The History Committee of West Cape May: Our Story

In 1970, the historic core of the Borough of West Cape May was placed on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places along with the City of Cape May. During that time period there was a resurgence of resident support to retain the architectural and cultural history of the Cape May area.
In West Cape May, Marie Iaconangelo and Doris Jacobsen were the two key residents who spearheaded efforts to document the history of West Cape through interviews with long-term residents and obtaining a National Trust grant to conduct a detailed survey of the historic buildings in the West Cape May Historic District. The History Committee of West Cape May was established as a non-profit 501c3 organization in 2003 dedicated “to preserve, promote, and present for educational purposes the history of the Borough of West Cape May.”

Over the past twenty years the History Committee of West Cape May completed several major projects and held many West Cape May Borough community events for the education and enjoyment of the public.

West Cape May Borough Hall Photo Gallery – photos of historic homes, West Cape May residents, and community events are on display throughout the entrance and Meeting Hall.

WCM Historic District Survey – through grants from the National Trust and Cape May County Culture and Heritage Commission in 2007, architectural historians completed detailed surveys for contributing properties following criteria of the National Register of Historic Places. These surveys are still used by the WCM Historic Preservation Commission today.

WCM Borough Hall Mural – Local artist Rich Flanegan was commissioned in 2007 to paint the beautiful mural on the back wall of the Borough Meeting Hall depicting WCM history and agricultural roots.

WCM Historic Signs – Through a grant received in 2008, historic signs with photos and WCM history highlights were installed at Wilbraham Park, West Cape May Elementary School, and Rea’s Farm.

“Discover Historic West Cape May” banners – Street banners were placed throughout West Cape May sponsored by ads from local businesses.

West Cape May House, Garden, and Walking Tours – In collaboration with MAC, there were house and garden tours of West Cape May properties. A tri-fold self-guided Walking Tour of “Historic West Cape May” was published featuring 19 WCM properties.

“West Cape May History” – Cape May Film was contracted to conduct filmed interviews of long-standing residents which was used for a film on “West Cape May History” to celebrate West Cape May’s 125th anniversary. Here is a link to Interviews with West Cape May Residents

West Cape May 125th Anniversary Celebration – A catered dinner party was hosted for WCM residents and invited guests to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the Borough’s original charter in 1884.

This has been an amazing contribution to the West Cape May Borough, especially since all the projects and events hosted by the History Committee of West Cape May were funded by grants and fundraisers. The History Committee of West Cape May is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation which is separate from the Borough of West Cape May but has worked closely with the Borough Departments over many years. There was limited activity by the History Committee of West Cape May during Covid, but thanks to Marie Iaconangelo and Judy Smith, the History Committee of West Cape May is being revived. West Cape May has a tremendous wealth of diverse architectural and cultural history that the History Committee of West Cape May hopes to continue to document and preserve for the education and enjoyment of many generations.