Longport Public Library receives funding to complete oral history project

Longport Public Library

The Longport Public Library is among a list of grant recipients who applied to the Atlantic County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs for funding local arts and history projects.

The Office of  Cultural and Heritage Affairs on Tuesday announced the award of $182,991 in state competitive grants to 22 local non-profit organizations to provide access to quality art and history experiences that will enhance the quality of life for county residents and visitors.

Through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a total of $176,030 was regranted to the following 19 non-profits:

• Art C South Jersey, Inc.


• Atlantic City Arts Foundation


• Atlantic Pops Community Band


• Atlantic Youth Orchestra


• Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation


• Children's Cultural Arts Foundation


• Concerts on the Beach at Somers Point


• Cygnus Creative Arts Centre, Inc.


• Eagle Theatre, Inc.


• Hammonton Arts Center


• Historic Organ Restoration Committee


• Jewish Community Center of Atlantic County


• MainStreet Hammonton


• MudGirls Studios


• Somers Point Arts Commission


• South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble


• South Jersey Jazz Society


• South Jersey Players, Inc.


• SPQR Stage Company

Three additional non-profits received a total of $6,961 in regrants from the New Jersey State Historical Commission. They include:

• Atlantic County Historical Society


• Greate Egg Harbour Historical Society


• Longport Public Library

According to Longport Public Library Director Ricky Gerhardt, the library, which is in partnership with the Longport Historical Society and its museum, recieved $1,700 to complete an oral history project about Longport.

Last summer, eight residents recorded their oral histories of Longport, which will be transcribed and placed on a USB drive that can be played on audio equipment in the library. Anyone interested in learning more about storms, the trolley system, fountain behind Borough Hall, boatyard and more, can listen to stories from the perspective of those who experienced life in the beachfront hamlet.

"We are excited about recieving the grant, which we will use to complete these oral histories provided by a wide range of newer and older generations," he said.

Gerhardt said the library hopes to complete the project by the summer of 2022 for the enjoyment of residents and visitors.