- City:
- Longport, NJ
- Site Type:
- Education and Health, Civic Facilities, Hospitals and Clinics
- New Deal Agencies:
- Work Relief Programs, Works Progress Administration (WPA)
- Started:
- 1936
Description
Longport, New Jersey’s Betty Bacharach Home for Afflicted Children was constructed in 1924, before the Great Depression. However, the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed an addition, featuring a “new physiotherapy pool and treatment unit” at the site starting in 1936.
The old Betty Bacharach Home is now the Borough Hall building.
Source notes
"The Dawn," a New Jersey WPA publication; June 1936 issue, page 7. Found at the Jersey City Public Library's New Jersey Room.Site originally submitted by Evan Kalish on January 7, 2015.
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John (Jack) Gesswein
Gabriel Milner
Lisa DeGraw
Pat Wolf
Joseph riess
Joyce
Priscilla Clemens
Michael Lee Tynes
Sidney Semidey
lori ray
Andrew Abrams
ROCHELLE L OSTROFF-WEINBERG
Amy Strawder
Seceria
I was a resident of the home as a child about 1950. My name is John A. (Jackie) Gesswein. If you still have posters from that period you will see my face on the cover. If not, I can send you a copy.
I am writing to express my gratitude to the Home and the Shriners who sponsored me. Thanks to you I was not only able to walk, I was able to serve my country with 20 years in the United States Marine Corps.
I am now retired and living the life in South Florida. I will be eternally grateful to those that took care of me as a child and made my life possible. Thanks you all…
John A. (Jackie) Gesswein
[email protected]
Thank you for getting in touch. And thank you for your service. We would welcome any posters you send our way ([email protected]).
My brother lived at the home for a couple of years starting when he was only 5. He had debilitating asthma. It is very interesting to me to see come across this site. I’d love to know more about the home and especially any photos that exist. We have a photo but it’s only of the playground. Thank you!
starting when he was only 5 in 1965.
Jack Gesswein, did you by any chance know a child by the name of Sheldon Treiser that resided there in the 60’s? He was probably about 8-10 years old and passed away around that time also. I loved him so much and will always remember our trip there to visit him.
I was their around 1965 to 1966 I was around 12 I remember a few names of friends I had like Mike Baker, Mike ferris, Curtis I can’t remember his last nane,and Joseph kool if anyone reads this and knows any of these guys please contact me I would love to hear from you
Hello all. My brother was a patient there for three years around 1964-1967. His name was Robert Bernauer. He had debilitating asthma and life threatening allergies. I remember going to visit him every other Saturday/Sunday and sitting in the big lobby. He was like the mayor – wheeling others in and out of their rooms to visit people!
I have a postcard from Atlantic City with the Home on it!
He has long since passed (1970). Miss him dearly.
My brother was there too. As a toddler ( born in 63) and he lived there for I think 2 years due to severe asthma. I was only a year older so don’t remember alot. But definitely grateful for the care as he is still with us today (2020). Interesting to see the site.
In the late 60’s early 70’s I brought a horse over so the kids could get up close and personal with her. “Baby” was a real character and loved kids. Kids with Disabilities were her favorites. She was always stead and gentle with everyone but more so with kids that needed extra care.
My grandmother used to go and pick bushes of fresh fruits and veggies when it was no longer cost effective for the farmer to pick them Betty Bacharach was one of her stops to deliver them. She felt everyone needed fresh fruits and veggies – kids especially!
My name is Michael Tynes I was born 1/4/1961 I was a patient there for the age of 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 years in the facility my mother tells me that I was expelled from the facility for playing with matches in the back I remember a big nurse named Hannah when I did bad she would make me pucker my lips and take her to Singas and putt me on my lips I remember a teacher very nice name is Bebe She was very beautiful nice person I remember
Hello. I am Sidney Semidey and I was there in those days. I was there for childhood asthma. I remember Hannah the food lady. I also remember Bolger, Baker, Sheldon, Mrs. McGuff, Virgie, Robert Gant, Warren Dykes, Claudia Sebastian and Michael Tynes. Hey Michael, hope all is well.
Yes I knew him very very bright kid
looking for anyone who might have been a patient from 1948 to 1957.my mother was there for almost 8 yrs
My grandfather, Joseph Abrams, was the Director in the 1930’s. During his tenure he was awarded Man of the Year in Atlantic City. My mother, Berenda Abrams nee Weinberg worked there as teenage assistant and later as a young adult as an Occupational Therapist. All my life I thought the name was the Betty Bacharach Home for Wayward Children – a mistake only corrected today through a Google search.
Hi Joseph Riess, you were there at the same time my brother was, he was only 5.
I just read many of the comments concerning the Betty Bacharach Home, which was located, I believe, on the boardwalk in Atlantic City.
I spent (approximately) 6 months during the period 1949-1950. I was diagnosed with Legg, Colve, Perthes disease and my parents were told the expect an 18 month stay. Read up on this disease as it is unique and even today it is not known why it occurs and why it stops. In a nut shell, the blood supply to the femur/ball shuts off. So without the blood supply the head of the femur softens and it becomes an out of shape ball. Treatment in those days was to keep the patient off their feet so that the ball would not lose it’s shape. Eventually the blood supply returns. At some point the blood supply to my bones returned in about 6 months.
I don’t remember a whole lot it being, about 75 years ago, but one thing I do remember……that was being “rolled” in to a large room and they this box that talked and had pictures………A TELEVISION……I didn’t know what is was, but the picture on the screen was “The Howdy Doody” show.
I had a normal childhood, but later in life due to the disease I had my right hip replaced in 2004 and my left hip replaced in 2019.
Many children have had hip placed when they were in their 20’s/30’s. So I was fortunate/
I understand that these days the patient is given some type of brace to keep the pressure off of the hip.
The Betty Bacharach was not in AC; it was on the corner, in Longport, now the library/municipal building. I was there between 1954-1955, age 2 to 3, for rehabilitation after being infected with the poliovirus. I am very interested in photos of where and how the children spent the day, dormatory pictures and the staff. I am also trying to learn what it was like for a 2-3 year old, left there without parents/family; Thank you.
Hello everyone! I am the manager for the Longport Historical Museum in Longport and we have a great display of artifacts and information on the Betty Bacharach Home. We will be celebrating the 100th Anniversary next year and I would love to hear from anyone who may have some stories to share with us. Please contact me either by leaving a message at the Longport Library (609-487-7403) or email me at [email protected]. Thank you!
Amy Strawder
My name is Senceria Pinkston and I am living in NC now, but in the middle 60s I was in a truck accident and I was admitted to the rehab for physical therapy and was there until the middle of 1970s. I remember some about the time there . I want to thank God and everyone there at the time for helping me to learn how to do everything again. Thank you and God bless everyone!
Thank you for your comment. I am the manager for the Longport Museum and would love to get in touch with you regarding the time you spent at the facility. We will be celebrating 100 years Mother’s Day 2024 and would enjoy having your input. Contact Amy at 609-487-7403 and mention the Bacharach Hospital. thank you !!