Pointing a New Path
“All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely Players. They have their Exits and their Entrances and one man in his life plays many parts.”
—Willliam Shakespeare
There are people among us with particular and providential destinies that flow within the grand scheme of history. We are aware of those who make international and national news and headlines, but most are working behind the scenes, unassuming and within their own small communities. Bob Mullock of Cape May Point is one such person who follows a path that has intimately involved him in the development of Cape Island here at the tip of New Jersey, where he’s created many a blessing for thousands who visit and live on Cape Island.
While most barrier islands along the New Jersey coast are burying their unique ecology and history under expanding consumer demand and development, Cape Island has purposely focused on both preserving and promoting its diverse landscape of state and private nature preserves, old farmland, vineyards, tidal creeks, wetlands, and plants, and replenished damaged and endangered places. Within this unusual microclimate and habitat, endless wild creatures find sanctuary. You’ll also find old historic structures and businesses that are viewed as assets rather than potential tear downs.
Consider the iconic Cape May Point that winds around the tip of Jersey’s peninsula where Bob and his wife Linda and children have been longtime residents. This community is the smallest borough in New Jersey, and to live or vacation at the Point is a step back in time. A kind of “Mayberry-by-the-Sea,” this quiet hamlet keeps things simple and old-school-seashore. You won’t find any eateries or shops, amusements or even public restrooms that normally attract the day-to-day beachgoer.
So, when the very large historic property known as St Mary’s by-the-Sea on the beachfront corner of Lehigh Avenue came up as a possible sale in 2021, Bob was all ears as to what might become of it. Initially built as The Shoreham Hotel in 1889, it eventually became the retreat house of the Philadelphia-based Sisters of St. Joseph of Philadelphia in 1909. The sisters purchased the enormous building for $9,000. Crosses were added to the roof, the ballroom became a chapel, and the sisters occupied the property for summer vacations and spiritual reflection. But as Covid encircled the planet and the cost of living rose, the health of many of the aging sisters became a greater focus. The prayerful consensus was to take down the large wooden building and return it to the nature that enveloped it on all sides rather than hand it off to a developer.
Such news reached Bob Mullock quietly but quickly. He has garnered experience and a reputation for preserving and repurposing such landmarks and legends, among them the creation of the Harriet Tubman Museum via the saving and rehabbing of an old house belonging to the AME church on Lafayette Street in Cape May City. This memorial has brought much attention and honor to Tubman who once worked as a cook in Cape May hotels. He has also bought The Chalfonte Hotel, which was destined for condominiums, and an expansive stretch of meadows slated for 350 homes near Cold Spring. That precious piece of habitat is now the renowned Cape May National Golf Club and one of the most natural golf courses ever built. Nicknamed “The Natural,” the course surrounds a 50-acre private bird sanctuary. Cape May National started a new trend in environmental sensitivity in course design while providing a classic turn-of-the-century course that golfers love. Its roots go back as far as the 1800s and its predecessor, Cape May Country Club.
St. Mary’s had similar potential to be repurposed, and Bob presented an option to the sisters who expressed that their truest desires were to see the building and grounds be honored and preserved in a way that would align with their conscience. Bob proposed an environmental center that would provide funding for advocacy, education, and research while not destroying any of the present structure or courtyards. The sisters found Bob to be in complete agreement with them on how to move forward with the building and grounds intact and preserved, and they agreed to pass along their beloved retreat. The Cape May Point Science Center was launched in March of 2022.
The property offered a perfect palette to create a new destiny with a variety of venues and missions to be established over time. Never was it on Bob’s agenda to remove the “old-time” structure of the building, something thoroughly discussed with the sisters. The architecture and furnishings inside and out were considered a bonus in establishing tours of such a unique historical landmark. Just the way it was would be a wonderful backdrop for all things nature, including the diverse environment of Delaware River and Bay on one side of it, the open Atlantic Ocean on the other, and the dense restored beach dunes in the front and State Park forests and lighthouse behind. Plus, the internationally known Atlantic Flyway of migrating birds north to south passes right overhead. The perfect place for an environmental center!
The project quickly attracted many supporters and funding, like Bob and Loretta Pickus for their support of Red-Tailed Hawks in collaboration with Conservation Science Global, Cape May Raptor Banding Project, and Cellular Tracking Technologies. Christina and the late David Clemens, who were the first recipients of the Environmental Advocate Award, had a keen interest in Raptor tracking that they financially supported. Tom and Sue Carroll invested in the extensive study and protection of dolphin and marine mammals in collaboration with the Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center. And Atlantic Cape Community College was quick to connect with the Science Center as a field location for science and environmental study courses from their local campus. Rob and Wendy Wilson were committed to the study and protection of the ancient horseshoe crab along with the collaboration of The American Littoral Society. So, with that wave of committed interest and funding, the Science Center set sail.
The initial transformation within was carefully executed according to the promises made between Bob and the sisters. Most of the chapel pews remained and were reconfigured in front of a small video and lecture stage; the rest were placed along the covered exterior walkway encircling the inner courtyard. The perimeter of this large light-filled room highlights a variety of local wildlife with the main attraction being the Cellular Tracking technology that the Center is most excited to participate in and share with the public. [Please see our story on Cellular Tracking Technology in the Spring 2024 issue of Cape May Magazine.] A collection of devices used to track monarch butterflies is displayed beside a large interactive screen that allows the public to see the flight path of butterflies, songbirds, and raptors that CTT has tagged.
The centerpiece of the building is the huge inner courtyard, accessed only by passing through the building. The exterior wooden walkway was refurbished by Mark Bliss and David Cassidy, restored board by board, lattice by lattice. This shady walkway encircles and overlooks the pollinator garden, where the sisters’ statue of Mary continues to stand watch over all the goings-on around her.
Within this beautiful inner arena, Mark and Katie Bliss have designed, constructed, and planted a slice of habitat filled with a broad variety of wildflowers, grasses, vines, bushes, trees and water features that attract different residents. The deep little pond hosts several native green frogs while the trickling brook on the other side caters to thirsty insects and birds, where box turtles roam and yes, even a harmless snake or two. This past season a full-grown American Bald Eagle found this prime real estate perfect for intercepting passing Osprey with dangling fish in tow. “Opalane” (local Lenape Indian name for “eagle”) is often perched atop one of the crosses that remain on the highest roof peaks. He is quite a sight to behold. If one is privileged enough to be there when he comes in for a landing or leaps off into flight, the whoosh of his wings sends shivers. The garden also serves as a hands-on living classroom, where Katie hosts a variety of garden workshops for the public during the six-month summer season the Center is open.
Astronomer Dr. Frank Toriello also uses this delightful space as he spins nighttime celestial lectures about the skies above through a fascinating video inside the Center and then invites those attending to gather outside in the courtyard for a guided tour of the heavens.
Circling back inside the Center, what was once an expansive living room for the sisters is now primarily used to welcome visitors at the front desk. Beyond the greeter’s area, a cluster of chairs awaits curious patrons—some who are simply curious to see the inside of such a landmark, others genuinely interested in its history and present mission. Frank Scott has polished a fascinating script for a fine-tuned historical account that is delivered in person by a small band of volunteer docents. It’s a lively interactive delivery and every docent is enthusiastic and qualified to answer visitors’ questions. As the tour winds back into the chapel area they gather in the pews to watch an informative video about the wildlife in and around Cape Island and how the Center interacts with them. There is a big focus on the Cellular Tracking mission that the Center participates in, such as Monarch butterfly tagging and release. A visit to their display and discussion of their mission opens a new world to those who see it for the first time and learn how it works.
The Center plans to expand its mission to educate the public in programs that highlight environments throughout the world. The internet is the easiest way to keep up with the Center via Facebook, Instagram, and their website. Most of the Center’s activity is organized and mapped out by Operations Manager Rae Griffith and Karly Nivsen. Rae brings many years of experience including a host of her own bevy of snakes, turtles, and furry friends she shared during her launch of the well-attended Family Science Night this past season. She’s recently introduced a young children’s story time on Sunday mornings. Every scheduled event, including the Point’s annual community demos or annual gala have her full attention.
The expansive dining room and massive kitchen beyond are a bit hidden away still and not a regular part of the tours. Tucked behind huge weathered 12’ mahogany doors, layered with hidden fingerprints from decades of hands opening and closing them, it is very easy to imagine the sisters gathered for prayers and meals over 110 years.
This hallowed space is particularly personal to me. It is where I launched several nature workshops and art classes for adults and teens over the past two years. The old wooden cupboard where china and glasses were once stored is now packed with art supplies, notes, and boxes of specimens from the natural world. I am so grateful to be included in this small band of creative and conscientious souls that invest time and energy into this place and mission.
If we take one last spin up the wide mahogany staircase, 30+ bedrooms (out of 300) on the second floor have been modestly refurbished by Linda Mullock and Katie Bliss to house retreat guests. Small twin beds have been replaced with new queens and draped in simple white brocade bedspreads, with newly upholstered chairs and writing desks here and there. All rooms boast ocean views or lighthouse vistas enhanced with salty breezes.
The Cape May Point Science Center has taken an environmental and historical giant step into the future. In two short years it is rapidly becoming a beacon of possibilities, like the steady stream of lighthouse beams that fill its corridors and weathered rooms with bright light throughout the night.
