Vineland Public Library, 1058 E. Landis Avenue, is featuring a photographic exhibit called, “Landscapes of Vineland History” during the month of August. To help celebrate Vineland’s 150th birthday, local residents are displaying vintage family photos that tell Vineland’s history. Each photograph will have a caption telling the history of the picture. The exhibit is sponsored by the Friends of Historic Vineland and coordinated by Ms. Kathryn Ross. The public is invited to a special reception at the library on Saturday, August 6 at 2:00 p.m.

The display is available during regular library hours: M– T (10-8), Friday (10-5) and Saturday (11-4). All areas of the library are handicap accessible.

Some items that are on display:

150th Birthday Quilt Submitted by Garden Patch Quilters
Don't miss this beautiful original work of art created by:
Dandelion Festival – Viola Carson; Train Station – Anne Valentine; Landis Theatre – Janet Page; Poultry Vaccine – Rita Bertino and Marie Hahn; Glass Industry – Debbie Kean; Landis Park – Susan McKenna; Charles Landis – Judy Suhmann; City Library – Debbie Kean; Sewing Industry – Nancy Walsh; Delsea Drive-In – Lois Fineman; Palace of Depression – Doris Allewelt; Mason Jars – Lois Fineman; Religious Choice – Nancy Walsh; Trolley Service – Helen Dyer; Produce Auction – Gloria Urban and Debbie Kean; Poultry Industry – Rita Samulsen; Top Banner – Jo Timko Grape YoYos – made by Pat Arbuckel Sewn by Nancy Steelman; Leaves – Judy Suhmann Machine Quilting – Lois Fineman; Assembly and hand embroidery – Marie Hahn.

Election Night for Senator Elmer H. Wene Submitted by Josephine Jordan Walker
Senator Elmer H. Wene ran for governor of the State of New Jersey in 1949. Pictured are members of his office and campaign staff the night of the election returns at his headquarters at the Wene Chick Farms hatchery on E. Landis Avenue, Vineland – now the location of the Senior Citizen high rise and the Vineland Public Library.

Seated left is staff employee Minerva Downey, standing left to right is campaign staff member, Wene bookkeeper Josephine Castellini, accountant Al Ross, bookkeeper , Francis Vondra, Mr. Wene’s chauffeur and aide and seated is receptionist and switchboard operator Miss Josephine Jordan bringing in the election results.

He was leading in the votes during the evening. By morning everyone was shocked to hear he had lost the election. It wasn’t until several years later that a curious investigative reporter who covered the election in 1949 found the answer. The big Democratic machine in the North Jersey counties of Essex and Sussex Counties pulled the switch on him because he would not allow them to pick the attorney general if he won. He replied, “I pick my own attorney general.”

Senator Wene was good for South Jersey. He was instrumental in starting Route 54 as a four lane highway that would connect to Rte. 206. He promised to complete it when he became governor. It has not been completed to this day.

Vineland Centennial Stroll Down Landis Avenue Submitted by Martin & Anne Giacomoni
Martin and Anne Giacomoni, with daughters, Debbie and Carol, stroll down Landis Avenue in Vineland Centennial costumes, getting into the spirit of the celebrations throughout August, 1961. Martin’s hat belonged to his grandfather and he wears the Vineland Centennial keepsake bowtie and “Brothers of the Brush” pin. The photo is an original copy taken by the Vineland Times Journal covering the event, and has been a proud part of the Giacomoni family photo archives since 1961.

1911 Maypole – Old Home Week Submitted by the Friends of Historic Vineland
On Friday, August 11, 1911, citizens of Vineland gathered at the Park in all their summer finery for the sixth day of festive celebrations commemorating the first fifty years of their hometown during Old Home Week. After a week of parades, parachutes, and aeroplanes, coordinators hosted an event sure to please the growing population of children in Vineland – A Maypole and Baby Doll Carriage Parade. Little girls clad in their very best summer dresses, decked out their cherished doll carriages with streamers and flowers and pennants – the perfect vehicle of transport for their best loved doll baby. Local ladies wearing soft colors and large wide brimmed hats accompanied the town’s children to the Maypole, where ribbons were unfurled from the crown of the pole and everyone stood for a moment to be captured on film in a photographic record of the event.

2011 Maypole – Founder’s Day Submitted by the Friends of Historic Vineland
Fast forward one hundred years to May 14, 2011 during the morning festivities at the upcoming, Vineland Founder’s Day, where citizens of all ages - including little girls, all dressed up, with decorated baby doll carriages mimicking the 1911 photo – participated in a re-enactment of the Maypole wrap and Baby Carriage Parade featuring Anton Kukal of the Mystic Realms Theatre Club. Live music by The Towheads, featuring eight year old fiddle champion, Haley Richardson and brother, Dylan on guitar, accompanied the Maypole wrapping. Photo by Joe Profetto.

Martin Berwin Farmhouse Submitted by Eva Berwin Neisser
Back in the depression years of the 1930’s, high unemployment and foreclosures were a daily occurrence. Area feed merchants found themselves owning dozens of poultry farms which had defaulted on their bills. Ed Rubinoff and Herrman Brotman offered these empty acres and houses to the new wave of refugees fleeing the Nazi’s in Germany and Europe. It they could not speak English, chickens would not mind. If they had never seen a chicken until it was brought to the dinner table, the Jewish Agricultural Society (Baron de Hirsch Foundation) would train them in a six-week course at Bound Brook, New Jersey, and give them second mortgages at negligible interest. Between 1936 to 1946, German Jewish refugees came to Vineland. Holocaust survivors came alter. Until 1938, they had been doctors, dentists, attorneys, and business owners whose properties had been confiscated for the privilege of leaving the country alive, with $2.50 in their pockets.

The Martin Berwin farmhouse circa 1941, still stands at 1194 East Oak Road opposite the Daily Journal building. It was originally an apple orchard, then the George Fischer farm. A 1928 Viking car bought for $40 is in the background. In the foreground, assorted garbage is being burned – no trash pick-up in those days. But, back then, people recycled everything themselves, and few items were made disposable.

Cleaning Eggs Submitted by Eva Berwin Neisser
A summer day chore of egg cleaning in August, 1944 finds (left to right) Eva Berwin Neisser, a visiting aunt from New York City, and Alice Berwin Cohen busy with a daily routine activity that sometimes went on until midnight! Using detergent that would remove the protective coating was unthinkable – think organic today.

Martin Berwin (1891-1966) Vineland Egg Industry Leader Submitted by Eva Berwin Neisser
Martin Berwin fled Nazi oppression in 1938 to begin life anew at age 50 on an unfamiliar Vineland poultry farm. He went on to found the Poultrymen’s Club of Vineland and its Cumberland County Cooperative. He became a respected business leader, serving as Director of New Jersey Poultry Promotion Council, President of New Jersey Poultry and Egg Cooperative Marketing Association. His integrity, warmth, and leadership made him an esteemed advisor to the Vineland Egg Auction and other Cooperatives throughout the State of New Jersey. Pictured are Martin and Toni Berwin posing on his 64th birthday in the summer of 1955 on their egg farm property – and Martin Berwin on his 70th birthday in 1961 surrounded by egg industry promotional advertisements.

Locking up the Leghorns Submitted by Eva Berwin Neisser
Wolfgang Neisser, late husband of Eva Berwin Neisser, holds a Leghorn chicken prior to locking the birds up for vaccination by veterinarian Dr. Wernickoff in April, 1950. The woman on the right is a visitor from New York City. Family and friends from the city often came to the Vineland farms as such a trip was a favorite vacation for refugees unable to afford resort get-aways. In Vineland they found fresh air – and good eggs!

Captain John Morrison Birch - Patriot, Christian Missionary, Martyr Submitted by Michael Ondre
John Birch was born in India to Christian missionaries in 1918. Due to health problems, the family moved back to the United States and settled in Vineland for ten years – 1920 to 1930. They built a house here in Vineland and partnered in a business called, Blue Spruce Farms. John was a stand-out scholar enjoying an elementary school education in the Vineland Public Schools. He attended the Spring Road Grammar School that was located next to the Vineland Training School for the Feebleminded. As a fifth grade student, he took a proficiency test with his classmates administered by educators from the Training School. His score was off the charts – showing John’s aptitude to be that of a 15 year old boy. The Training School suggested he go directly to junior high school. He did – and went to the head of his class. His family eventually moved south to be closer to relatives. John became a missionary in 1940, but joined the army in 1942 under General Chenault in China. He was instrumental in creating an efficient radio network that aided the defeat of the Japanese in addition to many other high distinctions of service with many honors. Ten days after the war ended, on a peacekeeping mission he was gunned down by Chinese Communists becoming the first military serviceman killed in the Cold War. For political reasons, the murder was kept under cover. Years later, as the story came out, a government official, Robert Welch, detailed the account in the book, The Life of John Birch in 1954. In 1957 he founded the John Birch Society, an American political advocacy group that supports anti-communism, limited government, a Constitutional Republic, and personal freedom. Today it is active in all fifty states and publishes the journal, The New American.

Mayor Giampietro’s Boyhood Home Submitted by Judith T. Tamagni
This “southside” address, 410 S. 7th Street, is the childhood home of Mayor Albert V. Giampietro, Vineland’s mayor during the 1961 Centennial. The home belonging to his parents, Frank and Enrica Giampietro, was constructed by Albert’s maternal grandfather, Giuseppe DeMarie of Torino, Italy. Albert is the youngest in the photo with his mother and siblings – Carmine (aka “Pete Jump”), oldest sister, Josephine (later a 2nd grade teacher at East Avenue School), Catherine, and Thressa (later a head nurse at Newcomb Hospoital and founder of Cumberland County College’s Nursing Program). Albert’s Uncle Tony Campanella, also of S. 7th Street, was the barber responsible for the “bowl shaped” haircuts of the younger Giampietro children.

Charles S. Wallen, Co. H 3rd Reg. Cavalry New Jersey Volunteers - Full 2nd Lieutenant Submitted by Rev. Joan Hains Hand
Charles S. Wallen, (1841-1928) served twice during the Civil War. His first enlistment was as a private in C. H, 24th Reg. NJ Volunterrs from September 2, 1862 to June 29, 1863. He was promoted to Full 1st Sergeant on October 25, 1854. His second enlistment was as sergeant in Co. H, 3rd Cavalry Reg. NJ Volunteers from February 5, 1864 to August 1, 1865. He was promoted to Full 2nd Lieutenant on August 4, 1865. He was musterd out at Washington, D.C. During the Civil War, Charles served as a wheelwright.

For real resplendence in the Union Army, it would have been hard to beat the 3rd New Jersey Cavalry, so ornamented that their nickname became “The Butterflies”, hardly a martial sobriquet, yet they were among the best fighting regiments in Sheridan’s Cavalry Corps.

Their armament alone made them formidable, with the repeating Spencer carbines and the Remington 44 revolvers. But, then there was their uniform, more typical of European Hussars than American horsemen fighting in the 1860’s. Indeed, they were also known as the Trenton Hussars thanks to their visorless forage cap, ornately frogged short jacket, and hooded “talma” or cloak. What their firearms could not finish, the heavy Model 1860 saber might.

Charles S. Wallen, Superintendent of Grounds - Soldier’s Home, Vineland, New Jersey Submitted by Rev. Joan Hoins Hand
Charles S. Wallen (1841-1928), after serving with distinction in the Civil War, settled in Cumberland County. He married Catherine Anna Andifer (1843-1923) in 1865. They had four children: Bertha, Albert, Daniel, and Chester.

Prior to 1900, Charles gave up his farm and moved to the “Home for Soldiers and their Wives”, in Vineland. The 1900 Federal Census, Landis Township, Cumberland County, NJ lists his occupation as Superintendent of Grounds for the Soldier’s Home. This is probably when the building first became a soldier’s home. There were not many “inmates” as residents were called in the census in the soldier’s home at this point. In 1910 and 1920, there are many. Charles and Catherine are in a separate household for enumeration purposes and not listed “inmates”. Both Charles and Catherine are buried in the cemetery on the Soldier’s Home Property.

Isiah and Florence Arthur - Early African-American Leaders in Vneland Submitted by Earl D. Arthur
Isiah and Florence Arthur are pictured here, along with a newspaper clipping from the Vineland Times Journal, detailing the contribution of the Arthurs to Vineland history as prominent African American role models.

Peg & Dick Whitman, Founders of WWBZ Radio Submitted by Nancy Steelman
Vineland’s first radio station, WWBZ, 1360am on your dial, began programming in 1944. Peg Whitman had a talk show, “Peggy Presents”, and husband, Dick Whitman was the engineer. The station was named for the station pioneers: “W” first was the regional call letter; “W” second was for Whitman; “B” stood for financial backer, Joe Bullock; and “Z” stood for Harry Zoog, who was an engineer, too. The studio was originally located on Wood Street until a building was later erected on Delsea Drive.

The Bloomer Lady Submitted by Arjorie Moniodis-Ingraham
This photo is a pencil sketch made by Mr. Claude Ingraham around 1900 or so, from a glass slide he took of Ms. Susan Fowler, also called the “Bloomer Lady” – recognized as the first woman to wear pants in Vineland. Ms. Fowler was a political activist proponent of reform for women’s attire. She advocated equal suffrage for women and protested the taxation of women without representation.

Yields of Sweet Potatoes Submitted by Arjorie Moniodis-Ingraham
This photo, dating back to the 1930’s, was taken by Mrs. Arjorie Moniodis Ingraham at her parents’ farm located at Lincoln Avenue and Palermo Avenue. The photo shows Mr. Peter Moniodis, his wife Angelina, Tessie Koudeles, and Ellie, the family dog, busy harvesting sweet potatoes on a ten acre farm. A bumper crop raised in 1937 made Mr. Moniodis a very successful farmer. After harvesting, the sweet potatoes were stored in a special sweet potato house, shown in the background next to the old farmhouse, until taken to market.

The Royal Carriage Submitted by Arjorie Moniodis-Ingraham
This photo of a “horseless carriage” carrying “Vineland’s Oldest Baby”, Mrs. Lucie Bernault, Junior Queen, Ms. Diane Ingraham, and the “Duchess & Princess” was taken during Vineland’s Centennial Celebration Parade in 1961. Diane is the daughter of Mrs. Arjorie Moniodis-Ingraham and the late Horace Ingraham of Vineland, New Jersey.

Antonio and Victoria Sercletti Submitted by Arjorie Moniodis-Ingraham
This photo of Antonio and Victoria Sercletti, grandparents of Arjorie Moniodis-Ingraham, was taken circa 1895 at their homestead on Italia Avenue in Vineland. Mr. and Mrs. Sercletti migrated to the United States in 1890 from the small village of Drena (population 363) Trento Tresta, in Austria. In 1890, Charles K. Landis, founder of Vineland, went to Europe in search of settlers for his new town. He settled the Serclettis on Italia Avenue in East Vineland where they grew blackberries and sweet potatoes for market and raised pigs and chicken for their own consumption. Years later the Serclettis’ son, Joseph, sold the land to Mr. Galbiati who developed the site into what today is the Eastlyn Golf Course, currently owned and operated by the Buono Family.

Royalty Submitted by Arjorie Moniodis-Ingraham
This photo of Diane Ingraham at age six, was taken by a Vineland Times Journal photographers during the V ineland Centenial Celebration in 1961. Diane is the daughter of the late Horace Ingraham and his wife, Arjorie, of Vineland. She was crowned Junior Queen by Mayor Albert V. Giampietro during the Centennial Celebration Youth Day Activities at Landis Park.

Wheel Town Submitted by Arjorie Moniodis-Ingraham
This photo was taken from a glass slide by Mr. Claude Ingraham in the early 1900’s. The photo is of Roland C. Potter who was a local undertaker. In the bicycle early year, a British high wheeler was brought to Vineland, which then gave the town a reputation as “Wheel Town”. This particular bike, known as the high wheeler, was so called due to the large size of the wheels. Because of the high price of bicycles at the time, only wealthy residents could afford them. The Vineland Fair Association organized bike races. The earliest race course was along Landis Avenue or Plum Street from 6th Street to East Avenue. This photo was taken at the Vineland Historical and Antiquarian Society in front of a mural backdrop.

Angelina on the Panther Submitted by Arjorie Moniodis-Ingraham
This photo of Angelina Sercletti, wearing the white dress and long black hair, and two friends, was taken by her sister, Mrs. Maude Chatas in 1918. Angelina eventually married Mr. Peter Moniodis and was the mother of Mrs. Arjorie Moniodis-Ingraham of Vineland. The phot was taken atop the famous panther brought from Italy by Vineland’s founder, Mr. Charles K. Landis, and placed at the intersection of Panther Road and Genoa Avenues. Some people believed it was a monument to the animals that once roamed these woodlands. The panther became a hazard when automobiles began to travel the area and was eventually moved by members of the Panther Road Club.

Making Headlines: Clarabel Comes to Vineland! Submitted by Frank & Lynn Martini
The beloved Clarabel from the 1950’s television show, “Howdy Doody”, greets local children at Martini Shoes on Landis Avenue.

Making Headlines: Past Presidents of Landis Country Club Submitted by Frank & Lynn Martini
Frank R. Martini, founder of Martini Shoes, is honored with other past presidents of the Landis Country Club on February 18, 1964. Frank was a charter member of the club.

Making Headlines: Vineland Little League Division Title Submitted by Frank & Lynn Martini Kiwanis Club, 1858, clinches National Division Little League Title – many of these players still reside in Vineland today.

George Martini – Brother of the Brush Submitted by Frank & Lynn Martini
George Martini, of Martini Shoes, celebrates Vineland’s Centennial in 1961 by growing a moustache and beard for the “Brothers of the Brush” group.

Making Headlines: Cherry Pies Submitted by Frank & Lynn Martini
For years, Vineland downtown merchants gave away fresh baked cherry pies to celebrate George Washington’s birthday. This tradition ended when Washington and Lincoln’s birthdays were combined into President’s Day.

Honor Submitted by Gail Lorenzini, Art Photographer
Photographed at historic Vineland’s Landis Park in winter, this marker is part of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Circle dedicated to all who lost their lives in battle.

Gratitude Submitted by Gail Lorenzini, Art Photographer
This winter photograph was taken at Landis Park in Vineland. It is part of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Circle. The Circle is a tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their lives during World War I.

Remnants of Battle Submitted by Gail Lorenzini, Art Photographer
This photograh is at the center of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Circle in winter, located in Vineland’s Landis Park. It is part of our tribute to war veterans who lost their lives in World War I.

Serenity Submitted by Gail Lorenzini, Art Photographer
This winter scene photograph was taken at Oak Hill Cemetery in Vineland. This cemetery was established in 1870, located at 182 S. Delsea Drive – just south of the Landis and Delsea intersection. The cemetery is about ten acres and still active.

Good English Week Submitted by Kathryn Ross via Kim Harker Healy
This charming photo is courtesy of Kim Harker Healy, grand-daughter of Ruth Ella Anderson Harker (1909-2006). Ruth and her family moved to Vineland in 1913 where she attended Vineland Public Schools. She stands here, with her third grade classmates at the Spring Road School, in the center wearing a crown and holding a grand star wand. The year was 1918. The event was Good English Week were students participated in various activities to reinforce the mastery and correct usage of the English language. Ruth appears to be the Good English Fairy Queen, surrounded by her court of girl classmate Good English Fairies. Apparently, all the boys were relegated to Bad English Gnomes sporting black pointy hats and shoes in contrast to the fairies in white dresses and crown hats. Each boy gnome is tagged with a particular “slang sin” in speech and grammar. But, fear not – at Good English Week, young Ruth has captured the evil “Slang” with her paper chain bringing swift correction to English language abuse in what must have been a very entertaining theatrical pageant.

Ruth Anderson Harker graduated Vineland High School in 1928 and married John Shield Harker. She was a member of the first Girl Scout troupe in Vineland in her youth, and a 60 year member and past president of the Wallshom Club, the oldest Woman’s Club in Vineland. After the death of her adult daughter Lucile, a teacher at Johnstone School in Vineland, the Harkers established the Lucile Harker Scholarship Fund at Vineland High School, which still bestows awards to worthy graduating students. She passed away on February 2, 2006 and is buried in historic Siloam Cemetery.

Past Poultry Empires Submitted by Karyn Brown, Violet Brown Photography
Standing deserted on a brisk, bleak, winter’s day against a sapphire blue sky is the formerly thriving GLF Exchange on Delsea Drive, behind the present day Walmart. When the egg and poultry era in Vineland waned, many grand structures such as this were left to the ruin of time, filled to the brim with memories of prosperous bygone times.

Steward of the Past Submitted by Karyn Brown, Violet Brown Photography
Kurt and Greta Hamburger were Jewish immigrants fleeing the oppressive Nazi regime of Germany in the 1930’s. Originally from Philadelphia, they settled in Vineland to become chicken farmers during the war years with their only son, Stephen – pictured here in one of the original farm buildings he grew up working in with his parents. At its height of production, the Hamburger farm raised 3000 baby chicks a year. Steve Hamburger stewards the family property and now, empty coops, keeping the memory of those Vineland poultry boom years alive during his retirement from the teaching profession.

Remains of the Day Submitted by Karyn Brown, Violet Brown Photography
Looking as though the chickens are all just out in the yard and expected back at any time, the interior of a Hamburger farm chicken coop boasts nesting boxes on the wall, feeding trough, and water warmer used during the cold winter months. Chicken wire across the windows appears splattered with the remnants of residents long gone. An eerie reminder of a former hive of activity that was the livelihood of thousands in Vineland for many years. An imbalance in supply and demand and new government regulations in the 1950’s saw the beginning of the end of Vineland as a global leader in the egg and poultry business. How many abandoned chicken coops can you count on a random drive around Vineland today?

Winter Coops Submitted by Karyn Brown, Violet Brown Photography
The winter of the Hamburger Chicken Farm is captured after a winter’s snow in this fan collage.

Snyder’s Hatchery Collage Submitted by Karyn Brown, Violet Brown Photography
Phil and Emily Snyder live in Vineland where they owned and operated Snyder’s Hatchery for 46 years. It was a family owned business for decades prior to Phil taking charge of the business in 1952. The farm house and buildings were built entirely by the Snyder family starting with a vacant lot. Snyder’s Hatchery was one of the largest chicken farms in the area, focusing on egg hatching due to the Great Depression of the 1930’s. The business closed in 1998, boasting eight incubators which could incubate a total of 300,000 eggs at a time, various breeds, filling the needs of both local and out of state farmers. Pheasant, quail, and other game birds were also a popular product of the hatchery, bought to replenish wildlife and private game farms. Also, customers brought fancy variety eggs of chickens to be hatched for pets or show.

Pictured in the collage are: the incubator; a collection of assorted vintage items from the egg industry; the hatchery truck and garage on the Snyder property; a chalkboard list of fairs to prepare for; feed bags from four feed-mills that produced chicken feed for chicken farmers; vintage egg baskets.