At North Beach Hotel, we take pride in serving Ventnor City as well as the rich history and connection we have to the area. The Hotel is a historic old home built in the 1900s that has been converted into our charming, cozy location we have today. We pay homage to our historic roots with elegant details and unique charm while bringing a modern flare and hospitality.

When renovating the building several years ago, we discovered a letter, hidden in the walls, that gives a real glimpse into the life of a woman in Philadelphia during the summer of 1916. The letter has given us a renewed appreciation for our history and a fond flashback to a simpler time.

If anyone knows about the details of this letter, its writer or recipient, please contact us.

It reads as follows:

4256 Regent St.

Philadelphia Aug. 20, 1916.

My dear Sister Sallie:-

Don’t talk hot weather, I never felt it so much as this summer, it makes one real lazy, at least I don’t seem to get anything accomplished, and I thought I would do so much while [someone] was away. They only left last Tuesday, the latest they ever started but they can stay a week or so in Sept.

I am glad to know Mrs. Blackburne is getting along, she will soon be around again now. It takes patience while one is recovering, but she has lots of willing hands around her and love too, so she cannot help but get well.

You say Lewis did not answer you and yet he told me that he had written to both you and Margaret just lately. He does not write as frequently as he used to in bygone days. He says it is on account of growing old, but that is not the only reason, I guess he does not care to write.

I was at church this morning and had dinner at a Mrs. Brown’s boarding house on Chester Ave at one o’clock, before coming home, my next door neighbor goes there on Sundays so I tried it too, had to pay 50 cents, but I enjoyed it very much and I could not get up a dinner for that amount anyway it won’t break me for once a month. The colored maid stayed here until I got back, and Hannah Green came about 3:30 to gather up the wash and dust up stairs, then she went home and now I will be alone all night as the Wolotts went out to Wallingford to be gone until Tuesday morning, but I don’t think I shall mind it.

I expect Mrs. Meyer and Clara here on Tuesday to stay over night and hope we will have a pleasant visit together.

I trust you are getting along all right, keep up your spirits and make the best of everything, it’s the only way to succeed. The time will soon fly around now and we three can see each other again.

With my much love to you and all –