County approves Eagle Scout project to restore historic Almshouse Cemetery

The Cape May County Board of County Commissioners has granted permission to the Garden State Council of the Boy Scouts of America to carry out an Eagle Scout project at the historic Almshouse Cemetery.

The project is set to begin by year’s end and continue through April 2026. This authorization comes after the Scouts submitted the required application, indemnification agreement and proof of insurance.

Almshouse Cemetery was once part of the county “Poor Farm” and later the Crest Haven facility complex in Cape May Court House.

The cemetery holds important historical value for Cape May County as the resting place of dozens of residents who were part of the Almshouse community, including indigent and elderly residents who once lived and worked on the former County Farm.

As described by Eagle Scout Project organizers at a previous commissioners’ meeting, the project aims to:

• Restore and preserve existing headstones and grave markers, including upright or worn stones, where possible, carefully repairing deteriorated headstones without causing additional damage.
• Install a new system of permanent grave markers to identify gravesites that were previously unmarked or marked only with deteriorated concrete markers. This includes poured concrete bases with metal/resin tops and a burial directory.
• Erect signage to inform the public about the cemetery’s history and significance.
• Create a small, dedicated parking area along Route 9 to provide safe public access for visitation and commemoration.

Commission Director Leonard Desiderio praised the initiative, noting the dual value of the project: restoring respect and visibility for a largely forgotten historic site, while also providing a meaningful community service opportunity for young people.

“This is more than a project. The Scouts’ work is a tribute to the many county residents whose lives and stories deserve to be honored and remembered,” Desiderio said in a news release.

Commissioner Andrew Bulakowski, who serves as the board’s liaison for parks and heritage preservation efforts, also noted the historic significance of the project.

“We commend the Scouts for their commitment to preserving local history,” Bulakowski said. “We applaud this project to honor the folks buried in the Almshouse Cemetery and to bring attention to an often-overlooked chapter of Cape May County’s history of charity and caring for our neighbors.”

Work will be conducted under the supervision of the county Parks Department and coordinated with the Garden State Council, ensuring that restoration efforts respect the dignity of the site and meet preservation standards.