July Saturday Highlight Tours

Join us Saturdays at 1pm for our Cabinet of Curiosities Highlight Tours

Museums were originally cabinets of curiosities filled with rare antiquities and exotic specimens. You think you have seen it all, but our museum is filled with many stories and cool artifacts. Grab a beverage from AJ’s Pub, come for a half hour for a highlight tour or program and stay for lunch, too! 

Free for members or $7 Museum admission

July 1 – Junior Order of United American Mechanics 

Take a closer look at this fraternal organization by examining ledgers and paperwork from the 1920s. Hear how the JOUAM provided disability and life insurances for certain oystermen while lobbying the government to keep prayer in school and “criminal and diseased aliens” out of the country.  

July 8 – The Meerwald Family

Over the past several years, the Meerwald family portraits and frames were restored by an art conservator thanks to grants received from the Posomokin #875 Chapter of The Questers. Go on a guided tour of the portraits to hear stories about the family members.

July 15 – Watermen’s Memorial Bell

In 2016, the Port Norris Historical Society, the McBride Family Enterprises and the Bayshore Center unveiled the Watermen’s Memorial Bell to honor the 100+ oystermen who perished while working the Delaware Bay and River. View newspaper clippings to learn more about some of the men’s lives. 

July 22 – Battle of Dallas Landing (Skirmish on the Maurice River)

In August 1781, a skirmish occurred on the Maurice River which is believed to be the only military engagement in Cumberland County with  casualties. The skirmish involved some Cumberland County militia and a group of Loyalists. Ten years ago, the Cumberland County Cultural & Heritage Commission performed a multi-year study. Find out about their findings and view a short film. 

July 29 – Central Railroad of New Jersey

The oyster industry during the first three decades of the 20th century would not have prospered without the railroad. It was the railroad that provided the infrastructure to take the oysters to market. Take a tour of railroad related artifacts and learn about this key partner in the oyster industry. 

 The Meerwald Mercantile will be open featuring items from Art 2 Art, Art for a Better World, BeStill, Golden Harvest Apiaries, Lena Mills, Handcrafted by Abraham Warren, Meadows Edge Alpaca Farm, Deb DiMarco and more!

The Oyster Cracker Cafe will be open with fried oysters and a limited menu. Local wines and beer from the Glasstown Brewing Company at AJ’s Pub.

Admittance to AJ’s pub is free for members or $7 admission