The Carroll Gallery at the
Carriage House

Throughout the year, the Carroll Gallery is home to changing exhibits that bring Cape May history to life. Visit scenes from the Victorian era or explore Cape May’s African American heritage; reminisce on years past or become a kid again when the Gallery turns into a holiday wonderland.

The Carroll Gallery is located in the Carriage House, on the grounds of the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. The building is the first one on the left hand side as you come in the driveway. The Carriage House is also home to Vintage restaurant, and our Carriage House Museum Shop.

The Carroll Gallery is fully accessible.

The Cape May Welcome Center

Cape May MAC has recently opened a new exhibit space in the Cape May Welcome Center. Throughout the year, the gallery will feature an exhibit on a topic of Cape May or Victorian era history. The innugural exhibit is “Revolutionary Cape May” which opened in November of 2025.

The Cape May Welcome Center is located at 609 Lafayette Street in Cape May. The shares a home with the NJ Transit Bus Depot at Revolution Rail Cape May. The gallery is located in the corridor between the Welcome Center and Revolution Rail.

The Welcome Center is fully accessible.

Current Exhibits

REVOLUTIONARY CAPE MAY
At the Cape May Welcome Center

November 2025-December 31, 2026

a photo of the ship the USS Reprisal in the Revolutionary War

While Cape May, N.J. was remote and distant from the American Revolutionary War on land, it occupied a strategic location at the tip of the Cape. It was home to skilled pilots who knew the shoals of the ocean and bay, was already well involved in shipping trade, offered safe anchorage for ships on their way to and from Philadelphia, was already becoming known as a seashore resort, popular with Philadelphians, and could serve as a lookout on the activities of the British Navy, serving as Philadelphia’s early warning system. Learn about Cape May’s little-known naval role in the American War of Independence and the ingenuity of its citizens in battle on local waterways fighting to forge a new nation.

Free admission.

Hours of Operation

BLACK LEGACY OF HISTORIC CAPE MAY:

Unexpected History At the Carroll Gallery

January 16 – April 12, 2026

Cape May was home to one of the East Coast’s most significant Black communities. From the late 1800s through the mid-20th century, Black residents built thriving businesses, worked in tourism, and welcomed visitors, even during the Great Depression and World War II. The town also hosted influential figures like Marian Anderson, Paul Robeson, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Martin Luther King, Jr., leaving a legacy of culture, activism, and resilience. This exhibit explores that rich history and includes a new, original painting by local artist Chanelle Rene’, bringing the stories of Cape May’s Black community vividly to life.

Free admission.

Hours of Operation

*This exhibit can be visited mid-week, between the hours of 9am and 4pm by appointment. Appointments must be made 48 hours in advance and can be made by calling 884-5404 and requesting a date and time to visit.

Upcoming Exhibits

Cape May — The First and Only
At the Carroll Gallery

May 1, 2026-Nov. 2, 2026

The year 2026 marks not only the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it marks two significant anniversaries for the City of Cape May: the 175th anniversary of its incorporation as a city, and the 50th anniversary of its designation as a National Historic Landmark. Cape May, the first and only, hails its unique place in 2026 as “America’s First Seaside Resort” and the nation’s only National Historic Landmark City. As the nation commemorates its founding, Cape May proudly reflects on its own journey, honoring its heritage while embracing a future built on the strength of community, culture, and timeless charm. Cape May MAC partners with the City of Cape May to mount this once-in-a lifetime exhibit dedicated to celebrating these two remarkable and important Cape May anniversaries.