Built in 1846: Samuel Moss House, home of the Jersey Shore Historical Society, needs a new roof
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JERSEY SHORE -- The reopening of the historic Samuel Moss House, where Jersey Shore Historical Society Museum keeps its collectibles, has been delayed due to the need to replace its roof, which has an estimated cost of $27,500.
Located at 200 S. Main St., the Samuel Moss House is where the society preserves and shares its many displays, stores archival information and gives tours of the house, which maintains the history of the Jersey Shore area, according to Christina Cooney, president of the society, which has 120 active members and a number of volunteers.
Over the years, the roof of the house, built in 1846, has shown wear and tear, most recently sustaining a leak that brought water into the ceiling tile. Individuals performing a more in-depth inspection using a tight crawl space found the source of the leak, she said.
The repair of the roof holds a special meaning for the organization, as the borough celebrates its bicentennial on March 15, 2026. Members want to raise the funds needed and start the tours back up, if possible, a year before in preparation, she said.
In the meantime, provisions for the archives and collectibles inside the house were made, covering or removing them to prevent any damage, Cooney said.
Samuel Moss was a resident in the early 19th century who sold dry goods and served as postmaster. He did not build the house, which was constructed in 1846, but moved into the house in the 1870s.
After his death, the house was used by several businesses, including as a dentist's office, and it became a private home until the early 1970s.
After damage done by the effects of Tropical Storm Agnes in 1972, the historical society, which kept its archives and materials at the former Broad Street School, moved into the house, Cooney said.
Guests to the house enter into a beautiful foyer and the front room to see period furniture and local artists' renditions of portraits.
Inside also are quilts and items honoring the Tiadaghton Elm, Fair Play Men and the Great Runaway of 1776-1778.
"We have a great membership," Cooney said.
The society is asking for anyone able to donate for the roof replacement and any artifacts they might have of interest to the museum collection.
A local grant writer has been contacted, and the contractor, Bud Lehman Construction, is willing to patiently wait while the society raises the funds for the roof replacement.
The goal is to use any removed shingles that are no more than five years old back onto the roof, as well as whatever truss and rafter work needs to be done.
"We would as a society like to get it done this year," Cooney said.
Learn more about the society or how to get in touch with its members online at jshistory.org/ or on Facebook, @JSHISTORY1