Historic Preservation Commission

Additional Resources The following are sources of more information including: Offices related to preservation, research suggestions, and a bibliography,. Offices related to preservation County: Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission PO Box 3000 Somerville, NJ 08876-1262 (908) 231-7110 Patricia McGarry, Manager Administers programs and services that preserve, promote and protect the culture and heritage of Somerset County. Administers the New Jersey State Council on the Arts State/County Partnership Local Arts Program Grant for Somerset County, the SCC&HC’s Mini-Grant Program and the Somerset County Historic Preservation Trust Grant Program. Plans and administers the Somerset County Teen Arts Program; Cultural and Heritage Art Gallery & Student Gallery at 40 North Bridge; and the annual Historic Preservation Awards recognition event. Produces the Cultural Connection, a quarterly calendar/newsletter and is a contributing partner to the Somerset County Arts and Leisure Guide, a bi-annual publication. Provides technical assistance workshops for arts and history organizations; coordinates projects that affect historic sites with appropriate federal and state agencies; provides arts outreach programs; cooperates with The Friends of the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Endowment; maintains a comprehensive survey of all historic sites in Somerset County; and maintains and updates a directory of Somerset County cultural and historic organizations.   State: Garden State Preservation Trust 135 West Hanover Street P.O. Box 750 Trenton, NJ 08625-0750 (609) 984-4600 (609) 292-4912 fax The Garden State Preservation Trust is dedicated to safeguarding our most important natural landscapes and significant cultural resources for today's and future generations. The Garden State Preservation Trust is the financing authority that provides the funds to preserve forests and meadows, watersheds and wildlife habitats, parks and sports fields, working farms, agricultural landscapes and historic structures.   Main Street New Jersey Office of Smart Growth Department of Community Affairs, PO Box 204 101 South Broad Street 7th floor Trenton, New Jersey 08625 (609) 633-9769 Main Street is a comprehensive revitalization program that promotes the historic and economic redevelopment of traditional business districts in New Jersey.  Every two years the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs accepts applications and designates selected communities to join the program.  These communities receive valuable technical support and training to assist in restoring their Main Streets as centers of community and economic activity.  Main Street New Jersey Communities have brought significant numbers of new businesses and jobs to their respective downtowns.  In addition, facade improvements and building rehabilitation projects have upgraded the image of Main Street.  Main Street New Jersey builds on the Main Street ApproachTM that was developed by the National Trust's Main Street Center in 1980 to assist downtown revitalization efforts nationwide.  A grass-roots, comprehensive management philosophy designed to stimulate the downtown's economy and capitalize on its unique image.  Not a grant program, it is a self-help volunteer-driven, community-based effort that requires synchronizing public and private partners to identify and capitalize on existing local assets.  Participation offers access to vast resources, training, and technical assistance that would otherwise be cost prohibitive.   New Jersey State Historic Preservation Office Division of Parks and Forests Department of Environmental Protection PO Box 404 501 E. State Street Trenton, NJ 08625-404 (609) 292-2023 Responsible for administering all federal and state historic preservation programs including the nomination of properties to the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Source of information on a variety of subjects including preservation techniques, preservation planning, and rehabilitation tax credits.   New Jersey Historic Trust, Department of Community Affairs P.O. Box 457, 506-508 East State Street Trenton, NJ 08625-0457 (609) 984-0473 (609) 984-7590 fax Established in 1967, the New Jersey Historic Trust is the only nonprofit historic preservation organization in New Jersey created by State law. The New Jersey Historic Trust is governed by a fifteen member board of trustees. Twelve members are private citizens appointed by the Governor who serve without compensation. They represent all areas of the state and bring to the Trust a wide range of experience in preservation. Three members serve ex-officio, representing the State Treasurer, the New Jersey Historical Commission and the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, with which the Trust is affiliated.   Preservation New Jersey, 30 S. Warren Street Trenton , NJ 08608 609-392-6409 Private, non-profit historic preservation organization. Provides preservation advocacy and information to local organizations and individuals. Publishes their annual 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites in NJ list and a newsletter, Preservation Perspective, maintains an interactive, online Forum, provides a network of and informative training opportunities for professionals through the Building Industry Network, and presents conferences, technical workshops, and seminars on preservation issues throughout the state and serves as a clearinghouse for technical assistance and information to homeowners, municipalities, historic preservation commissions, nonprofit agencies and other individuals and groups.   National: National Park Service, Regional Office Northeast Region U.S. Custom House 200 Chestnut St., Fifth Floor Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215) 597-7013 Dennis Reidenbach, Regional Director National Government agency with many publications and programs including National Register of Historic Places, Historic American Building Survey, National Center for Preservation Technology & Training, Certified Local Government.   National Trust for Historic Preservation, Northeast Office: Seven Faneuil Hall Marketplace Boston, MA 02109 (617) 523-0885 (617) 523-1199 fax Wendy Nicholas, Regional Director Northeast Field Office 6401 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19144 (215) 848-8033 (215) 848-5997 fax Adrian Scott Fine, Director National private, non-profit historic preservation organization whose responsibility is to enhance public awareness of our nation’s heritage of significant buildings, sites, and objects. The Trust is headquartered in Washington, DC, maintains six regional offices that act as a contact for preservationists in the region, offers technical assistance and financial assistance through various grant programs, and publishes a monthly newspaper, a bimonthly magazine, a newsletter, and numerous preservation publications. Top of this page ,   Top of this section,   Bottom of this page, Research suggestions Local: Franklin Township Historic Preservation Commission Municipal Building 475 DeMott Lane Somerset, NJ 08873 The Commission has a variety of informational materials available including bibliographies, specialists lists, and guides and bulletins. The Commission is willing to provide assistance with historic property nominations and advice on maintenance and improvements to historic properties.   Franklin Township Public Library, 485 DeMott Lane Somerset, NJ 08873 (732) 873-8700 In addition to books on architecture and construction, the library is a good source for local history research with its collection of maps and histories of Franklin Township and Somerset County as well as local family information in the Historic Collection Room.   Rutgers University Alexander Library, Special Collections/ New Jersey Room, College Avenue New Brunswick, NJ 08903 (732) 932-7510 Their archives contain Franklin Township records including clerk's records and prominent residents' personal journals, along with important early maps of the area and books on local history.   Local Societies The Meadows Foundation 1289 Easton Avenue Somerset, New Jersey 08873 (732) 828-7418 Local non-profit organization that oversees seven historic properties they keep open to the public.   Griggstown Historical Society   Kingston Historical Society P.O. Box 323 Kingston, NJ 08528 Office: Delaware and Raritan Canal Lock Tenders House, Kingston, NJ   Rockingham Association P.O. Box 496, Kingston, NJ 08528 (609) 683-7132 The Rockingham Association was incorporated in 1964 as the NJ State-recognized, non-profit auxiliary organization to Rockingham State Historic Site.   County: Somerset County Historical Society Van Veghten House 9 Van Veghten Drive Bridgewater, NJ 08807 (908) 218-1281 They maintain a library with an extensive collection of published and unpublished historical reference and genealogical materials focused on Somerset County covering  local, state, and national history and  inhabitants. They also have available for sale their reproduced map of the municipalities in Somerset County, originally published in 1873, that records the buildings and property owners at that time. In their monthly newsletter, they provide an area for genealogical and local history queries. They are happy to provide assistance to anyone undertaking historical or genealogical research related to Somerset County, New Jersey   Somerset County Clerk's Office Public Records Access Somerset County Administration Building 20 Grove Street P.O. Box 3000 Somerville, NJ 08876-1262 (908) 231-7006 (908) 253-8853 fax Keeper of the County records including deeds, mortgages, wills, and liens.   State: New Jersey Historical Commission 225 West State Street, Fourth Floor PO Box 305 Trenton, NJ 08625-0305 (609) 292-6062 (609) 633-8168 FAX Dr. Marc Mappen, Executive Director The Commission was created by law in 1967 to advance public knowledge of the history of New Jersey. It consists of four state legislators, the state librarian, the secretary of state, the director of the state Historic Preservation Office, and ten citizens appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the state senate. The Commission has a staff of five. They further the Commission's mission through conferences, publications, workshops, grants, research, consultation, exhibitions, and media projects.   New Jersey Historical Society 52 Park Place Newark, NJ 07102 (973) 596-8500  (973) 596-6957 The New Jersey Historical Society is a state-wide, private, non profit historical museum, library, and archives dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting the rich and intricate political, social, cultural and economic history of New Jersey to the broadest possible audiences.   New Jersey State Archives 225 West State Street P.O. Box 307 Trenton, NJ 08625-0307 (609) 292-6260 (general information) (609) 633-8334 (administrative office) (609) 292.9105 (fax) The State Archives is the official repository for all New Jersey colonial and state government records of enduring historical value.   New Jersey State Library 185 West State Street PO Box 520,  Trenton NJ 08625-0520 Materials available for researchers.   The League of Historical Societies of New Jersey P.O. Box 909 Madison, New Jersey 07940 (973) 377-7023 The League of Historical Societies of New Jersey is a non-profit corporation who's mission is to promote and further the improvement, interpretation, and preservation of our historical heritage in New Jersey.  The League is the largest grass-roots association in New Jersey history with some 260 member organizations which represent more than fifty thousand members Top of this page ,   Top of this section,   Bottom of this page, Bibliography Local History Beers, F. W. Atlas of Somerset County, New Jersey. (New York, NY: Beers, Comstock, & Cline. 1873). Brahms, William. Images of America Franklin Township. (Dover, NH: Arcadia Publishing. 1997). Clark, Grace, Jessie Havens and Stewart Hoagland. Somerset County 1688-1938. (Somerville, NJ: Somerset Press. 1976). Havens, Jessie Lynes. Somerset County: Three Centuries of Progress: An Illustrated History (-:-. 1990). Keator, Rev. Eugene H. 1710-1910 Historical Discourse Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Six Mile Run Reformed Church, Franklin Park, NJ. (Franklin Park, NJ:-. 1910). Menzies, Elizabeth G. C. Millstone Valley. (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press. 1969). Menzies, Elizabeth G. C. Passage Between Rivers: A Portfolio of Photographs and a History of the Delaware and Raritan Canal. (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press. 1976). McKelvey, William J. Delaware and Raritan Canal. (York, PA: Canal Press Inc. 1975). Otley, J. W. and J. Keily. Map of Somerset County, New Jersey. (Camden, NJ: Lloyd Vanderveer. 1850). Snell, James P., comp. History of Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, New Jersey. (Philadelphia, PA: Everts & Peck. 1881). Stryker, Elsie Beatrice and Ralph W. Thomson. Where the Trees Grow Tall. (Franklin Township, NJ: The Franklin Township Historical Society. 1963). Terhune, Laura. Episodes in the History of Griggstown. (New York, NY: Albert H. Vela Co. 1976). New Jersey Architecture Aiken, Joan L. Haddonfield Historic Homes: Success Through Historic Preservation (-, -:Harrowood Books. 1991). Bailey, Rf. Pre-Revolutionary Dutch Houses and Families in North Gowans, Alan. The Architecture of New Jersey: A Record of American Civilization (Princeton, NJ: -. 1964). Greiff, Constance, Mary W. Gibbons and Elizabeth G. C. MenziesPrinceton Architecture: A Pictorial History of Town and Campus (Princeton, NJ: -. 1967). Guter, Robert P. and Janet W. Foster. Building the Book: Pattern Book Architecture in New Jersey (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press. 1992). Hand, Susanne C. New Jersey Architecture (New Jersey History Series, No 5) (Trenton, NJ: New Jersey Historical Commission. 1995). McC. Groff, Sibyl. New Jersey's Historic Houses; A Guide to Homes Open to the Public Schwartz, Helen and Margaret Morgan Fisher. The New Jersey House (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press. 1983). Preservation techniques An excellent source of information on a variety of topics related to the care and maintenance of historic properties is the series of Preservation Briefs published over the course of many years the National Park Service. There are currently 40 that may be obtained from the Historic Preservation Commission, State Historic Preservation Offices, or accessed online from the list of titles below. 01: The Cleaning and Waterproof Coating of Masonry Buildings 02: Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Brick Buildings 03: Conserving Energy in Historic Buildings 04: Roofing for Historic Buildings 05: Preservation of Adobe Buildings 06: Dangers of Abrasive Cleaning to Historic Buildings 07: The Preservation of Historic Glazed Architectural Terra-Cotta 08: Aluminum and Vinyl Siding on Historic Buildings 09: The Repair of Historic Wooden Windows 10: Exterior Paint Problems on Historic Woodwork 11: Rehabilitating Historic Storefronts 12: The Preservation of Historic Pigmented Structural Glass 13: The Repair and Thermal Upgrading of Historic Steel Windows 14: New Exterior Additions to Historic Buildings: Preservation Concerns 15: Preservation of Historic Concrete: Problems and General Approaches 16: The use of Substitute Materials on Historic Building Exteriors 17: Architectural Character: Identifying and Preserving 18: Rehabilitating Interiors in Historic Buildings 19: The Repair and Replacement of Historic Wooden Shingle Roofs 20: The Preservation of Historic Barns 21: Repairing Historic Flat Plaster - Walls and Ceilings 22: The Preservation and Repair of Historic Stucco 23: Preserving Historic Ornamental Plaster 24: Heating, Ventilating, and Cooling Historic Buildings 25: The Preservation of Historic Signs 26: The Preservation and Repair of Historic Log Cabins 27: The Maintenance and Repair of Architectural Cast Iron 28: Painting Historic Interiors 29: The Repair, Replacement, and Maintenance of Historic Slate Roofs 30: The Preservation and Repair of Historic Clay Tile Roofs 31: Mothballing Historic Buildings 32: Making Historic Properties Accessible (to People with Disabilities) 33: The Preservation and Repair of Historic Stained and leaded Glass 34: Preserving Composition Ornament 35: Architectural Investigations 36: Protecting Cultural Landscapes 37: Reducing Lead-Paint Hazards in Historic Buildings 38: Removing Graffiti from Historic Masonry 39: Controlling Unwanted Moisture in Historic Buildings 40: Preserving Historic Ceramic Tile Floors 41: The Seismic Retrofit of Historic Buildings 42: The Maintenance, Repair and Replacement of Historic Cast Stone 43: The Preparation and Use of Historic Structure Reports 44: The Use of Awnings on Historic Buildings: Repair, Replacement and New Design     Top of this page ,   Top of this section, Return to Historic Preservation Commission Page