The Lakewood Historical Society and the Lakewood Heritage Commission are celebrating the opening of the Sheldon Wolpin Lakewood Historical Museum in Pine Park.

Senator Robert Singer, Assemblyman Sean Kean, Lakewood Mayor Menashe Miller, and officials of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce are among dignitaries participating in the opening ceremony at Kuser Hall, the newly refurbished 15,000-square-foot building that houses Lakewood antiquities. Preliminary ceremonies will take place at the museum on September 7. The event will feature a Toastamonial honoring Robert Kirschner at the Lakewood Country Club, on Country Club Lane.

Kuser Hall, the last remaining building of five that made up the Newman School, an exclusive preparatory boarding school for boys, closed in 1942. The building, which the township acquired in 1964 through Green Acres Funding, was the math and science center of the school.

Through the volunteer efforts of members in the Historical Society and the Heritage Commission, Kuser Hall has been transformed into a showcase, featuring Lakewood memorabilia and artifacts. The Township gave both groups a long-term lease in 2012 and it has taken four years to create six galleries on the first floor and a main hallway, depicting scenes of “old” Lakewood.

Some of the renovations include power washing and painting the building; installing handicap ramps, interior and exterior lighting, a security system, and restroom facilities; and replacing 550 plus panes of glass. A fountain from 1881 originally commissioned by a group of Lakewood residents was moved from Clifton Avenue to the front of the museum. The museum also boasts a mono-wing airplane in the southeastern outside corner of the building as part of some hands-on exhibits.

The Ocean County Society of Model Railroaders has relocated from downtown Lakewood to the lower level of the museum where members are building two exhibits, one for O Gauge and the other of HO Gauge model trains.

The Township Committee, Lakewood publics works, and the Inspection Department have been especially supportive. Many present and former Lakewood residents have given financial support as well as goods and services.

(The cost of cocktails and dinner, with Kosher meals upon request, is $100 payable to the Lakewood Historical Society R.S.V.P. to Robin Taylor-Wellet at 732-330-5384 or [email protected]. Visit www.lakewoodnjhistorical society.org for additional information. Ad journal sponsorships are $25.00 for Best Wishes or In Memory of; $125 for a quarter page; $250 for a half page; $500 for a full page; and $1,000 for the front, back and back inside covers. Financial donations are always welcome.)

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