Visiting Ocean Grove is like stepping back in time. This quaint, seaside town was founded in 1869 as part of the camp meeting movement in the United States. Today, it’s a popular tourist destination, a place of worship, and features the most extensive collection of Victorian architecture in the country. Learn more about our town and discover these historical landmarks in Ocean Grove, NJ during your next visit.
Ocean Grove Auditorium
In the mid-1800s, a group of Methodist clergymen came together to develop a summer camp meeting site at the Jersey Shore. They formed a community and added year-round cottages and permanent buildings. One of the most famous is the Great Auditorium. This facility is known for its breathtaking architecture and acoustics. Searing over 6,000 people it hosts worship services, concerts, and other programs throughout the year.
Tent City
Surrounding the Great Auditorium is what is known as “Tent City.” Each summer 114 tents are placed around the auditorium, a tradition that dates back to 1869. Ocean Grove’s tent colony consisted of 200 tents, for every house. Today, there are 114 tent structures nestled around the Great Auditorium. The canvas tents are attached to wooden cottages and used as living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. Outside, tiny porches provide just enough room for two lawn chairs and a small table.
Centennial Cottage
The Centennial Cottage Elizabeth Fell House is the current home of the Historical Society of Ocean Grove. The cottage was built in 1879 in the style of a Swiss Chalet. The name Centennial references the 100th anniversary of the founding of Ocean Grove. The building is leased out to the historical society and acts as a living history museum. Free tours are available.
The town of Ocean Grove
The town of Ocean Grove was added to the list of National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and in 1977 added to the New Jersey State Register of Historic Places.
Book your stay at a historic B&B in Ocean Grove
No trip to Ocean Grove is complete without staying at a timeless bed and breakfast! Book a room at The Ocean View Inn or The Ocean Plaza Hotel for a unique mix of modern convenience, elegance, and Old-World charm.
History buffs love the Inskip Suite with its private bedroom/bathroom, sitting room, and kitchenette. This room is named after Mr. and Mrs. John Inskip, who constructed a two-story cottage on the site of The Ocean Plaza Hotel in 1870. After the death of Mr. Inskip in 1884, Mrs. Inskip added two stories and created a 36-room inn, which she called, “The Inskip.”
Unpack the history of the Jersey Shore with these historical landmarks in Ocean Grove, NJ and book your stay with us today!