Due to limited staff availability please use the doorbell/intercom for admittance
The Atlantic County Historical Society Library and Museum is located at 907 Shore Road, Somers Point, NJ 08244
(Just across the street from Gregory’s and Josie Kelly’s Public House)
Hours: Thursday through Saturday 10:00am to 3:00pm
Phone: (609)927-5218
- Mission
The mission of the Atlantic County Historical Society is to encourage the study of local history and genealogy and to disseminate this information to our members and the general public.
To fulfill our mission, the Society publishes an annual journal of local history and genealogy as well as a quarterly newsletter. Other means include programs, lectures, field trips, partnerships with local libraries and school districts, library and museum interpretative exhibits, and guided tours of the circa 1790 oysterman’s farmhouse, the Risley Homestead, in Northfield, New Jersey.
- History
The Atlantic County Historical Society is an independent, non-profit, tax-exempt membership organization. Originally founded in 1913 to collect and preserve the history of Atlantic County and southern New Jersey, the organization was incorporated as the Atlantic County Historical Society in 1915. In 2006, the Society was briefly renamed the Atlantic Heritage Center, but the original name was restored in 2011.
The Society opened its library and museum at the current location in 1968. In 2017, an extensive renovation project added additional space for the museum and provided handicapped accessibility.
The Risley Homestead site, located at 8 Virginia Ave, Northfield, NJ, was bequeathed to the Society in 1989 by Virginia Risley Stout. She and her husband were the last to live in this historic building, of which portions date to 1790. The building is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
Atlantic County Historical Society and Risley Homestead are registered business trade names of Atlantic County Historical Society, Inc.
- Membership
Membership in the Atlantic County Historical Society is open to anyone. We encourage you to join a growing organization comprised of people who share a common interest in preserving Atlantic County’s past and present for future generations.
Find out more about membership levels and benefits.
Download the ACHS Membership Form
Governing Board
The organization is managed by a Governing Board comprised of the Executive Board and Trustees.
President: Sid Parker
Vice President: Cindy Mason-Purdie
Recording Secretary: Barbara Perry-Silva
Treasurer: Charlene Canale
Asst. Treasurer: Charles Morgan
Financial Secretary: Ellen Hyatt
Librarian: Rev. Norman Goos
Assistant Librarian: Kathy Fritz
Curator: Mary Sue Lovett (interim)
Asst. Curator: (vacant)
Chaplain: Rev. Norman Goos
Historian: Diane Bassetti
Trustees:
Ben Brenner, Mike Connor,
Megan Ernst, Tom Kinsella,
James H. Mason,V, Mike O’Brien,
Heather Perez, Will Rozell, Judith
Schwartz, Dana Shupp & Lynn Wood
There is no paid professional staff – volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization. They bring specialized skills and experience to assist with daily operations and special projects.