Ellen Cohen holds a copy of the second edition of “Longport: The Way We Were,” written by her husband Michael Cohen.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
LONGPORT – The book that made Longport famous is back in print and available at the Longport Historical Society Museum, 2305 Atlantic Ave.
The author’s widow, Ellen Cohen, who serves as the society’s vice president, said the supply of first editions of “Longport: The Way We Were,” sold out, but the Longport Historical Society received so many requests for the book over the years, they decided to do a second printing.
The book was written by former Mayor Michael Cohen, who championed all things Longport and formed the Historical Society in 1987 when Atlantic County was celebrating its sesquicentennial. He was instrumental in getting the former Great Egg Coast Guard Station that now serves as the society’s historical museum on the National Historic Register. He was also able to get the Church of the Redeemer, which was destroyed by fire in the derecho storm of 2012 and then rebuilt, placed on the federal and state registers of historic buildings.
The information Michael Cohen gathered over the years about Longport was enough to fill a book, so that’s exactly what he did. The book includes photographs and maps, devastating storms, and interviews with some of the borough’s founders.
“I don’t remember how many were in the first printing, but it almost immediately sold out. We were getting so many requests for it for many years, including from residents and out-of-towners, that we decided to reprint it, although at the time, it was cost prohibitive,” Ellen Cohen said.
The Historical Society’s new association with the Longport Public Library enabled the book to finally be reprinted.
“It came out beautifully and we now have 300 hard covers and 500 softbacks available for purchase,” she said.
The books are $125 for the hardback version and $45 for the softback, and proceeds from the sale of the books benefits the Longport Historical Society Museum.
Her husband often said it was his goal to keep the history of Absecon Island’s tiny hamlet alive for future generations to enjoy.
“They came in last Thursday and I immediately bought two, one for each of my grandchildren,” Ellen Cohen said.
Michael Cohen
Michael Cohen, who died in 2016, was a borough commissioner and served as mayor from 2000 to 2004. He had many connections to the borough’s founders and their children and interviewed them for the book.
Mayor Nicholas Russo said Cohen was “passionate” about preserving Longport history.
“There is no question that his service and dedication to the borough will stand the test of time,” he said upon news of Cohen’s passing.
The book is available for purchase at the Longport Historical Society Museum 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays and Mondays throughout the summer.
Longport Historical Society Museum
The Porch Store will hold it summer opening on Saturday, June 26, and the museum will also hold its annual open house starting at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 2.
To learn more about the museum or to take a virtual tour, see longportpubliclibrary.org/historicalsociety.
Copyright Mediawize, LLC 2021
