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For the well-to-do vacationers from the cities of Gilded Age America, and the middle class day-trippers of the early Twentieth Century, Asbury Park had it all: celebrated beaches, spectacular pavilions, grand hotels, top-shelf entertainment, shopping and dining experiences for every taste; all illuminated by colorful amusements that would create lasting memories for visitors of all ages. 

However, for generations of other Americans, including the many Black residents who helped build the boardwalk landmarks, staff the restaurants, and serve the out-of-town guests, the seaside resort’s pleasures remained largely out of reach, due to restrictive Jim Crow policies.  These policies endured from the days of Founder James Bradley, until well into the post-WWII era. With the spotlight shining once more upon Asbury Park as it marks the 150^th anniversary year of its founding, the Asbury Park Museum unveils an exhibit that offers an unprecedented roller-coaster ride through the often complicated, forever fascinating timeline of the city’s waterfront. 

Funded in part by a Diversity Innovation grant from Monmouth University, and hosted by the historic Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, “Asbury Park: 150 Years of Change and Transformation — A Segregated Seashore” is a multi-media display that explores the dizzying highs and the devastating lows of this uniquely American city by the sea. The pop-up is a snapshot of the iconic buildings, memorable cast of characters, signature soundtracks, epic tragedies, natural disasters, and societal sea-changes that threatened its sandcastle dreams; all presented through the prism of a diverse but divided community.

In the words of Asbury Park Museum founder and President Kay Harris, the exhibit is “a journey through time that’s an expression of love for this city of summers where so many of us made a year-round home…even if our city didn’t always show us love in return.” 

It’s a story told through words, images, and artifacts; one that spans the pious paradise of Bradley’s vision, the challenges of the Depression and the wartime home front, the emergence of the “music city,” and the remarkable rebirth of a place that seemed all but lost at the end of the last century. The retrospective augments the parallel tracks of the Black and White experiences, by noting the contributions of the Sand Hill Indians, the Jewish and Greek-American business owners of classic boardwalk days, and the LGBTQ community that played such a pivotal role in the city’s resurgence.

The “Segregated Seashore” exhibit is on display inside the recently renovated lobby of the Berkeley Hotel, where attendees can also view photo enlargements from the hotel’s collection of vintage beach and boardwalk scenes. The exhibit features a set of large-scale panels, a slideshow documentary, antique swimwear and souvenirs from a century and a half of boardwalk-based memories. 

A collaboration between the Museum’s trustees and advisors — a team of educators, journalists, historians, business owners, nonprofit executives, and designers with deep connections to the Asbury Park community — the exhibit is the latest public project for the entity, which made its debut during the winter of 2018-2019. The temporary boardwalk exhibit was a successful venture that attracted thousands of visitors from as far as Europe. 

Visit the newly launched Asbury Park Museum website for up-to-date project information, historic vignettes, an exploration of the city through the years, as well as a glimpse of current work and past events, as the Asbury Park Museum continues its work toward establishing a permanent location.

The public is invited to an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 8 at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, 1401 Ocean Avenue at Sixth Avenue in Asbury Park. Featured at the event will be a sampling of fare from the hotel’s new restaurants, as well as a cash bar and complimentary champagne toast. 

 “Asbury Park: 150 Years of Change and Transformation — A Segregated Seashore” will be on display inside the hotel lobby through year’s end, moving to Monmouth University for a limited installation in 2022. More information can be found on the Museum’s new website at ap-museum.org, with additional announcements forthcoming on future activities at locations around Asbury Park.  

About The Asbury Park Museum
The Asbury Park Museum works to reintroduce, educate, and advance the understanding and appreciation of Asbury Park’s diverse history, progressive nature, resort and urban cadence, and community spirit. The Museum strives to strengthen its community bonds and provide a venue for civic engagement, pride and inclusion. For more information, visit ap-museum.org.

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The Asbury Park Sun is affiliated with the triCityNews newspaper.

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