Document - The Morro Castle, 2 page article. Needle case - with eight needles. Gift of William J. Gosner: 9 Books: William H. Stewart's Travels Around the World, 1873, signed Martin Pitney 1875. Our Fathers House or the Unwritten Word, 1870, signed Caroline Pitney. Analytical Series, Sixth Reader, 1867, signed Martin Pitney. The Saint's Everlasting Rest, 1847, signed J. Pitney. Marshall's Life of Washington, 1839, signed Martin Pitney. Greenleaf , first 16 pages missing, signed Martin Pitney. The Life of William Cobbett, 1835, signed J. Pitney. Elementary Moral Lessons, 1856, signed Martin Pitney. Errors of Speech, 1874, signed Charlotte A. Pitney. Gift of Robert L. Reid: Book - Galloway Township, Images of America. Gift of Joseph Polillo: 14 photos - Program at Atlantic County Historical Society 2005. Gift of Lynn Wood: CD - Rise and Fall of Atlantic City Railroads, Program by Tony Marino.

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT Question - What is a recipe? To most people, it is the labor of love that a mother or grandmother, sister or brother, friend or co-worker puts together. When shared, a recipe indeed becomes a piece of living history and what is the Atlantic Heritage Center all about but History!! A special cookbook is planned to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the AHC in 2013. With a proposed title of Cooking Thru The Decades, we, the Cookbook Committee, invite AHC members, volunteers and friends to submit favorite recipes.(Form Enclosed) Sample categories include beverages, starters, soup/salads and ,of course, desserts. Pictures, illustrations and photos - some from our very own Museum Kitchen - will add to this living history concept. The AC Cookbook will be ready for sale in time for the 2012 Spirit of Christmas Past Program. Collecting "recipe pieces of history" will be on-going. It is our hope that this collection will make the meals in your home a little happier, a little more exciting and a part of your own living history. 

Local electronics expert John Dilks presents the AHC Program Jack Irwin, the First Airgoing Wireless Man

RESEARCH TIP

Anyone doing genealogical research in Long Island, NY would be well advised to log on to the website: www.longislandsurnames.com. Recently, a researcher found information on the ancestor that she had been seeking for many years, including birth, death, marriage dates, names of spouse, children and parents. Not only did she find her long lost ancestor but complete information for seven generations back to the original immigrant who was born in Wales in 1648 and died in Long Island 1718.

Dr. Wilson Felder, Federal Aviation Administration Director, June Sheridan, Egg Harbor Township Historical Society President & Dick Squires, Atlantic Heritage Center President at the kick-off of the 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation Exhibit in late May.

Volunteers are in short supply!

Need to Contact Us? Phone: (609) 927-5218 Email: [email protected]

We ask for your services one day each month from 10am – 3:30pm For more information, please call the Heritage Center: (609) 927-5218 or Email: [email protected]

Website: www.AtlanticHeritageCenterNJ.org

The Atlantic Heritage Center will be closed on: Saturday, July 2nd & Saturday, September 3rd

Newsletter available online! AHC Hours: Wednesday – Saturday: 10:00am to 3:30pm Parking and entrance at the rear of our building

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By Sid Parker The Continental Congress moved approximately 88 miles west from Philadelphia to York, PA in order to escape the British who occupied Philadelphia. York was home to the Congress from Sept., 1777 to June, 1778. During the Revolutionary War, just as today, the Army needed more than men who could fire a rifle. No army could function without support, such as personnel who would gather supplies, feed the soldiers and keep the equipment. The following recruiting ad is from the Pennsylvania Gazette, printed in York, PA during the Continental Congress‟s stay there. February 7, 1778: “To all Gentlemen ARTIFICERS, Who prefer LIBERTY to SLAVERY, and are hearty friends to the GRAND AMERICAN CAUSE, who are free, able and willing to serve the United States of America, during the war or for three years, in the character of an artificer, such as Carpenters, Blacksmiths, Gun-smiths, Lock-smith, Wheelwrights, &c. has now an opportunity of shewing their abilities in mechanism, by inlisting into the corps of artificers (commanded by COL. BENJAMIN FLOWER) now employed at the public works near Carlisle, let them appear to Lieutenant JAMES GIBSON, at Mr. Jacob Gardiner‟s in York-Town, or at the public works, where they shall enter into present pay and good quarters, at Thirty Dollars per month, a suit of cloaths bounty, and a suit of cloaths every year, blanket, &c. None will be accepted but men of good characters and good workmen.” Author’s Note: The $30. per month for these skilled craftsmen was roughly equivalent to the pay of a lieutenant in the regular army. Each infantry company through the Civil War and the Spanish-American War had an artificer on its staff. 

Newsletter Editor, Layout & Graphics Ellen Hyatt Contributors to this Issue: Sheryl Collins, Sid Parker, Pat Parker, Freda Bird, Joan Frankel, Helen Walsh, & Dick Squires The Atlantic Heritage Center received an operating grant from the Atlantic County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs.

SHERYL COLLINS HONORED WITH PAUL AIKEN AWARD. The Grand Ballroom of Balley‟s was festooned with celebratory decorations and splendid table arrangements, as over two hundred arts and history supporters gathered on May 19th 2011 to bestow the coveted Paul Aiken Award on community volunteers. Ms. Sheryl Collins had been selected by the AHC Board of Trustees as the 2011 recipient. Representing the Atlantic Heritage Center were President Richard Squires. Assistant Museum Curator Allen Pergament and Trustees Helen Walsh and Alex Marino. They were joined by three friends of Ms Collins: Donna Innis, Janice Lowrey and Phyllis Morris. All were in attendance to honor and recognize Sheryl Collins for her untiring and diverse services to the AHC. “Sheryl brings an unflagging enthusiasm, a creative spirit and a warm smile to everything she takes on”, according to President Squires. In her years with the AHC, Sheryl has served as Trustee, Recording Secretary and as long time Chair of the Program Committee .In that capacity she has diversified the program offerings, including bluegrass music and Irish dance, local Atlantic County history, seasonal historical decorations hand crafted by her committee, a cookie walk, children‟s programs including an afternoon Alice in Wonderland tea, and Pirates seizing the Somers Mansion. And, the list could go on and on. When the AHC signed on to become a partner with the Library of Congress to collect and preserve the personal stories of local veterans, Sheryl was among the first to be trained and to begin interviews. To date she has personally trained other interviewers, and has added several dozen interviews to the national collection and to the collection housed at the AHC. She is the spokeswoman for the project often attending veterans meetings to promote the project. Sheryl joins a select group of honorees, all volunteers, whose service allows the Heritage Center to continue to provide first class programs, publications, library holdings and museum tours to its members and to the general public. There are many outstanding volunteers working at the AHC, and Sheryl is among the very best. Thank you Sheryl!  Front Row (L-R): Award Recipient Sheryl Collins, with friends Janice Lowry & Phyllis Morris. Back Row (L-R): AHC President Dick Squires, Trustee Helen Walsh & Asst. Museum Curator “Boo” Pergament.

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Veterans History Project Spotlight VETERANS EXPO AND SEMINAR Three of the Atlantic Heritage Center‟s “recruiters” for the Veterans‟ History Project participated in a Veterans Expo and Seminar sponsored by the Township of Hamilton and Veterans Advisory Board. This event was held at the Atlantic County Institute of Technology, Mays Landing, on Saturday, April 30, 2011. Helen Walsh, Charlene Canale and Sheryl Collins enlisted approximately forty Veterans to record their service related history for the Folklife Division of the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. Those recruited cover service to our country from World War II to the present day conflicts. One gentleman reflected that he was a ten year old Hawaiian boy when Pearl Harbor was attacked and remembers the day vividly. He subsequently went on the serve twenty-one years in the United States Army. As a result of the VHP interviewer‟s involvement in this well attended Expo that offered information and seminars about the many services available to our Veterans; the three interviewers were invited to speak at a few American Legion and VFW meetings to educate their members about the Veterans‟ History Project. Most of the Veterans spoken to were not aware of this endeavor but were very enthusiastic when informed. A recorded service history, in your own voice, is a thoughtful legacy to leave your children and grandchildren. If you, your friends or family members would like to be interviewed by our trained volunteer staff of interviewers, please call the Atlantic Heritage Center at 609-927-5218. When you leave a message your telephone call will be answered by an interviewer and an appointment will be scheduled.

BEHIND THE SCENES… RUTH NIERENBERG

AHC Trustee Sheryl Collins with AHC Display.

Every successful project has a vital person acting behind the scenes ensuring it happens. The Veterans History Project has just such an individual who, except by name, is known only to a few of the Atlantic Heritage Center volunteers and Board members. Ruth Nierenberg is probably the only person who has listened to every single veteran‟s interview over the past couple year. She has been responsible for all the veteran‟s biographies, perfectly capturing the essence of each Vet‟s service memories, and records the recorder counts on the CD‟s; which encompasses hours of work on each interview.

AHC Trustee Helen Walsh explains the Veterans History Project to a Expo attendee.

She also checks to make sure that all paper work required by the Library of Congress has been properly completed, duplicates it, puts the copied material into plastic sleeves and inserts them into the Red Books maintained at the Atlantic Heritage Center. This gracious lady happily and generously devotes precious hours of her time to this cause that has become very dear to her heart. Ruth, all of us involved with the Veterans History Project thank you for helping to make our endeavor so much easier for us. God Bless you and our veterans.  Atlantic Heritage 7

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO. 164 Pleasantville, NJ 08232

907 Shore Road Post Office Box 301 Somers Point, New Jersey 08244-0301

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

ANNUAL APPEAL ENVELOPE ENCLOSED

Our Mission: 

To collect and preserve historical materials exemplifying the events, places, and lifestyles of the people of Atlantic County and southern New Jersey.

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To encourage the study of history and genealogy.

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To provide historical and genealogical information to our membership and the general public.

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