Brandywine Museum of Art

     Thursday, May 25, 2023: On one of my occasional trips to Pennsylvania, I stopped into the Brandywine Museum of Art, 1 Hoffman’s Mill Road, Chadds Ford, (610-388-2700) in Delaware County. Located in an old grist mill and an adjoining modern tower, this place exhibited American artworks in paintings and drawings on three floors. With only four galleries, I would say that this museum was between small to mid-sized. Nevertheless, I saw quite a bit of pictures in those galleries. For an extra charge, this place offered chances to see N.C. Wyeth’s house, Andrew Wyeth’s Studio, and the neighboring Kuerner Farm. I chose to be at the museum only, and starting on the top floor, the permanent collection displayed 19th- and 20th-century artworks from several American artists, especially from the Brandywine Valley. Outside of this gallery, large windows provided views of the Brandywine Creek that also looked interesting. In addition, I also had a chance to rest my feet as I sat at a nearby table and glanced through books containing prints of more artworks by American artists. Then, on a lower level, one gallery showed artworks by N.C. Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth, and Jamie Wyeth, and the other gallery exhibited art by extended Wyeth family members and friends. Finally, the ground level gallery presented temporary art themes, and when I was there, the theme was “Home Places.” Here, I looked at paintings and drawings by Andrew Wyeth of buildings and other structures in and near Chadds Ford, PA. Later, I noticed more works of art in the form of prints and other items in the gift shop--except that this art was for sale. Outside, I saw some colorful flowers in bloom, and overall, this was a lovely place to spend a few hours, but the nice weather made it more special!        

The Spot

      Thursday, May 18, 2023: After I browsed and bought a few things at Twice Loved Treasures, I went shopping and browsing at another place: The Spot at The Ave., 618 East Landis Avenue, Vineland (Cumberland County), New Jersey (856-839-2825). First, this place has been labeled as a “shopping mall.” Second, forget about those shopping malls that opened up in the 1950s through the ‘90s because this “mall” was a shared market where different vendors rented a space and sold their merchandise on consignment. From my point of view, I took one look in here and one word came to my mind: Wow! The Spot looked like it was four or five times larger than Twice Loved Treasures—and then there was a lower bargain basement floor. As for the merchandise, some of it was new, and much of it was handmade in clothing, jewelry, arts & crafts, soaps, candles, decorations, and so on. One area that especially interested me was an area selling rocks, minerals, crystals, ceramics, and incense. Some of the rocks and crystals looked like they were in their natural state and others had been set in jewelry. Meanwhile, many vendors sold used items in the form of clothing, jewelry, and accessories, as well as furniture, books, toys, CDs, DVDs, decorations, sewing supplies—including fabrics, and countless other antiques and collectables. Although some of the vendors placed their goods strewn about on shelves and boxes in a slipshod way, others took the time to showcase their items for sale. In some areas I felt like I was in a decorative arts museum—except this art was for sale. Anyhow, this is a not-to-be-missed place. Even downtown Vineland made for an interesting walk with its other stores and some places to stop and eat. The town officials call this part of Landis Avenue “The Avenue.” 

Twice Loved Treasures

      Thursday, May 18, 2023: For this day, I did a bit of shopping. Twice Loved Treasures, 20 West Park Avenue, Vineland (Cumberland County), New Jersey (856-507-0400), has been located in a strip mall between a Forman Mills store and a U Save Outlet, plus a Family Dollar store was nearby. Therefore, if you were looking for bargains, this shopping area might have something that you wanted or needed. Nevertheless, if you especially shopped at Twice Loved Treasures, you would be benefitting Inspira Health. Once inside, I noticed that this store contained a vast amount of second-hand merchandise in clothing, books, and furniture, as well as household goods, artworks, toys, jewelry, holiday decorations, 45 RPM records & LP records, CDs, DVDs, etc. In fact, the sign above the store read “Thrift Shop.” (The Twice Loved Treasures sign is located above the front doorway.) Unlike some other thrift stores, this place looked similar to a regular retail store. It didn’t look like some discount stores with a warehouse atmosphere and bins or shelves of junk that one had to root through to find the treasures. Believe me, in most cases, you would find something to buy here! Thus, if you are in the Vineland, NJ area, it is worthwhile to stop in, and besides finding bargains, you could be helping a worthy cause.     

Bayside Center

     Sunday, May 14, 2023: After seeing East Point Lighthouse earlier in the day, I spent the afternoon seeing a different side of life near the Delaware Bay in Cumberland County, New Jersey: The Bayshore Center at Bivalve, 2800 High Street, Port Norris (856-785-2060). Unlike the lonely existence of a lighthouse keeper, living in the Bivalve section of Port Norris was very active—at least during the latter part of the 19th century and for most of the first half of the 20th century! To look at it currently, it looked remote, but when I visited the museum at the Bayshore Center, I learned a lot more about life around here, especially for those who worked in the oyster industry. At one time Bivalve was the “oyster capital of the world,” and in the museum, one of the rooms displayed the equipment people used to keep the oyster industry going. Other areas of the museum covered boat navigation, the conversion of the oyster boats from sails to being motorized after World War II, and about the natural life in the area. In addition, other exhibit areas had exhibits about African-Americans working in Bivalve (Many of whom got convinced to move here from the Chesapeake Bay area.), and about everyday life during the heyday of Bivalve. I also watched few videos that covered similar subjects to the ones shown in the museum. At the end of the day, I learned more about the oyster industry and about the lives of those who worked and lived in this area.   

East Point Lighthouse

 

     Sunday, May 14, 2023: It was a long time ago since I had seen the Delaware Bay side of the New Jersey Shore. Nevertheless, I decided to visit a place that I’ve never been to along the Bay: East Point Lighthouse, 10 Lighthouse Road, Heislerville (Cumberland County) (856-785-0349). This 1849 lighthouse was the second-oldest lighthouse in NJ (after Sandy Hook Lighthouse), and after buying tickets at a nearby gift shop, a very enthusiastic guide walked with us to the lighthouse and showed us the ground floor and upper floor. (I could also go to the top of the lighthouse, but I chose not to.) Furnished in a Victorian 19th-century style, the ground floor showed a living room and kitchen along with pictures and photos of former lighthouse keepers and their families. Meanwhile, the upper floor included bedrooms and a few other rooms. Our guide also mentioned to us what the daughter of a former lighthouse keeper said: “It could be a cold and lonely life, especially in the winter.” Located at the mouth of the Maurice River (The locals pronounce it “Morris.”) and the Delaware Bay, this place still served as a navigational aid in addition to a museum. Outside, the views of the bay looked good, especially with the flowers in bloom! Therefore, I noticed some people taking nature walks. Overall, if you wanted to see a more quiet area along the NJ Shore and study history or nature or both, this is the place.  

Market Off Centre

      Friday, May 5, 2023: If there was a farmers’ market in the area, I would find it! On the date above, I visited one in Merchantville (Camden County), New Jersey: Market Off Centre, along East Chestnut Avenue (856-488-0976). (This is the phone number for a coffee house/restaurant called The Station. Located in Merchantville’s former train station, this place could be a good place to rest after walking through the market or anytime in Merchantville’s downtown. Most of its menu contained vegetarian foods in the form of sandwiches & snacks, and they also served coffee and other beverages.) Altogether, along both sides of an asphalt path where the train tracks used to be, I saw about two dozen vendors who sold different kinds of merchandise: jewelry, accessories, and crafts, as well as soaps, candles, jarred foods, baked goods, etc. In addition, three food trucks had hot dogs and pretzels, as well as ice cream and soft drinks for sale. Later in the evening, Camden County Library presented “Story Time” followed by music from either a disk jockey or a local band. If nothing else, it was a good way to spend the first Friday of the month supporting local farmers, artists, and merchants. Even downtown Merchantville had its share of a variety of shops to visit earlier in the day. (While there is no more train service, a local NJ Transit Bus stops at the corner of Chestnut and Centre Streets.)