FREEHOLD – Several historical sites across Monmouth County have been selected to receive preservation grants, including Howell’s very own MacKenzie Museum.
Grants and regrants were awarded to a total of 27 applicants to provide funding for different projects.
“The Historical Commission is committed to remembering the past so that residents and visitors can learn about Monmouth County’s growth throughout history,” said Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners Director Thomas A. Arnone.
The Monmouth County Historical Commission awarded historic preservation matching grants totaling $66,155 for nine restoration projects. Projects that are eligible include the preservation, restoration or rehabilitation of historic structures, which are owned by non-profit organizations or municipalities, and are accessible to the public.
Additionally, the Monmouth County Historical Commission awarded history regrants to 18 applicants totaling $53,500 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 nonprofit entities.
Included in 2024 History Regrant recipients is the Howell Heritage and Historical Society with the MacKenzie House.
The MacKenzie House is home to the MacKenzie Museum and Library. The last owner, Jessie MacKenzie, was one of the original incorporators of the Howell Historical Society and gave her home to Howell Township in 1982 to be used as a museum and library. The newly founded Howell Heritage and Historical Society purchased the house from the township in 2020 with the goal to refurbish and reopen the MacKenzie House Museum and Library to the public.
According to a press release, the Society will use this year’s funds towards insurance, professional fees and security.
“Monmouth County has a rich and diverse legacy throughout history,” said Commissioner Erik Anderson, liaison to the Historical Commission. “It is important to recognize the individuals and the organizations that work so diligently to preserve and conserve that history. We thank them all for their efforts.”
The 2024 Preservation Grant recipients are:
Asbury Park African American Music Project – Turf Club windows;
Asbury Park Historical Society – Stephen Crane House storm windows;
Atlantic Highlands Historical Society – Strauss Mansion repairs to east side dormer;
Friends of Monmouth Battlefield – Craig House shutters;
Ocean Grove Historical Society – restoration of historic urns;
Navesink Maritime Heritage Association – Grover House floor;
Squan Beach Life Saving Station Preservation Committee – Squan Beach Life Saving Station windows;
Squan Village Historical Society – Bailey-Reed House Museum porch roof;
Township of Millstone – Baird House siding restoration and painting, phase II.
The 2024 History Regrant recipients are:
Asbury Park African American Music Project – documentation of the history of Springwood Avenue via photographs, video and oral history;
Asbury Park Historical Society – insurance and utilities;
Atlantic Highlands Historical Society – insurance and utilities;
Battleground Historical Society – insurance, office supplies, and utilities;
Freehold Township Heritage Society – insurance, website and maintenance;
Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County – executive director’s salary;
Howell Heritage and Historical Society – insurance, professional fees and security;
Keyport Historical Society – collections, marketing and utilities;
Parker Homestead-1665 – insurance, marketing, and supplies;
Friends of Monmouth Battlefield – support for annual re-enactment and printing;
Daughters of the American Revolution – Middletown Chapter – identification of Revolutionary War veterans gravesites and signage;
Middletown Township Historical Society – support for speaker series;
Friends of Millstone Township Historic Registered Properties – insurance and utilities;
Historical Society of Ocean Grove – insurance, salaries and utilities;
Township of Ocean Historical Museum – insurance, phone and utilities;
Navesink Maritime Heritage Association – website, insurance and utilities;
Red Bank Public Library – programs celebrating the library’s centennial;
T. Thomas Fortune Foundation – salary for librarian and archivist.
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