Christian Science Society (Cape May, New Jersey) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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John B. McCreary House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The Abbey in 2018
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| Location | 34 Gurney Street Cape May, New Jersey |
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| Built | 1869–1870 |
| Architect | Stephen Decatur Button |
| Part of | Cape May Historic District (ID70000383) |
The building known today as The Abbey is a beautiful historic home in Cape May, New Jersey. You can find it at 34 Gurney Street, right on the corner of Columbia Street. It's also been called the John B. McCreary House and the Christian Science Society in the past.
This amazing building was designed by an architect from Philadelphia named Stephen Decatur Button. It was built between 1869 and 1870 for a wealthy businessman, John B. McCreary. He was a "coal baron," which means he made a lot of money from the coal industry in Pennsylvania. The house cost $20,000 to build, which was a huge amount of money back then! The Abbey is a great example of Victorian architecture, a popular style when Queen Victoria ruled, known for its detailed and often fancy designs.
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The Abbey: A Historic Home in Cape May
Built for a Wealthy Businessman
The Abbey was originally built for John B. McCreary, a very rich man who made his fortune in the coal business. He was also a State Senator for Pennsylvania. The house was designed to be grand and impressive, showing off his success.
A Special Part of History
The Abbey is a very important building in the Cape May Historic District. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. Being a "contributing property" means The Abbey helps make the historic district special and adds to its historical importance. The National Register lists places in the United States that are important to our country's history.
From Inn to Rental Home
For many years, from 1979 to 2012, The Abbey was run as The Abbey Bed and Breakfast Inn. A bed and breakfast is like a small hotel where guests rent individual rooms and usually get breakfast included. The couple who owned it worked hard to fix up the building. They even added private bathrooms for each guest suite.
However, running a bed and breakfast became more difficult over time. The costs to operate it went up, and fewer people were looking for bed and breakfast stays. Because of this, the owners decided to sell the property in 2006. It was finally sold in early 2012. The new owners decided to rent out the entire house instead of individual rooms. This change means that people renting the whole house don't have to pay the special "room tax" that hotels and inns charge. Some people believe this tax difference affects how many guests choose bed and breakfasts.
Gallery
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Christian Science Society, in 1977. Photo: HABS
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Photo from 2011
