Monday, August 22, 2022

Tent City In Ocean Grove

I'm posting late today, the weekend and morning have been very busy.
If you visit the shore during the summer, 
Ocean Grove is a must see.
It's a popular vacation spot known for its scenic shoreline, Victorian charm, 
boutique shopping and deep seeded history.
But the most peculiar sight in this religious community is "Tent City"!
A colony of canvas tents that are available for rent during the summertime.
There are 114 tent structures that surround the Great Auditorium.
The canvas tents in the front are attached to wooden cottages in the back that are used for 
bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens.
The front tent area is generally used for a living room but not always.
Outside, the tiny porches provide just enough room for two lawn chairs and a table.
This deeply religious community dates back to 1870 when there were 200 tents.

We took a short walk on an especially beautiful day last week!










Most are empty during the day, peeps are at the beach, so you can peek inside.
You can see in the first one that the front tent area is used for sleeping.
In the one below, they use the tent area for a living room.


Laundry on the clothesline, reminds me of years gone past!

If you are interested in renting one of these, the waiting list is about 14 years.

- I'd rather live in a tent with happiness, then a luxurious home with sadness -

10 comments:

DrumMajor said...

Interesting set-up. Do the tents or canvas parts come down in the winter? Linda in Kansas

Debbie said...

yes linda, the tents do come down, fold up and are stored in the back cottage part!

and thanks so much for all the comments you leave for me, i always enjoy hearing from you!! xo

DeniseinVA said...

What a very interesting area! It’s very festive looking.

LeAnn said...

I loved the quote about living in a tent with happiness, tan a luxurious home with sadness. From day one, I have told my husband that I would love and be happy wherever we are planted, even if it's a tent.
This looks like such a lovely tent city. Here in Salt Lake, they are planning on building about 60 tiny homes for the homeless and adding more to them. I think this is a marvelous idea. Blessings and hugs!

Ruth Hiebert said...

They do have a quaint look.

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

I wasn't sure what to expect by the title but your tent city was a pleasant surprise. Very interesting!

Marie Smith said...

I’m with you!

Conniecrafter said...

these are so neat and very interesting that they leave them all open like that

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
The tents do look festive, I guess they are nice to stay in and be close to the beach. I like the quote! Take care, have a great week!

Leanne Coppola said...

I would be so happy spending the summer in one of the tents. I always love walking through the area. Haven't been yet this summer!