{Historic Characters}

Kevin Kirchner as George Daynor,

Creator of Vineland’s Palace of Depression

By far one of the most eccentric and dynamic Vineland personalities ever was that of George Daynor, as portrayed in a large museum quality exhibit at Founder’s Day by Kevin Kirchner.   By day, Kirchner keeps a busy schedule working in the Building Construction Office for the City of Vineland .   But his off hours will often find him at the Mill Road property where George Daynor once paid eight dollars for eight acres of swamp and junkyard on the outskirts of old Vineland. 

            Daynor, who had at one time struck it rich in the Alaskan Gold Rush, was clever and resourceful.  He took what looked like garbage and turned it into a showplace winning Vineland national renown in the early to mid twentieth century, and a place in Ripley’s Believe it or Not.  Built by hand and fashioned to look like something out of a fairy tale book, the Palace of Depression was a regular tourist stop for families year round.  Daynor’s story spans over 100 years of his life, ending tragically with a three year jail term beginning at age ninety-nine during which time the Palace fell victim to vandals and fire. 

            The lot was raised in the late 1960’s after his death, but is finding new life through the efforts of a group led by Kirchner and former Vineland resident, a Philadelphia photography artist, Jeff Triante.  Leading a devoted group of volunteers, the Palace of Depression will soon rise again as an exact replica of Daynor’s original, equipped for handicapped accessibility, and open as a museum in the future.  Kirchner and Triante – portraying an ominous Jersey Devil – will be available at the Palace of Depression exhibit on Founder’s Day to share more stories and the details of this ambitious reviving of a Vineland historical landmark.

Mary Ann Kirchner as Lucille Richardson, Vineland ’s First Teacher

PHOTO AVAILABLE SUMMER 2007

            When Mary Ann Kirchner was drawn to the work of the Friends of Historic Vineland through the enthusiasm of Friend’s founder, Dr. Frank DeMaio, and challenged with the task of finding a woman of historical note to portray, she didn’t need to look any further than her own profession.  Mrs. Kirchner has been an educator in the Vineland Public Schools for over thirty years, teaching elementary levels, special education, and currently is a School Counselor at Rossi Intermediate School in Vineland .  So, of course, portraying Vineland ’s first female school teacher, Lucille Richardson, was an obvious choice. 

            In 1862, just one year after the founding of Vineland , Charles Landis built a timber school house on the site later occupied by the Grove House.  Miss Lucille Richardson opened a private school with eleven pupils.  A year later, in 1863, Miss Richardson organized the first school district in that little schoolhouse building, and opened a second school at the corner of Landis Avenue and Spring Road.

            Mary Ann’s favorite aspect of portraying Miss Richardson at Founder’s Day is the opportunity she has to creatively teach children about the history of education in Vineland .  “They are very curious about education in the past,” she says.  “My display involves books from the past, pictures, old memorabilia, and yearbooks that show students in different styles of clothing.”

            Mary Ann shares her historic exhibit space with Elaine Greenberg, the archivist for the Vineland Public School with access to over a hundred years of Vineland education memories.  She is married to Kevin Kirchner who portrays George Daynor of the Palace Depression in the Founder’s Day exhibitions.

Elaine Greenberg as Mary Patterson, Teacher

Vineland Public School Archivist

When Elaine was a little girl growing up in Vineland , she was part of a family to whom history was a livelihood.  Elaine’s father ran an auction business dealing with local history and historical artifacts everyday.  “We were taught as children that ‘old’ was valuable, important, and must be respected,” says Greenberg.

            Today, her brother continues the family business with Auctions by Mesiano, and Elaine continues in the spirit of her father’s teachings as the official archivist for the Vineland Public Schools System.  “As a former Vineland School Board member, when the district’s history was uncovered, I knew that there had to be a way to restore, preserve, and educate.  After a story ran in the local newspapers, I received a call from Dr. DeMaio, and the rest is history.”

            No other word for it if it involves Frank DeMaio, Founder’s Day, and the restoration and preservation of Vineland ’s past.  “Dr. DeMaio has given of his talents, and time and lets me continue to present historical, restored items (all done by him) to the Vineland School District ,” Elaine says.  “He is a wonderful humanitarian and I am grateful for his generous spirit, and loyal commitment to keeping the history of the City of Vineland alive.  I love our annual Founder’s Day where I get to dress up and portray high school teacher, Mary Patterson who taught at the old Central High School .  I’ve made ‘friends’ within the ‘Friends’ organization.

            To be sure, Elaine’s contribution to the Friends extends far beyond her historian passions.  She has teamed up with fellow ‘Friends’ and ‘friend’, Kathryn Ross, for some of the major behind the scenes activities towards expanding the work and influence of the Friends of Historic Vineland and their mission.  Her experience and leadership skills serving the City of Vineland for many years on the School Board, and currently, the Zoning Board, and the Site Plan Advisory Board, coupled with her generosity of volunteerism and service, set her apart as a notable Vineland citizen in her own right. 

Joe Profetto, South Jersey Garden Railroad Society

with Vineland Railroads   

            Charles Landis believed so strongly in his dream of a beautiful city in the wilderness of South Jersey, he built Vineland ’s first railroad station at the south-east corner of Landis Avenue and the Boulevard with his own money and his own hands.

Once the trains had a place to stop in Vineland , the first settlers arrived to build the town, just as Landis knew they would.  Retired Vineland photographer, Joe Profetto shares the exciting stories of railroading history in South Jersey and Vineland in particular, assisted by members of the South Jersey Garden Railroad Society at Founder’s Day. 

            Their large exhibit consists of railroading posters and photographs, in addition to  an entertaining working model railroad and train set-up – a fascination for young and old.  The SJGRS was established in 1994, specializing in G-Gauge/Scale outdoor model railroad layouts.  Vineland ’s Founder’s Day is pleased to have the SJGRS back for a second year, adding to their busy schedule of specially designed model railroad set-ups at the Ocean City Music Pier, Cold Spring Village , the Naval Air Station in Cape May, the Tuckahoe Museum , the Greenberg Show in Pennsauken , and the Paulsboro Day Celebration. 

 {Historic Characters}