Join us for a fascinating evening of history and community!
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Canoe Club at Hammonton Lake Park
Free and open to the public – no membership or RSVP required!
6 PM – Monthly Membership Meeting
6:45 PM – Refreshments
7 PM – Speaker Series The Historical Society of Hammonton is pleased to invite the public to its next FREE Speaker Series presentation on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 7 PM, at the Canoe Club, Hammonton Lake Park. The evening begins with the Society’s monthly membership meeting at 6 PM, also open to everyone for free. No membership or RSVP is required—just stop by, enjoy an engaging evening, and discover fascinating insights into our local history.
The May program, “Built to Last: The Story of Crescent Tire & Service and the Crescenzo Family,” will feature longtime local business owner Christa Crescenzo McIntosh. A true story of resilience, reinvention, and family continuity, the presentation will explore the history of one of Hammonton’s enduring family businesses and the generations who helped shape it.
Founded in 1937, Crescent Tire & Service began at the corner of Egg Harbor Road and Passmore Avenue, where Christa’s grandfather pumped gas, sold tires, and repaired automobiles. In an era when prejudice against Italian immigrants was still common, he felt compelled to name the business Crescent Tire & Service rather than use the family surname, Crescenzo – a powerful reflection of both the challenges and determination that marked many immigrant success stories.
The business entered a new chapter in 1972, when Christa’s father expanded operations by building a larger facility with additional repair bays at 325 S. White Horse Pike, ending gas service to focus fully on automotive repair. That location remained home to the business for decades and became a familiar landmark in the Hammonton community. The program will also highlight the next generation now involved in the business, underscoring how legacy businesses remain relevant by adapting while staying true to their roots.
As the third-generation owner and first woman to lead Crescent Tire & Service, Christa brings a deeply personal perspective to this story. A lifelong Hammontonian, she returned home after attending La Salle University and spending several years away, ultimately rejoining the family business she grew up around. Her journey is also one of perseverance through personal loss and transition. After losing both her brother and father within two years of each other, Christa stepped into leadership during a pivotal moment for the business. Through it all, Crescent Tire has remained firmly rooted in family, with multiple generations continuing to work side by side.
Come connect, learn, and celebrate Hammonton’s history with us!
The Historical Society of Hammonton is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich, multi-cultural social, economic, and political heritage of our town and its people. Our mission is to increase awareness of Hammonton’s rich history and to establish public access by collecting, conserving, interpreting, and promoting it to the widest possible audience.
Our Museum, built in 1887, is a treasure in itself. Formerly the Hammonton Town Hall, it also served as a Town Library and Kindergarten. Located in Hammonton Veterans Memorial Park, it is open to the public on Saturdays from 11 AM to 2 PM. We’re open other days by appointment or happenstance. If you see the OPEN flag flying, come on in!
If you can’t attend the presentation, you can find them on our YouTube channel, or you can come in and play back recordings of this and dozens of other past presentations. Monthly meetings and presentations are typically held on the first Thursday of each month.
Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of Cultural Affairs within the Department of State, through funds administered by the Atlantic County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.