Cornerstone event at the future site of the Francis Asbury Manor. August 23, 1947 in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. Photo source: Janet Carrato of the UMHNJ. Left click to see this image in full frame view.
This photo is of the Pilgrimage of Service and Laying of Cornerstone which took place in Ocean Grove on August 23, 1947. Construction begun immediately thereafter and the first residents moved in on November 29, 1949. On September 8, 1951 it was dedicated as the Methodist Home For the Aged of New Jersey.
Although the land was purchased in 1937, the building got delayed due to World War II. In 1970 the senior residence was renamed Francis Asbury Manor.
Editor’s note: Thank you to Janet Carrato, Director of Communications and Public Relations of the United Methodist Homes of New Jersey, for sharing this OG historical anecdote with us on Blogfinger.
—Paul Goldfinger, Editor.
Paul : I saw a design for the replacement building(s) that never happened. There was going to be a separate building for those with memory impairment. While the current building is set in to center, the replacement building was to use much more of the current footprint and extend out close to the sidewalks.
UMH initially had the foolish idea to keep residents living there, while the current building was being demolished and replaced. I think it was going to be a bit taller then the current building. There were objections to the replacement design from both OG (mostly Stockton Ave.) residents and also from Bradley Beach residents who lived across lake from FAM.
P.S. – UMH has retirement homes elsewhere in NJ such as Pitman (a former Camp Meeting town). Most are brick as are most retirement homes in general.
P.S. P.S. – If FAM were to have shutters they should have cross designs on them. Perhaps Woody Allen would pay for them as he paid for the Great Auditorium cross.
Frank S : Maybe red shutters? HPC loves shutters.
What a cool photo! Most of the houses (maybe all of them) in the picture that surround the property are the same now, so it’s an interesting perspective. I live a few blocks from there and agree they are quiet. I vote there every year, and it’s always a nice experience.
I agree that it is odd to see the split levels and more modern houses in the southern part of Ocean Grove; now I know the history of their different styles being allowed in the Victorian town.
Oldtimer : I hope you are joking. Paint original red brick white ? That would make it fit in better ? I am sure HPC would just love that.
Thanks Jan
I checked the Methodist Home for the Aged of New Jersey (currently Francis Asbury Manor) annual reports from 1939 through 1949. In the reports of the President of the Board of Trustees and President of the Board of Managers, no mention is made of any approval proceedings, municipal planning boards, etc. However, the cover of the 1946 annual report has an interesting graphic—a tag which says, “This construction authorized under VHP-1, Civilian Production Administration.” The upper left corner bears a project serial number and date of authorization. The upper right corner has an imprinted eagle. It appears to be part of the “swift and orderly transition from wartime production to a maximum peacetime production in industry free from wartime Government controls…” Check this out http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=77852
I believe that this building was going to be torn down and replaced, but then the recession hit. Did anyone get to see the design of the proposed replacement building?
I’ll bet the story is pretty simple. Where better to build a Methodist home then in a Methodist enclave
Jason : During this same time period there were a number of non-Victorian homes built in OG that also did not “fit in”. A number of these are on the South Side of OG near where Francis Asbury Manor is.
Not all homes are Victorian style in OG. We have everything from Sears Craftsman to Ranch style homes to attached condominiums to “Italianate Victorian”.
During the time period when this was built, OG was a pretty solidly Methodist town. This facility was built to be a home for retired Methodists, many whom lived in OG. They no doubt welcomed it. If there is a story here, then that is it.
The interior is quite nice. Beautiful chapel, big recreation room & dining room well lit with many windows. Kinda classy : Silverware & china used for meals. Both workers and residents seem very happy to be there.
While I know FAM to be a good neighbor, it would be fantastc if they could do a little redecorating on the exterior to make it fit in better. Imagine if they painted the entire exterior white (bricks and all), put shutters on the windows, and added a little latice around the entranceway structures. As it is, FAM is on the short list of structures that really don’t fit in (to include the motor lodge, etc.). The HPC should encourage owners of these structures to do some reskinning.
Agree. It’s hard to believe they allowed this building in the Grove. Too tall and no effort was made to make it fit in. There must be a story here.
Ocean Grove was not designated a Historic District until 1975. Judging from the size of the crowd looking on rather than protesting I imagine it was widely welcomed.
Bythesea : Back then Ocean Grove was not a designated state or federal historic town as it now is. It was run by Camp Meeting Association. I doubt this was a controversial project. P.S. – I live around block from Francis Asbury Manor. It is quiet, little traffic, and well kept. They offer some interesting programs & events which are open to public. They are good neighbors.
Where is the Victorian charm? How could this have happened? Was there no zoning back then or something? Surely this had to have been a very controversial project.
Jan Carrato
Director of Communications and Public Relations
United Methodist Homes of New Jersey
Home Office, Marketing Department
3311 State Route 33
Neptune, NJ 07753
732-922-9802, x2124
ps: Another way to “get ahold” of Janet Carrato is to Google her—-she comes right up.
Blogfinger(or anyone else) : Is that Stockton Avenue in background behind crowd ? Was this foto taken facing North East ? How does one get ahold of Janet Carrato ? Thanks.