Harvey Cedars Bible Conference - Renovations

Renovations

Changing times, expectations for improved accommodations and guest amenities led to decisions to renovate in the 1990s, up to the present time.

The former bar, (which during the first days of Harvey Cedars Bible Presbyterian Conference served as a lounge, and during the 1980s and 1990s served as the staff lounge, was rebuilt as office space containing 4 rooms around 1996/1997 (several years later the porch on the north end of the former bar was also altered for further office space). The decorative steel ceiling may have been removed—it was at least covered by a drop ceiling. This bar originally contained one of a set of matching decorative fireplaces completed in 1903 after the major renovation.

The matching decorative fireplace in the former South Lounge was removed around 2004 when the South Lounge was completely remodeled. The decorative, functional south porches were also removed, on the first floor to extend former South lounge into needed meeting rooms. On the 2nd and 3rd floor, the former porches were replaced mostly by a concrete block fire-proof stairwell.

The former dining room (which has served as the main lounge since the 1940s) has been kept mostly original. All the exterior old windows were replaced, but the decorative embossed-steel walls and ceiling are still present. This room originally had gas light fixtures which were removed long ago. The pocket doors on the south side were covered, but are still in the walls.

Also on the first floor, the former "Woman's Lounge" during the Hotel days (which served as the "Game Room" during the early Harvey Cedar's Bible (Presbyterian) Conference days, followed by living quarters for staff in the 1990s) was gutted and converted into modern bathrooms around 2004.

On the North side of the hotel the old back stairway which extended from the first floor (former kitchen) to the attic was removed. A concrete block fire-proof stairwell was added to the north and south side to adhere to New Jersey fire code.

On the 2nd floor, many guest rooms were gutted and renovated. Some restrooms were also gutted and renovated.

All other historic hotels of the same size located on the island have long since been destroyed.

For more old photographs of the old hotel, see Harvey Cedars Hotel and Camp Whelen as they occupied the same building during different eras.