PAINTED OVER A WOODEN GATE THAT LED OUT TO THE WATER at 520 Bay Avenue from the early 1920s to 1958 was the word “Leseid”. The property was owned by Harrison N. and Isabelle Diesel, and the name was their family name in reverse. The property was purchased from the Diesel estate by the Wheaton family in 1958, and for many years they used it as a summer home.

In 1995, the 1.949 acre bay-front parcel was purchased by Cape May County through the Open Space and Farmland Preservation Program for $1.18 million. The City of Ocean City holds a 25-year lease on the property with its historic seashore home, pool (now filled), guest house, and garage. Renamed Bayside Center, the property opened to the public in June 1996 for historical, environmental, and recreational uses. Improvements, including elevation for floodproofing, were made to the house in 1999 using matching funds from FEMA.

Please enjoy the property for its unmatched location and view as well as the educational and historical exhibits in the main house. An elevator has been installed for full accessibility to all three floors, and the bayfront porches are available for enjoyment when the house is open.

The “Bay Window” Environmental Center

The focus is on the Great Egg Harbor Bay in the Bay Window, which occupies the north side of the first floor of the house. Displays and information about the South Jersey seashore environment are featured in an array of exhibits.

• Start by entering the Bay Window with a walk under the estuary waters. Enjoy the mural by Ocean City artist Diane Bressler featuring species found in our estuary. Notice the tools used by the baymen in Great Egg Harbor Bay. Don’t miss the facing wall with the photos of our estuary, and information about watershed planning in New Jersey. “Go fishing” to learn what’s in the water, and whether it belongs there or not. Try out the “Touch Boxes”. We even have a weather station.
• Look out on the bay using the telescope or binoculars. Along with boats and fishermen, you’re sure to see some birds, and maybe even the nesting osprey on the channel marker or platform.
• Check out the beach display. Learn about the dune program, beachnesting birds, and shells on our beaches. Check the microscope for interesting slides.
• In the wetlands area, look for the diamondback terrapins. The aquarium has some live specimens of our estuary species.

There’s lots more: the problem of marine debris, dolphin rescue, information about the programs of the Environmental Office. Look for tips on keeping your landscape green and the estuary clean in a display about IPM (Integrated Pest Management). Pick up any information you can use.

First Floor Exhibit

Ocean City Lifesaving Museum: The long and colorful history of lifesaving on the shores of Ocean City is highlighted in a display of photographs and memorabilia celebrating 100 years of city-paid lifeguards in 1998.

Second Floor Exhibits

Hutsko Ship Models: The life’s work of master ship model builder Stephen Hutsko is on exhibit, on loan from his family. 25 museum-quality models of historic, local, and well-known ships. A taped narration is available.

O.C. Historic Buildings Model Exhibit: View a collection of to-scale models of historic Ocean City buildings produced by resident Al Burch.

Flood Mitigation: Visit the second floor exhibit room and see an exhibit showing how the Bayside Center was elevated to protect it from flood damage with FEMA funding.

Video Corner: A large selection of environmental videos is available for viewing on the VCR, a fine activity for a rainy day. Please ask for assistance.

Third Floor Exhibits

“The Osprey’s Nest”: The third floor is open to the public for unmatched views of the Great Egg Harbor Bay. Use the stairs or the elevator to see the bay with a telescope. A fine exhibit of stuffed and mounted shorebirds and decoys has been donated by the Ocean City Historical Museum. An original Barnegat Bay Sneakbox is also on display.

Special Events

Summer Sunset Series: A variety of nature programs will be presented on Tuesday and/or Friday evenings. No charge, but due to limited space, reservations are needed. Check Suburban Cable Channel 2, or your local newspaper, for the topics and days each week. Call 609-525-9244 to reserve.

Night in Venice: Bayside Center will host the annual outdoors Night in Venice party. Ticket-holders will have a bleacher seat for the decorated boat parade. Bring your own picnic. Tickets available after July 1. For date and ticket information, call 609-525-9300. This is always a sellout!

Kayak Events: Kayaking events are held on the beach and at Bayside Center. Call 609-525-9278 for information on dates and times.

Recreational Opportunities

Environmental Summer Camp sessions for ages 6-12. Headquartered in the “garage” with hands-on bay-related fun and learning. Call 609-525-9294 for information.

Workshops for Families and Adults: Focus on the bay and estuary. Call 609-525-9294 for information.

Children’s Birthday Parties with seashore theme, by special arrangement. Call 609-525-9294 for information.

Picnic Tables are available. Bring blankets to sit on in case of a crowd.

Transient Dockage on a space-available basis. Come by boat for a short visit to Bayside Center.

Recreational Rowing for club members. Call for information.

Spectacular Sunsets make Bayside Center a wonderful place to relax on a nice evening. Bring chairs or sit on the docks or benches.

Pavilionon on the lawn is available for shaded sitting if not in use by environmental camp.

Marine Police

The poolhouse at Bayside Center is the summer home of the Ocean City Marine Police. Office hours are 10am-4pm. In an emergency, call 911 or use Marine Band Radio Channel 16.

For information on using or renting the Bayside Center for special events, call 609-525-9278.