Cape May Whale Museum: The Mobile Phase

From Harpoons to Hope

Project Summary:

The Cape May Whale Museum is dedicated to telling the powerful story of humanity’s evolving relationship with whales—from the early whalers of Cape May to today’s whale watchers and ocean stewards. While our ultimate goal is to establish a permanent museum space in Cape May, we are launching a mobile whale museum to bring this story directly to schools, events, and communities across the region.

We are seeking funding or in-kind support to expand our collection and acquire and retrofit a 45 foot school bus into a mobile exhibit and classroom space. This traveling museum will allow thousands of students and families to walk through immersive, educational exhibits that blend maritime heritage, natural history, and cultural reflection. If we are fortunate enough to find a permanent home in the near future we will skip the mobile phase.

Why a Mobile Museum?

• Immediate Impact – Start reaching the public even before a building exists

• Authentic Historical Perspective – Bring the unique story of Cape May’s whaling families and maritime past directly to schools and communities

• Community Engagement – Create momentum, visibility, and public support for our long-term museum vision

• Scalable Vision – Build our collection and programming as we prepare for a permanent home

What’s Inside the Trailer?

• A large 8-foot scale model of a whaleboat, featuring a planked hull with visible ribs and fully outfitted with authentic gear: irons, harpoons, lances, line tubs, hatch, oars, mast with linen rig, and lateen sail

• A detailed diorama depicting the historic whaler encampment at Townbank

• A partial or full whale skeleton (real or replica)

• Interpretive exhibits about whale migrations, behaviors, and cultural symbolism

• Personal histories from Cape May whalers and their descendants

• A space for school programs, artifacts, and rotating murals created by local artists

• Audio and visual elements to create an immersive, reflective experience

What We Need:

• A donated or sponsored 53-foot trailer

• Funding to retrofit, outfit, and maintain the exhibit space

• Support for transportation, insurance, and staffing

• Partners to help us build routes, develop curriculum, and expand the collection

Be Part of the Journey

This trailer is more than a vehicle. It’s a moving symbol of a community reclaiming its maritime past and reimagining it for the next generation. We invite you to become a founding partner in this bold and beautiful phase of the Cape May Whale Museum—from harpoons to hope.

For more information or to get involved, contact:

Herk Wetherill

✉️ herk.wetherill@capemaywhalemuseum.org