County of Monmouth

For Immediate Release:
March 10, 2020

County historic preservation grants presented
12 projects share $57,815 in grant money

FREEHOLD, NJ –The Monmouth County Historical Commission awarded preservation matching grant awards totaling $57,815 for 12 restoration projects at the annual Preservation Grants Awards ceremony held Feb. 24 in Freehold.

“It was my privilege to present grants to 29 commendable organizations who have dedicated their time to preserve historical structures in Monmouth County,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the County Historical Commission. “Preserving our historical structures helps protect Monmouth County’s beautiful history and will help educate our youth.”

The Historical Commission is dedicated to remembering the past and preserving history for residents and visitors to learn about Monmouth County’s past. The projects eligible for funding are preservation, restoration or rehabilitation of historic structures, which are owned by non-profit organizations or municipalities, and are accessible to the public. The program covers structural work for projects commonly known as “bricks and mortar” endeavors.

“Since 1990 the Historical Commission continues to provide support for preservation undertakings,” said John Fabiano, Executive Director of the Historical Commission. “Once again, we have a variety of dedicated grantees that are moving these preservation projects forward.”

The 2020 Preservation Grant recipients are:

  • Allentown Historical Preservation Commission – Borough Annex roof replacement and trim repair
  • Asbury Park Historical Society – Repair and repaint Stephen Crane Lecture Hall
  • Atlantic Highlands Historical Society – Strauss Mansion West 2nd floor porch restoration
  • Borough of Fair Haven – Bicentennial Hall exterior restoration and painting
  • Freehold Township Historic Preservation Commission – Oakley Farmhouse exterior painting and repair
  • Friends of Monmouth Battlefield – Craig House dutch doors replacement
  • Howell Heritage and Historical Society – McKenzie House basement support and plaster repair
  • The Parker Homestead-1665 – Parker Homestead cellar wall structural support
  • Squan Beach LSS Preservation Commission – Lifesaving Station Sump Pump Project
  • Township of Millstone – Clarksburg Cultural Center front door restoration
  • Township of Ocean Historical Museum – Stucile Tower Restoration Project
  • InfoAge Science and History Museum – Restoration of Broadway: Fire & Safety door repair

In addition, the Monmouth County Historical Commission issued history regrants to 17 applicants totaling $19,185 through New Jersey’s County History Partnership Program. This Partnership Program supports existing local history organizations by providing grant funding for General Operating Support (GOS) and Special Projects (SP) to those same organizations, as well as other non-profit entities, such as municipalities, libraries and local cultural organizations. Funding for these matching grants is provided entirely by the New Jersey Historical Commission, a Division of the Department of State.

The 2020 History Regrant recipients are:

  • Allentown Historic Preservation Commission –SP for historical marker at Union AME Church Cemetery
  • Asbury Park Public Library – SP for microfilming and digitizing housing records
  • Asbury Park African-American Music Project – SP for African-American Music Oral History Project
  • Colts Neck Historical Preservation Commission – SP for historic sites brochure
  • Battleground Historical Society – GOS for insurance and utility costs
  • Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County – GOS for Executive Director’s salary
  • Freehold Township Heritage Society – GOS for liability insurance and outdoor maintenance costs
  • Twin Lights Historical Society – GOS for part-time curator’s salary
  • Historical Society of Highlands – SP Students Oral History Project
  • Parker Homestead-1665 – GOS for fixed-costs, ie. utilities, insurance, outreach, ect.
  • Middletown Township Historical Society – SP for Speaker Series fees and publicity
  • Friends of Millstone Township Historic Properties – GOS for utilities, including phone and internet service
  • Neptune City Borough – SP for historic Bennett Cemetery restoration
  • Township of Ocean Historical Museum – GOS for insurance and utility costs
  • T. Thomas Fortune Foundation – SP for African and Native American Oral History Project
  • Red Bank Public Library – SP for Red Bank City directories digitization
  • InfoAge Science History Museum – GOS to develop interactive kiosks

“The Board of Chosen Freeholders and I would like to thank the New Jersey Historical Commission for funding these regrants through the County History Partnership Program,” said Freeholder Burry. “Between the grantees receiving General Operating Support and Special Project support the individual historical organizations will be able to maintain their historic organizations.”

The Monmouth County Historical Commission was created by the Board of Chosen Freeholders for the preservation and conservation of local history. Established in August 1988, its primary program is the historic preservation grants, an undertaking that recognizes the acute need for funds to preserve Monmouth County’s rich and diverse historic legacy.

For information about the County’s Historical Commission call 732-431-7400, ext. 7413, or visit the County’s website at www.visitmonmouth.com.

To view photos of the recipients, click here.

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