County Announces Grants for Historic Properties

The Bergen County Historic Preservation Advisory Board this week announced that grants for historic properties are available from the Bergen County Historic Preservation Trust Fund, a part of the Bergen County Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. 

According to county officials, the Historic Preservation Trust Fund is offering competitive matching grants to municipalities, the county and non-profit organizations for the acquisition, stabilization, rehabilitation, restoration, preservation and the preparation of plans and reports associated wtih the implementation of capital historic preservation projects.  

In order to be considered for a grant, all properties must be located in Bergen County and listed on, or eligible for listing on, the New Jersey Register of Historic Places either individually, or as a contributing part of a historic district.

Despite the rich history a particular site may have attached to it, obtaining funding is difficult, particularly in the current economic climate. A reported that the Historic Steuben House at New Bridge Landing is currently in a funding fight with the DEP. According to the article, following the April 2007 Nor'easter, legislation was approved in 2009 to transfer administration of the Steuben House and surrounding parkland from the Department of Environmental Protection to the Historic New Bridge Landing Park Commission once a . The master plan was adopted in September 2010.

The article states that years later the , even though the Commission for the reopening of the Steuben House for school groups and the public in general.

This is just one example of a Bergen County historical site in need of funding in order to be preserved, and not left to perish. 

The letter of intent to apply for the Historic Properties grant is due on July 19 and the grant application is due on August 30. 

For additional information, or to apply for the grant, click here.