Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Historical Society unveils plans for new Belmar boardwalk signs
Summary
At a Belmar council workshop, Brian McGovern of the Historical Society presented new interpretive signs for the boardwalk and said the images and QR codes are intended to solicit historic photos and memories from former residents.
Brian McGovern, a presenter for the Historical Society, told the Belmar Borough Council that the group plans to install interpretive signs along the boardwalk to highlight the borough’s history. “Picture's worth 1000 words, so to speak,” McGovern said as he described early-1900s beach scenes and local businesses captured in historical photos.
The council workshop presentation described an initial set of seven new signs and said the society intends to expand signage to 16 locations along Ocean Avenue. McGovern highlighted photographs showing the Rialto summer movie theater, DJ’s building, Abbott’s ice cream and larger hotels such as the Neptune and McCann’s Atlantic Hotel, and he urged residents who keep old photos to contact the Historical Society via QR codes placed on the signs.
McGovern described local lore tied to ship salvage and beach scenes and acknowledged society volunteers and leaders, naming Pat O'Keefe as head of the Historical Society. He said past signs remained undamaged after display and that Public Works staff will schedule installation when workload permits; he mentioned DPW staffer Bill (Billy) Musto as the likely contact for placement.
The presentation closed with a request that residents scan the signs’ QR codes to share photos and context for the society’s online archive. The Historical Society did not request formal council action during the workshop; the society will coordinate with municipal staff on timing and placement.
