In an area once known as the center of a flourishing African American community, anchored by its landowners, and further developed by its business owners, a building stands as a poignant reminder of a significant time in our nation’s history. The Franklin Street School, built in 1927, was constructed as […]
Allison Valtri, of Valtri Interiors, has been in the design business a long time, and she goes deeper than simple interior design. She makes sure that the lifestyle of her clients is addressed before going into a project, and that includes permanent pieces like built-in features. “I’m the second generation […]
One should, at some point, experience a West Cape May festival. Take your pick; there’s the Strawberry Festival in June, the Tomato Festival in August, and the Lima Bean Festival in October. They’re all delightful celebrations that harken to the borough’s farming roots (the summer Tuesday Farmers Market deserves a […]
The latest reports say that up to 35% of U.S. households are now growing something edible. I find that hard to believe, but what we know for sure is that vegetable gardens are experiencing a revival. Perhaps it’s a natural extension of the Farm to Table movement or maybe it […]
Cape May Magazine has been tracking the work that occurred at 106 Decatur Street over the course of the last year, culminating in the cover image and dining review in the 2023 Early Spring edition. Our readers got a firsthand account of the establishment’s new (but familiar) restaurateurs, its vibrant […]
Just over a decade ago, passersby driving on Roosevelt Boulevard in Upper Township wouldn’t even glance twice at the large former home that sat facing the busy road. It wasn’t an eyesore, exactly, but it wasn’t anything that might catch your attention—until 2015, when Victor Dompierre and Jack Griffin opened […]
She wore her yellow sun-bonnet,She wore her greenest gown;She turned to the south windAnd curtsied up and down.She turned to the sunlightAnd shook her yellow head,And whispered to her neighbor:“Winter is dead.” A. A. Milne I fell in love with daffodils when I first started to come to Cape May […]
Now that the hustle and bustle—and stress and overwhelm—of the holiday season is behind us, we can get to the really important stuff: relaxation. Ah, Calgon, take us away. Calgon, or at least their famous bubble bath commercials from the 70s and 80s, had the right idea. Amid our chaotic […]
Visitors to Cape May come and go, but the houses, at least in the historic district, tend to remain. These structures, most over a century old, may change hands, change businesses, or change color, but they remain standing. And sometimes they don’t even change color. Notice the Inn at the […]
While it doesn’t rank in the top five of stressful life events, designing a house from scratch is chock full of trying and wearisome decisions that can have even the calmest and most design-savvy homeowners overwhelmed in no time. From small but persistent details like choosing outlets and light plates […]
Photographs by MICHELLE GIORLA Two main elements of the Cape May magic are breezes and views. Hence Cape May’s obsession with big porches where you can catch both if you’re lucky. And if you’re the kind that fancies after-dinner strolls, you’ll find breezes and views – beautiful views – at […]
There are so many things that go into design that it can be intimidating for the faint of heart. From creating a space that flows to selecting the wall plates, design—especially for a new build—is fraught with decisions. And while many of us naturally gravitate towards the fun stuff—the colors! […]
Without question, everyone appreciates a tree! I also suspect that everyone has a memory that is associated with a tree. Whether that memory is climbing one, a rope swing hung from a branch, enjoying a picnic in the shade of a tree or—dare I say—perhaps your first kiss or a […]
As a National Historic Landmark, the City of Cape May is steeped in the Victorian era, with a preponderance of period homes featuring gabled roofs, intricate woodwork, and plenty of towers, turrets, and dormers. And that’s just the exteriors. Inside, many of these homes—particularly bed and breakfasts or small inns—feature […]
34 Gurney St Cape May’s trove of architectural gems is represented by widespread photographs of some of the most recognizable buildings along the beachfront—the Sea Mist and its neighbors, Congress Hall, etcetera—along with a handful situated along the city’s original thoroughfare, Washington Street, including the Physick Estate and Southern Mansion. […]
Because it was originally known as a painted leaf flower, you might think the word poinsettia is the botanical name of this impressive species. However, its scientific name is Euphorbia pulcherrima- and you thought poinsettia was hard to say! Its common name comes from the man who is credited with […]
41 Jackson Street Strolling is one of my favorite Cape May activities. Stroll to the beach, stroll to dinner, or stroll without a destination, it’s all about the journey in the Queen of Seaside Resorts. And given the opportunity, I choose a stroll that leads me to Jackson Street. It […]
102 Lake Drive Tucked away deep in Cape May Point, situated on a triangular lot pointing toward the sunset, is a small house of worship with a big heart. St. Peter’s By-the-Sea is a tiny church, no greater than 2,000 square feet—including the porches—and has been serving the Episcopal congregation […]
Step outside The Bayberry House on Perry Street and sip your coffee. Look up or down the block and admire the character of the historic homes lining this picturesque road. Pause on this porch and inhale deeply the ocean breeze that drifts up the street. A more picturesque place for […]
634 Washington St In the High Summer issue of this magazine published last month, this column examined the composition of Block 1059, between Ocean and Franklin Streets, focusing on the architectural relic that is the Memucan Hughes House (otherwise known as the Colonial House Museum). Another historic structure that has […]
The New Wave Comes Ashore Over the past 50 years, ornamental grasses have slowly been gaining favor among gardeners. I was first smitten with this group of plants as a child, long before I began to seriously study landscape design in the early 1980’s. As a beginning gardener, I was […]
Art, much like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. One man’s collected masterpiece may evoke nothing but ennui in another. Art is notoriously subjective, and people are often quite opinionated about it, offering plenty of criticism as well as praise where their neighbors and friends may feel completely […]
653 1/2 Washington St It could be argued that one of the most contested areas of land on Cape Island, perhaps second only to the Sewell Tract, might be Block 1059, located in the heart of Cape May. Rife with debate regarding historic preservation and land use planning, the area […]