How illuminating!

Ocean Grove’s Centennial Cottage, built in 1879, operates as the town’s “living history museum.” The rooms inside have been painstakingly restored to replicate life at the turn of the century, complete with kitchen gadgets and clothing hanging in wardrobes. Rotating exhibits throughout the summer offer glimpses into seaside life back in the day.

The Victorian home was donated by its last residents in 1969 and moved (!) to its current location in the middle of town, in the shadows of The Great Auditorium. Once a year, the old gem gets gussied up with mini lights and candle-lit lanterns for the annual Illumination Garden Party at dusk. Friday night I took a walk to have a peek at the soiree, and was greeted by silk and paper lanterns swinging (thanks to the breezy weather!) in the trees throughout the garden.




And what’s the around the corner?

A tent filled with beautiful desserts and flowers, right beside the rose garden.

The garden is next to one of my favorite houses in town, so it was fun to that all lit up in the background, seemingly joining in on the fun. For $10, the event seems a bargain as far as fundraiser parties go. Count me in next year.