Preservation New Jersey Launches New Video Highlighting Cape May’s Franklin Street School and AME Church as Part of 10 Most Endangered Historic Places Series

Preservation New Jersey has released a new video spotlighting two significant Cape May landmarks, the Franklin Street School and the AME Church, as part of its ongoing “10 Most Endangered Historic Places” video series.

The video explores the history and cultural importance of these two sites, both deeply connected to New Jersey’s African American heritage. The Franklin Street School, built in 1928 during segregation, served as an educational institution for Black students in Cape May. The nearby AME Church has long stood as a spiritual, cultural, and community anchor for local residents.

Together, these sites tell a powerful story of resilience, education, faith, and community in the face of historic inequality. The video highlights ongoing preservation concerns while also underscoring community efforts to protect and interpret these important landmarks for future generations.

“Franklin Street School and the AME Church are vital pieces of Cape May’s history,” said Paul Muir, President of Preservation New Jersey. “Their preservation ensures that the stories of the communities who built, used, and sustained them are not forgotten.”

The release of this video is part of Preservation New Jersey’s broader initiative to raise awareness of the state’s most endangered historic places and to encourage public engagement in preservation efforts across New Jersey.

🎥 Watch the video: https://youtu.be/Fb97yHjWpH8

For more information about Preservation New Jersey and the 10 Most Endangered Historic Places program, visit: https://preservationnj.org/