Beach Haven Public Library Celebrates 100th Anniversary with an open house.
The Beach Haven Public Library celebrated its 100th Anniversary with an Open House on November 30, 2024, commemorating a century of service and history. The festivities began with Colleen Lambert presenting a ceremonial proclamation to the descendants of the Pharo family, who played a vital role in the library's establishment and legacy.
The library, originally donated to the Borough of Beach Haven on November 14, 1924, by Elizabeth B. Pharo and her daughters, stands as a testament to the family’s generosity. This gift was made in memory of Elizabeth’s husband, Walter W. Pharo, and his parents, Archelaus Ridgeway Pharo and Louisa Willits Pharo, the founders of Beach Haven.
Three great-great-grandchildren of Elizabeth Willits Pharo – Louisa Browning Long (Jaffe), her brother Walter Pharo Long, and their cousin Richard M. Ingersoll -- were able to join us for the event and received copies of the proclamation. Louisa provided insight into how the founding of Beach Haven ties in to the founding of New Jersey and the founding of America with reference to the Quaker tradition of putting great value in education and thus libraries. Richard, a professor of architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, also spoke and explained that though the library building was constructed in 1924, its roots were planted 200 years prior as a colonial-inspired structure with lots of nooks and architectural embellishments, such as the notches in the fireplace mantels, that were typical of that time. Ellie Ollivier, a lifelong Beach Haven resident and a cherished patron of the Beach Haven Library, spoke about her father, Floyd Cranmer, the builder who took the design created by architect Brognard Okie and constructed our beautiful library structure. And Margaret Buchholz, founder of the Beachcomber and Sandpaper, presented a “Beach Haven Picture Show,” Following the proclamation, Margaret Buchholz captivated captivating attendees with a compelling presentation on the rich history of Beach Haven, and highlighting the remarkable heritage of the community. Guests then enjoyed light refreshments, including cider and cookies, as they mingled and reflected on the library’s century-long journey.
