Rare slideshow images of boardwalk to be displayed
Former councilwoman will share her collection at library Thursday
Think you know the Asbury Park boardwalk? Which one? Asbury Park has had two Casinos, three Asbury Avenue pavilions, two Natatoriums, and innumerable amusement rides in the past 125 years — and that includes only the first two-block area.
Join the Asbury Park Historical Society for “Greetings from Asbury Park(s): A 125-Year Stroll Down the Boardwalk” by former city councilwoman and gallery owner Kate Mellina. The free slideshow is set for the Asbury Park Library, First and Grand Avenues, on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m., according to a release from the society.
Mellina, who writes The Coaster newspaper’s weekly “Time Warps” feature, started collecting Asbury Park postcards and photos in the late 1990s to learn about the Asbury Park she’d missed.
What she found confused her.
“Buildings would appear, disappear and change names or appearance — seemingly overnight — as a result of fires, storms, war, recessions, political intrigue and popular taste,” Mellina said in the release. “Bandshells, businesses, swimming pools, amusement rides and miniature golf courses would sprout up, move, and then disappear.”
Research sometimes helped and sometimes added to the confusion, as when books and history websites placed a building or business in the wrong location — or even in the wrong town.
Come take a whirlwind tour of rare boardwalk images, share your memories, and join in the debate.
Light refreshments will be served, and you’ll have the opportunity to become a member of the Asbury Park Historical Society.
The historical society is also holding its second-ever 50/50 raffle with the winner to be announced on Thursday, Nov. 13.
“The money raised will help fund various society projects and events during the upcoming year,” society President Don Stine said.
Tickets are $5 for one and $20 for a book containing five tickets. Tickets can be purchased at the Asbury Galleria in Convention Hall on Thursdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Anyone interested in helping sell tickets can contact Stine at 732-774-4590 or at sales@antichay.com
[Images provided by Kate Mellina.]
————————————————————
Follow the Asbury Park Sun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
