Great Auditorium and Tent City – Ocean Grove New Jersey

Driving through the gates of Ocean Grove you definitely get the feeling you’re headed back in time - over 150 years to be exact! Established as a Methodist “Camp Meeting” summer retreat, Ocean Grove is on the National Register of Historic Places for having one of the most extensive collections of Victorian and early-20th century architecture in the country.

The Great Auditorium is the most dramatic spot in town, and used for both religious services and entertainment events. This wooden barrel roofed structure was built in 1894 by ship builders and seats over 6000 people. Barn door sides open to let the ocean breezes in during the summer, and stained glass windows help illuminate the interior. Speaking of light, two religious-themed lighted signs located inside the auditorium are thought to be some of the oldest still in use today. Another notable feature of this historic structure is its pipe organ. With over 11,000 pipes it is one of the 20 largest pipe organs in the world.

Adjacent to this magnificent building the over 100 canvas tents known as Tent City and are occupied seasonally by returning families, with a years long waiting list for new residents. Each tent is anchored to a shed that contains the kitchen and bathroom, with not much else separating you from your neighbor - except a few layers of canvas! Decorated with old fashioned awning stripes and wicker chairs, this pop-up neighborhood evokes the charm of the earlier eras at the Jersey shore.

Because of the Camp Meeting Association, the beach is closed on Sunday mornings and the town is “dry”

You don’t have to be Methodist to rent a tent but you do have to support their missions

Tents can’t be sublet, so if you want to stay in one, get chummy with a tenter!