To mark the 50th anniversary of the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) and emphasize the significant work of history organizations and programs across the state, we asked our FY2017 and FY2018 grant recipients to submit a short narrative and photos describing the impact of NJHC funding. Each week until the end of our fiscal year in June, we will post a spotlight featuring the responses of our grant recipients. Whether NJHC support contributed to general operating, a brand new exhibit, an engaging education program or the restoration of a historic object, it’s truly amazing to see what New Jersey history organizations, libraries, and individuals have to offer.
This week we spotlight the Middlesex County Office of Arts and History!
The staff of the Middlesex County Office of Arts and History
The Middlesex County Office of Arts and History has enjoyed a long association with the NJ Historical Commission going back to the 1980’s. Since 2000, Middlesex County has been awarded over $2.1 million in state funds, which have supported 745 projects and funded 103 local community organizations in all 25 municipalities. Our capacity to create innovative programming and provide public access to historic resources has been expanded through General Operating Support and Grants for history programming. Our historic publications, podcasts, oral histories, distance learning, digitization, traveling and interactive exhibitions provide the public with a wide range of experience in New Jersey history. Our new mobile website – Text Culture 56512 – showcases podcasts, a cultural events calendar and a GIS-based map of historic sites. Community history lectures with well-known scholars such as Graham Russell Hodges, Sheila Skemp, and John Haworth build and diversify public participation. A public archaeology series allows the community to participate in excavations around the County. Digitization of over 50 years of New Brunswick newspapers by the New Brunswick Free Public Library, a grantee, have been viewed by researchers from all over the world. Cornelius Low House/Middlesex County Museum has hosted exhibits on significant New Jersey topics, including Diners, the Jersey Shore, and medical industry. East Jersey Old Town Village is a New Jersey Crossroads of the American Revolution site and hosts a permanent exhibit on excavated artifacts from Raritan Landing. For all this and more, we are extremely grateful to the New Jersey Historical Commission.
The Cornelius Low House in Piscataway, NJ is operated by the Middlesex County Office of Arts and History.
For questions about NJHC Grantee Spotlights, please contact Greer Luce, Communications Officer, at 609-633-0776 or greer.luce@sos.nj.gov.
About the New Jersey Historical Commission
The New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) is a state agency dedicated to the advancement of public knowledge and preservation of New Jersey history. Established by law in 1967, its work is founded on the fundamental belief that an understanding of our shared heritage is essential to sustaining a cohesive and robust democracy.
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