Culture & Heritage

Thomas J. Beesley House
Historic Home
Constructed circa 1870, the Thomas Beesley, Jr. House is listed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. Senator Beesley owned the property until his death in 1877. The property was purchased by Viola B. Elters in 1941. She and her husband, Russell Naylor, Jr. were the last private owners until 1993.  The County of Cape May purchased part of the property in 1992 which was used for the county's Open Space Program, a portion was also used to create the Zoo Savanna. The house currently provides a conference room for county meetings along with hosting local art exhibits in the newly renovated art gallery and serves as offices for county employees.
Thomas Beesley, Jr. House

Culture & Heritage Commission



Mary E. Stewart, Chair (Retired)
Patricia Anne Salvatore, Acting Chair
Christine Cote', Secretary
Janice Betts
Ralph Cooper
Deborah McAlarnen
Craig Van Baal
Cheryl Spaulding
Elizabeth Hargett
  
E. Marie Hayes, Freeholder Liaison

Mission
​The mission of the Cape May County Division of Culture & Heritage is to work in partnership with Cape May County cultural and heritage organizations to educate, encourage and inspire public participation in the cultural heritage of Cape May County.
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​Vision
​Our vision  is to be the primary leader and catalyst in promoting public interest and participation in history, the arts and cultural traditions of the community and to support the development of those county organizations and events which do the same.
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grant recipients
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New Jersey State Council on the Arts: A division in the New Jersey Department of State
Funding for the Cape May County Division of Culture and Heritage re-grant program is made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the New Jersey Historical Commission, divisions of the New Jersey Department of State.