Our History

Friends of the J. Thompson Baker House formed in the 1990s to preserve its namesake Atlantic Avenue house, which for decades served as home of the Wildwood Civic Club. When, in 2019, the house was sold and restored privately, the Friends evolved into Partners in Preservation.

Meanwhile that year, concerned citizens succeeded in nominating the Wildwoods as one of the 10 Most Endangered Places in New Jersey, recognizing that many of the remaining structures are worth preserving. This nomination spurred a social media movement called “Preserving the Wildwoods,” which ultimately became a committee of Partners in Preservation.

Both entities soon realized they shared similar foundations, purposes, objectives, and leadership and thus agreed to combine efforts. Through their January 2022 decision to reorganize under the name Preserving the Wildwoods: A Community Alliance, the groups hope to strengthen their effectiveness, reach, and impact, as well as to increase growth and creativity.  

We aim to strengthen the fabric that keeps us together, as people past, present and future. Will you support us? Click here to join our email list and newsletter, here to become a member or volunteer, and here to donate. Thanks for your support.

Mission Statement

To advocate for the preservation and recognition of the historical, cultural, and community heritage of the Wildwoods.

Vision Statement

To be the primary voice for the preservation of the architectural, historical, and cultural legacy of the four Wildwoods through advocacy and education.

Long-range Goals

  1. Encourage planning that will foster and promote historic preservation

    • Advising planning bodies about historic elements involved in proposed projects

    • Create a Historic Preservation Advisory Committee that would formally educate and advocate for Historic Preservation and adaptive reuse in the city of Wildwood. (The committee’s powers would be advisory in nature, reviewing new applications for development, construction, and alteration to properties with advice given in an effort to maintain architectural continuity, compatibility with existing structures and in keeping with the historic character of the Wildwoods).

    • Make recommendations to the City of Wildwood and Planning Board on the Historic Preservation Plan elements of the Master Plan. 

    • Advise the Planning Board on the inclusion of historic sites of any Capitol improvement programs/projects 

  2. Encourage and assist economic revitalization by promoting and establishing a historic preservation ethic

    • Encourage the adoption of economic incentives designed to assist property owners/developers to respect the community’s historic preservation ethic

    • Develop historic preservation projects to educate and engage the next generation

  3. Protect, enhance and preserve sites and structures of historical, architectural and cultural significance

    • Identify, evaluate, register and protect historic properties

  4. Provide public preservation education and to promote local preservation and adaptive reuse in all ways.

    • Develop guidelines that will assist and advise property owners/developers on ways of conserving, protecting, enhancing and perpetuating the historic character of the Wildwoods

2022 Strategic Plan

Goal 1:  Financial – to remain on sound financial footing for the present and future

  1. Prepare a monthly financial report to be presented to the Board

  2. Prepare annual budget for the organization

  3. File required annual government reports

Goal 2:  Programs and Projects:  the purpose of programs and projects is to engage with the community, to gain public support for the organization and its goals, to encourage participation in the organization, and to educate the public about historic preservation

  1. Organize an annual meeting with program open to the public

  2. Organize recurring programs on a variety of topics related to the Wildwoods, its architectural history or cultural history

  3. Advocate for preservation of Holly Beach Park, the Fisherman’s Memorial and any other landmarks within the four Wildwoods, coordinating efforts with local governments

  4. Work with other county organizations to coordinate plans to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution

  5. Create a coloring book for children “Historic Homes in Wildwood”

Goal 3:  Outreach and Marketing – to represent the organization and its purpose, to reach diverse audiences and to publicize the efforts of the organization relative to its mission

  1. Quarterly printed newsletter with online version updated more frequently

  2. Publicity in newspapers, online, email blasts, etc.

  3. Events outreach

  4. Preservation Awards, Plaque Program

Goal 4:  Fundraising – to explore various funding sources to support organizations activities

  1. Annual Plant Sale

  2. Poster Sale

  3. Annual event with program (luncheon, dinner with awards presentation etc)

  4. Memberships

Goal 5:  Grants – to investigate potential funding sources, apply for and administer grants

  1. Current Culture and Heritage grant

Goal 6:  Advocacy – to raise awareness of all aspects of the Wildwoods’ historic legacy, to advocate for the preservation of architectural and cultural assets

  1. Complete the survey of historic properties and make it available to the public

  2. Support reactivating or creating Historic Preservation Commissions for all for municipalities

  3. Participate in the Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP)

  4. Work with two high schools to develop programs that will engage students in either architectural or cultural history of the Wildwoods

  5. Prepare a list of any properties that may be either State or National Register eligible, work with property owner to be listed