Belmar Historical Society

06/15/2026

Thanks to Monmouth NJ 250 for highlighting Belmar's unique baseball history! This stone plaque, located behind home plate, was dedicated in 2022 and honors all of the Baseball Hall of Famers who played on our very own Memorial Field!

As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, highlights the places and people who shaped our nation's story – including history right here in .

Memorial Field in Belmar was a major stop for Negro League and barnstorming baseball teams during the 1920s and 1930s, hosting legendary players like Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, and Cool Papa Bell.

On July 24, 1936, Gibson launched a legendary 600-foot home run that soared over center field and cleared the Belmar Post Office—one of the most famous blasts in baseball history. There’s a plaque behind home plate that commemorates Gibson’s home run and the legendary players who played on this field.

Today, Memorial Field continues to honor this legacy with dugouts named for Gibson and fellow Negro Leagues star Martín Dihigo. The Monmouth Furnace Base Ball Club won a game this past Saturday at Memorial Park vs. the Hoboken Base Ball Club.



Monmouth County Government
Monmouth County Clerk's Office
Monmouth County Sheriff's Office
Monmouth County Tourism
Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area
Revolution NJ
America250
Belmar Historical Society
Belmar Recreation

06/02/2026

😎 Summer, summer, summertime…The Belmar Historical Society invites you to view our brand new display at Belmar Borough Hall, 6th Avenue lobby, “In The Good Old Summertime!”

We’re highlighting warm-weather pastimes including Belmar Playland, boardwalk mini golf, Silver Lake water carnivals, pony rides, Saturday movie matinees, and the annual Tuna Tournament. There was even a toboggan ride plunging into the Shark River back in the 1890’s!

Drop a comment and tell us your favorite Belmar summer activity! ⛱️🍦🏄🏻‍♀️

05/24/2026

05/21/2026

✊🏻WE PUMP FISTS, NOT GAS

As we head into the weekend and the unofficial start of Summer, take a look back at D'Jais Beachcomber in the off-season, 1970! The vibes may have changed, but this legendary nightclub still maintains much of its original exterior, making it one of Belmar's most recognizable landmarks.

⛱️ We'd like to wish all of our members, followers, and friends a safe and happy summer filled with great memories! If you're looking for an off-the-beach, family-friendly activity, come soak up some local history at the BHS Museum! We're open Mondays 2-4pm and Thursdays 10am-12pm.

📸: These images come from the Borough of Belmar and April Claudio, who was recently named 2025–2026 Municipal Clerk of the Year by the Municipal Clerks' Association of New Jersey. Congrats, April!

05/18/2026

Memorial Day 2026 🇺🇸
Join us as we honor our heroes at Monument Row (Main St. between 12th & 13th)
📅 Monday, May 25
⏰ 9:00 AM – Fire Dept. Ceremony
⏰ 9:30 AM – Memorial Day Ceremony
Come together to remember those who gave everything.

05/12/2026

🪩 Denise Lynch (my future bride) was always a customer of Jerry Lynch’s until she (along with girlfriend Pauline) decided to visit a D’Jais matinee on that fateful Saturday, May 29th, 1976 of Memorial Day weekend. After some introductory small talk and a couple of beers Denise and Pauline disappeared into the night. The next day (Sunday) I was at a BBQ behind Reggie’s and miraculously Denise was there with friends…so it began…

We were engaged by the lake across from St. Catherine’s in Spring Lake on July 3rd, 1977… Married June 17, 1978… 2 beautiful daughters, Colleen and Kelly. Now have 3 grandchildren, James, Kellan and Emma. We live in Middletown and always take a “memory lane drive” through Belmar, past D’Jais where it all began. Some of us still gather for a Monday “Holme Session” during the summer.

🌊 Belmar will always will be a very special place to us.

PS: A small group of us were in D’Jais on July 4th, 1976 (200 years). Hopefully we can gather this July 4th for the 250th celebration. Hopefully the owners will roll back the 5 beers for $1.

05/06/2026

Our friends at the library always know how to throw a party!🌭

Tomorrow's the day!
🇺🇸America 250, Belmar Public Library is throwing a party!🇺🇸
Live music by with special guest Pat Roddy

Free and open to the public!

Ice Cream 🍦
Hot Dogs 🌭
Face painting 🎨
Balloon twists 🎈

Event starts Thursday May 7th @ 5pm
Band starts at 5:30

Bring a friend, a blanket, a lawn chair and help us celebrate!

05/01/2026

As outdoor activities ramp up, why not go on a historical scavenger hunt! Sites across Monmouth County are free this weekend as part of Weekend in Old Monmouth, and you have until July 4th to complete the challenge. Happy Hunting! 🔎

The Monmouth County Historical Association and the MonmouthNJ 250 Committee invite you to take part in the Monmouth County 250th Historical Scavenger Hunt — a fun, family-friendly adventure across Monmouth County's historic sites as we celebrate America's 250th birthday!

Go to www.monmouthhistory.org/historicalscavengerhunt for more details!

04/29/2026

🕰 Summer will be here before we know it, and some of you may have spent time at The White House, formerly at 2nd & Ocean Aves. It was built in the late 1800's as a private residence known as the Cochran House before converting into a hotel. The White House was last owned by longtime keepers Tommy and Linda Wagner before it was demolished in 2023.

During our recent Shore History Fair, we were given a surprise donation of a mantle clock from The White House, along with a hotel register from the early 1930's, courtesy of George Adams, possibly from when it first opened! Guests in the register came mainly from Brooklyn, the Bronx, NYC, and North Jersey, but we did see a few guests from Florida, Chicago, St. Louis, Scranton, and New Haven. George also donated direction cards for guests visiting from New York City, date unknown but much later than the 1930's.

As more of Belmar's longtime landmarks disappear, we are grateful to receive these pieces of time (Get it? 😆). If you have items you'd like to donate for preservation and safe keeping, please drop us a line at [email protected] or visit the museum during open hours!