The Broadway Urn in historic Ocean Grove is being restored by the Historical Society of Ocean Grove.
The Historical Society of Ocean Grove has launched a campaign to restore two of the historic district’s Victorian-era urns. The fundraising campaign has a goal of $50,000.
“Ocean Grove has beautiful monuments that add to the charm of the town,” said Bob Waitt, the organization’s president. “But time, salty air and other environmental factors wear them down. We are committed to fixing them.”
The Broadway Urn, as it is now informally called, was dedicated in 1878 as the Summer Worshipper’s Vase, and was originally located near the tent colony. Now located at the intersection of Broadway and Central Avenue, it features three dolphins on the base, and bears the manufacturing mark of J. W. Fiske, noted ironwork company of the late 1800s-1900s.
The Auditorium Urn, located on Pilgrim Pathway on the north side of the Great Auditorium, was dedicated in 1877 as the Pioneer Women of Ocean Grove Vase, but bears no manufacturing stamp. Both urns will ship to Robinson Ironworks in Alabama, the same company that restored the 1907 Fitzgerald Memorial Fountain in Founder’s Park.
The Historical Society is the custodian of the urns and fountain and concluded a major fundraising drive in 2019 to restore the fountain for the 150th anniversary of Ocean Grove. Waitt noted the extraordinary group of town volunteers that assist in the maintenance of these monuments. “When you drive down Broadway, and see those beautiful flowers in the urn, that is all the work of volunteers,” he said, referring to Ocean Grove’s Beautification Project.
The urns will be completely refurbished, and the concrete bases rebuilt by a local mason. Residents are urged to bring their donations directly to the Historical Society Museum at 50 Pitman Ave. or access the website historicalsocietyofoceangrove.org and donate through PayPal or credit card. All donations will be acknowledged.
