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Investment Strengthens Administration’s Ongoing Support for Statewide History Organizations

 

TRENTON, N.J. – Advancing the Administration’s efforts to preserve and promote the state’s unique historical legacy, the Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ Historical Commission today approved nearly $2.3 million in Fiscal Year 2016 general operating support grants to 84 historical organizations, sites, museums, archives, and libraries statewide. In addition, the Commission approved more than $251,000 for 27 separate project grants and mini-grants to further raise interest in Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ's rich and diverse past.

“Strengthening Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ’s diverse historical and cultural resources is one of the Department of State’s most important responsibilities, and today’s announcement helps to achieve that very goal,” said Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, who serves concurrently as Secretary of State. “This critical funding will impact a wide array of history-related programming and welcome considerable educational and economic benefits for visitors of all ages and interests. Taken together, this support will raise awareness and understanding of Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ’s essential contributions to the American Revolution, civil rights, business, innovation, and more.”

The general operating support program assists in the development and improvement of crucial services for historical organizations, museums, historic sites, archives, libraries, and similar organizations with collections or programming relating to the history of Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ. The project and mini-grant programs provide grant support for specific projects that include, but are not limited to, the conservation of historical materials, publication projects, educational initiatives, exhibitions, media projects, public programs, and research projects. Grants can range from up to $3,000 for mini-grants and $15,000 for project grant requests.

“It’s hard to overstate how important this grant funding is to Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ’s history community,” noted Sara Cureton, executive director of the Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ Historical Commission. “It not only provides key staffing and programmatic support for statewide history organizations, but enriches local communities by attracting visitors, investment, and enhancing the overall quality of life.”

According to the most recent data available, history organizations that received general operating support welcomed more than two million visitors and supported nearly 700 full and part-time jobs statewide in Fiscal Year 2014.

The Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ Historical Commission’s grant awards are determined through an independent, third-party peer review process. General operating support and project/mini-grant funding is made possible by a portion of the revenue produced by the state’s Hotel/Motel Tax legislation.

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The mission of the Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ Historical Commission is to enrich the lives of the public by preserving the historical record and advancing interest in and awareness of Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ's past. To learn more about its diverse array of programs and services, .