A century-old cottage known as the Kane House began a new chapter Wednesday, Oct. 14 when it was moved from the Maris Stella Sisters of Charity property to Sunset Park, where it will be transformed into the Harvey Cedars Museum.

The relocation marks a major milestone for the Harvey Cedars Historical Society, which will preserve the historic structure and oversee its conversion into a museum dedicated to the borough’s history.

Kevin Knightly, chair of the Harvey Cedars Historical Society, explained that maintaining the structural integrity of the cottage was a priority during the move and for the renovation. However, there will be changes made to the interior so that the old structure will not hinder the new use of the building.

“First of all, it’s beautiful inside, very well done,” Knightly said. “We are going to change the interior in order to create better rooms for visualizing the artifacts.”

He explained that the goal is for the cottage to have “the same look and feel as the historical house, but [with] maximized space for viewing.”  

Joe Gieger, commissioner of the Department of Public Works, Parks & Public Property, oversaw the move and coordinated the many logistical details involved in bringing the project to fruition.

(Photo by Jack Reynolds)

“I was sitting there as the commissioner responsible for public parks … and knew there was an old cottage on the Sisters property that the developer who purchased the property wouldn’t want,” Gieger explained. “So I approached the Sisters and one thing led to another, and I got them to agree to donate it.” 

Getting the cottage ready for its journey required careful preparation. The utilities needed to be disconnected. Public Works staff graded and leveled the ground to ensure a smooth and safe travel over the Sisters of Charity property and onto the newly paved Boulevard. 

They also temporarily dismantled the roof so that the building could be transported under the overhead wires, which proved to be the most challenging part of the project, according to Knightly. The original roof rafters will be reinstalled once the structure is in place at Sunset Park. 

Harvey Cedars police blocked the street during the move, while spectators gathered along the roadside to watch the historic cottage make its way to its new location.

Gieger believes that the new museum is a way to honor and recognize Harvey Cedars and the town’s “storied” history. The museum will serve as a “town vault” for one of the oldest towns on Long Beach Island, passing memories down throughout generations.  

(Photo by Jack Reynolds)

“I am very pleased that we were able to honor a piece of Harvey Cedars history and have a place to share our history with future generations” Gieger said. “The museum will be a wonderful addition to the newly renovated Sunset Park for all to experience.”

The cottage is not the only piece of the former Maris Stella property that will find a new home. The stone wall that once lined the Boulevard and framed the vehicle entrance to the oceanside property will also be relocated. The rocks will need to be manually removed by a stonemason in a “systematic” order to ensure that it is rebuild accurately, according to Knightly. Plans call for the wall to be reassembled along the Boulevard as a pedestrian entranceway to the museum and Sunset Park.

Knightly acknowledged the people whose efforts helped make the project possible, including Ed Walters of Walter Custom Homes, whose company donated the cottage after purchasing the property from the Sisters of Charity, and Atlantic Structural Movers of Barnegat, which handled the relocation.

The house was originally located on 72nd Street and moved to the Maris Stella property sometime after the March 1962 storm. By then the original 11-acre estate of Frederick Small, a former CEO of American Express, was owned by the Sisters of Charity. Mother Ellen Marie McCauley, general superior of the Sisters of Charity, purchased the estate in April 1959, and Maris Stella (meaning “star of the sea”) officially opened on June 20, 1959.

The Harvey Cedars Museum is expected to open Memorial Day weekend 2027.