Somerset County to Fete Historic Preservation and History Awards Winners

Public invited to May 25 awards program

BOUND BROOK – Somerset County Freeholder Mark

 Caliguire, cultural & heritage commission liaison, invites

 the public to attend the

19^th Historic Preservation 

and History Awards Program 

on Wednesday, May 25, at 7 p.m

 at the historic Brook Theatre, located at 

10 Hamilton Street, Bound Brook, NJ 08805.

The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission biennial awards 

program was established to increase public awareness of historic 

preservation, and to recognize and publicly commend individuals 

and organizations for their contributions in preserving the county’s history.

Freeholder Director Patricia L. Walsh will present the awards and local historian and educator Linda Barth will introduce a new video titled “The Millstone Valley National Scenic Byway,” produced by the Millstone Valley Preservation Coalition.

Following are the honorees by category:

• Historic Preservation:  SAVE, A Friend of Homeless Animals in Skillman for the restoration and adaptive reuse of the historic Van Zandt House in Montgomery Township.
   
• History Leadership and Education: The Watchung Historical Committee for its efforts to convert the former Watchung Police Department Headquarters to the Texier House Museum, as well as preparation of numerous historic exhibits and displays for the museum.  
• Christopher Solan of Bridgewater for his Eagle Scout project, which placed roadside signage in Bridgewater Township along the Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail.
   
• Publication: “Somerville Through Time,” which is a then-and-now book of historic and present-day photographs of historic Somerville, written by Linda and Robert Barth of Somerville and James Sommerville III of Bridgewater.  
• Also, “A Historical Walking Tour from Old York Road to the Riverfront” and “A Historical Walking Tour of Raritan’s Somerset Street,” by Raritan residents Marie Lombardy and Keith James of the Raritan Historical and Cultural Committee.
• Education: The Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House for their hands-onArchaeology Camp for children.

A reception with light refreshments, as well as an opportunity to network with key leaders in the Somerset County historic preservation and history community, will follow the awards ceremony at the Brook Theatre.

For more information, contact Historic Sites Coordinator Thomas D’Amico at 908-231-7106 or damico@co.somerset.nj.us.