TRENTON — The New Jersey Historic Trust has over $10 million in grants funds available for historic sites statewide including those in this county.
Applicants can apply for site management grants, ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 or capital preservation grants, ranging from $50,000 to $750,000.
“Since 1990, the Historic Trust has awarded more than 600 grants worth $120 million to worthy preservation projects in every county in the state,” Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Lori Grifa said in a release. “Not only do these grants create jobs, but they jumpstart private fundraising for non-profit preservation organizations.”
The Historic Trust is hosting an applicant workshop on July 28 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Rutgers EcoComplex in Bordentown. Guests can register by calling (609) 984-0473 or by emailing njht@dca.state.nj.us.
Eligible properties are historic sites that are listed, or are eligible for listing, on the state or national Registers of Historic Places. Applicants must also be charitable non-profit organizations or units of county or municipal government. Funding for the grants is dedicated from the Garden State Preservation Trust Fund, which voters approved in November 2009.
Sites must declare their intent to apply by July 22 and applications are due by Sept. 16.
In Cape May County, 11 historic sites have received 22 grants totaling $4,811,592 since 1992, including:
• Cape Island Presbyterian Church, Cape May, $50,000 in 2005.
The Cape Island Presbyterian Church was constructed in 1853 and exemplifies local carpenter-designed building practices. Its architecture exhibits some Greek Revival influenced features, but also contains a unique belvedere that, through its decorative brackets, evokes imagery of eastern or oriental architecture. An Episcopal congregation and the city’s community and visitor’s center have also used the building. Home to Cape May Stage since 1994, the building now hosts theater productions.
• Cape May Lighthouse: $20,142 in 1992; $248,805 in 1993; $622,158 in 1995.
Constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1859, the Cape May Lighthouse is the last in a series of lighthouses to occupy this site and is one of the country’s oldest lighthouses in continuous operation. In addition to serving an essential navigational function, the lighthouse is a popular tourist attraction and an integral part of the adjacent State Park. It remains a highly visible reminder of New Jersey’s maritime legacy.
• Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May, $97,651 in 2000; $50,000 in 2007; $30,600 in 2009.
Built in 1879, the Emlen Physick house and its nine outbuildings comprise a rare surviving example of a late-nineteenth century country estate. The house is attributed to Frank Furness, a prominent Philadelphia architect who was named one of America’s top ten architects by the American Institute of Architects. It was saved from demolition in the 1970s by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts.
• Fire Control Tower #23, Lower Township, $600,000 in 2004
Fire Tower #23 was one of fifteen towers built during World War II (1942) affiliated with Fort Miles, Delaware. The towers, four in New Jersey and eleven in Delaware, were used to aim coastal artillery units housed at Fort Miles. The installation and its associated towers provided harbor defenses of the Delaware Bay and River. This tower is the only remaining, intact, tower in the state.
• Franklin Street School, Cape May, $750,000 in 2006; $17,993 in 2001; $199,797 in 2004.
The Franklin Street School is significant for its associations with Cape May’s African American community and part of the Cape May National Landmark Historic District. The building is now leased by the municipality to the Center for Community Arts. Since leasing the building, the Center has stabilized the building and made significant improvements to its overall condition.
• Goshen Public School, Middle Township, $30,000 in 2009.
The former schoolhouse, constructed in 1872, is currently owned by the Goshen Volunteer Fire Company. Used as a school through the 1950s, the school house was acquired by the fire company. The building maintains its rectangular plan, front entrance, and bell tower. It is currently vacant, having been used infrequently for public meetings and events.
• Hangar No. 1, Cape May County Airport, Lower Township, $103,784 in 2006; $33,917 in 2002; $535,246 in 2000
Hangar # 1 is of national significance and is a Save America’s Treasure Site. The hangar displays a number of historic military aircraft and exhibits including a National Register-listed fighter jet. NASW, and specifically Hangar #1, are significant for their roles in naval dive-bombing pilot training for the Pacific Theater of Operation during World War II. Military experts believe that the Wildwood Naval Air Station was probably the most important of the half-dozen bases supporting naval dive bomber training during the war.
• Hereford Inlet Light Station, North Wildwood, $120,000 in 2006; $67,543 in 1996; $102,000 in 2000; $21,000 in 2001; $26,250 in 2004
The Hereford Lighthouse (1874) is one of six known lighthouses commissioned by the U.S. Treasury’s Light House Board. It was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1872 and 1875. Three of the six known lighthouses have been demolished, and one unsympathetically altered. The Hereford Lighthouse retains the most architectural integrity of the two remaining. The Hereford Lighthouse followed standardized plans developed for residential lighthouses by Paul J. Petz of the US Light House Board. The lighthouse is open 350 days per year and over the last thirty-six months attracted over 120,000 visitors.
• Joseph Falkenburge House, Dennis Township, $50,000 in 2007
The Falkenburge House dates from circa 1805 and retains good integrity of both the Federal and Italianate details. The Italianate details date from 1860 when the house was renovated and enlarged. The house is also important for its associations with prominent eighteenth and nineteenth century leaders in the development of South Jersey, including the Ludlam, Falkenburge, and Leaming families. The ARC of Cape May acquired the building in 1989 and uses it for its administrative offices.
• Ocean City, City Hall, $634,046 in 1995; $400,660 in 1996.
Though best known as a beach resort, Ocean City boasts a City Hall that exudes the sophistication and magisterial grandeur of public buildings erected during the City Beautiful movement of the early-twentieth century. Displaying elaborate use of terra cotta, this 1914-vintage landmark was designed by Vivian Smith, a leading architect for numerous southern New Jersey coastal communities.
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