The Broad Street home of the Woman’s Club of Red Bank is in line for some spruce-up funds from Freehold. (Click to enlarge)
The Woman’s Club of Red Bank and three historic structures in Shrewsbury are among the local nonprofits set to share in $71,200 in grants awarded by the Monmouth County Historical Commission, the county government announced Friday.
From the announcement:
“These grants support the great work being done by preservationists in the community,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the county Historical Commission. “These structures tie us to previous generations and help remind us that we must treasure and remember our roots and the people who built our communities. I take pride in the opportunity to give my support and the support of the entire Board of Chosen Freeholders as partners in preservation.”
 The Historical Commission is dedicated to preserving the past and creating a living history. Projects eligible for funding are preservation, restoration or rehabilitation of historic structures – usually 50 years or older – that are accessible to the public. The program covers essentially structural work for projects commonly known as “bricks and mortar” undertakings.
 “The preservation and restoration of historic structures make history real and present in our lives,” Burry said. “These grants are an essential part of what the county does. It is important to maintain and restore these landmarks to their glory and interpret their importance for generations to come.”
 The Monmouth County Historical Commission was created by the Board of Chosen Freeholders for the preservation and conservation of Monmouth County history. Established in August 1988, its principal program is the preservation grants, an undertaking that recognizes the acute need for funds to preserve Monmouth County’s rich and diverse historic legacy. The commission grants matching funds on a competitive basis to municipalities and nonprofit organizations needing financial help in the preservation or restoration of historic structures.
 “Recipients will receive a check for their projects upon completion of the work and the submission of the required paperwork,” said Randall Gabrielan, executive director of the Historical Commission.
 Each grant application must include a description of the project, its meaning to history and the significance and the audience it serves. It must also include a detailed budget, a source of funding available for the applicant’s dollar-for-dollar contribution, detailed quotations for the work, the materials to be used and a time frame for completion.
 There is a $500 minimum request per applicant in any year. The program is competitive and the commission requires proof of the availability of matching funds.
Each grantee is required to submit interim and final reports. The documents are to be accompanied by three photographs that detail project progress. The interim report is due when 50 percent of the work is completed. The final report, due at completion, must show evidence of completion and a canceled check to document payment to the contractor.
The deadline for applying for the preservation grants is Nov. 1 of every year. Information about the Historical Commission grant program can be found at www.visitmonmouth.com
For information about the countyÂ’s Historical Commission, email Gabrielan at [email protected] or by calling 732-431-7413. Additional information can be found on the countyÂ’s Web site at www.visitmonmouth.com.
 The public can visit many of these sites during the Weekend in Old Monmouth tour May 5 and 6.
The 2011 Preservation Grant recipients are:
- Atlantic Highlands
Atlantic Highlands Historical Society – Porch Restoration, Phase 6 – Roof           $ 6,000 - Avon
Borough of Avon By The Sea – Pavilion – Phase V Restoration           $ 4,000 - Belmar
Belmar Historical Council – Union Firehouse – Phase 2Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $ 5,000 - Eatontown
Mt. Zion AME Zion Church – Window Restoration           $ 4,000 - Holmdel
Holmdel Historical Society – Dr. Cooke Office, Chimney Repair & Painting            $ 1,500 - Long Branch
Long Branch Historical Museum Assn. – Church of Presidents, North Wall Siding $ 7,400 - Middletown
Old First Church – Façade Restoration           $ 5,000 - Middletown
All Saints Memorial Church – Exterior Minor Repairs and Painting           $ 6,500 - Millstone
Township of Millstone – Structural Repairs to Former Church           $ 6,000 - Neptune
Historical Society of Ocean Grove – Restoration of Memorial Vase Structure           $  800 - Neptune
Ocean Grove Historic Preservation Society Inc. – Basement Windows           $ 4,000 - Red Bank
WomanÂ’s Club of Red Bank – Exterior Restoration of South Elevation           $ 6,500 - Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury Monthly Meeting – Phase VII: Second Floor Windows (4)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $ 5,000 - Shrewsbury
Christ Church – Exterior Painting           $ 4,000 - Shrewsbury
Monmouth County Historical Association – Smokehouse Restoration           $ 3,000 - Tinton Falls
Borough of Tinton Falls – Second Story Ceiling Repairs           $ 2,000
