Somerset County is holding its 19th Historic Preservation & History Awards Program on Wednesday, May 25, 2016, at the historic Brook Theatre in Bound Brook.
BOUND BROOK - Somerset County Freeholder Mark Caliguire, cultural & heritage commission liaison, invites the public to attend the 19th Historic Preservation & History Awards Program being held 7 p.m. Wednesday at the historic Brook Theatre, 10 Hamilton St.
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, according to a news release.
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 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 its hands-on Archaeology 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.