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.
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
Athanasia & James
Lampros and Vasaliki Scaltsas, maternal grandparents of Bradley Beach native Eileen Shissias, operated a boardwalk restaurant- the Fourth Avenue Pavilion.
Beverly & Leonard
My husband, Leonard Riley, was born on Newark Avenue and raised in Bradley Beach. He really loved his hometown and never lived anywhere else.
Bill Blumenau
I saw Bill Blumenau over the fence. I saw him on the beach the next day. I had made such an impression that he thought he was picking me up.