South Jersey's Hidden Arts & Culture Gems - Part 1
South Jersey is filled with hidden arts and culture gems and with the help of hyper-local tour guides like Catherine Allen, we’re shining a spotlight on them! If you saw our latest reel or YouTube video and want to learn more about the organizations she visited, you’re in the right place.
Cape May MAC
Photo Credits: Cape May Mac Website
Mission: Cape May MAC Cape May MAC is a 50-year-old multifaceted not-for-profit organization committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors, by:
- Fostering a greater understanding and appreciation for the Victorian lifestyle and for the architecture, decorative arts, history and livelihoods of the Cape May region.
- Preserving and restoring the Emlen Physick Estate, the Cape May Lighthouse, the World War II Lookout Tower (Fire Control Tower No. 23) and other landmark structures in the Cape May region.
- Encouraging the performing arts in the Cape May region through presenting performances, conducting educational outreach and providing support services to other arts and cultural organizations.
- Providing professional development to teachers and educational outreach to schoolchildren and adults in subject areas corresponding to the organization’s public programming.
- Supporting the efforts to preserve the greater Cape May region’s historic architecture through the sponsorship of cultural and heritage tourism, and through providing support services to other non-profit organizations in the areas of cultural, heritage and ecological tourism.
- Acquiring, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting objects pertaining to the Victorian period and to the architecture, decorative arts, and history of the Cape May region.
Historic Trolley Tours: Hop on one of Cape May MAC’s cheery red and green trolleys and take a guided tour the easy and comfortable way. Knowledgeable guides will tell you everything you want to know about America’s first seaside resort, from our Victorian heritage to our seashore and maritime history and more, with plenty of fun facts sprinkled in.
Plan your visit: Cape May MAC operates four historic sites, a fleet of trolleys, and hosts tours and events throughout Cape May County. We treat Cape May as a museum without walls and enjoy being able to serve the community in a variety of locations. Cape May is a wonderful destination at any time of year and we pride ourselves on offering tours and events all year long!
Harriet Tubman Museum
Photo Credit: The Harriet Tubman Museum
About: The Harriet Tubman Museum of New Jersey shares the inspiring story of an American hero, the rich history of abolitionist activism, and the enduring legacy of the African American community in Cape May County and New Jersey.
Visit the Harriet Tubman Museum: Your entry is good from the start of the hour and includes admission for your exploration of the Museum's exhibits during the hour of your session. Timed ticket entry is limited to the one-hour session so the Museum staff can welcome our next visitors, given high demand. Guided tours are given during particular sessions, and other sessions are self-guided for your own exploration.
Hours of Operation:
Summer Hours:
- Wednesday - Saturday: 11 AM - 3 PM
- Sunday: 2 PM - 3 PM
Off-season Hours:
- Friday - Saturday: 11 AM - 3 PM
- Sunday: 2 PM - 3 PM
Tip: Tickets are timed for one-hour sessions. Some include guided tours—others are self-paced.
Closed:
- The entire month of January the Harriet Tubman Museum is not open to the public.
South Jersey History Trail Feature: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/17274d1d69ba4a0fb0591d33bed2897a
What is the South Jersey History Trail?
The South Jersey HiSTORY Trail is your guide to discovering the full story of South Jersey’s past. This project, created by the South Jersey Cultural Alliance (SJCA) with generous support from the New Jersey Historical Commission, brings together a robust selection of historical sites across all eight counties. Each featured site is carefully curated and supplemented with written stories, images, and essential information to help visitors experience the sites in person with ease!
These highlighted locations will be refreshed several times a year, ensuring that a wide range of history organizations and sites are showcased—from well-known landmarks to lesser-explored historic treasures. The goal is to provide a full spectrum of South Jersey’s rich and diverse history, making it easy for residents and visitors alike to engage with the past.
For those who want to take history on the go, the South Jersey Culture Trail Mobile Application (available for iPhone and Android) offers an interactive way to explore. App users can locate themselves on the map, discover nearby historic sites and cultural landmarks, and even receive notifications when they are close to a HiSTORY Trail site.
Whether you're following a self-guided tour, uncovering hidden histories, or simply exploring the region, the HiSTORY Trail connects you to the information you need, making it easy to learn more, plan visits, and stay informed.
Carpenter Square Mall
Photo Credits: Catherine Allen
About: Carpenter Square Mall is a retail establishment open year-round located at 31 Perry St., Cape May, NJ in the heart of the downtown Cape May area. You can visit a wide variety of shops, eateries, and art establishments inside of the mall such as:
- Good Deeds Market
- Jawbone Gallery
- Spirit Catcher Photography
- No.5 Trading
- Perri-Anne Designs
- Magic Brain Cafe
- Cape May Dips, Sticks, & Gifts
- La Doña Restaurante Mexicano
From history-rich museums to unique art galleries, Cape May offers something for every curious traveler. Be sure to support local arts by visiting!
What are you waiting for? There’s so much to explore in Cape May and this is only the beginning! Start planning your trip now!
About South Jersey Cultural Alliance: South Jersey Cultural Alliance connects, empowers, and advocates for artists, communities, and organizations to promote engagement and investment in arts and history in our region. We envision an inclusive and vibrant South Jersey, where arts and history play a key role in everyone's life, boosting the region's economy, cultural identity, and overall well-being.
SJCA is an incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
