Birdbath Fun – Cape May, New Jersey 1960s

This cheerful snapshot from Cape May, New Jersey in the 1960s captures a simple summertime moment—two young women laughing as they gather water from a backyard birdbath, surrounded by neatly planted flowers and the unmistakable charm of a mid-century vacation cottage. Their sleeveless summer outfits, bouffant hairstyles, and carefree smiles reflect the style and spirit of the decade, when family holidays were slower, sunnier, and often spent close to home — or close to the beach.

In the background, a “For Rent” sign hints at Cape May’s long-standing role as one of America’s oldest seaside resort towns. First welcoming visitors in the early 19th century, Cape May became famous for its grand Victorian hotels, elegant gingerbread houses, and wide sandy beaches. By the 1960s, it was a beloved East Coast getaway, drawing families year after year with its boardwalk, calm atmosphere, and nostalgic charm — long before large-scale restoration turned much of the town into a preserved architectural treasure.

Today, Cape May remains a National Historic Landmark and one of the most beautifully preserved Victorian towns in the United States. Yet scenes like this — playful, relaxed, and captured in someone’s front yard — remind us that the heart of Cape May has always been more than grand hotels and old architecture. It’s a place of memories, summers spent barefoot in the grass, ocean breezes, and the timeless feeling of vacation.