It was over three decades ago, deep in the woods of Waretown, NJ, that the Pinelands Cultural Society (PCS) found its roots. Every Saturday night, a handful of musicians would gather to pick and sing in the Albert brothers’ small, secluded deer cabin in the Waretown pinelands.
Playing a variety of new songs, old songs and many of their own creations, music would ring throughout the long sandy lanes of the pines. The Alberts’ cabin became better known as the "Home Place" by the few lucky people who went there.
In the summer, the cabin windows were opened and wild deer wandered around the yard. In the winter, you would find a roaring fire in the old cast iron cookstove and plenty of hot coffee and homemade cake. The cabin was lighted by several gas lamps and water was provided by an old hand pump in the kitchen. There was no electricity.
The "Home Place" quickly became widely known by word-of-mouth. Newspaper and television reporters were soon covering the Saturday night events. Hundreds of people were finding their way to the cabin to listen to the music of the Pine Barrens. The list of musicians was also growing, and it was not unusual to find musicians entertaining outside while waiting for their chance to get in.
Still living in the cabin after his brother George passed away, Joe found it difficult to handle Saturday night’s growing crowds. And so it was... the music stopped at the "Home Place.” The visitors missed it. Joe missed it, but no one missed it more than the musicians. After a lapse of six months or so, a few pickin' pineys decided to do something about it.
The Pinelands Cultural Society (PCS), formed around the original few from the "Home Place,” was the outcome of this venture. Today, there are hundreds of musicians who have been a part of the "Sounds of the Jersey Pines." The Society's goals include preservation and stimulation of interest in our pinelands musical heritage. To meet this goal, the PCS planned to build a new music hall.
The Hall would be a place for aspiring musicians, young and old, to learn and perform. It would be a place where music could be given back to the people. The building would be called Albert Music Hall, after the two Albert brothers, who opened their hearts and home to a handful of musicians so many years ago.
The "Sounds of The Jersey Pines" has rung out every Saturday night since November 1974. Our first temporary home was at the Waretown Auction. Although the building was destroyed by a disastrous fire in July 1992, Saturday night performances continued uninterrupted in the parking lot in front of the ruins.
By late summer, PCS was able to temporarily present Albert Hall shows in the Frederic A. Priff Elementary School in Waretown, NJ.
On May 18,1996, ground was broken for the Pinelands Cultural Society's new Albert Music Hall building at 131 Wells Mills Road, Waretown, NJ. The 6,000 square foot building was dedicated and officially opened on January 5, 1997. Over 1,100 people attended to hear a special "Ceremonial Set," followed by 44 bands playing two song sets. Joe and George Albert's dream had come true!