Art Nouveau draws inspiration from the natural world with its organic, graceful style. It speaks of birth and renewal as sure as the first signs of spring. It was a compelling, energetic style in the art world from the 1890s to 1914 and the start of World War I. And […]
American Victorian bathroom facilities were modernizing as the 19th century turned into the first decades of the 20th, and they also reflected a clear divide in comfort and convenience between the rich and the less well off. Most Americans of the 19th century did not have a dedicated bathroom and […]
At this time of year, at least here in the coastal mid-Atlantic region, the weather vacillates from not quite dead-of-winter to damp-but-not-quite-warm. The quickest way to warm up—and to look stylish doing it—is to toss on a scarf or shawl. Just ask Kathy Mahon, proprietor and head crocheter of Hook […]
In a political landscape where convictions vary drastically and the mere mention of an elected official’s name can spark discord, residents of West Cape May speak of their mayor, Carol Sabo, with fondness and respect. Her years of education and work in the fields of sociology and advocacy have made […]
Cape May is filled with hidden gems. Its relaxed, beachy outward appearance is humble–but don’t be fooled. We have many talented and impressive players along our coast. One player, pianist Kenneth Richardson, has made some significant sonic waves throughout his career. The tides of his musical journey eventually docked him […]
Cape May is steeped in Victorian architecture, furnishings, art, and so much more. Although trends towards Victorian furniture have waned over the years, the lively, colorful, and often whimsical Majolica pottery has held steady with collectors. With every subsequent year, Majolica ownership continues to attract new enthusiasts. The Victorian age […]
Misty Harbor 24”x36” Oil on Canvas “Misty Harbor captures the beauty of solitude and serenity amidst a tranquil seascape. Three small, wooden row boats rest peacefully, docked together in quiet, fog-laden waters. The scene invites contemplation, and conveys a sense of peaceful convergence, where the mist, the boats, and the water unite […]
“Looking up from a single shell pocketed on the familiar beach day’s end walk from Jackson to Decatur. On to fetch the bikes.” Beach Day 24×24 Oil on Canvas
As you stroll along the Washington Street Mall, you can’t help but notice a large gold crown hanging above the entrance of a Victorian pewter gray building. Lush greenery spills from the window boxes. This is Queen May, a jewelry store with luxury merchandise. But don’t just peek through the […]
Sign Me Pretty has officially been a business for three years now. “But we’d been doing things for friends and family since a few years prior, and honestly have always had a craft going on since we had kids in 2015,” said Ember Loefflad, half of the husband-and-wife team at […]
Many popular carols sung at Christmas in America were first published during the Victorian era (1837-1901), marked by the reign of Queen Victoria of England. This period in America, of course, included the Civil War (1861-1865), the Emancipation Proclamation (1863), and the passage of the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery (1865). […]
Fred Ascoli lives the life that many people who fall in love with Cape May have only romanticized. Like most native residents, his relationship with the ocean and his understanding of its ever-changing personality began as a child. By the time he was a teenager, he was out to sea […]
Among the many talented cover bands and solo artists in the South Jersey area, a musical arrangement of almost 60 people makes for a powerful performance in a small town. I mean, isn’t that a decent chunk of Cape May’s population? The John Walter Band is a Cape May County […]
The sky-blue triangular building that houses Antiques Emporia is hard to miss when entering or leaving Cape May via Perry Street. Pam Patrick and her husband bought the building 48 years ago for his plumbing supply business. Various other businesses have occupied the expansive wood and stucco building, including a […]
The average life expectancy in 1900 was just 47 years. Is it any wonder Victorians were obsessed with the passage from life to death (or, on another topic entirely, with productivity)? Spiritualism—a religion that attempted to bridge the gap between the living and the dead—rose to prominence during the Victorian […]
Acoustic duos demonstrate how simplicity can offer abundance. Coming up on 25 years of experience playing together, Marnie & Nate possess the talent and tools to entertain, endure, and expand. Between Marnie Lengle’s impressive vocals, Nate Kennedy’s guitar skills, and an overarching passion for music, Marnie & Nate give incredible […]
Originally from Ohio, Pastor Nicole Wilkinson arrived in Cape May when she came to lead the Presbyterian Church on Hughes Street in 2017. The most recent in a 125-year-long line of church leaders here, she holds a PhD in New Testament, has authored several books, and has lived in Turkey, […]
“I am a Jersey girl—born and bred,” says Gail Pfeifer, the face—and talented hands—behind Laughing Gull Pottery. She started life further north in the Garden State, but her present life in Stone Harbor is reflected in her hand-thrown pottery pieces, their soothing colors representative of the sand, sea, and sky. […]
“This painting is inspired by visits each year with great friends in Cape May. Shout-out to my Harbison family!” Learn more about the artist at JayMcPhillips.com
TreeHouse Antiques on Seashore Road, covering 3000 square feet, is an essential stop for every Cape May antique hunter. The sunny yellow structure was built in the early 1900s, and when you enter, you’ll receive a warm greeting from the owners, Susan and Wayne Stewart. They are antique dealers from […]
In Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, a debate occurs in Elizabeth’s family parlor between her younger sister, Kitty, and her mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett. It’s summer, the handsome young soldiers have moved on, and Kitty, as precocious as her name suggests, is bored. She wants to go […]
After 20 years of life spent exploring my hometown of Cape May, I thought I had a well-rounded understanding of what it has to offer. But by the age of 21 I became aware of the limits of what I had been exposed to: an entire nightlife undetected because of […]
Paige Cunningham and I decided to meet on the Washington Street Mall one late afternoon just after she left work. As she walked toward the bench where I was seated, I was preparing to compliment her on the brightly colored jean jacket she was wearing—a jacket that I pretty much […]
If you’re familiar with Cape May, it’s almost difficult not to be familiar with Janet Payne’s work. Whether you’re already a fan of her sea glass jewelry or have seen it displayed at Cape May shops Whale’s Tale or Splash, or even dangling around the neck or from the earlobes […]