Bashaw, along with his cousin Norris Clark, disentangled the mess, and set his sights on integrating the Admiral and Congress Hall with Cape May’s burgeoning Victorian renaissance. Cape May and the hotel were so popular that several presidents vacationed there including; Ulysses S. Grant, Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan. Other owners dabbled in politics too, including Charles W. Sandman, Jr., a New Jersey state senator who bought a stake in Congress Hall in 1958 and who served as a member of Congress from 1967 to 1975, including a run for governor of New Jersey in 1973. Sousa, who would live to be 77, would later rise to worldwide fame, including playing for President Harrison’s inaugural in 1889. “Change is gonna happen. The hotel is located in the heart of the Historic District, right across the street from the beach and the Washington Street Mall. But at least four U.S. presidents have ensconced themselves in one of Congress Hall’s ocean-view suites, though you won’t find Lincoln, Wilson, or the Roosevelts in the mix: Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Ulysses Grant, and most notably Benjamin Harrison—who, partisans of Congress Hall are fond of pointing out, settled into a kind of summer White House on the ground floor in 1890 and 1891 while the real White House was being renovated. Jennifer Noonan 10,990 views. Congress Hall Hotel listed under Hotels And Motels. © 2020 Cape Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. This property is housed in a colonial-style building. She was feisty. GHOSTS OF THE LIGHTHOUSE TROLLEY TOUR. D uring the summer, Cape May is a place of sun and relaxation, but many vacationers don’t realize they’re actually sleeping with ghosts — hundreds of ghosts. LEARN MORE. Take an evening tour down the ghostly path that leads to the Cape May Lighthouse, as you hear about psychic medium Craig McManus’ paranormal findings “I imagined that if she had a sense of humor, it would have been pretty dry. The tax bills piled up. Carl McIntire. Asked where he would like to take things now, going forward, Bashaw grows reflective. I don’t think it’s the right choice.’ There was no shunning.”. Carl Curtis McIntire, born in 1902, was a Biblical literalist who in 1936 founded the Christian Beacon newspaper and, the following year, established the Bible Presbyterian Church. “McIntire built the networks and alliances with the GOP Right that the Jerry Falwells and [others] cemented in the late 1970s.” In a sense, McIntire was the creative genesis behind the Falwell’s Moral Majority and, later, Pat Robertson’s Christian Coalition. “I’ve never met any of them. New regulations—including fire codes, disability access, asbestos and lead paint rules—added onerous costs to McIntire’s holdings. “When you go back to 1816, it’s almost the entire history of the country,” says Bashaw. By the middle of the 19th century, Congress Hall had earned a reputation as a glittering refuge for the wealthy. Cape May is easily accessible from the Garden State Parkway and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. You’re always stepping into new territory.”, He’s thinking, he says, about adding another two hundred rooms or so to Cape Resorts current properties. Leave a Reply Cancel reply. Next Post Next 150 Year Old Haunted Light House Cape May. Its walls are lined with photographs, letters, and documents of its past within Cape May’s history. Jacob F. Cake. Cape May Tourism Cape May Hotels Bed and Breakfast Cape May Cape May Holiday Rentals Cape May Holiday Packages Flights to Cape May Cape May Restaurants Cape May Attractions Cape May Travel Forum Cape May Photos Cape May Map Cape May Guide All Cape May Hotels; Cape May Hotel Deals; Last Minute Hotels in Cape May; By Hotel Type Cape May Motels Add a few thrills and chills to your next stay with one of the many Cape May ghost tours our city offers! Cape May Tourism Cape May Hotels Cape May Bed and Breakfast Cape May Vacation Rentals Cape May Packages Flights to Cape May Cape May Restaurants Arriving in Cape May soon after the devastating nor’easter of 1962, McIntire built a mini-empire that included the enormous Christian Admiral Hotel, Shelton College, the Lafayette Cottages, the Colonial Star Villa, the building that’s now the Peter Shields Inn, and Congress Hall. History buffs welcome: Congress Hall has overlooked the Atlantic Ocean, in the town of Cape May, New Jersey, for over 200 years. Many of the changes are subtle, designed to blend in with the original framework and fixtures, so that even long-time patrons may be pressed to notice what’s different. “We really didn’t have enough money to finish the building the way we wanted to, in 2001-2002,” she says. He just said, ‘It’s between you and the Lord. The catch was that they’d decided that they had no choice but to tear down the Admiral, and use the cash that would result from the sale of its oceanfront parcel to kick start financing for Congress Hall’s restoration. And it didn’t work! His Christian Beacon had a circulation of 650,000 at its peak, and McIntire’s radio broadcasts had 20 million listeners over 600 radio stations around the country. A Brief History: Located at 200 Congress Place Cape May New Jersey. If you enjoy the thrills and chills, you definitely won’t want to miss a ghost tour of Cape May. “He was not happy, but he never banned me from his house. Cape May Tourism Cape May Hotels Bed and Breakfast Cape May Cape May Holiday Rentals Cape May Holiday Packages Flights to Cape May Cape May Restaurants Cape May Attractions Cape May Travel Forum Cape May Photos Cape May Map Cape May Guide All Cape May Hotels; Cape May Hotel Deals; Last Minute Hotels in Cape May; By Hotel Type Cape May Motels America's oldest seaside resort providing hospitality since 1816. Cape May is one of the most haunted places in America and if you get a thrill from things that go bump in the night, this is the place for you. Follow Us. Does the government own it? Some say that the EVP may have been a maintenance worker. Bashaw, who’d just finished at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, returned to Cape May. Cape May Tourism Cape May Accommodation Cape May Bed and Breakfast Cape May Holiday Rentals Cape May Holiday Packages Cape May Flights Cape May Restaurants Cape May Attractions Cape May Travel Forum Cape May Photos Cape May Map Cape May Guide All Cape May Hotels; Cape May Hotel Deals; Last Minute Hotels in Cape May; By Hotel Type Cape May Motels Built in 1816, Congress Hall burned down two years later. Except Congress Hall. Congress Hall, Cape May: czytaj obiektywne recenzje i oglądaj zdjęcia podróżnych. He’s looking at opportunities in retail, to help build what he describes as a “vibrant” downtown. She’s come back to life in the form of Iraisa Ann Reilly, a local actress and playwright, who several times each week takes visitors on a 40-minute tour of Congress Hall. Cape May Tourism There was trenchant opposition from several quarters in town, and a series of lawsuits and political challenges that turned what should have been a two- or three-year effort into something that dragged on from 1995 until 2002. If there were Three Little Pigs involved, and if the Big Bad Wolf used fire instead of huffing and puffing, the pigs could tell you a similar story. “He was definitely extreme by most people’s standards, philosophically,” admits Bashaw. Congress Hall is a historic hotel in Cape May, Cape May County, New Jersey, United States, occupying a city block bordered on the south by Beach Avenue and on the east by Washington Street Mall. “I think it could well be that we’re the oldest functioning hotel in the country,” he says. “I’ve got to figure out who’s going to deal with this next,” he says, before adding, with a laugh, “Because, you know, I’d hate to see it become a Marriott! In 2016, the once-again new Congress Hall is the jewel in the crown of Bashaw’s Cape Resorts empire, including the flagship hotel and its restaurants, the Blue Pig, the Brown Room and the Boiler Room; the Virginia Hotel and Cottages, including the Ebbitt Room; the seaside Beach Shack and the Rusty Nail; the Star Inn; and Beach Plum Farm. It acquired its moniker back in 1829, when the then-current owner decided to honor the fact that its builder, Tom Hughes, got himself elected to the House of Representatives that year, serving two terms. Cape May is one of the most haunted places in America and if you get a thrill from things that go bump in the night, this is the place for you. Categories congress hall cape may fall, Fall events cape may, Halloween cape may events. to be haunted..like Congress Hall and the Macomber hotel. Most of the things experienced were residual hauntings. Well, almost, since it does refer to or include two congress members. Working with a prominent carpet design firm, Colleen experimented time and time again until she felt it was right. America's oldest seaside resort providing hospitality since 1816. That’d be a drag. The venue is 2 km away from the city centre.The hotel is close to Cape May Bird Observatory in Cape May. In 1828 Hughes was elected to Congress, this is when the name changed to “Congress Hall.” By the middle of the 19 th Century Congress Hall doubled in size, but in 1878 the building was destroyed by a fire that devastated 38 acres of Cape May’s Seafront. Korzystając z interaktywnej mapy serwisu Tripadvisor, poznaj lokalizację oraz okoliczne restauracje i atrakcje. “I mean, I’m still good for another twenty years or so! And a youthful John Philip Sousa, age 28, came to Congress Hall in 1882, where he led the U.S. Marine Corps Band in a week-long concert series. Cape May, New Jersey. It was, in many ways, a labor of love, because he’d grown up there as a kid, swimming in the surf in front of Congress Hall or playing Ski-Ball at the arcade. The 4-star property is also a few steps from the Easy Lynne Theater and Cape May State Professional Equity Theater. She was stubborn, and she wasn’t the kind of person to back down.”. But, for all the work, it retains its magnificent, historic personality and its grand dame  charm. And he did it all from his headquarters in Cape May. “The town was asleep, and he’s on a thousand radio stations, the main fundamentalist guy in America, this God-and-country preacher. In 1828 Hughes was elected to Congress, this is when the name changed to “Congress Hall.” By the middle of the 19 th Century Congress Hall doubled in size, but in 1878 the building was destroyed by a fire that devastated 38 acres of Cape May’s Seafront. The Congress Hall allows guests to walk to Cape May Beach, Poverty Beach and Washington Street Mall. Joe Uhler. If you get too nostalgic about everything staying the same, you lose it all. “All these ghosts, these hauntings, were inspiration to me in trying to bring the place back.”, Bashaw, whose grandfather, the fiery preacher Carl McIntire, owned the hotel for a couple of decades, is proud of the fact that of all the grand hotels that graced Cape May’s avenues since it emerged as a Victorian resort, Congress Hall is one of the last ones standing. See 1,510 traveler reviews, 876 candid photos, and great deals for Congress Hall, ranked #15 of 37 hotels in Cape May … Hotel’s gone. 24/10/2009. Once known as "The Summer White House," Congress Hall has been a welcome retreat to many throughout the centuries. In 1828 Hughes was elected to Congress, this is when the name changed to “Congress Hall.”, By the middle of the 19th Century Congress Hall doubled in size, but in 1878 the building was destroyed by a fire that devastated 38 acres of Cape May’s Seafront. - See 1,501 traveler reviews, 692 candid photos, and great deals for Congress Hall at Tripadvisor. “It was going through all of this and figuring out what tells the story best,” she says. “Look at the street names around town. Although this bed-and-breakfast is reportedly no longer open for business, folks who have been employed here or stayed here in the past have said that rooms 4 and 5 are haunted by two spirits. The twenty-something Knight, resplendent in a Victorian-era dress, points to one of the photographs. Congress Hall Useful Findings Situated steps away from the beach, the Congress Hall is great for that rewarding vacation. Cape May is not only the most haunted town in the state, it may be the most haunted place in the country; with real spooky hotels that would make even ghost hunters shudder in fear. Gilbert Ramagosa and Charlie Sandman. He’s giving a lot of thought to changes at the Acme center. Citing just one example of the painstaking work that went into the project, after much research Colleen worked up a design for new carpets in the halls, with a newly designed crest, including an image of Annie Knight’s key, and a new, subtly striped pattern for the guest rooms. Perhaps Uhler’s main contribution was the addition of a round-faced cocktail joint on Beach Avenue. That’s because Annie Knight, the proprietor, who owned the place in the early twentieth century, died in 1931. Congress Hall. Are you as spooked as I am? It was called the “The Big House” and was owned by Thomas H. Hughes. President Benjamin Harrison made Congress Hall his summer White House. He liked the hotel so much that he composed a march called “Congress Hall March.”. And it’s that building, closer to the ocean and much smaller than its predecessor, which proudly occupies its space at the western end of Cape May’s pedestrian mall today. 26K likes. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the resort was once known as "The Summer White House", and continues to be a welcome retreat for travelers today. Hotel’s gone. Winter Wonderland at Congress Hall - New Jersey's Holiday HQ - Naugatuck, CT - Cape Resorts is operating in compliance with state and federal COVID-19 health and safety regulations. You must be logged in to post a comment. “The hauntedness of the place!” he exclaims, when asked what the storied history of Congress Hall means to him. Describing a carnival held in August, 1865, just after the end of the Civil War, The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote: “The appearance of the ballroom beggars description. Congress Hall is a historic hotel in Cape May, Cape May County, New Jersey, United States, occupying a city block bordered on the south by Beach Avenue and on the east by Washington Street Mall. Winter Wonderland at Congress Hall - New Jersey's Holiday HQ - Naugatuck, CT - Cape Resorts is operating in compliance with state and federal COVID-19 health and safety regulations. Waters Burrows Miller. In the background is the hotel’s famous soaring colonnade, and at the center is Knight, looking decidedly dour. Congress Hall, Cape May, Cape May, New Jersey. Congress Hall is a 4-star designer hotel near South Cape May Meadows. In a town where history is everywhere, whose sprawling Historic District itself earned the distinction of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Congress Hall stands out as a singular landmark. Looking back, however, she says that in many ways they didn’t get it right the first time. In 2016, celebrating its 200th anniversary, Congress Hall has just undergone a complete makeover, the third in its history. Within a year, the owners rebuilt the hotel, this time in brick rather than wood, and business blossomed once again. In 1816 a simple boarding house opened in Cape May New Jersey. But we wanted it to have a relaxed, seaside feeling.”, As she shows a visitor around Room 200, a completely renovated, L-shaped corner suite with a glorious ocean view, she explains how a light blue, gray and white color scheme, accented by a red upholstered chair and a lacquered, black four-poster bed, is designed to take advantage of the natural light reflected from the Atlantic. Toward that end, he played an instrumental role in organizing a group called the Fund for Cape May to raise money for a public-private partnership whose first project was a face-lift for Rotary Park, now nearing completion. Cape May, New Jersey. Take an evening tour down the ghostly path that leads to the Cape May Lighthouse, as you hear about psychic medium Craig McManus’ paranormal findings Although this bed-and-breakfast is reportedly no longer open for business, folks who have been employed here or stayed here in the past have said that rooms 4 and 5 are haunted by two spirits. Obiekt został otwarty w 1879 roku i … Last year, Cape Resorts’ payroll was close to $14 million. On her tour, Reilly describes the tangled and tumultuous history of a building that truly has seen it all. Congress Hall went on to open the first post-Prohibition cocktail bar in 1934. Columbia? Cape May. Cape May is often ranked among the most haunted cities and towns in America. Browse our accommodations and see what is waiting for you during your next Cape May vacation. Cape May Tourism Cape May Hotels Cape May Bed and Breakfast Cape May Vacation Rentals Cape May Packages Flights to Cape May Cape May Restaurants Knight, who didn’t really want to be in the hotel business, and the year after he takes it over it burns to the ground!”, For Bashaw, who grew up in Cape May and for whom Congress Hall was part of the furniture of his childhood, the people who came before him have created a unique sort of collective legacy, and he sees himself as the heir to all of it. So I think about finding the right protégé who would take it for the next 60 years.” He pauses, and laughs again. Congress Hall, located in Philadelphia at the intersection of Chestnut and 6th Streets, served as the seat of the United States Congress from December 6, 1790 to May 14, 1800. Beginning in January, when traffic is lightest, workers began ripping out everything, in the hallways and room by room: all the furniture, all the fixtures, carpets. “Or imagine being poor Jacob Cake, who built the Perry Street wing, expanding it to accommodate 800 guests. your own Pins on Pinterest Guests can get to Garrett Family Preserve in 25 minutes on foot. America's oldest seaside resort providing hospitality since 1816. Now $180 (Was $̶3̶1̶5̶) on Tripadvisor: Congress Hall, Cape May. In 2003, according to the Press of Atlantic City, Congress Hall was assessed for tax purposes, when it reopened, “at a whopping $11 million;” today, Bashaw says, the assessment for Congress Hall by itself has risen to $28 million. 83,875 were here. Congress Hall, Cape May New Jersey - Duration: 5:36. Eventually, however, the Christian Beacon Press, the company that owned Congress Hall and other properties, began to run into rough financial straits. “It was hard to prepare,” she says. Congress Hall Hotel, 251 Beach Ave, Cape May, NJ 08204 Get Address, Phone Number, Maps, Ratings, Photos, Websites and more for Congress Hall Hotel. “It outlived all of its peers,” he says. Jimmynut22 Recommended for you. Congress Hall Hotel oferuje noclegi o standardzie 4-gwiazdek tuż obok Washington Street Gallery. The structure being celebrated for its bicentennial isn’t, of course, the one first constructed by old Tom Hughes. Post navigation. Congress Hall, Cape May: czytaj obiektywne recenzje i oglądaj zdjęcia podróżnych. Edward C. Knight and Annie Knight. I wanted that to shine through.”. And so I feel like my job as the current custodian is to lay the groundwork and to make sure that we stay relevant. “She took it over in 1904, when she was in her forties,” says Reilly, who compiled a fair amount of research before using her theatrical skills to create a character about whose personality and bearing very little is known. The spacious hall was crammed with the elite of Philadelphia, [with] hundreds of ladies dressed in queenly splendor.”. These special events allow you to take a walk on the spooky side of our town’s heritage and Victorian architecture—perfect sites for a haunting or two. The town was like, ‘We’re losing our identity to this guy.’” McIntire clashed with the city over a number of issues, including beach fees and back taxes, and he frowned on drinking and other vices. ... Ghost screaming in haunted hotel - FULL LENGTH - Duration: 3:01. At a minimum, it would require tens of millions of dollars. Thomas Hughes. The hotel’s gone. Haunted History: During the renovation there was a bit of paranormal activity. She got her love of art, architecture and old buildings from her mother, who bought a 200-year-old house in Salem, New Jersey, where Colleen “spent some of my growing-up years,” she says. Congress Hall. Using his newfound business acumen, Bashaw started to decide what he could save from his grandfather’s bankrupt empire. Previous Post Previous Congress Hall Cape May Fall Events Beach Plum Farm. It’s a tour that Reilly scripted, with the help of a few others, and reenacts regularly. By 1995, Bashaw and a handful of partners secured financing to buy the Admiral and Congress Hall, then closed and shuttered, from the federal government, which had taken possession of the two buildings, and to pay back taxes to the city of Cape May. Valet Parking is provided. It lived through emancipation, through women’s suffrage.” Not to mention two world wars, a depression, and its fair share of hurricanes and nor’easters. Among other things, Bashaw credits McIntire for keeping Congress Hall intact in an era when it could easily have been a victim of a wrecking ball.