history

The Fresh Air home began through the hard work of L.Ida Dukes and an
organization called Christian Endeavor in 1896 Children were invited for day
excursions to a recreational area along the Delaware River in NJ. In 1911
Mrs. Dukes brought the first group of children to Wildwood at which time the
Children’s Fresh Air Home became incorporated. The first year in Wildwood
they rented an Automobile Club House for sleeping quarters. In 1913 through
the assistance of Henry Otten, a Christian man and local entrepreneur,
Mrs. Dukes purchased a small home for use along the bay. In 1923 Mr. Otten
matched funds raised by Mrs. Dukes and together they built the current
structure for $30,000. The home was modeled after Mr. Otten’s hotel, located
on the boardwalk in Wildwood, NJ.

The Fresh Air Home, is still very much alive in North Wildwood, NJ never having
failed in over one hundred years to host young guests, underprivileged,
deserving boys and girls.

After the death of Mrs. Dukes in 1937, Myra Loring, who had served with
Mrs. Dukes for ten years, became the Superintendent of the Fresh Air Home.
Miss Loring served in this position from 1938 to 1988 continuing the solid
tradition of the Home. During the school year Miss Loring served as a
teacher and then principal in Grenloch, NJ. The elementary school in which
she was principal in now named after her. Miss Loring refused to accept a
salary for her work all 50 years of her tenure. She passed away in 1988.
Kris and Laura Perkins followed Myra Loring offering fourteen years of
leadership as Superintendents. Kris serves as the Minister of Families at
Park Street Church in Boston, MA.

In 2003 we welcomed Craig and Karen Wille to the role of Superintendent as
they continue the tradition of the Home. The Willes, residents of
Moorestown, NJ, have served in various leadership capacities in the Home for
many years.