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The Asbury Park Historical Society invites the community to an open house reception at their new headquarters located in the Stephen Crane House on Fourth Avenue.

The event, being held from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 1, honors Crane’s birthday as well as the Society’s recent acquisition of the 137-year-old home, believed to be the city’s oldest residence.

Historical Society president Don Stine said Crane was born in 1871 in Newark, the same year James A. Bradley founded Asbury Park.

“It will be a double celebration,” Stine said. “Please stop by and be a part of this landmark event for the historical society and learn more about the home of one of America’s most famous writers.”

A tour of the home will be given at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m., and at 3:30 p.m. a presentation of the home’s history will be screened. Food and beverages will be served as well as a birthday cake and champagne toast. Local artist Ray Sternesky’s work will be on display and there will be a rare unveiling of a 30-pound atlas of the Jersey Shore created during the 1920s for insurance purposes.

“It is probably the biggest and most interesting atlas you will ever see and it shows every building, street and property from West Long Branch to South Belmar,” Stine said. “It is definitely a one-of-kind item that people will enjoy.”

The home was donated to the Society by Frank D’Alessandro, who purchased it in 2001. The official closing took place on Sept. 24.

“For the first time in the society’s 14-year history we now have our own home and a headquarters from which to operate,” Stine said.

Crane moved to Asbury Park when he was 11 years old and stayed at the 508 Fourth Avenue home until he was about 20, Stine said. He began his writing career here and one of his earliest books, “The Black Riders,” was inspired by ocean waves in Ocean Grove.

Crane, who also became a war correspondent, died from tuberculosis in Germany on June 5, 1900. He was 28-years-old. Asbury Park’s Stephen Crane House is the last physical structure associated with the author, Stine said.

Crane is considered to be one of the pioneering giants in American literature, with his Realist novels “Maggie” and “The Red Badge Of Courage” garnering him much success early in his short-lived career, Stine said. “American author Ernest Hemingway called Crane one of three most important writers in American literature.

The society has already begun repairs to the house and is actively seeking donations and grants to continue the work.

The house has been placed on both the state and federal Registers of Historic Places. Go to www.aphistoricalsociety.org for more information or to donate.  

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