By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net. BF post 9/18/2016
The QSpot story may have aroused your curiosity regarding the story of the building which now houses the Jersey Shore Arts Center. Here is the timeline which we wrote. I have never seen the written agreement between the JSAC and the OG Camp Meeting Association.
1. 1897: The CMA offers a leasehold agreement to the Neptune Twp. Board of Education to make use of the property for education.
2. 1898 : Neptune High School is built on the property at Main Street and Main Avenue in Ocean Grove, New Jersey.
3. 1980: Neptune High School closes its doors. Building progressively decays into the 1990’s.
4. 1994: The idea of turning the building into an arts center was developed by Herb Herbst with the help of State Sen. Joe Palaia. The Ocean Grove Historical Preservation Commission was formed to implement the arts project, and they knew that the building had to be used for education.
According to Herbst, the group received its non-profit tax exempt status by partnering for one month with the OG Fishing Club. He said that certain Ocean Grove organizations refused to help him. He credits the Chamber of Commerce and the Camp Meeting Association with being supportive.
5. 1996: The JSAC took title to the building in 1996. Here is a quote (9/16 FIOS 1 News) from Herb Herbst regarding that agreement:
“Herbst says he has to operate under a 1896 agreement when the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association provided Neptune Township Board of Education the land to be used for purposes regarding education and arts.
“For any reason if I fail to stay within the arts category, there’s a clause that would revert everything back to the previous owners,” Herbst said.
6. 2009: In an interview, Herbst told Blogfinger that he was aware of the revert clause.
Herbst is the President and CEO of the arts center. There is a board of trustees and a ladies’ auxiliary.
7. Over the years a great deal of money was raised along with the sweat equity provided by many volunteer workers. The building was in terrible condition in 1994, but it has now been restored, adding millions of dollars to its value.
8. In 2014, the JSAC leadership became worried because it thought that the CMA wanted to reclaim the building. After further discussion, the CMA made it clear that it did not want the building back.
9. Sept. 2016, the JSAC reported that it would not renew the lease to a gay group QSpot because the required arts/entertainment functions were not being offered and that the group was mostly a service organization.
10. Currently, 2016, the JSAC is busy offering crafts, art classes, dance lessons, serious theater events, Broadway style shows, concerts and a culinary school.
More on JSAC:
Speaking of education, here is CHRISTINE EBERSOLE with “The Revolutionary Costume for Today” from the musical Grey Gardens:
OhGee: This post is a timeline—a chronology of the JSAC highlighting various important events in the organization’s history. #9 is not “incorrect.” It is a quote that indicates the JSAC point of view regarding QSpot.
If you want to read the actual article about the QSpot/JSAC situation, here is the link that presents both sides:
https://blogfinger.net/2016/09/16/jersey-shore-arts-center-plans-to-evict-gay-organization-the-press-offers-a-muddled-report/
#9 is incorrect. Qspot offers many programs that fall under the “Arts” category, Examples are are included in their press release and recent newspaper articles.