The Monmouth County Historical Commission awarded historic preservation matching grants totaling $71,215 for 15 restoration projects at the 2023 Grants Presentation ceremony held on Feb. 27.
“It was an honor to present the 15 grant awards to these admirable organizations for their commitment to preserving historical structures in Monmouth County,” said Commissioner Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the Historical Commission. “I believe the best way to honor our rich County history is through the preservation of our historical structures, and these historic preservation grants provide applicants with means to restore and rehabilitate these structures for future generations to enjoy.”
The Historical Commission is committed to remembering the past and preserving history for residents and visitors to learn about Monmouth County’s evolution. 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 2023 Preservation Grant recipients are:
- Asbury Park African American Music Project – Turf Club new roof
- Visiting Nurses Association of Central Jersey – Asbury Station depot replace soffits
- Monmouth County Historical Association – Covenhoven repointing of foundation and gutters
- Freehold Twp. Historic Preservation Committee – Georgia Rd. Schoolhouse painting and shutters
- Friends of Monmouth Battlefield – Craig House barn doors replacement
- The Parker Homestead-1665 – Parker House second-floor restoration
- Squan Beach Lifesaving Station Preservation Committee – Boat room doors restoration
- Twp. of Millstone – Baird House siding restoration and painting
- Historical Society of Ocean Grove – Museum exterior façade restoration
- Twp. of Ocean Historical Museum – Stucile Farm cow barn restoration
- Red Bank Public Library – Eisner Memorial Library addition painting
- Woman’s Club of Red Bank – Reckless House rear porch restoration
- Friends of the Old Yellow Meeting House – Parsonage exterior painting
- InfoAge Science and History Museums – Camp Evans fire doors restoration and paint
- Old Wall Historical Society – Morris-Allgor-Kittel Wheelwright shop restoration
In addition, the Monmouth County Historical Commission awarded history regrants to 21 applicants totaling $48,500 through the New Jersey Historic Commission, a Division of the Department of the State. 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.
The 2023 History Regrant recipients are:
· Asbury Park African American Music Project – catalog and curate historical photographs
· Asbury Park Museum – historic hotels and cottages exhibit
· Atlantic Highlands Historical Society – Strauss Mansion insurance and utility costs
· Battleground Historical Society – Village Inn insurance and utility costs
· Freehold Twp. Heritage Society – Oakley Farm insurance and historic garden maintenance
· Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County – Executive Director’s salary
· Twin Lights Historical Society – Manager/historian salary
· Howell Heritage and Historical Society – MacKenzie Museum insurance, utilities and security
· Keyport Public Library – digitization of Keyport Weekly newspaper
· Parker Homestead-1665 – utilities, insurance and outreach
· Whale Pond Brook Watershed Association & Long Branch Historical Association- production of Seven Presidents trail map and sign
· Friends of Monmouth Battlefield – support for annual reenactment and printing
· Middletown Twp. Historical Society – support for speaker series
· Middletown Twp. Public Library – digitization of Courier newspaper for patrons’ use
· Daughters of the American Revolution (Middletown Chapter) – Revolutionary War veterans’ gravesites signage
· Friends of Millstone Twp. Historic Properties – Baird House insurance and utility costs
· Historical Society of Ocean Grove – Museum liability insurance and utility costs
· Twp. of Ocean Historical Museum – Woolley House liability insurance and utility cost
· Red Bank Public Library – Hispanic community oral history
· Woman’s Club of Red Bank – history book publication
· T. Thomas Fortune Foundation – staff salaries and development consultant cost
“The Historical Commission is excited to award 21 applicants funding through the New Jersey Historical Commission County History Partnership Program,” said Commissioner Burry. “This program is essential to assisting Monmouth County’s cultural organizations educate residents about our history through their normal operations and special projects.”
The Monmouth County Historical Commission was created by the Board of County Commissioners for the preservation and conservation of local history. Established in August 1988, its principal program is the 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 contact John Fabiano, Executive Director at john.fabiano@co.monmouth.nj.us or visit the County’s website at www.visitmonmouth.com.
