St. Mary’s by the Sea was built in the late nineteenth century as a seaside hotel and is the last surviving example of its kind in Cape May Point. St. Mary’s by the Sea has served many purposes over the course of its existence. During the building’s time as the Shoreham Hotel, it hosted many political figures including President Harrison. After the hotel’s failure, the property was purchased in 1893 by William Still who operated the Philadelphia Home for Aged and Infirmed Colored people. In 1909, the property was purchased by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Philadelphia at which time it adopted the name St. Mary’s by the Sea. During World War II, the building was leased to the US Army (1946-51) as part of its coastal defense. For 110 years, St. Mary’s by the Sea operated as a retreat center for the Sisters of St. Joseph until it’s closure in 2020. In March 2022, the Cape May Point Science Center purchased the building to save it from demolition with plans to adapt the building as an environmental center and museum.

The Trust grant will help fund the preparation of a Preservation Plan as well as a National Register of Historic Places nomination.