Bradley Beach Historical Society
BBHS was founded as a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization for the purpose of collecting and preserving local historical data and artifacts for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
Mapping Main Street
There are places I’ll remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain
… In my life I’ve loved them all
In My Life by The Beatles
The Bradley Beach Historical Society and Museum in partnership with Bradley Beach Business Community Alliance is embarking on a long-term comprehensive research project to identify and document all the businesses that have graced the Main Street in Bradley Beach. The goal will be to create historical maps of Main Street from the founding of the Borough through present day.
Stay Up To Date
BBHS Events
Guided Tour of Bradley’s Early Beachfront
Travel across the sands of time with historian Robert Flood and his wife Susan, in a fun, fact-filled virtual tour of the early Bradley Beachfront from the 1870s thru the 1920s.
Join Us: 2022 BBES Virtual ZOOM Reunion
Join us for the Bradley Beach Elementary School Virtual ZOOM Reunion on January 16, 2022 for classes of 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1989.
Join Us: BBGS Virtual ZOOM Reunion
Join us for the Bradley Beach Grammar School Virtual ZOOM Reunion on March 21, 2021 for classes of 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, and 1959.
PLEASE NOTE
Important Update
In light of recent developments regarding the Coronavirus, the Bradley Beach Historical Society has postponed all events including the Salute to The Bradley Beach Police Department scheduled to open on March 24, 2020. The Bradley Beach Historical Museum will also be closed to the public until further notice.
Bradley Beach, NJ
Celebrating the heritage of Bradley Beach by keeping its history a part of daily life.
Welcome to the Bradley Beach Historical Society (BBHS) web site. Here you can find out about events (past and future) as well as exhibitions hosted at our Museum, which is located in the Carmen Biase Center, 719 Main Street next to Borough Hall. If you want to learn fascinating facts about our coastal town, you will be able to search through our collection as our online archives expand.
Our Story
Captain Kidd’s Treasure
The earliest accounts of Bradley Beach can be traced back to 1679 when it is said that Captain William Kidd anchored his vessel off Duck Creek, now known as Sylvan Lake. By 1927, Bradley Beach had become a popular resort town.
Explore
Learn about the history of Bradley Beach, how it got its name and how the BBHS is collecting and preserving local historical data and artifacts for future generations.
Events
See what’s happening in and around Bradley Beach and add our events to your calendar. View photos and reviews of our past events.
Love Stories
“Under the Boardwalk,
Over the Moon”
The history of Bradley is full of sweet, salty, and sentimental stories of young love.
Gallery
See a visual history of New Jersey shore images; from vintage postcards to current day photos.
Membership
Join & Give
Join BBHS to ensure that all our cherished stories and those of early day-trippers, weekenders and seasonal residents are passed on to future generations.
Shop
BBHS Memorabilia
If you love Bradley Beach, you will want to add some of these fine items to your collection!
Don’t Miss
Bradley Love Stories
The Good; The Bad; The Crush
I have been married for 50 years. Lucky me, my wife loves to dance and listen to “oldies but goodies.” And, I still have the old but new and improved moves.
Neptune City Girl Meets Bradley Beach Boy
Bobby was so interesting to talk with and he was really cute. I thought he was wonderful! A few weeks later we went on our first real date to see “West Side Story” at the Palace Theater in Bradley Beach.
Lou & Sherry’s Love Story
Lou and I spent days sunbathing on the Brinley Avenue beach that was packed with teens. We would sing along with friends playing guitars or listen to a transistor radio.